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Cunard Cruisers - How are things where you are ?

Host Hattie

By Host Hattie,
in Cunard Line

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, techteach said:

Can’t believe it - I got an actual mailing from Cunard today about the Labor Day Sale. I entered the website listed and it says sorry, it is closed for 2022. Oops!

It’s what makes as love Cunard and, as I often say, the fact that they run their ships so much better than they run their admin.

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Bigmike911

Bigmike911

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 8/13/2023 at 8:43 PM, Bigmike911 said:

I have been reflecting on a round trip I took in 2015 from Los Angeles to Hawaii and Back. We had a day on Maui, and the ship was tendered to and from Lahaina. When you first got ashore there was an enormous Banyan Tree, now we are told it was (or maybe is) the largest in the islands. Banyans have the habit of creating support for long branches by dropping roots down and creating new trunks. 

 

We walked along Front Street and had lunch at the Lahaina Yacht Club a favorite eatery of mine over the years on a deck over looking the pacific teeming with whales.  On either side of the street were shops and one story shopping centers selling all kinds of Hawaiian gifts, including shirts from Hilo Hatties.

 

Now it is all gone, and the terrible fire has taken the lives of 100+ people and probably many more. The historic Hawaiian Royal Capitol is mostly gone. I feel very sad. 

 

I took a picture of the Banyan Tree and it is here

LahainaMaui001.thumb.JPG.c97bd6cba5fb5b3193e407100cc2a0c4.JPG

I watched a program on the tree, with a Hawaiian Arborist who has examined it. He says that the trunk branches and the 25 roots which extend from the branches have live sap. They have aerated the ground provided nutrients and a compost cover to the ground below the tree, and are watering it. It could be up to six months to determine if it will live. It would be glorious if this old specimen  actually makes it.   

 

On the Monday before the Fire, I bought two tee shirts on the Lahaina Yacht Club's web site to replace a couple that have gotten tattered. I got an email Friday from them saying their stock and the building were destroyed. He gave me the choice of a refund or appling my purchase money to their employee fund. I chose the donation. 

Edited by Bigmike911
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ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, techteach said:

@ronpes That looks like a great “shore excursion”! Which was your favorite? Was there one to be avoided?

I really liked the 12 year old single malt “Blair Athol”.  I didn’t care for the “Isle of Jura” as it was a bit too “peaty / smoky”for me. 
However it was a great visit all round and we thoroughly enjoyed the sampling and refreshments after. 

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techteach

techteach

Posted
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@ronpes Interesting coincidence this morning; as I was reading your post the 5 year old was playing in a train sticker book that included The Royal Scotsman Train. So, I was looking at the tours on-line and trying to figure out how to do one of the whiskey tasting tours. The cost is as much as a TA in QG!

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Bigmike911

Bigmike911

Posted
Posted
On 8/24/2023 at 11:04 AM, ronpes said:

Ssh..🤫

IMG_0887.jpeg

That brings back good memories. I did a round trip Trans Atlantic, on Queen Mary2. It went on and did a five day to Europe and I spent the five days in Scotland. One of the tours to the Highlands was to Blair Castle, and a trip into Pitlochry and I did a tour of the Blair Atholl distillery, which was quite enjoyable. In the Bond House they had whiskeys dated in the 50s and early 60's which the tour guide said were due to be blended into Johnny Walker Blue label in the fall. I still have a wee dram of Blair Athol whiskey. 

July30010.thumb.JPG.8681081c883bda6d79bb62240db7130e.JPG 

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ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

That brings back good memories. I did a round trip Trans Atlantic, on Queen Mary2. It went on and did a five day to Europe and I spent the five days in Scotland. One of the tours to the Highlands was to Blair Castle, and a trip into Pitlochry and I did a tour of the Blair Atholl distillery, which was quite enjoyable. In the Bond House they had whiskeys dated in the 50s and early 60's which the tour guide said were due to be blended into Johnny Walker Blue label in the fall. I still have a wee dram of Blair Athol whiskey. 

July30010.thumb.JPG.8681081c883bda6d79bb62240db7130e.JPG 

In the Bond warehouse, the guide told us that the oldest they had in stock (at the moment) dated back to 1968 ie 55years old and yes, it was blended to make Johnny Walker and sold exclusively to the USA.

Edited by ronpes
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D&N "Live from...." Rare

D&N

Posted
Posted

I've been very busy sifting through the catalogue for our local shop's wine event, which starts tomorrow.

https://www.geantcasino.fr/bons-plans-du-moment/catalogues/

 

I've checked reviews, profiles and ratings for a range that interest me and have a list compiled to guide me. I hope to pick up the basics tomorrow and leave the expensive stuff until Friday evening when they will give me a voucher for 15% of what I spend on wines that are not on reduced offers.

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Essiesmom "Live from...." Rare

Essiesmom

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With Idalia making her way toward us, we are making preparations.  Topped off gas tanks yesterday.  Stocked up on staples for cold meals in case we lose power.  We have solar for fridge and freezer, but not stove, microwave, a/c.  But don’t think it will be strong enough to knock out power by the time it gets to us.  Tomorrow to move porch furniture and plants into the garage.  EM

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Bigmike911

Bigmike911

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

With Idalia making her way toward us, we are making preparations.  Topped off gas tanks yesterday.  Stocked up on staples for cold meals in case we lose power.  We have solar for fridge and freezer, but not stove, microwave, a/c.  But don’t think it will be strong enough to knock out power by the time it gets to us.  Tomorrow to move porch furniture and plants into the garage.  EM

Have you considered a back up generator? I have a 20 kw natural gas (also available in propane) generator that was a god send during Harvey and even more in the Feb 2021 Freeze where the whole grid went down for several days. It will handle A/C, refrigerators and freezers and multiple appliances. It has a smart switch that as soon as we loose 'street' power it starts and when it gets of speed switches over. (about 12 seconds) I also have UPS (Uninterruptible Power Systems) on TV and Satellite, computers, router and internet radio that keep those systems powered during the switch. When you live in Hurricane Alley Gulf Coast is pays to be prepared.  

 

Good Luck with Idalia, fingers crossed it looses it's punch before it gets to you. 

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alc13

alc13

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Yes, good luck to all those in the path of Idalia.  Mr ALC's two sisters are here visiting us from the Sarasota FL area.  They were due to fly home Wednesday, but the Tampa airport has been closed and isn't expected to reopen until Thursday.  

 

Here in Maine we depend on generators because of frequent power outages (forests and elevated power lines don't mix well).  Can't say enough in favor of them.

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Lanky Lad

Lanky Lad

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One more day to work, then it's packing time. I checked my sea sick pills and discovered they were past the use by date, so I got some more today. Hopefully, I will not need them but better safe than sorry. 

 

The forecast for the drive to Southampton on Thursday looks like it might be a bit wet but looking ok for Friday when we sail on QV. 

 

 

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Bigmike911

Bigmike911

Posted
Posted
17 hours ago, Lanky Lad said:

One more day to work, then it's packing time. I checked my sea sick pills and discovered they were past the use by date, so I got some more today. Hopefully, I will not need them but better safe than sorry. 

 

The forecast for the drive to Southampton on Thursday looks like it might be a bit wet but looking ok for Friday when we sail on QV. 

 

 

Bon Voyage for you LL. Wet sounds great, when you have had only high heat for more than a month. Enjoy your trip. 

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exlondoner

exlondoner

Posted
Posted
32 minutes ago, QM1 said:

Just had lunch on the last sea day onboard QV, waiting for a lecture on astronomy. It has been a wonderful cruise around the British Isles.

4412A8B1-B940-4132-878C-EF23980D910A.jpeg

9A6F9B10-C197-4C51-92E8-ADA6FACB90BB.jpeg


 I notice you went to Cobh instead of Holyhead, presumably because Holyhead was such a shambles on our version of this cruise earlier in the summer. Was this notified in advance?

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