Before I start on the mysteries of the Orient Express, how on earth can you not notice if somebody has stolen your exhibition dinosaur?

I might have a look on ebay later and see if I can swag it up for Christmas. That would make an excellent present for myself.

The Orient Express:

My expectations for said trip were few, but particularly high, as follows:

1. It would be the epitome of upper class Victorian style travel.

2. Steam would billow past the window at regular intervals (and I would make a sound similar to "oooh!").

3. The food would leave me reeling like Beowulf at a banquet.

4. The other people on the train would be equally amazed by points 1 to 3.

5. There would be a murder.

Hmmm.

1. I think my expectation was far too high on this count. It is after all a train. A train that went around the southern regions of London for four hours. My thoughts on this may have been glossier if I had been in one of the private carriages rather than the kitchen car that I found myself in so yes, there's a bit of disappointement there. Could it have been better? Yes it could, but then what do I know...

2. Steam did indeed billow past the window. Twice that I recall. I did not make any noises.

3. You know those TV shows where they wheel out small items in the middle of large plate? When they asked about special dietary requirements, I should have said I wanted two bacon sandwiches on wholemeal bread with honey mayonnaise and lots of pepper. Cut in half across the diagonal.

4. Maybe other people have a different set of standards to me.

5. There was almost a murder. Imagine you're eating your (very small) lunch and suddely two blokes turn up with a saxophone and an acoustic guitar and begin playing very loudly in an enclosed space...

I might be being a little harsh here. It was very nice but it didn't blow the doors off, thus I very quickly rethought spending six grand on a three day trip to Vienna on it. Not that I have six grand, but if I did, then I wouldn't. That said, the company was excellent (good afternoon Norman) and it beats sitting at a desk any day of the week.

And then this morning I woke up with man-flu. Not man-flu like women say you have man-flu but proper man-flu.

Currently listening to: 30 Seconds to Mars | This Is War.
Currently: very busy working on something called BOOM and trying to hold my shit together and not go home to bed.