Got up early as I wanted to get the 0650 bus as we wanted to be at Gare de L'est by 0725. When we went downstairs they let us go in to breakfast half an hour before it officially started so had coffee and croissants. As we were trying to get across the road to the bus stop we saw the bus go past so I started to worry as they were 20 minutes apart at that time. Fortunately because it was early the 0710 bus whizzed through the streets and we got to the station in only 15 minutes so we were in plenty of time. This was the start of a never to be forgotten experience. We got checked in and our cases taken off us. We saw the train arriving and took the first of our photos. Then we were taken to the station restaurant where we had more coffee and croissants. We then got taken to our cabin. Wow. It was beautiful. I expected art nouveaux but it was just lovely. I even got a lovely set of toiletries even though we were not onboard for the overnight part of the journey. Enjoyed the surroundings for a while as we travelled towards Calais. Went for an explore and admired the restaurant cars and the bar wagon. Of course we had to have a (very expensive) drink in the bar but as it was probably the only time we would be on board and it was my birthday we treated ourselves. While we were there we were told our table number for brunch. We then went to the boutique and purchased some souvenirs of our trip. (Thanks Krystina and Adrian, Paul and Cherie and Iwona and Kathryn for the Euros for my birthday. Some have been kept for our next holiday). Back in our cabin I ordered a cup of coffee. Beautifully presented. Then it was time to go for brunch which consisted of scrambled egg with salmon, lobster and tarte tatin. All were excellent. We then returned to our cabin to relax till we got to Calais where we were picked up by coach and driven to the Eurotunnel. What a weird feeling. As you do not see anything moving outside you don't feel as if you are moving till the bus drives off the train at Folkestone and continues to the station to catch the Belmont to London. While waiting for the train we were treated to live music in the waiting room. We were then shown on board and to a table in the restaurant and almost immediately had afternoon tea. Excellent. So much so that we didn't bother with dinner that evening when we got to our hotel at Heathrow.

All in all a wonderful, truly memorable trip. I'll never forget my 65th birthday