Jennizor

Lots to look forward to Phil. At the moment it seems like we are wishing our lives away. Hopefully things will get more like normal next year. 

Hi Alsa, we were on the same cruise as you. We love Britannia but Azura is our favourite. We have booked again on Britannia in December. I am determined to have a holiday in the sun this year, after having 3 cancelled. We have been to the Caribbean several times on Oriana, Arcadia, Ventura, Azura and Britannia. We never tire of the Caribbean, we don’t always get off the ship these days as my husband has a leg problem (hoping it will get sorted next year!). We quite like the peaceful, laid back days on board when many passengers are off exploring. We are booked on an Eastern Med cruise in September, not sure if that will happen, but hopefully the December one will. 

Lovely day here in Bolton but temperatures are due to be going down for the rest of the week. For the first time this year we are going to see some friends and have lunch in their garden. I feel giddy with excitement!  A bit of normality is a great tonic, fingers crossed it will continue.

We are on Britannia in the Caribbean  4 -18 December and hope that the ship will be decorated for Christmas. We have been three times from Boxing Day and all the decorations were still up until towards the end of the cruise. It was a really lovely atmosphere.  We even bought Christmas decorations on our port stops. 

Another lovely morning here in Bolton. Not only are the cows out but a beautiful red fox is roaming amongst them. For a short time it was in the narrow wood between our garden and the field so I locked the cat in. She wouldn’t stand a chance against the fox. Fence painting for us today but will watch the events in Windsor later. Very sad day.

Wow, that’s a nice surprise, Dai. Nice to know you are still reading comments on here. 

Lovely photo Graham, looks like you are on holiday. Enjoy your stroll and dream about cruises to come.m

Avril, I always feel sad when you mention Andy/Michelle, but glad you do. . I’m not a big poster but I read messages regularly and miss Andy’s. He was always helpful, funny and seems genuinely a nice person. I can’t remember what upset him but wish he was back on here. 

Not sure what prompted this at our doctor’s surgery. My 2nd jab was due this coming Saturday but early last week I, along with many others, were invited to pick a slot on Saturday just gone which I did. On Sunday my daughter and son-in-law got a phone call from the surgery at 3.15 saying if they could get there before 4pm they could both have their 2nd. We are all Phizer but my husband had AZ. He hasn’t been called. Presuming either some people didn’t turn up or cancelled and they were left with a surplus W that needed using. Or they just received too much. 

Another nice day here again. Was cold overnight though. Hair appointment at 1.15, I will be glad to be able to see without having to clip back my fringe.

One of our most interesting experiences on a formal night was when a lady and her partner came into the bar in what they thought was ‘formal wear’. He was wearing a dinner suit but she was wearing a tiny white lace see through dress. He underwear was skimpy as everyone could see. A lot of people complained and she was asked to leave the bar. She burst into tears and her partner put his jacket around her and they left. We didn’t see them again. 

Lovely morning here and hopefully the frosts are finished with. Nice surprise, the cows are in the field beyond our garden. They will stay until September. Love it, except when they try to get over the fence. Last year my neighbour had to ring the farmer twice as there were a couple in her garden, no damage though. 

I have always been impressed that so many young people dress formally on cruises. Some of the ladies really go to town wearing fantastic creations. It’s a pleasure to see. We will continue wearing formal dress as it is an enjoyable part of cruising for us. 

Our very first holiday together was a Cities of Italy tour, 24 years ago. We flew to Venice, landing at the hotel around 11pm. The city was still buzzing so we went out with another couple for a drink. It was was wonderful and everyone was really friendly. The next day we went on a Vaparetto (sorry about the  spelling and in the evening we all went on gondolas to a lovely restaurant. We had 2 days there, 2 in Florence, 3 in Rome and then a week in Lido de Jesalo. It was a brilliant holiday, only spoilt towards the end when the Manchester bombings happened, both my children were working in Manchester so it was very worrying for us . It took quite a while to get to know they were both OK. They had to walk well out of Manchester and their dad picked them up. Surprising how one post brought back all these memories good and bad.

TerrierJohn, it was lovely to see the word ‘courting’. I have not heard that word for years. I’m not sure what the word used for it is these days - ‘seeing someone’ maybe. Not as good as courting. 

Thanks Avril, I know you are right about Jen just wanting me to keep safe. I  just miss them all so much as for the last 12 years I have been a big part of their lives. Three babies in four years after five years of fertility treatment. At that time her husband worked away a lot so I was up their all the time (only 630 steps door to door). I have been taking and picking them up from school. On duty in the holidays when Jen was working. I have loved every minute of it. They are growing so fast now and I am missing it. Moan over, I know there are lots of people in similar positions and a lot in worse. Roll on cruising again when we will have lots of adventures to talk about.

Despite the poor forecast and rain overnight, now got lovely blue skies here. My 8 year old grandson was unable to go to school today as someone in his class has tested positive for COVID. My daughter will be banning me again from helping out, even though I am part of her childcare bubble. She is a vet nurse in a large practice so she has rearranged her shifts to weekends and her husband will cover. I miss them so much.

We have sailed on Princess twice, both for destinations. First was to the Hawaiian Islands and second Canada and New England. Both were brilliant cruises, we loved every minute on both although the Canada one had the edge. There were a lot of Americans on both cruises and we had so many conversations and laughs with them. Downside - our bar bill and the flights included in the price were not direct. They were both a few years ago so I don’t know whether there are direct flights now. I would definitely go with them again for the right destinations and price. We have sailed with P&O 8 times and never had a bad experience. From what I remember I think Princess had the edge on the food. We have had 3 P&O cruises cancelled due to COVID and have rebooked them all starting in September (not sure it will go ahead though). I hope this helps.

We have a family butcher’s near us, Hibberts. They have been in the town for at least 55 years that I know of. They butcher their own meat which is not as common as it used to be. Since my husband retired he has done the butcher’s shopping. He loves it and comes back with all sorts. One of his favourites is oxtail. It makes a fantastic stew with a really rich and tasty gravy. I love pork pies but don’t eat them anymore as I have to watch my blood pressure.  Could kill for one now they have been mentioned. 

I know this will sound selfish but I hope these cruises go ahead successfully and everyone has a good and healthy experience  If they do there is more chance of our September cruise going ahead. Having three cruises cancelled is enough. We would have liked to try one of the cruises but the 7 day ones are too near our 9th September one and travelling there and back for a 3 day Bolton would have been a pain.

Fabulous photos Izzywix.

Thanks for all the brilliant photos, just spent 15 mins browsing through the latest ones. Brought back lots of happy memories. We joined the cruise, I think it was on Arcadia (quite some years ago) in Acapulco. We had a full day there and went to watch the cliff divers, they were amazing. Then sailed through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. There was a lovely lady giving a running commentary throughout the passage, only stopping for a quick lunch. She was so interesting, everyone was spellbound she was so good. 

Yes Dave, Stockholm is on the itinerary. We booked the Baltic cruise to replace the one we had cancelled last year. We are also on Iona in Feb 22. We booked this to replace the one that was cancelled this year. Just looking forward to booking a cruise that isn’t a replacement for one cancelled.

Dave, I know what you mean about Azura’s heart. It may be because I have been on her several times but the minute I board I feel at home. I am hoping our September cruise to the Eastern Med will go ahead. I will  still sail on Britannia for the right cruise though, booked for the Baltic next year.

I agree with your sentiments Joecco. I have felt exactly the same.