From Blue Train to Wild dogs -and a little bit in between

[okie]

My SO , Okiedokie said to me : “ Look , it’s not as if you are going to a funeral ! All your pants are getting old and worn-out , and do not fit you anymore . Your weight has increased considerably since we last bought you any clothes , and none of your pants still fit you . And you cannot go in your jeans
And we will also need to buy you a couple of nice shirts , for you to wear in the evening , together with your jacket and tie “
“ What “ said I . “ We are on holiday , and nobody wears a tie while on holiday “

“ It’s a requirement for you to dress up when we go to dinner “ , she says …. “ and maybe we should also look at a new pair of shoes . Your Bally shoes that we bought in Switzerland 15 years ago , still look OK , but I’m not sure if it still fits you .”
“ Hey , come on man “ I said , “ did you know that there are two things of a crow/raven chick that never grows bigger after it hatches from the egg . The crow's feet and it's beak are both fully grown on the day it hatches , and after that it stays the same size for the rest of its life “.

“ So , what does a crow have to do with you having to buy new clothes “ , she asked .
“ Well , once humans are fully grown , their feet also remain the same size , unless your body retains excess water , and my body is not retaining excess water It is just gracefully growing bigger with age “ ….

“ Hmmmmm…. “ , she mumbles . “ It does not really look very gracefull to me ! But in any event , just think , you will probably not need to get new clothes again until your own funeral ! “

Sh…tt… , wow ….. Hey , what am I letting myself in for here Am I been outfitted for an event which I am not quite planning for yet Is there something that I do not know

Hmmmm…. Now before I go any further with this , let me explain from the beginning .....
Some weeks ago , Okiedokie came to me with an idea for her coming 75th birthday , which would be on 26th November . Every year , sometimes once , and sometimes twice a year , when we go to Kruger , we travel by Land Rover , two days up , and the same back again , but , she said since 75 years is a special birthday , she wants her birthday to be special . Don't worry about family , or children , just the two of us .
On the Blue Train
She has for some time been agitating that we could take the train ( Shosoloza ) from Cape Town to Pretoria , with the Land Rover also loaded on the train , and on arrival in Pretoria , we could then take the Landy and visit Kruger .
But she has now come up with the idea to ride on The Blue Train to Pretoria , and let our son Anton drive the Landy up for us , from where we could then do a shortish visit to Kruger .
And I agreed

[Richprins]

Brilliant, okie!

[Flutterby]

The Blue Train! Wow, very fancy...no wonder your SO wanted you to get some new clothes!

[steamtrainfan]

Wow okie, hope we do not only get photos of animals.

[okie]

Yeahh well .. except for the luxuries thrown in , the trip on the train itself was very much like any other train trip ..... Boring , with sitting , eating , drinking , sitting , drinking , eating , drinking , sitting , drinking , eating , drinking , drinking ...........

After the clothes buying episode a couple of weeks previously , there was the matter of getting us on the train in Cape Town .

You see , OkieDokie mainly resides in Somerset West , and I mainly reside on the farm near Worcester . We do not have to spend day-in day-out in each other's company -- after all , we have been married more than 49 years and do not need to know each others movements day-in and day-out
So , it was arranged that : OD will drive to the farm on Monday ( she would need her car when we get back ) , and Serena , my PA for the past 17 years , would come to pick us and take us to Cape Town Waterfront where we would spend the night in one of the luxury apartments . Then , next morning at 6.30 am , Serena would pick us up again to take us to Cape Town train-station .
The Blue Train "terminal " have a red carpet rolled out in front leading into a luxury lounge , and we were met with very smiling staff , offering us champagne , wine , orange juice , beer , whatever you want

[Richprins]

That sounds blerrie marvellous! I like the eating drinking sleeping lifestyle a lot!

Hey, is the blue train a steam train?


okie!

[okie]

Naaah ... it's got a couple of diesel loco's in front Must say , the ride is quite smooooooth as trains go in this country The clacketyclackety is quite muted , although it sounded as if one of the wheels had a flat spot on it --- must have been subjected to hard breaking and was dragged on the rails or something

Yeaahh , you would like it , especially the drinking bit Everything is free , except for French champagne for which you have to pay , otherwise , you just order it , and its available 24/7

[okie]

After a hearty welcome in the Blue train departure lounge , and a short introduction , advice on dress rules for brunch , dinner , breakfast etc , we boarded the train , somewhat woozy from early morning champers on en empty belly
We were allocated to compartment number 30 - there were altogether 36 compartments , and 3 comps per carriage . Each compartment have two comfy-chairs that fold away to make space for two fold-out beds . There is also a bathroom with shower and toilet .
A very friendly gentleman assisted us with a very friendly : " My name is Winston , and I am your butler . If there is anything you require , please just call me on this telephone , and I will bring it to you . You can call me at any time , day or night . "

Wow , zowy . sheezelike

" Now , can I bring you something to drink ? How about some more champagne ? " ( --- actually sparkling wine , but hey , who cares obviously ol' Winston makes big tips at the end of the trip )

Oh , did I mention the TV ? Its a regular TV with its own remote controll , but hmmmm...... I am on holiday , so no real interest from me , except , one of the channels show the tracks in front of the train , from a camera mounted on the engine in front , so one can see and tell the driver where to go , turn etc . and maybe warn him before the train goes off its tracks
Well , SOMEONE has to stay awake you know

[Richprins]

I would venture to say this is a bit expensive, okie, just a gut feel?

Nevertheless!

You must be the first passenger that listens to defective wheels...so not enough sparkling wine?

Ooh..they must let me loose on that train one day!

What about one pic?


This is very nice, please don't get angry and stop!

[okie]

It cost a bloody arm and a leg

I do not sleep well on moving vehicles , so any extra noise keeps me awake

Some pics ? OK - Speeding rails