aussielozzie18

Thank you. Yes, that’s how I found your report because we will do the same walk as you at Sitka. So pleased we are visiting this port. The aud to usd exchange rate is awful so doing hikes instead of the expensive tours x 4 in some ports is what I am looking into. Also, I just discovered Emerald Lake is likely to be frozen whilst we are there (although there are other things to see if we hire a car and drive up rather than the train). Saw a photo of the dough boy yesterday. They are BIG. It’s on my list and will note down the Brewing Co.

@Ozark_Kid I just read through your excellent Alaska live cruise trip review from 2022, again. I was reading posts about exploring Sitka on foot and your live review was linked. We will be cruising Alaska in the same month (May) so it was interesting to read about the weather you experienced, as well as your port activities. Hoping to get an up close eagle photo similar to the excellent one you took.

I could. Thank you.

Carnival still have a small pad & small pencil in their cabins (like the ones you get playing mini golf). Like you mentioned, I used them to communicate with the room steward.

My daughter was delighted when she was about to go to the UK at the start of last year and her grandfather gave her a bunch of notes that he had found whilst doing a big clean out, Probably about 400 pounds worth. Unfortunately, she soon discovered they were out of circulation and couldn’t be used.

Lovely photos. Look forward to seeing more from your out & about day trips.

Im the same. Although at Christmas time I donate the $5 to the Lions Club. They are usually collecting cash at stalls where they sell their Christmas cakes & puddings.

Martha has certainly got the special touch. Purrrr…

Daughter is not looking forward to the plunging temps that are due next week. Son is looking forward to it and more snow at his resort.

Dad says they were probably seeking shelter from the recent rain and they would have just dispersed when I put the box into the garden

As you know, I spray my Christmas tree before putting it up, just in case I didn’t put it up this year because it was just the two of us. Yesterday, I was putting away the small group of stand alone decorations that put out Christmas just gone.. The storage boxes are stacked in the shed with the boxed Christmas tree on top. As I moved the box with the Christmas tree in it, small black ants started coming out, i gingerly lifted the lid and there were thousands of ants swarming on the underside of the Christmas tree cardboard box lid Ugh. DH wasn’t home so I had to drag it down and drag it outside onto the grass, hoping the ants wouldn’t crawl on me.. it’s a new tree with fake snow on it. We don’t usually have any ants in the shed and we haven’t got them anywhere else. Think they were attracted by the fake snow.

me three

@dani negreanu I am glad the grandsons have so adjusted well. Though your son & wife are finding it financially harder and I know you miss them terribly, they certainly made the right decision to move away. Think you for the update.

OMG. Those lunch photos are Graham worthy. Havent had breakfast yet and I am drooling. Cocktails look superb too. What are the names of the cocktails please?

DH is currently going through a chopped oranges & sliced bananas phase for dessert. I need to find a farmers market because our local supermarkets currently only sell oranges imported from California for $9.90 per kilo….

@dani negreanu So sorry the war continues. A long, hard four months for you. How is your son and family doing in Amsterdam?

Congratulations! How exciting and these are absolutely adorable ways to announce the news.

Thank you for this. I made a tasty San Choy Bow recipe during the week using tinned water chestnuts etc, for the first time. DH did not like the lettuce cups but loved the mince filling. I thought the mince leftovers would be good as a filling for something but had no idea what. A stuffed pumpkin would be perfect.

That’s looks delicious.

Interesting how Carnival and Princess handle non-refundable deposits, as I have just canceled two cruises. The first cruise I cancelled was with Carnival (for Oct 24). I paid a $150 non-refundable deposit. When I called to cancel, the staff member reminded me that my deposit was non-refundable. I knew this so I did not argue the point. So, I was pleasantly surprised when the confirmation email of the cancellation came through - it stated that if I booked a cruise within the next 12months, I would get the $150.00 as a future cruise credit (less $50 admin fee). Prlncess (March 2025). $99 non-refundable. Call made to cancel. Told non-refundable. I said yes I am aware. Email confirmation of cancellation stating cancellation fee $99 (the deposit).

I’m in Sydney. I have two Coles near me, one requires coins to use the trolleys, one does not. That Coles is only store that I go to that requires coins to access trolleys. Coles introduced the coin operated trolleys several years ago but it became problematic so they stopped doing it (except for this particular one near me). The idea is to prevent trolleys be taken off-site. Our closest Westfield shopping complex has a fairly new system where the trolleys self lock if you try to take them out of the shopping complex. Fantastic idea. No longer do you see trolleys scattered around the residential streets surrounding the shopping complex. Everyday purchases I use my bank card (not credit card) for tap & go purchases. You can do this for purchases from $2 to $100.00. Very convenient. Even small vendors at markets offer this option. For purchase over $100 you need to enter your pin. But either way, there are no fees.

Well done. This wouldn’t work for us simply because we don’t use cash anymore. Tap our cards for everything. It’s got to the point that I am going to have to put a $2 coin in several handbags so that when I go to Coles, I have a coin to get a trolley…

Beautiful 💕 including the short straps you made. Thanks for posting the photo

Yes for GBR No for Sydney

Dive Centre Manly - at Fairy Bower -it’s located along the scenic walk - do guided snorkeling tours. Something to you could look into doing