Up bright and early for a special treat

[Tammy Stringer]

Up at the crack of dawn today to take my Mum to London.

Myself and my sisters and brother are treating her to a trip on the Orient Express to see some gardens in Kent and Sussex for her 70th birthday in July. :love: She thinks we are going to the theatre so she is in for a great big surprise.

Let's hope the rain stays off for the day

Looking forward to my brunch with Bellini and 4 course dinner with champagne and wine.:woohoo:

Tammy

[Goofysmate]

Wow , What a fantastic present for you Mum Tammy :cheer2:

Wishing you all a fantastic time which i'm sure it will be , take lots of pic's to share with us please :thumbsup2 :goodvibes

Happy Birthday to you Mummy :goodvibes

[jjk]

what a lovely present for your mum

hope you all have a lovely day :goodvibes

[mandymouse]

What a fab present Tam, I hope you all have a great time and I look forward to seeing some piccies :thumbsup2

[natalielongstaff]

Great gift Tam :thumbsup2 hope the rain stays away !

[Strommie]

That is an amazing present Tam, hope you all have a wonderful time :yay:

[Snowy-girls]

How kind of you all :thumbsup2 .I hope you all have a fantastic time.x.

[Minniespal]

What a fantastic gift. Can't wait to hear all about it.

[saratogagirl]

have a lovely time Tam, Happy Birtyday to your mum, I can't wait to hear all about it

[Chilly]

Hope you have a fab day out.

[PoppyAnna]

Lovely gift, if you're off to Sissinghurst gardens, it's a lovely place.
Hope you have a really good day.

[jns]

hope you all have a great day

[The Fetherstons]

Hope you have a fantastic day, what a lovely gift for you mum, Enjoy:thumbsup2

[CHEK]

Hope the day goes really well and that you all have a wonderful time :goodvibes, what a lovely treat for your Mum :hug:

[Pinky166]

What a lovely surprise for your mum....hope to see some piccies! ;)

[wideeyes]

sounds a lovely surpise.

[UKDEB]

Hope you've all had a fantastic day, Tam. Post and let us know how it all went if you're not too shattered when you get in later. Oh, and piccies, please! (You can do that tomorrow if you like ;) ).

[KayleeUK]

WOW hope you have a lovely time :)

[jtlover]

Hope you had a lovely day

[florida sun]

Hope you had a lovely day Tam:goodvibes

[Kevin Stringer]

Hope you've all had a fantastic day, Tam. Post and let us know how it all went if you're not too shattered when you get in later. Oh, and piccies, please! (You can do that tomorrow if you like ;) ).

I doubt she'll be typing anything tonight Deb as I don't pick the rabble up from getting off the bus in Cirencester until 11.15pm and they're bound to be sozzled after all that champagne.
I had to content myself with an afternoon playing in our works golf tournament. Hardship, I know.

Kev

[SusanEllen]

Now that is a wonderful birthday surprise--and clever of you, Tammy, to give it to her two months early so she wasn't suspecting anything!
Your mother is a great example of how 70 is the new 40. She'll never have to confess her age because no one would ever suspect it. I guess I'll just send my birthday greetings when I planned to--on her birthday. In the meantime, please, tell her hi from me and give her a hug.

[Tammy Stringer]

Thanks everyone - we had a truly memorable day - and if anyone ever gets the chance to do an Orient Express day trip - do go - you really won't regret it.

We surprised my mum at Victoria station with details of the day ahead. She was gob smacked and hadn't suspected a thing. We then went into the booking office to check in - this is beautifully done with lovely memorabilia from days gone by.

We were assigned carriage Signus - each carriage has its own name. We were lucky enough to have a small compartment for the four of us. The chairs are beautiful armchairs and the decor is wonderful.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress084-1.jpg

We set off at 9.40am on route to Headcorn station

We were served breakfast after a glass of bellini - served by the most attentive attendants

Fresh fruit cocktail with a beautiful yoghurt, fruit, oatmeal compote

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress017-1.jpg

Scrambled eggs with chives, smoked salmon on a warm buttered crumpet
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress018-1.jpg


Home made fruit bread, rolls and then tiny danish pastries. All accompanied by freshly brewed colombian coffee.

We arrived at Headcorn at 11.40am where we took a coach to Great Dixter. We had a guided tour of the wonderful gardens and house.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress032-1.jpg

Onto the coach again and then onto Hole Park - this is a private garden been in the same family for three generations. The current owner's wife served tea and home made cake before the owner gave us a great talk about the history of the gardens and the house. The gardens again were beautiful.
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress064-1.jpg
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress071-1.jpg

We were very lucky and the weather stayed fine and not too chilly.

We board the train back to London at 4.35pm and were immediately served a chilled glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres

Then what we had been waiting for a beautiful 4 course meal

For all you foodies

Ballotine of Kentish Guinea fowl, sun blushed tomato mousse served with spiced pear and apply chutney and toasted focaccia

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress086.jpg

Fillet of sole, crayfish and lobster mousse, saffron potatos, pencil asparagus and a tomato and herb broth

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress087.jpg

Great british cheese board with home-made chutney and grapes
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress088.jpg

Orient express old english trifle
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress089.jpg

Coffee from Colombia with individual boxed truffle
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress090.jpg

This was accompanied by two bottles of Montepulciano d'abruzzo, Convivo, Italy and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Gregoris, Delle Venezie, Italy and another glass of champagne.

My brother's ex used to work for Orient Express and my brother had meet the train manager before - so he introduced himself and kindly gave us a guided tour of the whole train explaining some of the history and it was really interesting to see how each carriage is decorated with different panelling, upholstery etc., and we also saw the tiny kitchens where the food is cooked. (It is apparantly prepared off the train but all the cooking is done in small galley kitchens - remarkable when you consider the quality is top notch) I have to say that after drinking so much alcohol we did have a job walking up and down the carriages without falling over!!!

Mum with the Orient Express cake she was give by the train manager - she also got a bottle of champagne which thankfully she decided to keep until her proper birthday.:rotfl:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress091.jpg

We arrived back in London just before 8pm - time for another bottle of wine in a wine bar before boarding the coach back home

All in all a fabulous day and one we won't forget in a hurry - we laughed so much we were crying on occasions and it was lovely to spend the day with my mum, sister and brother. Although my little sister, who lives in Sydney, wasn't able to join us - she is visiting in July with her 3 year old - to celebrate my mum's actual 70th so we will all be together then

Tammy

[mandymouse]

Wow Tam, it sounds like you all had a fantastic time. Love your photos :thumbsup2 and I'm so pleased that your mum had a special day :)

[natalielongstaff]

Thanks for the photos Tam, i agree with susan your mum looks fab for her age :)

[Pinky166]

What a great day, thanks for sharing. Your mum does not look 70! :worship:

[Booknut]

Glad you all had such a great time, the photos are fab, your mom is beautiful! :goodvibes

[jns]

Your mum does not look 70! :worship:
I was thinking the same thing

Sounds like you all had a wonderful day

[SusanEllen]

What a special day for your family. Thank you for sharing it with us. Julia looks so beautiful and so happy.

Tammy, you have a real talent for writing a trip report. It may be time for you to step out of the famous K. Stringer's shadow.

[Ware Bears]

What a lovely birthday treat for your mum. :goodvibes

[UKDEB]

Wow, Tam - it all looks and sounds fantastic. So pleased that you all had such fun.

Lovely photos, but why no eye candy in the form of Jeremy? :rotfl2:

[carolfoy]

fabulous day, fabulous pics and an absolutely fabulous mum Tam, well done.

[Tammy Stringer]

Wow, Tam - it all looks and sounds fantastic. So pleased that you all had such fun.

Lovely photos, but why no eye candy in the form of Jeremy? :rotfl2:


Deb you are so predictable - I knew you or Jules would be wanting a picture of little brother :rotfl:

So here you are

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress069-1.jpg
Tam

[saratogagirl]

Wow, Tam - it all looks and sounds fantastic. So pleased that you all had such fun.

Lovely photos, but why no eye candy in the form of Jeremy? :rotfl2:

you beat me to it :lmao: , seriously Tam, a lovely day, and great pictures, it sounds like you had so much fun x

[jtlover]

Your mum is very glam.

Glad you had a lovely day:thumbsup2

[saratogagirl]

Deb you are so predictable - I knew you or Jules would be wanting a picture of little brother :rotfl:

So here you are

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress069-1.jpg
Tam

ooh look Deb, here he is, thank you kindly Tam :cloud9:

[CarolynU]

Tam your entire day sounds amazing, and the photos superb. I have to say that your Mum also looks very young for 70. What's her secret? I have seen the Orient Express many times, because I live in Kent, but have never been on it. What an experience.

[The Fetherstons]

What great photos and what a fab day:thumbsup2 , as everyone says your mum looks great for her age:thumbsup2

[florida sun]

Wonderful photos Tam, so glad you all enjoyed the day:thumbsup2

[UKDEB]

ooh look Deb, here he is

Phwoar!

(Except if Matt is looking and then, "Hot? Jeremy? Nah!" :rotfl: )

[Boss Hogg]

Deb you are so predictable - I knew you or Jules would be wanting a picture of little brother :rotfl:

So here you are

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tammystringer/Orient%20Express/OrientExpress069-1.jpg
TamTell him - nice school jumper! Having said that, I'll tell him in 2 weeks. See you 80 mins.

[Strommie]

Brilliant photos, what a wonderful day for you all. :goodvibes

[wideeyes]

lovely day:)

[Mrs Dazzle]

What a lovely day and a fantastic experience for you all:cool1:

[Chilly]

You look like your Mum Tam, and she does not look 70 at all!

Sounds like a really lovely day.

Can I ask who you booked it through?

[Tammy Stringer]

You look like your Mum Tam, and she does not look 70 at all!

Sounds like a really lovely day.

Can I ask who you booked it through?

Thanks - everyone says I look like my Mum - just hope I look as young as she does when I am 70 - a few years from now I hasten to add!!

We booked it direct with Orient Express - if you look at their website they have details of all the day trips as well as the longer European breaks etc.

Just need to win the lottery now - as there are loads of fantastic holidays in Europe, Asia and South America which sound brilliant

Tammy

[Snowy-girls]

What a fantastic day.You all look as though you really enjoyed yourselves.You're Mum looks fantastic.Photo's are great.Thanks for telling us all about it.x.