Eglesbrech

@grapau27 thinking of you all.

Reading your post takes me back to digging for lug worms to go catch fish, which we always gutted and enjoyed. Worms for the cod, shiny things for mackerel then onto tied flies for salmon. My dad took me fishing regularly and the fresh fish made a tasty meal. Any extra caught was shared with neighbours (days before a freezer big enough to take much more than a block of ice cream) and they in turn shared extra produce from the garden. Everyone had a glut of something so passed it around. Waste not want not. We are fortunate to have all we could ever need now but I still really, really hate food waste and have numerous recipes for any leftovers. Sharing food is an important part of the bonds of family and friends. I suppose that’s why many world religions have it as part of their rituals.

Up early. I got a few hours sleep then that was that. OH is still happily snoring away. I do envy those who get a good. Ight sleep every night which i seldom do now.

Yes we bought a shredder as well a couple of years ago. The cost for garden waste went from included in council tax 3 years ago to doubled year on year. While it cost more initially for the hot composter I reckon it will pay for itself in 2 years with the added bonus of the compost. I remonstrated with the council when they brought in the charge. I don’t see why I should pay for a garden waste collection when it’s one of the very few services I (used to) actually get.

That’s utterly ridiculous. I refuse to pay the Council any more for garden waste as they already get a hefty amount in tax. So we bought a hot composting bin which now resides at the back of the garage out of view from the house. Might be worth thinking about if you have space for one?

So @Selbourne I have all thoroughly enjoyed reading all about your adventures. I’m glad to hear you and Lady S are home safe and sound after whats sounds like an excellent cruise. It’s a lot of time and effort to write a comprehensive blog like this one but much appreciated. The question now that everyone would like know of course is….. when is your next cruise?

We have been on ex Southampton cruises where it has been English only and others where it has been multiple languages. In Europe at least it seems to depend on how many embarkation ports / range of pax there are. Our last winter cruise they had Southampton, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zebrugge and Le Harve and so 5 languages. In the summer the only embarkation was Southampton so English only.

There is a really good book about travelling the Camino. Travels with my Donkey by Tim Moore. Like you I was a lazy pilgrim and did the bit from the bus!

How hard is it to get some decent cheese. Not very! I’m with your lass in this.

@TigerB again the cheese looks truly inedible. Dry and shrivelled up. I don’t tend to eat pudding so cheese is important to me and your pictures, which I thank you sincerely for, look dreadful.

Are the Azores worth a visit in your opinion?

I’d say it is too risky in my humble opinion. The Italian rail system (like some bits of the rail network in the U.K. to be honest) is not the most reliable. If you did DIY once you are actually in Florence most of the main attractions are within a nice compact area and not too far from the station.

I don’t know to be honest as I don’t work 😀. Good question.

I’ll be honest I felt the food on our last P&O cruise sometimes resembled a mediocre works canteen. I have been following the excellent live (and livish) blogs from you and others on here recently because I really enjoy them but in also to see what the food is currently like.

I understand the sentiment completely and I think many will react like you if they feel manipulated or pressurised. I would however still speak as I found if that means 10 out of 10 or 1 out of 10. I would also leave feedback about this type of comment being inappropriate (and annoying).

That would be a shame. Perhaps different in different locations? Who knows.

Brilliant news. Thanks for posting @sidari. I hated even walking through there to get to the show lounge as you ended up stinking of stale smoke even in that short space of time. Good move by MSC. There are more non smokers than smokers nowadays.

@TigerB thanks for the great blog and posting pictures of the food. The food looks far, far better than we had on our last cruise (except the cheese which look just as poor). Let’s hope we get the same on our next cruise with P&O. Have a great cruise.

We didn’t have it at home but my Gran had it forever. We used to visit with our own roll of Andrex! She must have bought a job lot after the war and was still using it into the 1980s! And yes school as well.

And even when the toilets went indoors there was the dreaded Izal toilet paper. Those who know what I mean, know what I mean!

Borealis August 2023 We also sailed on Bollette and Balmoral in 2023.

Don’t take this a guarantee as things can and do change from time to time but my last Fred cruise yes they has JW black label. They also had red label and double black (which I like as nice and smoky) JW whisky was not included in the all inclusive (as per this thread) but sold at half price with the AI package. The whisky tasting event included a JW blue label. I would check with the company if it is a deal breaker for you. Incidentely we just visited JW on Princess Street Edinburgh for a tasting, well worth a visit if you are in Edinburgh.

Thank you for taking the time to come back and provide a thorough report. These are always helpful.

Not pedantic at all, you are absolutely correct. Didn’t notice I had misspelled it (I do that a lot). Hope all goes well at the hospital.

Tonight has been particularly bad for sleep. I usually have one really wakeful night then sleep properly for the next 2 or 3 days. Rather than toss and turn I tend to get up and catch on on reading or even cook. I often make a loaf or pot of soup in the middle of the night. I hope I don’t get a reply and that @indiana123 and @Purdey16 are now in the land of nod.