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Tuesday 13 December 2011

Wish I Was Here

Oh what I wouldn’t give to be here again, setting off for Venice on the Orient Express. Following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot, and even sharing Rupert, the same cabin steward David Suchet had when he went adventuring on this famous train.

Waiting for my Bellini at Victoria Station

If I close my eyes I can imagine sitting in an Orient Express carriage at Victoria station, in London, waiting for my Bellini and lunch as we pull out on the first stage of the journey to Venice. The British Orient Express takes me to Folkstone to change to the luxury coaches which will transport us via the Channel Tunnel to Calais Ville, where I will board the continental Orient Express. This is the real deal, the train that David Suchet travelled on, and before him, Agatha Christie. This was the inspiration for her novel Murder on the Orient Express, and I can see why.

Departure from Venice - Now which one is Poirot and which one the victim - hmm

Two days of luxury, good food, pampering, and great entertainment, await before arriving in Venice for a lovely five day holiday. Pure bliss. Then home again on the return journey by Orient Express, from Venice to London.

Rupert, my lovely cabin steward - I'll let you into a secret, they don't actually use the seats at the end of the carriages any more. They have a cabin instead. But Rupert obliged by sitting in the seat for me.

The price for this holiday was quite horrendous, of course, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience. And I had money to burn. I had the fabulous check I received as part of my prize when I won the Dundee International Book Prize with my crime novel Dead Wood. So, for a week, I could pretend I was another Agatha Christie, off looking for murders and Hercule Poirot, or maybe a detective of my own. Off to write Another Murder on the Orient Express, and while doing so I was living the high life.

I would do it all over again in a blink.

Hmm, there’s a thought. I wonder if there are any more prizes I can enter for, and maybe instead of wishing I was there, I could actually go. And if I do go, Reach for the Stars is the book I will take to read this time instead of Murder on the Orient Express, because I'll be reaching for the stars and fulfilling my dream all over again.


http://www.chrislongmuir.co.uk




14 comments:

Bill Kirton said...

I'm jealous, Chris. Also, I'd rather read you than Agatha Christie any time.

Melanie said...

Amen Bill! I like my crime with a bit more bite to it than Agatha's more genteel whodunnit books.

Still, the memories of you trip on the Orient Express will stay with you forever.

I must say you're looking rather glam in your photo taken while you waited at Victoria Station.

Mary Smith said...

It sounds fabulous, Chris. Deeply envious. Might go and buy a lottery ticket this week.

Linn B Halton and Lucy Coleman said...

Elegance and style! Chris that's so you.... so many people would add that to their wish list too!

Anonymous said...

Now, that really is the way to travel. Aaaah... one day ... perhaps

Kim The Book Worm said...

Oh how very posh! That sounds fabulous, I might have to put it on my things to do list! x

Janice said...

I think this is so wonderful - Chris is a talented person who reached for the stars and touched them when she won the Dundee Book Prize. What better a way to spend all the prize money than on a fabulous and luxurious experience like this. I love the idea of this train, I love the photos, and I think you should enter as many competitions as you can Chris. In 2012 you just might do it all over again! Love, Janice xx

Carol said...

Chris,

How wonderful that you actually got to fulfill this "wish I was here."

Maybe when the kids are grown up and we have are folks with disposable income..... :)

carol

Rosemary Gemmell said...

You brought back my own lovely memories, Chris!

Chris Longmuir said...

Thanks for all your lovely comments and I'm sorry if I've made some of you envious. It was a fabulous experience and one I had wanted to do for a long time.

Deedee said...

I am very very jealous!!!! sounds so glam!!!

Nikki said...

Wish I was there! Love to go on it x It looks so magical x

Sheryl Browne said...

OMGosh! Were you looking at fellow passengers with slitty-eyed suspicion? I have to admit this in one place I really wish I could go. Well done you for spending your very hard/well-earned winnings on YOU! Fabulous! :) x

Anonymous said...

Chris, this looks like a trip we should all have on our wish list! Lucky you!