Text С. A voyage round Europe

TEXT В. АТ ТНЕ STATION

F.: Well, here we are at last! When I get into the boat-train,[71] I feel that holidays have already begun. Have you got the tickets, Jan?

J.: Yes, here they are. I booked seats for you and me; trains are usually crowded at this time. We have numbers A 26 and A 30; two corner-seats in a non-smoker, one seat facing the engine, one back to the engine. Is that all right?

F.: That's very good, Jan. I don't like going a long jour­ney in a smoker. May I sit facing the engine?

J.: Of course! You can take whichever seat you like. As a matter of fact, I really prefer sitting with my back to the en­gine. Here's our carriage, A, and here's our compartment. You can get into the train now.

F.: Lucy, won't you come into the carriage with me? You will be wanner inside.

L: Thanks, I will.

J.: I'll go and see that our luggage has been put into the guard's van, and I'll book two seats in the restaurant car for lunch. I'll get some newspapers at the bookstall and some chocholate on my way back. (He goes away.)

L.: Jan is a good fellow for getting things done, isn't he?

F.: He is. I don't know anyone better. I'm very glad he is coming with me. I know that I shall have a very comfortable journey. Jan will see to everything — find the seats on the train, see that my luggage is all right, and get it through the customs. I shan't have to do anything at all except sit back and enjoy the journey.

(from "Essential English for Foreign Students" by С. Е. Eckersley, Book 2. Lnd., 1977)

L.: Hello, Anne. Are you back from your holidays already? Ooo, you're lovely and brown! Where have you been?

A.: Oh, I've had a fantastic timeJ I've just been on a cruise round Europe with my Dad.

L.: Oh, you lucky thing! You must have seen so many in­teresting places. Where did you sail from?

A.: Well, we left from Odessa...

L.: Did you call at any European ports?

A.: Yes. Quite a lot. We went ashore at each one and went on some really interesting trips sightseeing.

L.: Did you go by train or did you hire a car?

A.: No, we went by coach.[72] Now I can say I've seen Rome, London, Paris and Athens.

L.: Ooo, I'm so envious. Were you ever seasick?

A.: Only a little, I was fine, until two days after Gibraltar, The sea suddenly became very rough, and I had to stay in my cabin.

L.: What a shame. But was your father all right?

A.: Yes, he was fine all the time. He's never seasick,

L.: Did you go ashore when you reached Spain?

A.: No, we only saw the coast-line from the deck. It didn't really look very inviting, a bit bare and monotonous, in fact.

L.: And did you go for a swim in the Mediterranean?

A.: Yes, and in the Atlantic Ocean too. There are some beautiful beaches on the west coast of France, It's so nice to have a swim there.

L: Well, I'm glad you've had such a lovely time!

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