We arrived at the station lounge, 5 minutes walk from our hotel, just before the appointed time of 7.30. Having checked in, we were given the number of our suite and a cup of tea. Our luggage was delivered to our suite for us.
We were welcomed by the train manager and then escorted to the train by our coach attendant (our butler Albert).
Our suite is one of 4 in a carriage. There are 29 passenger suites.
A bath on a train is a first for us.
The train has an observation car at the back so that you can see where we have been and a couple of lounges where snacks and drinks are served. The maximum number of passengers on this train is 58 and it is not quite full. There are a number of Brits and South Africans with a few others.
There are two sittings for meals and we selected the first. Brunch was at 10.30 but turned out to be more of an early lunch.
Wine is plentiful, if you ask for a glass, a new bottle is opened for you. Business was good even at 10.30 in the morning, but that's a bit early for us, we waited until the main course!
A little rest was clearly in order after getting up at 6.15 and eating a large brunch, so we sat back and watched the countryside go by.
A shanty town by the side of the railway, not far from Jo'burg.
There was a lot of empty space along the way. We have seen a few animals around, a Thompson's gazelle, warthog, water buck, ostriches, storks,
The ground here was very red, almost like Northern Territory in Australia and there were lots of termite mounds.
This is a slag heap from a mine .... a gold mine. Years ago the method of extraction of gold was not as efficient as it is today, so there is still gold in the slag and we understand that it will be reprocessed as part of the relandscaping of areas like the centre of Jo'burg.
At about 3pm we drew into Klerksdorp station and sat there. Our second locomotive had put its brakes on and wouldn't let go. Fortunately, the train has a mechanical and electrical technician and even a wheel tapper on board! We sat in the station for 2 hours while the problem was solved. The result of the delay was that we were unable to go to the Kimberly great hole diamond mine because it would have been dark by the time we reached it.
Dinner is smart affair- men are expected to wear a jacket and ladies should be elegant! We all did our best.
When we returned to our suite, it had become a bedroom.
Pat and John on tour