People often ask writers, where do you get your ideas from. Occasionally, you can just be lucky... It happened to me and my husband this weekend. We were popping across to London to visit friends and as we came into Victoria we spotted the most beautiful train. Cream and brown with little lamps at the windows. It was the stately, legendary Pullman carriages of the Orient Express. We sprinted around to the platform to find it had just arrived from Venice (sigh). Now I know the Agatha Christie story, 'Murder on the Orient Express,' but my husband turned to me and said, 'what about Love on the Orient Express as a book title?' Immediately I could see all sorts of possibilities and was desperate to look inside. Luckily, the kindest, nicest Orient Express train manager was standing there and he showed us inside and let me take photos. Each carriage - they have names like Lucille, Ione and Perseus - has its own individual design featuring hand wrought marquetry, lush carpets and beautifully upholstered seats. The train manager, gave us a potted history of the train and a deluxe brochure to take away. My dream would be to go to Venice but at £2000 a pop it might take some saving up to achieve. Until then though, I can always write a book about it now I have the research material...
7 comments:
It's a dream of mine to go Venice on the Orient Express. Perhaps in my Mummy Gap year!
This sounds like a made up story, but I was only sitting thinking about a trip on the Orient Express. This was Friday when it was wild and stormy outside. I was imagining what fun it would be - at two grand a pop though I might not make it, less I win the lottery. Thank you for confirming what a treat it would be, Cara.
I hope you make it Bex. I hope we all make it! Margaret, just seeing how lovely it all looked made me really want to have a go. Their brochure had trips on different railways all round the world too. We can all dream on!
Cara - it looks wonderful! Lucky you. At £2000 I think I'll only get on it as a member of staff!
Love those pics of you Cara - you should start saving NOW!
Hi Giselle and Scarlet
I do buy my lottery ticket every month! Scarlet they were all working like slaves clearing up the carriages ready for it to go back out again, but it would be a fun place to work.
What an experience to be able to have your own private tour! It does sound so romantic... we'll all be buying our lottery tickets now!
Lovely photos of you both.
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