Thursday, March 17, 2011

On a Train Bound for Nowhere

Andrew- Gusband and I are currently en route to Adelaide via train. Why? Why indeed? The easiest answer would be that Gusband has never done it before and in his line of work he really felt that it would be a good idea to help his clients.

So yesterday we flew to Sydney to get on the train and off we went. Now never having travelled on a train before (for long journeys anyway) I admit I was a tad apprehensive. As an admitted snob I do not like public transport at the best of times so how was I going to cope for 24 hours?
Turns out surprisingly well! There is much more room than your dodgy old economy seat on a plane, you have your own toilet and shower and you can drink. Perfect. Now I get that it takes a whole lot longer to get to where you are going but that doesn’t worry me, I’m all about the journey not the destination.

So we got to our compartment, Gusband promptly lay down and slept for 3 hours and I had 3 hours of uninterrupted reading – 1 book down, next 1 begun.
Dinner was “Silver Service” which I think is hilarious looking at the demographic who we were eating along side. Silver hair everywhere! Apparently train journeys are for the retired and the foreign, we are the youngest punters on this train by about 30 years.
At the moment I’m blogging from Broken Hill. We’ve been for a walk (we opted out of the coach trip around town) had a coffee and are about to leave for Adelaide.
What’s on today’s agenda? Well I’m reading a book called “The Indignities” so there will be a lot of that going on. Breakfast, then lunch, then Adelaide. I take back what I said about a train trip would be like being locked in an RSL Club, I’m having a blast!
Very much looking forward to a long shower at the Hilton though campers. xx


Lucy -  Well I am glad you are having a ball. I guess this isn't gong to be like "Murder On the Orient Express" after all.
I did always think the Grey Nomads couldn't only be in camper vans. Now we know where the rest of them are.
I did however want to hear more about the sleeping arrangements, didn't you say you were on the top bunk....Yes campers you sleep in bunk beds on trains!
Now back to the important part of the trip, the food, silver service & a bar carriage, I am very romanced by the sound of that, eating & drinking all the while getting closer to your destination.


While you two have been swanning around on planes & trains, Sawusband & I have had a mini break of our own. 
We drove 20 mins up the road to stay in accommodation & go to a restaurant we have been eyeing off for a while.  Now campers I wouldn't blame you for asking why the Heck wouldn't you catch a taxi there & back. The answer is simple we got accommodation at a special rate $99 for a one bedroom apartment that is normally $225 in off peak & a taxi both ways would have been around the same cost.
We stayed above restaurant so we were in walking distance to everything.
The restaurant was called "Ten" it was authentic Japanese. 
You entered through silver doors
We had the nine course degustation menu
There was even a water menu with water from all over the world. 
We went with one from Norway how very Norwegian of us
Crab done three ways (super yummy)
 The toilets were a bit special so Sawusband had to get a photo for me
It even puffed a scent in the air 
Back to the food
Tile fish with mustard & lime foam

At the end of our meal I asked if we could buy some of the chopsticks as they looked like a pair I used to have that accidentally got broken. they were so lovely that they gave us each a set. 
We had a great time it was a real experience. 

I hope you boys are having fun, I'm sure you are.
Can't wait to hear more of the train escapades!

Have you done anything fancy lately campers?





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