I’ve been on The Canadian for nine hours now and I’ve staked out a corner of the Bullet Lounge within ear shot of the bar as my own. I’ve started reading the latest Bill Bryson book - Thuderbolt Kid - and have been sat quietly sniggering away (occasionally hysterically laughing) at it for the pat hour. I’ve now managed so scare everyone away and have a whole half of the lounge to myself.

Train life’s good. We’re in our own little world - a stainless steel cocoon ambling through a beautiful landscape of rock formations, lakes and marshes regularly punctuated by birch wood beaver dams. There’s the bar, an endless supply of tea, coffee, fruit juice, muffins, danish pastries and fresh fruit (but I don’t know why I’d want that). Every four coaches there’s a Skyline Car which has a dome in the roof, which you can sit in and get a uninterrupted view of the passing landscape. Three times a day you get called for a three course meal in the restaurant. It very comfortable way to travel, if not the fastest. It’s certainly the best way to live.

There are tons of Americans on board, plenty of British, a group of Germans as well as some Aussies. Over lunch (of smoked pacific salmon and melon with green leaf and red potato salad followed by coconut brownie and cream) I even met three Canadians!

Excuse me now, I feel another drink (and a maple danish) coming on.