Day 1: Sunday 19 October 2025. The Adventure Begins

Waiting at Retford Station for the 0850 to King's Cross.

We're on the train!

Elizabeth and Graeme collected Catherine and James, said our goodbyes to Andrew and Bowie, then Graeme whisked us off to Retford station.

After a short spell in the waiting room, our Azuma train arrived. We had booked First Class and it was so worth it. The hospitality team greeted us warmly (especially James!); we settled into our seats and we were off.

We were soon offered refreshments and we chose a bacon roll which was delicious and a drink.

James was particularly well looked after by one host, Carly, who kept him plied with drinks and brought him a goody bag full of treats.

Sir Nigel Gresley

Alex, the team manager had heard that James loves trains so came for a chat and gave James a special badge that is issued to LNER employees. What a lucky boy!

King's Cross was busy with fans going to the NFL London Games at Wembley but we made our way to the LNER lounge saying 'Hello' to Sir Nigel Gresley on the way. 

After yet more biscuits, crisps, croissants, pains au chocolat and drinks in the lounge we made our way to St Pancras and killed time until we could join the seemingly never-ending queue for check-in, security and passport control.  It was actually fairly painless - much easier than flying - and we were soon on board and on our way.

We soon arrived in Lille, which was a lovely station with a leaky roof and with a Primark and Carrefour next door.  We found our platform but what a performance to find our seats and somewhere to put our luggage! How can seat 64 be next to seat 836?

Catherine eventually found our seats and we were on our way to Marne le Vallée.  If only the train went direct from St Pancras to Disney as before.  Could it be yet another 'benefit' of Brexit? The gift that keeps on giving 😱

We arrived in Marne la Vallée and got the shuttle bus to Santa Fe which is to be our home for the next few nights. After a quick pitstop in the room we got the bus to the park. It was a bit drizzly but we had a quick look round and then went to find something to eat. We went to Vapiano. Service was very slow and they were clearly understaffed as tables never seemed to get cleared but we were hungry and enjoyed our food.

We then got the bus back to the hotel, unpacked and collapsed into bed.