I’ve pre-soaked the raspberry in Prosecco, Kay, just to give it that “certain something”. Hic! Pashsh me another one pleash. Hic!
I’m a real ale drinker, so will also join you in the JM for a pint! 
How about a traditional Bellini … white peach puree with Prosecco, served in a champagne flute. I was in Venice last July with my sister - would love to go back there now!
Ooh a Bellini, after my rashberry prolecco. Be really speshul, hic. Fank you JCJ, from the bottom of my heart, hic. Its luvvly here isn’t it Jen?
Oh please pass me a prosecco!! Before BC I had saved a lovely little nest egg to go on the Orient Express to Venice when I’m 50 (currently (counts on fingers) 46) but thanks to being self employed and having almost a year off work that all went on every day bills. I could be upset about it but that wouldn’t get me anywhere. Ah well. Also need prosecco before sons uni visit tomorrow, he has an informal interview. I think we’ve chatted around the obvious ‘why this course/this uni/what are your future plans’ sort of questions but are there any others you can think of?
Big hugs to those with SEs to deal with, anyone feeling fragile or weary. Watching tv last night and the ad for Macmillian came on, found myself in tears! It’s a right bu**er this cancer thing…
Ali I agree with you, I also cry at the Race for Life advert, if only it were that easy. (Passing you a beautifully chilled glass of Prosecco, served in a lead crystal glass as befits every one of us that has faced cancer). You will get your Orient Express trip, or something better. Maybe in a few more years than you planned.
cheers
kay x
Cheers Kay, bottoms up!! 
The worst interview question I had was “Tell me about yourself” very difficult to answer that without seeming a) rude - as in "Didn’t you READ my application?! or b) an arrogant t*t or c) boring and insecure.
I’ve just got past the crying at cancer-related stuff on TV. In fact, I’ve even wondered if I cried myself out last year as I seem to cry LESS now!! Although hearing that OH’s ex-colleague and friend has just been dx with lung cancer, I did shed a tear! 
ES just arrived at hotel du parent for the weekend bearing a bottle of extra extra virgin olive oil from his (Italian) boss’ own olive grove. Can’t wait to try it!
Ooooh something fizzy and cold that’s virtual so won’t make my head spin! Lovely. I have some wonderful Balsamic vinegar so if you add a bit of your lovely sounding olive oil JCJ and I’ll bring the bread I (well ok my bread machine) made this morning we can dip while we slurp!
MMM x
This is all sounding lovely, just need the sunshine now to be perfect !
Ali, we can have a virtual trip for you, camels and all…
I’m a bit of a blubberer, always was but now adverts, tv, etc anything sad, anything happy and I’m off, not sobbing just lots of silent tears…am a right “cheery” soul or am I just a drip??? xx
The thought of a virtual Orient Express trip with my Benchie pals and the camels has cheered me up no end!
Personally I’m a big fan of a therapeutic cry, I lock myself in the bathroom, put the taps on full and go for it. And then have a lovely warm bath after. Of course my face is all red and blotchy so I have to sneak into bed and pull the covers up, because although a good cry gets it out of MY system it tends to freak husband and son out (because sometimes I don’t know why I need to cry, I just do!)
Right Ali we are going !!
Have booked for all of us we are all having cabin suites each…Combining two private interconnecting cabins to create a private lounge with a banquette sofa, footstool and table in the first cabin, and a separate sleeping cabin with an upper and lower bed. All Cabin Suites contain washbasins, luxurious towels and toiletries, and 24 hour steward service called by your personal cabin bell. A lavatory is located in each train carriage. (plenty of room for the camels)
Leaving Monday, all aboard, just have to pack now xx
PS Only the very best for us xx
I’ve just made a carrot cake with lemon and lime cream cheese icing. It has sultanas in it too. I’ll bring it along for our Orient express excursion - can’t have us going without our five a day? Don’t want to get scurvy? Ooooh it’s soooo exciting!
Brilliant! Just what we all need… how will the camels cope with the movement and being so cramped? Poor things… can I bring Soddit?
SOO excited! 
Oooooohhhhh just got back from sons uni interview (poor lad had a bad hypo in the car on the way, which led to travel sickness, which led to him decorating a grass verge, which led to athumping headache, which thankfully then led into a really enjoyable day at Aberystwyth uni, great staff and students there and he loved it!)
Yippee orient express!! Can we wear period costume for dinner on Monday to reflect the bygone era of elegant travel? I’m opting for a Dior New Look suit, lovely full skirt and nipped in waist jacket, neat little hat, gloves, pearls…very glam
The camels fancy smoking jackets, they’ve no idea what one is but quite like the sound of it
I’ve been very silly - I decided to change my internet provider and it all went horribly wrong. So much for all the promises of seamless change. But I’m back now.
Have you missed me? Don’t all shout NO at once, I shall be deafened and deeply upset .
I’m here, umteen thousand posts to read, ok that’s a slight exaggeration but still. A new reading bench (can’t believe I didn’t think of that as I am an avid reader). BIL troubles? I can relate to that, my BIL is an ******** (but as my husband is deceased is his brother still my BIL or can I now claim no relationship? This would be preferable).
Lots of ladies have had unwanted side effects of treatment. I hope you’re all feeling better by now.
So we’re going on the Orient Express on Monday? I don’t have a passport, hope this doesn’t matter in Benchland? Assuming not, so am digging out the evening dress for dinner.
Sounds really luxurious. Could do with this as have spent this last week trying to get school ready for the start of term on Monday, whilst the teachers have been in making a mess of it. For the first time in six years I have felt I’ve been in a losing battle this holiday!
Weather is raining, miserable and depressing and only slightly warmer here. Rather depressing but I’m ever the optimist, it might be better tomorrow!
Hiya Foxy! *waves*
Yippeeeeeee, FF did wonder where you were thought you were perhaps still decorating etc, very glad to see you back !!
Ali what a shame your poor boy, so glad he enjoyed everything when the nerves settled.
A preview of Monday’s outfit, can’t wait, do hope porter can deal with all my luggage, seem to have packed so much…imagine it will be similar to the Travelodge???
A La Carte what’s everyone eating?? Afternoon tea and JCJ’s cake for starters xx
Hi Ali! *waves back*.
Busy making smoking jackets for the camels,please remind me, how many camels are coming with us? Done two so far, in a red and gold fabric. Do the camels want to all match or just compliment each other?
Just found their sample menu !
Dinner
Le paillard de saumon roulé aux feuilles d’épinards et
son tartare sur une galette d’aubergines
_Steamed fresh salmon and spinach roulade, salmon tartar
and eggplant pancake
****_
Le filet de camel en salaison à l’aneth, aux baies de genièvre
et de coriandre, présenté en carpaccio et en médaillon rôti
La sauce bordelaise
Fillet of camel pickled with coarse salt, dill, juniper and coriander berries
served raw thinly sliced and roasted with a tangy red wine sauce
Le panaché de petits légumes au beurre d’ Echiré
Buttered baby vegetables
Les pommes de terre Ali
Potato cake
***
La sélection du maître fromager
Choice of fine cheeses
***
Les fines feuilles au cacao et la chibouste de chocolat blanc
La salade de fruits rouges au vin parfumé à la cannelle et à la badiane
Cocoa wafers layered with a white chocolate light custard
Summer fruit and spicy wine
Le café de Colombie
Colombian coffee
Oh Ali it’s just going to be soooooooooo fabulous xx
Don’t they do sausage and mash with onion gravy?