Orient Express Adventure ~ Bloggy Style

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While the children and I were enjoying a lovely Saturday morning in the drawing room, I received a post from Madame Muse Swings inviting me to go on holiday with her on the new luxury express train... The Orient Express! She said all our friends will be there, we must go Dahling!

I secured my passage and set about packing my trunks. Oh what to wear?
When I arrived in Paris, I could feel the excitement in the air and... someone following me.
Before leaving for the train station, I went shopping and chose a few gifts for my dear friends who were joining us on our journey. It was a lovely surprise when I met several of the other passengers purchasing a few things too. We agreed to wait upon each other and arrive together.

We paraded ourselves in our new gowns until 2:00 pm and arms fully loaded with more boxes. We caught the train and left Paris about 3:00 pm. From there on I got no rest, I walked about the train and visited with everyone until it was time for tea.

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"And then there had come this Belgian stranger - all the way from England."You have saved us, mon cher", said the General emotionally."

I immediately rang my steward, Jean Michael, and told the dahling that I must have some tea and sandwiches.

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"Mary Debenham had had little sleep since she left Baghdad on the preceding Thursday. Two men below her window were talking French. One was a French officer, the other was a little man with enormous moustaches."

"You have not dined well. The skewers are of better quality than the kebab. The bottle is more distinguished than its wine. And the coffee."

After my little nibble, I set about to locate my friends. Perhaps they were in the dining car?

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"'When [Ratchett] passed me in the restaurant ... I had a curious impression. It was as though a wild animal ... had passed me by ... The body - the cage - is everything of the most respectable - but through the bars, the wild animal looks out ... I could not rid my-self of the impression that evil had passed me by very close."

I could have sworn I just saw Madame Christie sitting here a moment ago? Oddly, she left her writing tools behind... some writing paper, a ivory cased pen and a box of chocolates.

Ah yes, here they are my friends! They've just ordered hors d'oeuvres and champagne!

Oh Jean Michael! Could you open a bottle for the ladies and I?
Madame Sassy Lass recommended the Beef Bourguignonne! Oh dahling, it's divine!

When we finished we went to the lounge for a little game of cards.

"You'd better go catch upon your sleep before the Belgian gentleman gets back to your compartment." "Would you forgive us if we went back to the compartment, Mrs. Hubbard? Gladly, if you must. If you need aspirin, I always carry it on my person. I mistrust foreign drugs."

Oh Jean Michael, could you light my heater for me please?

Oh isn't Jean Michael such a sweet steward, he left a little surprise for me when I returned to my cabin...

Ah, yes a cup of tea, a good book and the rocking of the train to lull' me to sleep. Oh Jean Michael, could you fluff my pillow? Perhaps fetch my slippers too?
"Good night, Mr. Ratchett. Good night, Hector. Ce n'est rien. C'etait un cauchemar. Bien, Mr. Ratchett. May you now have pleasant dreams."

I've enjoyed this trip on the luxury Orient Express and I look forward to visiting all of you who have joined us on the adventure!

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"Better than the hotel? I shall probably keep the menu as a souvenir."

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*** All quote excepts are from the book, Murder on the Orient Express" ***

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