kate59

5 minutes ago, lyndarra said:

There was a lot more that had to do with mice in our motel😱

A real shame about the mice plague. 

@lyndarra great trip report 

52 minutes ago, Russell21 said:

Six weeks between shots, not 14.

12 weeks for AZ. 

I was talking with my daughter yesterday and she is 42 but wants to wait before having vaccination. Not against but she has an autoimmune disease so worried. I have had a different autoimmune disease for 40 years but had my vaccination as soon as I could book. Her idea is so different to mine, yet she has had all vaccinations up to now. 

26 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I have been getting the flu shot since 1988. I take medication for high blood pressure and asthma. Contrary to the theory expressed, I had an elevated temp and felt 'off' for a couple of days. 

Yes only a theory based on those chatting. Hope you are now feeling better.

On 5/6/2021 at 10:01 AM, OzKiwiJJ said:

It's interesting to hear how the side effects differ from person to person.

A group of my friends where talking about the differences in their reactions to the Covid shot. A theory was if you didn't usually have flu shot or take medication, they seemed to get the high temperature and feel off for a few days. Ones like me how always gets flu shot, am immune suppressed and on several drugs, only reaction was the sore arm. Only a theory of some late middle aged women. 

4 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

In the north of England you can get these:

 

 

Wow all that carbohydrate. Barm and Parched Peas? sounds interesting.

9 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

I'm impressed.  I haven't heard of anyone who makes pumpkin pies sweet or savoury in Aust.  My American friends can't imagine pumpkin used as a savoury vegetable.  

I love pumpkin and we sometimes grow. Savoury has herbs, sweet has sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.

An Aussie but I love my homemade pumpkin or grammar pies. With real filling. I can make them sweet or savoury. Great way to us up excess pumpkin 

Anyone else done the Highlands Pie Trail? NSW southern highlands eg Bowral, Sutton Forest etc. Some great pies. 

We like Heatherbrae pies north of Newcastle when we go north from Wollongong 

24 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Since you sound like you had quite a strong reaction in your arm, you might find you have a residual lump and some tenderness around the injection site for a few weeks. If so, don't worry, it slowly goes away. Mine is down to about the size of a smallish olive now.

Thanks but I didn"t  get a lump.  The soreness was similar to what I had with previous injection?  TB

12 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

They don't necessarily stick the whole needle i to your arm, just the tip. Anyway I didn't feel a thing at the time, it started hurting about three hours later.

Yes pain hours later is normal, I had for 4 days. AZ only supply vaccine, syringes and needles are what usually used in that area. 

My actual injection didn't hurt whilst being done. 

Just now, possum52 said:

We have had ferry trips from Darling Harbour to CQ and also been under then bridge on a cruise ship. I agree Julie, the trip under the bridge is amazing.

 

Leigh

Our first cruise was on P&O Pacific Jewel from Barangaroo, under the bridge. No other harbour has had the same feeling since. 

5 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Focusing on local fast food is not the best way to experience Australian cuisine. Australian cuisine is much, much more than pies.

Tasmanian seafood Pie - can't wait for my Tasmanian cruise later in the year. 

12 hours ago, icat2000 said:

I'm the same never had the flu shot. Not planning on ever getting it either. My partner never had it and then last year he got it and was sick with the flu. Not getting it again.

 

I'm in no rush to get these vaccines either. I don't care if I can't cruise or travel overseas for awhile. I happy to wait to see how it unfolds.

Sorry hear your partner got the flu, but with 3 weeks of vaccination, their body didn't have time to produce antibodies.

14 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

That would be good but they need to let people know that. I only found out by chance. 

They probably mention it to some when they make appointments. It only happens if someone booked in doesn't turn up so not a daily thing.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

That's good to hear. I'm in the 2A group as well so I was expecting to have to wait months for mine. Thank goodness some GPs are being sensible and not wasting any doses by offering them to those who actually want to have the vaccine as early as possible

To my knowledge most injection centres have a list of those who are prepared to get there last minute if phone call.

1 minute ago, RobertTheBruce said:

With only a 55% effective rate, I'll take my chances. I just stay outdoors and away from people. LOL

Yes was so easy to avoid flu during Covid. A few years ago I got it on a cruise. 

1 minute ago, RobertTheBruce said:

 I suppose it will be an annual ritual...like the flu shot, which I've never had since I never get the flu.

Should you get the flu, you would understand why many of us get the flu shot. Not good 

24 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

Maybe long haul airlines will need to take out a few rows of seats to make travel more bearable for economy class passengers.  As I aged, I only continued my annual trips to Europe or UK or USA because I was able to fly business class.  BTW Business class on secondary airlines is not much more expensive than full price economy on Qantas.  Well worth the expense for flat beds and lounge useage.  

Yes for first time we booked premium economy for overseas trip. We will probably forgo overseas travel as hubby in 80s although would still like to see Paris. 

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

The other Taiwanese airline, China Airlines, flies out of Sydney. We were booked to go to Europe with them last year but, of course, it was cancelled. They refunded our fare very promptly.

We flew with China Eastern Airline  a few years ago and where impressed with them. 

5 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

A few weeks ago a security officer at a quarantine hotel was infected very shortly after her had his COVID shot. The important point is that (like a flu shot) it takes a few weeks for the vaccination to become effective.

This is so true. Years ago on our cruise to Japan I was a little late getting the flu shot. By the time we got to Darwin I was feeling bad. Yes diagnosed with flu, had the flu shot only days before leaving Sydney on the cruise. Drs told me then it hadn't been long enough and I probably would have had it worse if I hadn't had the flu shot. Slight temperature and aching bones. 2 days confined to cabin then ok and over it.

1 hour ago, bazzaw said:

Les - We had to wait over 6 months before we got $36,000 back from Cunard and "the1st" TA last year - the only good thing about the drama was that I did not choose to rollover our cash into FCC. If I was religious , I would Thank God!! for that. I felt like I was in a race with the Bankruptcy Court  as to who would get our money - me or them!!!! I wouldn't even consider booking anything and throwing cash onto the poker table more than about 1 week before the event right now . Tourist official said last week to make sure BEFORE you book a half price airfare in Australia that you can secure a hotel room at your destination - apparently hotels are short of staff and are not able to open all their rooms and hence room availability is very tight.

• I tend to agree with several of your thoughts.
• I managed to book the half price fares at 0005 hours on the 1st of April - for 2 return to Darwin for early June. We have the benefit of our daughter living in Darwin so no problems with the accommodation, however it is usually a nightmare up there for the grey nomads if not already booked anywhere due to it being the dry season and the peak tourist time. Also the best time to be there however we do love the wet up there also.
• If I had paid out $36,000 I would have made sure I got it back - most of my cruises where just deposits using Future Cruise Deposits so I let them stay and collecting fcc, I just keep rebooking as they get cancelled. My TA has appreciated me doing that and she is happy to help me. We couldn't afford to lose that much.
• One cruise I had paid final payment on - the other big Cruise TA I was using hadn't sent my final payment to Princess, so after a month I got my money back, but not credit - I will not use that company again as I was so peeved they hadn't paid it to Princess. At the time I had thought of leaving the $4000 there for the extra credit - I am probably an optimist.
• We had 80 days booked overseas, I got all my travel insurance back (took 8 months for one lot but fought and got it), I have airfares in credit but I am sure once travel comes back we will use, our Princess cruises are in FCC, all overseas hotels where cancelled at no cost, for some reason I booked them as fully refundable - not something I usually do. The only other thing I still have in credit is a hotel close to Sydney airport but we will probably use it before we fly to Darwin.
• I have kept a list of where things are at with all our credits and refunds just so I can keep up with it all.

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

That too

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

or

Sick Of Pandemic.

Actually I did get a laugh but in my career they where called Safe Operating Procedures.