What are you all up to
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I think,if they are so particular, and unreasonably so IMO, we would not be bothering to visit!
I do not use any of the apparently banned stuff (though OH does for her gout if necessary, though not regularly), but we could not be bothered with all that checking. We do have a whole stack of prescription stuff that is essential for our needs, would not want to have that questioned by anyone.
Have been to Dubai several times on business, not impressed.....a lot of sand and heat........OH would hate it!
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We know the CL well, Natasha, having used it for that last couple of years at this time. In fact we might well have been coming there tomorrow, however we're off to one near Harrogate for a change at the start of our X-Mas trip.
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Well, all safely home. Ladies complaining about weather. They say it was the hottest week Madeira has had in December in Decades. Really pleased to hear that
. They can stick my thermals in the wash with their stuff tomorrow.Good luck for the trip Nellie. Presume new washing machine turned up. Let me know about Harrogate as it's the last "hole" in next summers bookings.
TG - Not diet here either. Purely down to kidney disease.
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I guess we are used to checking things before a holiday so no problem there. I would rather be informed and prepared, than risk having issues at the airport.
Having never been to that part of the world I'm looking forward to it but with an open mind.
We used to holiday in Egypt every year, when we were still diving and like that.
We haven't been to any of the places that the cruise will take us which is why we chose that one. If we like a place and fancy a longer holiday there later on, at least we will have had a little taster of it.
We've done the Caribbean and down the pacific coast of America and through the Panama. I didn't fancy South America, so that leaves few places left at that time of year where you can find good weather and nice cruises.
This one is part of the Cunard Queen Mary II round the world cruise. We are just doing one leg of it though
I hate the long dark miserable days in winter here and by the time Christmas is over I'm longing for some warm sunny days, blue skies and warm seas, my kind of heaven. Lots of new countries to visit, new cultures to experience, all from the nice safety of the ship
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We have a trip to NY, New England and Quebec on QM2 to celebrate our silver next year.
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I'll let you know what she is like
we did the Panama canal on Queen Victoria. Grey and cold today here. Just calling around the LPG suppliers as out bulk tank contract is coming to an end
OH is going to fit a new light fitment up in the attic room.
Little cat stayed until 10.30pm then wanted out, now back in this morning on the sofa fast asleep.
Lots of housework for me today once I've sorted out the LPG
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The cruises sound very interesting, I would love to do one in NE America. Hope TG and CY enjoy their future trips.
Going to a Christmas concert tonight although still no Christmas things up in our house just yet. Untangling the wires has yet to start!
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We are occasional Cruisers! Only been on two so far, both in Europe from Southampton. I am not keen on flying so that tends to rule out longer distances as spending seven days at sea is not very appealing. We would be tempted to do a European River Cruise if there was an easy way to get there and back. I do like rail journeys so perhaps that is the way forward. My sister is a bit of a cruise fanatic, she usually does three or four a year!!!
David
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I've never been on a cruise but I know many who have. To be honest, one of the things thats stopping us is the dog. She is very 'needy' and doesnt generally like being left with others. Worst still, we cannot leave her on her own - she gets so stressed. I even looked into the possibility of a river cruise on the continent which were reported to accept dogs. I emailed the company for details and got no reply! โนโน
David
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We have been on a couple of cruises, one around the Canaries & Madeira as a treat when I retired and a second, from Vancouver up to Alaska which was truly spectacular! But I'm not good at sitting around for long periods, I've got to be active, so, although there are plenty of diversions on ship I do get itchy feet! A day at sea with absolutely nothing but water around drives me up the wall!
We are tentatively planning a river cruise next year on the Douro with 3 nights in Lisbon. I like the idea of a river cruise as, at least there will always be something to see!
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Moulesy. That's the opposite for me, if I'm on boat of any size I don't want to get off...barring bad weather of course.
We've only done one cruise and like DSB our dog is the preventing factor just now but that's fine and we accept that. Also like David K I would have to get on a ship in the UK, no flying if possible.Talking of train journeys my sister and OH are off on a very long one to Istanbul next year (not the Orient Express.) Having done some long distance train travel in Europe when young the thought of those sleepers (often shared) is a bit of a no no. Maybe I've lost my sense of adventure!
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A river cruise was the first one we did, that was for our 25th. We did the Nile with a week in Hurghada afterwards.
Since then we have done 3 Caribbean ones, East, West and South, 1 Western med, 1 Adriatic (Italy and Greek isles), 2 Canaries and Morocco, 1 Red Sea, 1 from Los Angeles to Mexico, another one we did from Los Angeles down the Bajar, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and then through the Panama canal, Aruba then Miami. That one was good.
We like the fact that everyday is different and have always found lots of things to do on board. We don't often pick a cruise that has 'days' at sea, however this one does have a few of them. On sea days there is so much going on you sometimes have to miss something as it clashes with something else.
Picking a cruise IMO is the hardest part, getting the area you want, with the company and ship you want, on the dates you want. If you get it wrong it can put you off cruising, get it right and you are ready to book again even before you get off the ship.
There are lots of cruises now from Britain, so for those who don't like flying the choice is good.
moulsey, I'm envious of you doing the Alaska cruise, its on our list though
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Mrs.WN and MIL went on a cruise up the Douro to Salamanca this year. Didn't tag on Lisbon. They seemed to enjoy it. Cruises are not for me. Like yourself I get itchy feet. A 6 hour hour ferry is long enough.
Plenty of washing going on. Mrs WN and myself just back from a walk to the pub. Lots to catch up on. Overcast here but warm enough if you wrap up well.
Off to Manchester tomorrow for MILs sisters funeral. Long day ahead.
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Did all that in the seventies when we had our own, albeit small, boat. We kept it on the Kennet and Avon Canal. We gave up when Paul was born and not long afterwards we took up caravanning. We have travelled a good way around the English canal system. The major difference now is there are a lot more of them restored to full working order than back then. I rather like the idea of being looked after on a cruise.
David
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QM2 completes the set, having been on QE2,QV and the latest QE. Like TG, I fancy Alaska although we did get a good dose of glaciers and icebergs in Greenland on the Oriana in the summer. OH is reluctant to do fly-cruises. Being 25 minutes from Southampton and only 10-15 minutes from Brittany Ferries does tend to spoil one a bit.
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I have never fancied a cruise although my father(when alive) told us he had been round the world by boat several times, and so my daughter and i checked the passenger lists for his name at The NA at Kew and found it on several with his home address as BuckIngham Palace
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The itinerary was Stornoway, Reykyavik, transit Prinz Kristiansund fjord( first time for a P&O ship for twenty years and weather dependant) - a seven hour trip, Qaqortoq, Nuuk, Isafjordur, Akeyuri, Torshavn and finally Greenock.
We had some people from ORCA, the whale conservation group, on board who provided insight on the wildlife. There was a total tally of over 800 whales, dolphins, seals and porpoises including a couple of fin whales and one blue whale. Leaving Akeyuri we had a humpback breaching about eight times behind the ship but unfortunately I only managed a shot of the splash.
For those who want something completely different, Oriana is doing her final cruise to Svalbard, another stunning destination, next July unless it's already full.
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Just been loading the car / caravan with everything we will need for an overnight stop in our new Knaus Starclass which we are picking up tomorrow. Keeping an eye on the weather, though. The forecast could be better!
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CY, thanks for the info. it must have been a great sight. Will look into it a bit deeper now I've got more details.
Another grey day here, more painting upstairs done, just got to let it dry to see if it needs another coat.
I'm off out shopping on my own in awhile, the OH is helping out at the Christmas dinner at the lunch club in the village.
Went to see nurse this morning for a host of blood tests, nothing wrong with me just an mot the Dr asked for the other day. When she reviewed my notes, she noticed I'd never had a cholesterol one done. So this morning I had that done, along with glucose, kidney and liver function. I feel great (apart from sore knees) so here's hoping the test come back ok.
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CY, thanks for the info. it must have been a great sight. Will look into it a bit deeper now I've got more details.
Another grey day here, more painting upstairs done, just got to let it dry to see if it needs another coat.
I'm off out shopping on my own in awhile, the OH is helping out at the Christmas dinner at the lunch club in the village.
Went to see nurse this morning for a host of blood tests, nothing wrong with me just an mot the Dr asked for the other day. When she reviewed my notes, she noticed I'd never had a cholesterol one done. So this morning I had that done, along with glucose, kidney and liver function. I feel great (apart from sore knees) so here's hoping the test come back ok.
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Good luck Richard with your new van. We were tempted by a Knauss Star a little while ago. Seem like well made vans.
Off to Bury today for Mrs.WNs aunts funeral. Travel was quite good on motorways and service was the best we've been to this year (unfortunately too many).
We adjourned to a local hostelry where a buffet was laid on. They had been asked to provide me wih some GF food. When it arrived I had to ask them why there was a Pork Pie and a Sausage roll nestling next to the half frozen GF sandwiches. They actually did not understand that pastry was made with wheat flour as a general rule! I didn't want to make too much of a fuss as it was a stressful time for the relatives. Fortunately I always take a sandwich, made before leaving, as a "break glass in case of emergency" so had that instead back in the car. I did explain to the Manageress before leaving and only hope they learn a bit more before something serious happens.
I gave a lift to a school friend of MIL and was delighted to see that she lived just around the corner from the street where we bought our first house and spent 4 happy years there. Of course I had to drive past and it looked in very good condition and well cared for. A bit of nostalgia.
Think I might just open a bottle of red.๐ท
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Wherenext I despair at the catering industry ๐ฏ๐ฏ. Luckily you took your own and I dont know too much about GF condition but I dont think it's that rare or life threatening just very uncomfortable if you do get it wrong? You would think after the allergy cases hitting the news and the courts very recently they might have done some basic research ๐. I'm curious as to why the sandwiches were half frozen??
Glad the journey and the service went well. Happy coincidence that you were able to pass your first house. Funny how you talk about your mums school friend my mum still has 2 that she regularly catches up with. Mum is 88. I'm still in touch, at Christmas, with one senior school friend but despite being about 20 miles apart we dont meet physically.
Chilly but bright day here, few more bits purchased in town then met friend for lunch and catch up. After dark when we left the tearooms so got to see the city light up. Seems a much better effort this year! Lively clear night and visible moon.
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Hi Bakers.
Pub was asked to provide refreshments 2 weeks ago when date of funeral was known. MILs brother called in yesterday to pay a deposit and they had the day down as Thursday (tomorrow). Most places providing GF bread will have it in the freezer as too much waste if not used so it looks like they didn't defrost it in time. GF bread is generally awful so would probably have been inedible anyway. I was hoping for a basic soup or baked potato but as I was only on the periphery I can't make a fuss, hence the emergency sarnie.
Actually Mother In Laws friend, who was in the same class as her departed sister. The friend was also MiLs Maid of Honour. She hasn't seen her for about 20 years but speaks to her about twice a year. Bit difficult as friend is deaf and has one of those adapted phones.
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Oh my it goes from bad to worse! I guess the GF bread would be frozen for storage but thawed to make the sandwich ๐๐. I know the taste is questionable! By the sound of the debacle they wont be used again!
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My Dad also suffers from coeliac disease so we have to be very careful when food shopping for him and check ingredients carefully. He gets ready meals from Wiltshire Farm Foods who have a very good selection of GF dishes.
There is an amusing side to it though - every week we take him out for lunch at a local village pub. They have an extensive GF menu and have told him that the sauces on most dishes are thickened with cream, not flour. So every week we ask him what he wants to eat and his reply is always "well there's not much on the menu for me to choose from is there?" How we laugh!
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See what we have to miss out on? No nipping into The Cornish Pasty shop for a quick pastie or a cafe for a bacon butty. No cream teas when in Devon or Cornwall (or even Kernow). No pint of bitter without careful analysis of whether it contained wheat. No tea and cake at Bettys, unless they have a GF (please not the ubiquitous Brownie again) version.
In Germany I've been told to just eat the top of a cheesecake and leave the bottom! No contamination considered.
Yes, eating out is a barrel of laughs, but whilst not life threatening directly for me, it would be either agony or a visit to A&E.
And be aware this can happen at any time. I was 60 before this came upon me. I know of at least 3 other people who have developed a wheat allergy in later life and another who now has a fish allergy plus 2 others with dairy intolerances, again whem mature adults. At least now I know how to manage things and ask the questions in multiple languages. All in all though I consider myself to be quite lucky (believe it or not).
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