Travelling First Class is an interesting experience. Service at your seat, free wifi, antimacassars what more could you ask? I'm not quite sure why the antimacassars. Hair oil is not widely used these days and they offer no protection from transmission of head lice, something I have considered frequently as a possibility via upholstered public transport seats. They must be some sort of throw back to an earlier age where their presence denotes social rank, airlines use them too presumably for the same reason.
I'm not in a quiet coach but it's mighty quiet in here. It's also very sparsely populated. There are 4 of us, 3 men and me spaced amongst 27 seats in coach E.
I wonder if any of my travelling companions have paid the full first class fare? I know I haven't. Charities don't run to first class rail travel where a cheaper standard class is available. The food is a bit strange offering a choice of beef casserole, something (I heard it repeated 4 times but didn't ever catch it and couldn't detect from the flavour) risotto which was presumably the veggie choice or an egg sandwich which I can only assume is left over from previous journeys. As we boarded tea and coffee were served followed by the offer of a cold drink. then the very small portion of casserole or risotto. I didn't see the sandwich as nobody ordered it so I cant comment on its size, the hot food was served in a very small oval dish and the risotto reminded me of the food served in the film Brazil. After finishing the hot food I was offered a tumbler of wine. Presumably wine glasses are unsuited to rail travel. The wine was predictably cheap but given that I didn't really pay for any of the catering (my first class ticket actually cost less than the combined price of a standard ticket plus wifi access which you get free in first class) I shouldn't complain.
How much more civilised and comfortable this is compared to flying. Even in standard class you can get up and stretch your legs. Its curious that in these times of economic crisis nobody has come up with an idea of great public works reversing the the chicanery of Lord Beeching. Even the toilet on the train is useable as long as you don't forget to lock the door. Should you wish to you could take your cat in there along with your Benny Goodman CD.
I love trains and secretly yearn to travel up front with the driver to get the full experience. Trains are so much more substantial than other forms of transport (apart from ocean liners). Rail travel opened up the world in a way that the motor car and aeroplane can only really follow as an also ran.
Just coming in to Colwyn Bay, next stop Llandudno Junction so I better pack up and get ready to disembark.
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