What is in Kelvin's Head?

How to sleep on the sleeper

31/07/2012
Did I mention that I came back from London on the sleeper? It remains my favourite way of travelling back from south to north as you can catch it after a night at the theatre. (In this case Democracy at the Old Vic). Generally I prefer to fly down and sleeper back.

Here are my Caledonian Sleeper tips….
- Don’t believe the time that they advertise as when the sleeper will be ready for boarding. It is often later than that.
- Leaving a big city at midnight by train is inherently romantic.
- Being in Euston at 11.30 pm is inherently unromantic.
- For excitement, intrigue, value for money and frisson book a bargain berth and share with Who Knows Who.
- If sharing with an unknown companion who has not arrived when the train leaves, don’t presume anything. He could show up anytime, anywhere.
- For a better night’s sleep pay more and get a cabin to yourself.
- For no sleep at all, use the reclining seats. You will however, learn much about humanity.
- Don’t worry about sleeping – tell yourself that all you have to do is doze and you’ll probably fall asleep anyway.
- The more you pay, the better the breakfast in bed.
- Murmur in the steward’s ear as you get on that you’d prefer your breakfast to be served after everyone else if possible
- Beware of muddling the buttons that open the toilet compartment with the adjacent buttons which open the disabled cabin next door. (Especially at 4 am).
- Flipflops.
- Travelling North to South on certain tickets give you access to a lounge at Euston with free showers. No such luck coming the other way.
- If turfed off the sleeper at 7 am and going to work at 9 am, don’t go home and go to sleep. Go swimming instead.
- You can charge phones in the lounge car but not in your cabin.
- That little hook by your head is for putting your watch on, but don’t forget it in the morning.
- Take extra water.
- The first stop is Carlisle. The stop with all the shunting is Carstairs.
- Don’t go for a wander before Carstairs or your cabin might go to Glasgow whilst you go to Edinburgh.
- You might arrive going a different direction to the one you set off in. Don’t be confused, they’ve not turned you round and sent you back to London after all.
Any tips I missed?
Caledonian Sleeper, tips

8 responses to “Remedy du jour”

Stewart

04/10/2007

I have had Garlic Mash three times in the past week, and Garlic and Horseradish on a steak last night.

I do not have a cold, so maybe it will work for you – or at least act as a preventative when am next at St Mary’s.

Reply
Fiona

04/10/2007

Kelvin, have you tried mulled wine?

Sachets with the mulling spices in them shouldn’t be too hard to get hold of (try Peckhams). They look like little teabags. Add a dash of orange juice, maybe float a slice on top as well. : )

It might not do much for your cold, but at least it’ll help you sleep, which is what you need right now — rest and fluids.

Also worth trying is a Hot Toddy.

Hope you feel better soon.

~Fiona.

Reply
Roddy

05/10/2007

Garlic’s not a bad idea. I’ve always found if I have a hot, garlic soaked, curry when I’ve got the lurgy I feel better.

Reply
asphodeline

05/10/2007

What you need is a hot curry followed by a hot bath!

This man cold of yours is lingering on a bit or are you “milking” this illness??!!

Reply
Andrew

05/10/2007

What is a man cold? Don’t women get them too?

Reply
kelvin

05/10/2007

It seems to be a widely held view amongst women that men make much of their sufferings when they get a cold.

There is an urban dictionary definition here.

There are some who say that the female equivalent of a mancold is the flu, but I could not possibly comment.

Reply
kelvin

05/10/2007

If Ms Asphodeline is fed up of hearing about my poor state of health, presumably it will be quite a while before we hear anything about her own on livejournal.

Reply
asphodeline

07/10/2007

Haha, you know I’ll probably get the office lurgy now?!

I hope you feel better soon. There’s nothing worse than a man ~~with a~~ cold

x

Reply