Jennizor

We have had 4 P&O cruises cancelled since March 2020 when we came back from the Caribbean on the last cruise before lockdown. We have since been on one last September and the second last December. We are going on our next one on the 15th of September, on Azura to the Eastern Med and have two more booked.We have only cruised with Princess and P&O and enjoyed every one. It’s lovely to hear your positive comments and we would agree with them. Others may disagree but if you come back from a cruise feeling happy, what more would you want? 

After a day out with friends I have just been checking things in the garden. For about the fourth day this week lots of flower heads have disappeared. We know the culprits are the deer that live in the woods beyond our garden. It’s been wonderful to see them, more this year than last, but very disheartening after weeks of planning, preparing and planting. They have become more brazen, l chased one off the other evening but it stared me out before begrudgingly jumping back over the fence into the woods. I don’t know what to do about it. Perhaps buy artificial plants next year (I don’t think so). Perhaps I should write to Monty Don to see if he has any ideas.

3 hours ago, gsmt47471015 said:

Ours came back within SIX days can you believe!!!!!

That’s even more amazing. It’s a great relief when you receive it, isn’t it?

We are going to the Easter Med on Azura in September. My passport was due to expire in Feb 2023 (10 years after date of issue). I had heard lots of horror stories about how long it took to renew a passport so I sent my online application on 6th of June. My new one arrived today after 16 days. Very impressed with the service, regular updating on where in the process my new passport. 12 weeks before we sail so that’s one thing ticked off the list.

2 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

Did you ever go to the Scottish islands? 
 

I remember being told that they kept a “very special” hire car for VAT inspectors, revenue officers, customs and excise, DWP fraud officers etc. It was bright yellow and could be seen on those narrow roads from many, many miles away.

 

No, my patch was Bolton, Blackburn and areas south of Preston. If you didn’t have your own car you had to do ‘bus and walk’ but you were only given local visits. I never had to do that, I loved the travelling as you saw some lovely places.

Don’t judge me for this but I used to be a VAT Inspector. I had a lovely mini sportsman (I think that is what it was). I had to go to some very remote businesses, mostly farms and the roads were quite narrow and winding but I could turn my car on a sixpence, it was brilliant. This was in the 1980/90s and I have had several cars since the but the mini was always my favourite.

Sorry Muckyduckway, I somehow posted a response on a different topic.

There is a list of daily events in the middle two pages of the Horizon.

18 minutes ago, Muckyduckway said:

That's brilliant - no problem reading it.

 

Is there a "What's On" summary per day?  On NCL (my most recent cruiseline) one of the pages lists everything that's on that day, irrespective of whether it's a show, a talk or an activity.  If there is, then that's the page I'd be most interested in, if you'd be so kind. 🙂

There is a daily listing of all events in the middle two pages in the Horizon.

Hi Laurenish, I must admit I don’t know anything about pre-authorisation. We have been on several P & O cruises and just received an account at the end of the cruise and we paid the balance then. You can also request a statement of your spend at any point in the cruise. I hope this helps.

2 hours ago, Peanut006 said:

My version of the jubilee trifle

That looks amazing Michelle. I can almost taste it from here. X

11 minutes ago, SarahHben said:

Do people tend to dress more casually on the first evening of a cruise? I can finally do my dress zip up, mind you that's before lunch! There's no way it will fit me by Monday evening but I don't know if it's too dressy for the first night, it's a fitted dress.

I always take several fitted dresses but only wear one on the first night if my luggage has arrived in time for dinner. I just pack a pair of smart trousers and top in my hand luggage just in case. 

19 degrees forecast for us here in Bolton today, lovely blue skies at the moment. I won’t be seeing much of it though as packing for our holiday in Turkey tomorrow. It’s our first land based holiday for 4 years. Also I am picking up my two young grandsons from school at 3.30.  My daughter said I don’t need to but I want to as I miss them dreadfully when we are away. I am also a bit anxious about leaving our new cat that we got in February, she has settled in really well but this is the first time we have left her. My friend is coming in every day to feed her and she will stay with her for a while. My Vet nurse daughter lives just up road so Kath can speak to her if there are any problems (hopefully none).

11 hours ago, wowzz said:

Sorry Graham  - my idea of hell !

Sorry Graham, I have to agree with Wowzz. I think it is probably good for people cruising with children but not for us. I have seen posts describing P& O as like Butlins ( not that I agree) but from the view of the decks, that sprung to mind. I am already wondering whether Iona will be too big for us, but we are giving it a go next February.

I have been into Manchester today to meet up with three friends from work. Three of us retired 12 years ago and our much younger friend who still has 2 years to go. We hadn’t met up since November 2019, previously we met up every three months. It was great to see them all and the other two retired ladies looked great. Poor Ronda looked really tired and deflated. She was having to reassure her staff (the best she could) about the 91,000 civil service posts that are to be cut and it was really upsetting her.
 

We had a lovely lunch in Cichetti in House of Fraser and three hours of catch up, not nearly long enough though, so planning on meeting up again August. 
 

Came home and had an hour in the garden and now a glass of wine.

Great day, but tomorrow need to start our packing for Turkey on Thursday.

Rained on and off for a couple of days here in Bolton. Thankfully I managed to get my dahlia tubers planted on Monday so they should be well watered in by now. We are going out for lunch with friends later, to a pub we haven’t been to since it was renovated so don’t know what to expect. Just starting to get things together for our 10 day trip to Turkey next week. We are going back to a lovely hotel we visited about 5 years ago, hoping things are still the same. No cruise for us until September.

25 minutes ago, Peanut006 said:

Thank you mercury7289. 
 

I am been monitored by a “virtual” ward at the hospital. I have to take my oxygen saturation levels every three hours and send them in via an app. They are ringing me every day to check on me. Pretty good service  I think

Michelle

Michelle,

the NHS are amazing. My husband has had several issues over the last couple of years. He had a femoral artery op, potential prostate cancer issue and ongoing heart problems following a heart attack 4 years ago. I have nothing but praise for them. I’m sure you feel the same.

Keep safe. Xx

Just finished a day in the garden. Weather was dull early on but now gorgeous, better than the forecast. We are both now exhausted and having a glass of Apothic on the patio. I couldn’t resist taking this photo of one of the borders. When we bought the house 16 years ago we knew it was a doer upper, but not the extent. The owners told us lots of things that turned out not to be true, such as ‘my husband likes a shower so we built one upstairs while I prefer a bath’. The upstairs bathroom was Avocado, but the shower worked reasonably OK. I tried to have a bath but the water kept disappearing, there was a split in it so it couldn’t be used. They had refused to give us a forwarding address, everything subsequent to the exchange of contracts went through the estate agent. 
 

So many other things came to light over the first few months, now everything sorted and we have the home we wanted. The only thing we have left that ‘belonged to Mrs diirty Powell’ as I call her, is a beautiful azalea, this photo just taken.

1 minute ago, Peanut006 said:

Strange you shout say that. I have taken Vit D every day since Oct to end March. Thought I would get enough Vit D away in the sun but I just might take it again 

Michelle 

Hi Michelle, I have always taken Vit D over the winter months. When I tested positive on NYE l doubled my dose as it was recommended by a friend. I have now reduced it to one as I spend a lot more time in the garden. Our weather here in Bolton is lovely this morning so a day gardening is on the cards. My problem is tree pollen, my hay fever has been really bad this week. Hey ho, I love my garden so I will fill my pockets with tissues and soldier on. Glad you had a good holiday, just sorry you came back with the virus. Keep safe. X

My deposit was transferred, it was nearly all FCC. 

I cancelled and rebooked our September Azura cruise yesterday to take advantage of an offer. The only thing I couldn’t do was keep the same cabin. I just chose another one in a good position and finished up with a good deal.

Eddie, so sorry to hear the sad news about your cat. In December we came back to an empty house from our Caribbean cruise. My lovely Cassie died unexpectedly and my friend, who looked after her, was as devastated as us. Having a daughter who is a Vet nurse I soon got the phone call to say they had an abandoned cat. It was a little bit too soon for me but we are now the owners of a our beautiful Evie. She has settled in really well and all the family love her. Like you I have had cats all my life and when they go they leave a great hole in your heart. I hope you feel better soon and just remember you gave your cat the best life. Xx

5 hours ago, Peanut006 said:

We fly in the morning, just going to start packing now

Michelle

Have a great holiday Michelle. X

We have used our TA for over 15 years now. We always get a discount in addition to the one offered by P& O. On the cruise I booked last month we got £100 each more discount and an extra £100 each OBC. The paperwork is always sent within hours of booking and they always make sure everything is in order in the weeks before sailing. We always use their Scottish office and several of the staff remember me from previous bookings. 

Vampiress, I don’t post as regularly as others but I do read what is being said. I love your posts and I’m sure your girls are a delight. Have a great cruise. 

I have received two emails on this subject, one for our September Med fly cruise and one for our February 23 Canaries cruise. After reading a lot of the messages posted here, I don’t  think I will worry about what we need to do for some time. It will probably change anyway, but hopefully it will change to something that is very clear and easy to understand (I am eternal optimist!).