Why India ?

India was never really on our must-do or must-see radar, but sometime earlier in the year, we watched - and enjoyed - a series of 3 TV programmes entitled "Indian Hill Railways" on BBC4. Narrated by Bernard Hill, they told human stories of the lives and hopes of employees on the Darjeeling Himalayan railway, the Nilgiri Mountain railway and the railway from Kalka to Shimla.
At around the same time, I spotted an advert in the Daily Telegraph for Great Rail Journeys  (2 shameless plugs there!) holiday to India's Golden Triangle - which included a trip on the Kalka - Shimla railway. Sharp observers will have noted that our recent holidays have involved some aspect of railway travel - preferably steam - and this seemed like a great opportunity to see somewhere different and travel by train to see it. The fact that we were heading into the foothills of the Himalayas may also have swayed our decision.
GRJ only offer the trip on a limited number of dates, and the only dates available to us were fully booked. However, a couple of months later they phoned to say that someone had dropped out and ask if we would like to join the trip.  Too good an opportunity to miss!!

With hindsight, perhaps we should have arranged to fly out a few days earlier - and take in some of the Commonwealth Games ....