We didn’t have quite such an early start this morning, and so breakfast was a leisurely affair. Our luggage was collected at 07:00 and loaded onto the coach for a transfer from the hotel to the Rovos rail station, unfortunately, after two hours drive to Johannesburg they found they had taken us to the wrong place and we should have caught the train back in Pretoria. This would have involved just a 15-minute drive.

The train had left Pretoria, but the Rovos staff came out in a truck and found the coach on the motorway. They then led the coach to the pyramid station, which is disused and ahead of the train. We waited an hour in the heat for it to arrive while the Rovos staff in porters uniform dragged 40 or more suitcases up a dirt slope to the station to be ready to load onto the train.

Joe, the Rovos operations manager, told us how bad the railways were. He then went on to tell us what a sorry state the country was in. I assumed he was not working for the tourist board. He explained that only the Rovos and the Blue Train now operate because there was no one to manage South Africa Railways. Eventually, the train arrived, and we were loaded on with our luggage. Phew! What a morning.

After a quick freshen up, we went into the beautiful mahogany panelled dining room for a four course lunch with pair wine, which was excellent. Unfortunately, the generator failed, which meant the aircon stopped. It got very hot and sticky while the onboard engineer failed to repair it. An expert was sent out in a truck to chase the train and get onboard and hurrah, he repaired it.

Afternoon tea was offered two hours later but we declined and waited for the four course evening meal at 7:30. A gong summons us for all our meals. Wine is paired to each course with an explanation as it is served.

The train is beautifully restored to Victorian appearance but with air-conditioned and ensuite facilities. There are lounges where drinks are served to order, and you can sit and chat with other travellers.

The most surprising service provided is that you hand your passport and a signed form to Bruce the administration manager who will check us out of South Africa and into Zimbabwe with a visa while we sleep.