Back on the Eurostar (premier seats)

This was the first time I got me fancy seats! So how was it? 

Amsterdam Central Station in Christmas outfit 

It started like any other Eurostar journey from Amsterdam. I don’t think there’s a lounge there; just a long platform. So I got there well on time, and just waited in the cold. But once it appeared, the train was nice. I again had a single seat, so had both a window seat and unimpeded access to the luggage rack above me. Nice! And they brought breakfast. And I quite like train breakfasts. This was not as nice as in the train to Lapland; the entire experience, that is; this is not a judgment on the cuisine. But it was nice anyway.

Breakfast

We got to Brussels without issue. And there all was as usual again! You find yourself the Eurostar terminal, and get through ticket control, security, and passport control like everybody else. I saw no priority lane or anything like that. And after passport control you get herded into some smelly underground shop until they allow you onto the platform. Fancy ticket or not; that’s your fate! But again; once I was in. It was nice. 

I got fed again! Quite well, even. And there was wine. All very fancy. And the weather was even good. There was fog both in the Netherlands and in the UK, but not in Belgium and France. 

Space, wine and blue skies

I was in London on time. And that was the end of the luxury. Euston is notoriously un-luxurious. And the train from there was in good nick but very full. Difficult to manoeuvre. It got me to Crewe, where I changed again. The next train, to Chester, was ok again. And the last one too. That line often used rather delapidated carriages, but this time it was ok! And it was also not full of boisterous drunk people. That sometimes happens. 

Glamorous train gets you to glamorous destination: St Pancras

Altogether I got to Bangor on time. Success! And would I book fancy tickets again? Not on purpose, I think. Especially not on the way back; the fun of the luxury is a bit dampened by the fact that it will be followed by the long trip through the UK, which is generally the bleaker part of the journey. But if I’m ever late booking again and the economy tickets have run out, I’ll make sure to enjoy the pampering again!