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.
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
Scrambled eggs with chives, smoked salmon on a warm buttered crumpet
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.
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.
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
Fillet of sole, crayfish and lobster mousse, saffron potatos, pencil asparagus and a tomato and herb broth
Great british cheese board with home-made chutney and grapes
Orient express old english trifle
Coffee from Colombia with individual boxed truffle
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.
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
).
and I'm so pleased that your mum had a special day 
, seriously Tam, a lovely day, and great pictures, it sounds like you had so much fun x
