Overnight Sleeper

By A Venturing Nomad.

Very little evokes the Romance of Travel more so than an overnight sleeper train, the very thought of rolling along the rails whilst safely tucked away in your slumber, and I challenge anyone not to be emotionally transported to new horizons.

One of only two overnight sleeper train services in the UK, The Caledonian Sleeper runs daily services between London Euston and Scotland. Our stop was Edinburgh, but the service continues up into the Highlands; for full details of the train times and options for travel, visit www.sleeper.scot.

We had booked the Club En-suite, a 2-person bunk room with a wash basin and private shower cubicle. This also came with lounge access at Euston station before departure and priority access to the dining car. My travelling companion was ten years old and immediately snagged the top bunk.

We left our bags and wandered down to the dining car, which, even at thislate hour, was still an excitement and adventure for us both. Whilst still in Euston station, you immediately feel transported to Scotland, with the Tartan upholstery and scents wafting from the kitchen.

After a very late delicious supper of Haggis, tatties and neeps, accompanied by the obligatory 'wee dram' (for me), we wound our way back to our cabin to snuggle down for the night. The cabins are small but perfectly formed, and once you have orientated yourself and stowed bags, you acclimate to the space's confines.

Humour prevailed over navigating certain hurdles of ladders to bed and a toilet that becomes a shower, and as we climbed into our bunks with smiles and giggles, we dimmed the lights and listened as the departure whistle early echoed us to sleep. I wouldn't say it was the best night's sleep I've ever had; being on the bottom bunk, you tend to feel every point crossing around; despite that, I wouldn't have swapped that night for the world. A background awareness of the environment is inevitable and an adventurous slumber interspersed with rumbling train sounds is now one of my most treasured memories.

Meanwhile, from the top bunk, the sounds and snores were of a very different nature and a motherly smile appeared knowing that not only was my little cub safe and well and sleeping soundly, that she too was having an experience and a memory that would last a lifetime.

Breakfast in the dining car was simply divine, with freshly squeezed orange juice, hot coffee and a range of hot and cold foods on offer, which was exactly what we needed to fuel our adventure-driven forays.

Our Edinburgh micro-adventure was about to begin, and we couldn't have started it with more spectacular aplomb. The Romance of Travel is alive and well!

Not travelling overseas until age 19, this Venturing Nomad's work and life have taken her to just under 70 countries, with more adventures always planned. Twelve years as a Diplomat led to excitement and adventures across the globe, and she is now enjoying travelling with her young daughter and seeing the world afresh through her eyes.

A published author in fact and fiction, she firmly believes in the mantra "take only photos - leave only footprints". More of a feeder than a foodie, she has cooked her way around the globe, from the hill tribes in Thailand, Nonna's kitchen in Italy to the beachfront hotel in Morocco. There is always a story and, more importantly, a recipe.

You can contact her at [email protected]  or find out more on Instagram