Jennizor

So so sad. Like lots of you I feel very emotional about Captain Sir Tom’s death. He brought so much light into our lives at a very dark time. He inspired so many people to follow his example and we are all the richer for that. He will be remembered for a very long time. The country mourns a true hero. X

I always try for a balcony cabin C deck on Azura. Not always easy as they soon go. Managed to get one for our September med cruise, not exactly the position we usually like but hey ho, just be glad if we get to go.

Sorry Joecco, you are right. Our 2022 Baltic cruise is in May. It is replacing our June 2020 one that was cancelled. It was going to be for my 70th birthday and our 20th wedding anniversary. We spent in the garden, drinking fizz with our two families instead. We had a lovely day. (Apologies for the mistake, that’s what happens when you get to my age😁).

I don’t sleep well most nights at home. On a cruise, it is completely different. If I do wake up I go out onto the balcony and the rhythm of the waves soon works it’s magic. I love the chatter at meal times. We love the bars where you can get to know the staff and they soon get to know your tipple. I love that there is no pressure, if you want to do something, there is lots to do. If not, you can just relax and do your own thing. We have had two cruises cancelled and expecting our May one to be cancelled any time soon. Our last cruise was last March to the Caribbean, we were on one of the last flights home before lockdown. I have resurrected our cancelled cruises. Hopefully Eastern Med in September, Canaries in February 22 and Baltic in June 22. Fingers crossed. Keep safe.

We have two 2022 cruises booked. Both are ones we missed due to COVID and both from Southampton. Feb 22 on Iona to the Canaries and June 22 on Britannia to the Baltic. We have two med cruises from Malta booked this year, both on Azura. One in May, expecting it to be cancelled and the other in September, not sure that will happen but you never know. 

Same here in Lancashire Avril. Snow disappeared overnight but some in the forecast for tomorrow. I now have a few of my daffodils and tulips  coming up and buds on the magnolia but not much more. Glad it’s a bit warmer though.

Purplesea, it just shows the difference between living in the north and south. Your garden is obviously a lot further on than mine. I am getting very impatient to get out there and start doing stuff but the snow is still at least a couple of inches on the borders and lawns, paths are clear now though. We have rain forecast for the next few days as well.

Not much colour in my garden, a lot of promise though. Couldn’t believe how long we had fuchsia flowering, there were still some well into December. I planted up 2 pots of Coronilla Citrina in early autumn and put them either side of the patio doors. The lemon flowers are quite delicate looking but have been a joy when there isn’t much else to look at. 

Lovely photo Snow Hill.  Last week I got quite excited as the daffodil and tulip bulbs I had planted in pots around the garden had started coming up. Then the snow came and they are all completely covered. I know they will be fine but it lifts my heart to see new beginnings in my garden. 

Just got back from having my vaccination. Snowing quite hard here in Bolton. 
 

I am getting vaccinated tomorrow morning. I am 70, live in Bolton. Wasn’t surprised as lots of friends of the same age were vaccinated earlier in the week. It’s at our GP surgery which is a 5 minute drive away so couldn’t be easier. Very relieved to be having it. 

Ann, just phoned TA, they have deferred the payment of the balance to April. They apologised for not advising me - makes me wonder what they would have done if I had just paid the balance!

Thanks Ann, I will do that now. I have heard stories of TAs asking for the balance and holding on to the money. We have used this TA for many years I would be very disappointed if they were doing that.

Hi Sidekick180, have you paid the balance for your April cruise or did P&O give you another 60 days? The balance for our May cruise is due this week, but unlike some others I have had heard nothing from them about this. I am reluctant to pay the balance as we don’t think we will be going anyway. I just don’t want to lose my deposit, let alone be chasing the full amount again. 

I really thought about this before I raised the issue of penicillin. It came from a retired GP who has just returned to work to help with the vaccinations. She said not to worry about stocks of the Oxford vaccine but,  as they are ramping up the numbers vaccinations, I did exactly that. 

Lots of over 80s in our area have had their vaccinations and some their second one. I am in the group that should be done by mid Feb but have a concern. I have been told that if you are allergic to penicillin, as I am, you can only have the Oxford one. I have been told to remind the practice when I get my letter/phone call. My worry is if they don’t have any left, I will have to wait till new supplies come in. 

I wear a black and gold dress, but not a huge amount of ladies in just black and white (in my experience anyway).

I haven’t worn a dress for months. Even on Christmas Day, when I usually wear one, I settled for trousers and sparkly jumper. Only went briefly to see my three grandsons (allowable as I am part of their childcare bubble and they only live a quarter of a mile up the road). I have loads of short dresses gathering dust in the wardrobe, not sure how they will fit though!!!!!!

Me too Lily lady, I don’t think the dress I bought in the recent sales will make an appearance in May ( likely to be cancelled but that suits us). Still hoping it might come out of the wardrobe in September though.

We visited Guadeloupe a few years ago. At that time we hadn’t watched Death in Paradise so we were not interested in visiting where it was recorded. We had a tour round the island instead. Was not impressed really  apart from the beach bar we found that was really entertaining. We started watching it last night for the first time, it was OK - just light entertainment which was fine at the moment.

And we like the same colours. Love your black dress. You and your husband follow the same rules as we do - bow tie has to match the dress.

I really do miss cruising for lots of reasons, not just the dressing up bit. We have never had a bad cruise and seen so many lovely places. We have only had a couple of land based holidays in the last few years and, although we enjoyed them, I yearned for waking up in a new place everyday..  We also like the sea days, they are so relaxing, lots of things to do if you want to or just relaxing, reading or doing puzzles.  I’ve got my fingers crossed for our September cruise but who knows? Keep safe.

Ann, I think you and I should go the same cruise. I love bling too. I have lots of dresses that I don’t wear anymore - some because I have dropped down a size over recent years and secondly I am moving on to sleeved dresses to cover my ageing arms!

Ann,  I think we will all have that problem. I am trying to eat sensibly but like lots of us, for me eating has become the highlight of the day.  We are following the rules, only going shopping once a week plus a delivered shop.  No social mixing. We are part of my daughter’s childcare bubble but only go there when needed. When I wake up in the morning my first thought is what are we eating today? Now, where are those chocolates  I have been hiding?

Thanks Ann. I really miss it too. I bought a new dress for our Baltic cruise last June. That was cancelled and our February one to the Canaries. Am expecting our May cruise to the Eastern Med to be cancelled soon. Looks like it will be September (fingers crossed) before I get to wear it.

This is a photo from one of my favourite cruises. It was taken on our Ruby Princess cruise to Canada and New England in 2016.  The photographer was one of our table companions from Australia and we are still in occasional contact.