Mareblu

That’s so good to hear, Les. Wonderful idea, but you don’t owe us a lunch. You got the drinks and coffee, remember? See you in the foyer at 12.30😊

Bushfire risk is perennial, particularly with high fuel loads after years of La Niña conditions. If schools are closed each day the temp surpasses 34, they should simply lock the doors till next autumn. One thing the terrible fires of a few years ago taught us all is to be ever aware and prepared. Alarmism is certainly not needed. We’re terrifying our kids these days.

Completely concur, and grazie! Lavazza and Illy are the world's best, but we also have some wonderfully aromatic brews locally. When we were on Sirena last September, Barista's coffee was almost perfect, but slightly watery and bitter, rather than exuding that rich, caramel undertone that we love. My husband was born in northern Italy, and he taught me to appreciate "caffe perfetto" many decades ago. We grind Lavazza "Oro" beans in our Jura espresso machine. I'm pretty sure Jura is Swiss, Gerry🙂

Far South Coast is indeed Les' area, but there are no fires, catastrophic or otherwise, at least at the moment. Schools in the area are closed because it is 34c max today. Heavens, we sweltered in much warmer classrooms, with no fans. A bit of alarmism goes a long way these days. We're going down to the Bay just for the day on Thursday, when it will be much cooler. Hope Les is keeping cool.

Meant to add, “Thank you, Rosie and Mic”🙏🏻

I so enjoyed his wit, fine humour and helpful advice. Listen a while to “Mull of Kintyre”. He’ll be at that concert. RIP to a fellow contributor🇦🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Just finished sipping an Islay single malt. An occasional indulgence my multi-generational Scottish Highland genes demand. Resistance is futile. Celtic genes are beyond stubborn.

Not in Canberra: -5 overnight 🥶

Wishing you both a rapid recovery, Leigh.

It is. So close. Our local team in the National Rugby League is “The Canberra Raiders”. More often than not they start strongly, then dwindle. They are often called “The Faders”, sadly. We love to follow them though.

A bit like our "Faders"?🤔

But it was close.

Thanks, Lisle (and Lynn) for your well-rounded observations and comments on your HAL experience. It's been really informative to read your thoughts, praise and constructive criticism. You certainly are the maestro at opening a topic and having enough interest to run to multiple pages. Hope you're safely home by now.

Thanks for the info, Hattie. It was offered in QE, so I assumed it was offered throughout Cunard’s fleet.

I wouldn’t dream of questioning your sanity, if that is the implication. Of course we are all free to embark on the holiday of our choice. I simply do not understand why the reviewer, who in fact bemoaned the only option for their evening meal was the buffet because they “don’t dress for dinner”, then launched into a buffet demolition. Cunard offers many dining options. The Golden Lion pub, for example, is a casual venue where I’m rather certain casual attire is perfectly acceptable. Diners remaining for the great Irish duo entertainment every evening we attended after dinner were very casually dressed, and to my observation, not an eyebrow was raised. For the restaurants, all that is required on non-gala evenings, is smart casual. No effort needed for that. For those not requiring an evening neal, and that includes us occasionally, there us no need to offer a review at all.

Indian Pacific is on our agenda…one day😊 Years ago, when our children were very young, we did the Queenslander from Brisbane to Cairns, with our 4x loaded on the rear car trays. A superb experience: comfortable beds and seats, exquisite fine dining. It was a relatively new service then, and I think has now evolved into a different offering. Correction welcome, as I’m not sure of that.

Ouch😫

Thank you, Pushpit, for the link. I have just read the review, and am confused. Was the reviewer in QG? There was a side-swipe at a false QG pretence. If so, why on earth would anybody of sound mind pay for QG when they shun dressing for dinner (in my opinion one of the delightful experiences of a voyage) and deprive themselves and their family of the (with few exceptions) sublime ambience and fare of the QG restaurant? If their only goal was "a buffet and a lounge", then it's quite beyond me why they were sailing Cunard at all. I did note a reference to not dressing for the MDR, so I assume that means the reviewer wasn't in Grills, so why even mention it? Why not dress for an enjoyable evening in any restaurant? Formal attire is only required on gala evenings, so leave the buffet and lounge for those few dining experiences. We have sailed with Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania and NCL in its "Haven". We have enjoyed most aspects of these admittedly diverse cruising experiences. We are usually itinerary driven, hence our choosing a variety of cruise lines. We are sailing on our sixth Oceania cruise next year, this time on their new vessel, Vista, just before our second Cunard voyage. Our first Cunard experience was QE in January of this year, and we enjoyed the entire relaxing and friendly voyage so much that we have booked QA's "British Isles" in May of next year. It will be fascinating to compare brand new vessels from the different brands. Despite missing several ports and sail-by experiences in New Zealand waters because Cunard really did drop the baton and neglect to attend to the required hull cleaning, the overall enjoyment of life aboard Queen Elizabeth outweighed those considerable negatives. I should confess here that Cunard received such a storm of criticism because of the blunder that all passengers were offered a credit of half the cost of that particular voyage, to be used anytime within four years of that sailing. However, and we have discussed this very thoroughly before booking QA, we would never repeat an unenjoyable experience, even if it was fully funded. We didn't partake in the evening buffet, because admittedly, we were thoroughly enjoying every dining encounter in the QG restaurant, especially, but not solely, the gala evenings. We met some wonderful new acquaintances, were impressed by the very attentive and efficient staff, and with only one exception, relished the well-presented and delicious fare and wines. Seriously, a nightly buffet and a lounge? Stay comfortable, and stay home.

We are also sailing on QA next May. We have chosen to do so because of our truly enjoyable experience on QE (three weeks sailing to New Zealand and Tasmania from Sydney, return). It was our first Cunard experience, and we resolved then and there to ensure it wasn't our last. Are you also doing the "British Isles" cruise?

We've had the same experiences, and are yet to endure an unfavourable HOHO. In two locations where we were staying a while, some were so enjoyable that we repeated the ride on another day.

Bravissimo, Mic👏. Hope the AC settles quickly. I thought I posted a similar response before, but it must have slipped to that mystic realm of lost posts🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s Fathers Day in Australia. Happy Fathers Day to all Dads🎉

That’s wonderful news, Lyle. I hope we can arrange to meet ip with you both.

I bet Qantas will now. #Humble pie grovelling

I concur, and I’m quite relieved Piers Morgan is not a CD in Australian waters this year