Yesterday my good wife and I, as a delayed wedding anniversary treat, enjoyed a day trip to Cardiff on a preserved steam train excursion. We travelled behind this beauty.
Many of the other folk aboard were steam railway enthusiasts, as was clear when trying to take photographs.
All the way along the route (we travelled the Reading to Cardiff section) other folks lined the track to photograph or film our passing. For example: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lms46233DuchessofSutherland/permalink/5043203379046802/
We came to understand that gentlemen of a certain age regularly take these trips. In the more expensive classes of travel, wives accompany them to enjoy being pampered. As well as the ambience of travelling in coaches from a former age the service on board was excellent, as evidenced by the outward and return dining menus.
Yes – my first Turkey Dinner and Christmas Pud of the season. Both meals were served at table by a team of staff, one element at a time, rather than simply plated in the kitchen and served. My only criticisms are that the slice of paté served exceeded the size of the bread provided on which to spread it, and that when serving a table of four it is not clever to leave six packs of crackers and five butter pats. Service high, counting ability low!
At Cardiff we had three hours to spend. We chose to browse the Christmas Market and the several arcades, feeling that we could not fit in enough time to visit Cardiff Castle properly. I have managed to complete about half my Christmas gift shopping.
And so home by about 9:30 pm, tired but satisfied.
General Whiskers' semi-historical wanderings 