aussielozzie18

I am travelling on Luminosa with my daughter but the solo cabins were so cheap when I booked (not this cheap though) I booked one for each of us. I am regretting booking flights with Jetstar and only the day before. Think I should have booked 2 days before….backup train sounds like a good option but shame you have to consider it.

Check direct with Carnival Australia and tick the box for over 55 (if it applies) and see what comes up for their Nov & Dec 2022 cruises

Agree re cost of flights but if you live interstate and get this offer, would be worth considering if you have family/friends in QLD you want to visit and enough leave to do the cruise & tie in a visit at the same time.

VIFP offer via email to those lucky to receive - 20th Nov - 11 nights to NZ - $250pp with $500 OBC from Brisbane on Carnival Luminosa in guarantee balcony. Carnival really are struggling to fill this ship.

Definitely good value compared to Carnival: Carnival Australia beverage package is $119pp, per day. Their internet packages range from $15-$25pp per day.

When I arrived at work this morning, my loyal to Royal colleague excitedly showed me that her and her partner have set up the harbour cam on their computers to watch Ovation sail into Sydney Harbour for the start of Ovation’s Australian summer season (with Renee on board of course). They will be sailing on Ovation to the South Pacific in a couple of weeks time and then again to New Zealand at the end of our season.

Stunning photos

Casual dinner with DH in Kirribilli after work tonight. We shared a pizza and risotto. Portions look small compared to the usual food photos shared in this group. We are not big eaters though so they are ideal for us and for a tiny pizza/pasta place, the food was very tasty. We then strolled down to the harbour front as I knew the Majestic Princess was due to depart. Then a very pleasant walk around the lovely residential streets of Kirribilli on the way to the Theatre. In two week’s time they will be a blaze of purple flowers. McDougall Street where the Theatre is located is particularly well known for its avenue of flowering Jacaranda trees in early November. Despite the threat of rain we only had a few sprinkles and it was a pleasant 20C on our walk. On the drive home, after the 2.45hr play, the rain set in.

Think I’ve got middle aged brain fog (is that a thing?). Late in the afternoon, I had to instruct a colleague on a task. Told him he can do it on Monday. He said I can do it tomorrow and I said, no Monday is fine. He asked me again and I’m thinking why is he working on a Saturday? Then as I am leaving I said to my colleague, have a great weekend. She said aren’t you in tomorrow? I said, Saturday, no way. She said tomorrow is Friday 🤦‍♀️ In my defence work is hectic and I’ve been out 3 nights in a row.

Their speed was the first thing I noticed. They didn’t fly through gaps though but they kept flipping themselves like pancakes. They fly with their arms outstretched- what happens if they get a sudden itch and need to scratch, how does that affect their aerodynamics?

I’ve got a possum wool scarf from NZ. Can confirm warmth & lightness although haven’t worn it in subzero temps…

Current view from Kirribilli

Beautiful Hawaii photos. Is anyone in the tiny studio room next to you? Even as a solo, I wouldn’t want to do a TR in that inside cabin. Love your Junior Suite and the new orchid is a lovely addition.

I recently did a trip report on the Coral Princess and posted 2 nights of MDR menus + lots of Horizon Court Buffet photos. I can’t do links but click on my name and you should locate it

Last night son & I went to the “Radical Reels” movie festival. I think I’ve mentioned these movie festivals before. Well, last nights series of short adventure films were the best ones we have seen in all our years of watching these annual screenings. Some of the highlights: - solo bike ride down the vertical slabs of Dubh Slabs in Skye in Scotland (amazing footage but I had to close my eyes in parts). he was riding vertically all the way down. The sheer drops were stomach clenching. Scenery stunning. - skyline walking on a harness stretched across two iconic mountains high up in the French Alps. awe inspiring and amazing scenery. DS gave the heights in this one a hard no. - Four experienced Alphinists attempt the first ever summit of Link SAR mountains in Central Pakistan. Amazing footage. This was son’s favourite film. - wing suit flyers in Norway (more amazing scenery but a hard no from me for wing suit flying) - A mother & her trainer high diving together in winter, in Quebec, into a frozen lake. Just Wow. - 3 base jumpers in Utah. If I was in my 20s again, I would actually want to do this one. Stunning scenery. - Italys best freestyle skier does an “Ultimate Run” - an absolute stunning continuous film of him skiing all his favourite ski runs in the Italian & Austrian Alps - powder turns, rails, cliff drops, skis through a glacier cave and more . Best short film of the night for me. It was like watching a James Bond film. Each film short received applause at the end of its screening from the audience that filled the large cinema.

DH may not join me on cruises but he does well by sending me ship photos when working near Circular Quay. He just sent me this photo with the message “massive ship”😂. Have a great cruise and thanks for doing a live.

@ReneeFLL You asked about P-platers. After learner drivers have logged 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20hrs of night driving) and been driving for at least 10months, they do their driving test in their car and if they pass, they are then P-Plate drivers (Provisional drivers). They can drive unsupervised but max speed is 100km/hr (even on freeway) and they cannot have more than 1 passenger in the car (except immediate family) between 11pm and 4am and there is a zero alcohol limit. Initially they have white & green p-plates they must display on front and back of car when driving then they progress to red P plates (white square with red P). It’s usually the red & white p-plates drivers that are reckless and known for speeding.

Your dining this week has been impressive and every dish of this meal looks superb.

What is the dish in the first photo, Graham? Looks like a lovely evening in memory of Pauline’s mam.

When we we were driving through the National Park on Sunday morning, the road from the park entrance is a long winding one with bushwalks running off it, left and right all the way along to the scenic West Head lookout at the very end. Lots of cyclists, one beautiful yellow Lamborghini out on a Sunday drive and groups of motorcycle groups including “the Distinguished Gentlemens Club”. We also saw two P-platers speeding which is concerning given the bends and the cyclists. On the way back, we rounded a bend and there was a policeman hidden in the bush with his speed gun….hope he got the p platers and anyone else speeding.

Whilst we were walking in the National Park on Sunday, my friend and her DH were doing the Mona Vale to Narrabeen coastal walk. She loves wildflowers as much as I do but takes much better photos with her phone. The white flower is a flannel flower.

Who needs a gym when you get that sort of workout. You must have felt very satisfied at the end of the day. Shame about the “golf” bill but at least he was prompt and efficient.

Sounds like you won’t be extending that olive beach again anytime soon. I am going through so many tests atm. Post cruise & allergies and daughter getting back to back colds with everyone sick at her workplace.

So sorry you have been so sick. I am glad your boss is paying for tests before everyone returns. Don’t want it going around the office again.

Omg Graham. It’s 11.10am here. I am back on eating healthy and I see your photos….