Milly's the Belle of the train
Best-selling Barnsley novelist Milly Johnson took a trip yesterday (Friday) aboard the luxury train which inspired her forthcoming new book.
The 61-year-old author shared a glass of champagne with Huddersfield businessman David Pitts who owns the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle train.
Then the pair tucked into slap-up six-course Yorkshire Lunch during a trip through the northern countryside.
Milly’s new book, Let the Bells Ring Out, will be published in October.
It is about seven passengers stranded when a luxury train called the Yorkshire Belle gets stuck in a unexpected snowdrift.
And Milly admits she got the inspiration after taking a trip on the Northern Belle last year.
Mr Pitts, who runs an advertising and publicity firm in Wakefield, said: “It was a delight to welcome Milly on board again this week.
“She is a delightful passenger and we look forward to her book coming out this autumn. We’re sure it will be a great read.”
Members of the prestigious Yorkshire Society also travelled on the train and the Northern Belle's food director Brian Clark devised a special Yorkshire menu including Whitby crab, Ilkley ham and Thixendale lamb for the journey.
There was also “Last of the Summer Wine” panna cotta, Eton Mess, described as a “proper Yorkshire tea meringue” and the Great British Cheeseboard, featuring several Yorkshire varieties.
The Northern Belle will be back in Yorkshire next Saturday, August 23, for a trip to Edinburgh and the Fringe Festival from Brighouse, Wakefield and York.
Fares on the train start at £365. For more details, see www.northernbelle.co.uk