.......and we're off! All packed and ready to go on time. Quick ride in on the shuttle and checked in all before 7am. Time to get some snacks for the journey and a light breakfast (after all it's Thursday and Ian's bacon-buttie day) and a drink before the train arrives, which it duly does. We've got seats in the observation car at the back of the train. Just time to settle in and the whistle blows....this train leaves dead on time! Pretty wet and misty heading ...