lincslady

I guess Phil just wanted to change his avatar?  The previous one was not a very flattering likeness, was it?  Hope he can find something more appropriate, and get his posts back too.  Maybe one a little bit like George Clooney?

I was just that minute debating whether to ask how things were with you, and thought 'no, leave her in peace for a while'.   Will look forward now to more from you - as and when.

Lola

The only problem with sharing fixed tables if you have not met anyone else before, and find all/some of them not much fun to spend dinner time with.  It is then either lump it or ask to be moved, which is  obviously embarrassing.  We had to do that once, and it was just another couple who had  nothing at all to say, but wanted us to talk to them, which got tiring and wearing after a couple of nights.  DH said we must ask to move, and reluctantly did, but felt bad for them - then to a table full of older single American ladies, which he enjoyed hugely.  It was quite a long cruise, so did make a big difference.  But I still felt a heel.

3 hours ago, rojaan19 said:

 

Thats really great news  JP and Chris  xx 🥂

Hear hear.  We call it 'jammy' in the UK.  Very much looking forward to hearing all about it.

Lola

Just woken up, Phil.  Have a good journey.

Same here, Lois.  Dare I  ask if you are going to be in the posh' bit of the ship, with presumably superior restaurants etc.  In any case, it will be interesting to hear how you find a ship with so many people on board,  for a change.  I have a feeling you will make the most of it anyway, and meet nice people and enjoy yourself, as usual.

Lola

39 minutes ago, drron29 said:

My computer is known for doing extraordinary things that no other computer can do. but not in a good way.

Mine too, and nothing to do with me, honest,  guv!

I guess you are back home by now, M, and probably actually really happy to be there - until the call of the wild comes again.  Hope you had a good journey, and found everything  tickety-boo.

Lola

3 minutes ago, 2SailingNomads said:

 

I fail to understand why management wants to take what was the best cruise line down to be 6 or 7th in a crowded market.

 

It is pretty obvious - to increase profits.  Could be self-defeating.

My very old-fashioned mother-in-law once asked me if the French spoke French all the time,  wondering how we got on when we used to go there frequently on holiday.  That  is admittedly many years ago, and she was over 70 at the time.  I did gently remind her that my DH had School Certificate French, and I had A level.  To be fair, she had not been further 'abroad' than the Isle of Man.

Echoing what jp says, Mysty.  Thank you so much.

Lola

Yes, jp, Auxerre is another those dastardly French fool us with.  I always thought it was Okserre, but I think it is more like Osserre.  However when you think about pronunciations in English we should not complain about anyone else.  Like words spelt like 'cough' for instance.  And  far more of 'them' make an effort to speak English than us trying  to master theirs.

Sorry, jp, am I being bossy and pedantic again?

3 hours ago, whogo said:

Thank you for another great blog, Fletcher.

from me too.

I am confused here - I thought the drink was spelt Noilly Prat, with two lls, and therefore quite difficult to pronounce correctly in the French way.  Is this noily a completely different word?

The best  way I can describe it is nwa-yee..

I went to an all girls' school, with a 'brother' school a few miles away.  I remember navy blue sturdy knickers for gym, and general wear, with white 'linings' (changed every day, hopefully) underneath, but for games we had those shorts which look like a divided skirt.  Our games field was outside the school boundary, and very visible from the road, so maybe that is why we had the more prim and proper dress.  We wore pudding bowl hats with a brim, and used to fold the crown up so that it was shallower and more fetching!  (Though still not very fetching, especially with elastic under the chin).  Seems like centuries ago.  The good thing about uniforms rigidly enforced was that no one could show off more expensive outfits, and I personally think that is still a good idea - though with very different uniforms of course.  How schools cope with trans pupils must be a nightmare though.

In the 'olden days' as now skirt lengths went up and down with fashion.  When minis were in, our school skirts had to be well on the ground when you knelt down, and within a year or so they had to show your knees when midis came in.  It was easy to break the rules when short was in fashion by rolling your skirt up at the waistline as soon as you were out of the school grounds, of course.

Empathy from me, Purdey, I have been awake since 2 and admit to just making a hot toddy, might go back to sleep and luckily for me do not need an alarm.

I have two I think they are called earworms I just can't get rid of at present - watched Sky Arts to see  Simon and Garfunkel and then Roy Orbison, two of my old favourites, and now can't get In Dreams and Bridge over Troubled Water out of my silly head.

I hope everyone has a good day,  especially those who are not well and any poorly pets.

Wow, the story of my life, Jeff.  I even had twins and washed their nappies by hand for a while until I persuaded my husband we could afford a twin-tub.

Lola

That looks like a lovely excursion Mysty - and the meal looks very moreish too!

Sadly, not long to go now.  Enjoy your last day/days (I can't remember how many), and then safe journey home.

Lola

Lots of them would choose  to eat at 5 p.m., I have found!  And get cross when dinner does not start until 7, as happens on many lines.

Looks delicious and healthy (perhaps excepting  the chips).

For once I am pleased not to be onboard a ship - the Ruby Princess.  The reports and photos from ICF are awful - I would be far more fed up than he seems to be at the quality and most of all the queueing on board.

It looks like being a lovely day almost everywhere, so I hope everybody has a good one.

I have never had solicitation for a tip from a Seabourn employee.  From someone who works for a company organising excursions I can imagine that can happen, and perhaps this is the case here?

I hardly dare enter these august portals with my plebeian taste, but having not had any vinho verde for many years I bought a couple on advice from the Times, and discovered it to be not only delicious drinking but slightly petillant.  Is it always marginally sparkling?  I hasten to add that this is just the Waitrose own at about £7.50, and they have just temporarily sold out.