Timeless Trains

Somewhat-eccentric filmmaker Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel - loves trains so much that he has redesigned  carriages of British Pullman, A Belmond Train. The timeless train, with Anderson’s interiors, sometimes has such themed journeys as Moving Murder Mystery. Leave London Victoria at 11.05 and back at 4.15, after pottering around Kent. Onboard there’s constant expectation. Actors share narrow space with servers offering Romney salt marsh lamb and more. 

 

Who dunnit?

A Mystery Murder is scheduled for Friday 5th May. Thing-to-do the day before The Coronation? Stay at The Stafford, an authentic, and stylishly gentrified, London pub with cobbled courtyard. Its American Bar’s ceiling is festooned with cut-off neck-ties, rowing caps and ladies underwear. Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen is a game specialist who will be guest-cheffing on the British Pullman once seasons starts, on the Glorious 12th, of August.

 

Chef’s Commute

Wonder women at the stove. Hélène Darroze, who has three Michelin stars at The Connaught, London, adds regular Marrakesh commutes to succeed Yannick Alléno as Culinary Director at The Royal Mansour. Postprandially, wander that hotel’s extensive gardens and laze poolside. Most Royal Mansour guests wear white, as do servers.

 

Slow Travel

Slow travel abounds. Muscat’s The Chedi, Dubai’s The Palace One&Only Royal Mirage, The Imperial New Delhi. Oases from reality. Languid Isadora Duncan attire, loosely-flowing. Some sport Rowing Blazer, American Prep from archaeologist Jack Carlson and Sonia Rykiel’s one-time President David Rosenzweig. For headwear, Burberry has hand-crocheted raffia bucket hats with Thomas Burberry TB logos.

 

Watching It

Geneva-based one-name Amandine, 12, lives for watches. She sports Casio G-Shock GA-2100SRS-7AER Iridescent Color for everyday, and, for best, Vacheron Constantin Égérie Moon Phase Caliber 1088 L, with 1,345 diamonds. 3,400+ serious adult horologists follow @watch_it_with_amandine.

 

Sun Power

Can the sun power yachting? Solar-powered 15-metre Whisper 50 stars at La Grande-Motte’s boat show, 30 minutes east of Montpellier, 12-16 April.  Rooftop solar panels are supplemented by generators and shore supply. ELF likes Whisper’s sleek look, French designed by Guy Marchal’s Whisper-Yachts, and handmade in Italy.

 

Whisky King

Whisky king Sukhinder Singh, Elixir Distillers, has a 47-year old Karuizawa Geisha single-cask from now-closed Mount Asama distillery. Try Elements of Islay trio, Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask and Cask Edit, matured in bourbon and sherry casks. Elixir Distillers is into a three-year gradual release of Macbeth, limited edition with cartoon labels by Roald Dahl illustrator Quentin Blake (the ‘King Duncan’ is a 56-year old intensely smoky Glen Grant). Canada, UK, France, Japan and Taiwan, only.