Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Cunard Cruisers - How are things where you are ?

Host Hattie

By Host Hattie,
in Cunard Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

D&N "Live from...." Rare

D&N

Posted
Posted

On the Riviera we've seen high temperatures with hardly any wind the last two days. By early afternoon it's been a case of closing shutters, windows and curtains and using the aircon. The cats are much happier when we get the temperature down from 32C to 25C or 26C.

We made a special trip to the Carrefour to stock up on their Whiskas offer and brought our weekly trip to the local hypermarket forward so part of the morning was spent in air conditioned shops. 

The biggest issue with heatwaves here is if the overnight temperature doesn't drop. It's been over 27C the last couple of nights, but thankfully that's supposed to come down a little in time for QM2's arrival at Villefranche on Thursday.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
techteach

techteach

Posted
Posted

Summer has finally made it to Seattle. I was comfortable sitting on our deck last night without wearing a sweater for the first time this year. (We get the afternoon breeze blowing down the sound off of the water and it is chilly) I am thinking of each of you in France, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany. I hope you can stay safe from fires and the heat.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted (edited)
48 minutes ago, techteach said:

I am thinking of each of you in France, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany. I hope you can stay safe from fires and the heat.

Thank you. 

As it’s another hot one today In central Scotland, we opted to on stay put where we are rather than driving about. 

Therefore we slapped on the factor 50 sun screen and sat outside reading for a wee while before coming inside for an afternoon nap (as you do).

Well,….we are on vacation!

 

There is now a pleasant breeze blowing but we are careful as we can still get burned and also I believe it is now “happy hour” as we need to keep hydrated. 

PS: We will be in Seattle in 8 weeks time on Ovation.

Edited by ronpes
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Camgirl

Camgirl

Posted
Posted (edited)

Its still very hot in Cambridge. Over 30° again today. It was 40° here yesterday. However, the breeze, which was like standing by a hot air blower yesterday, is a lot cooler now. My poor cats have really struggled. I found one lying in the bath yesterday. I thought that was quite a clever place to go!

Edited by Camgirl
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, techteach said:

@ronpes The Ovation “parks” just down the hill from our home. We hear her horns blast weekly. The forecast 8 days out is beautiful, although a tad warm for Seattle if it hits 90F. Enjoy Alaska!

Thanks but unfortunately we don’t leave for another 8 weeks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
D&N "Live from...." Rare

D&N

Posted
Posted

We had a little bit of pantomime this afternoon as well....

 

We were joined immediately we sat down for the picnic by a large gull who wanted a share.

Some other folk arrived at a nearby bench with a small dog who tried to make a lunge from it's lead at the gull, which got out of it's road quickly.  Nora commented "that's good, the little dog has scared the gull away."  Until I called out; "He's behind you!" 🤣🤣

 

 

IMG_20220721_131948991_HDR.jpg

  • Like 2
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
D&N "Live from...." Rare

D&N

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, techteach said:

@D&N That’ quite the pizza pie, and a great view.

Many people think Monaco is expensive.  It is, but doesn't need to be.

 

There is a Casino Group supermarket facing Port Hercule. There's 2 street facing counters, one is fresh filled rolls and snacks, the other is a multi oven fresh pizza takeaway. There's a fresh pâtisserie just inside.  There are 2 large fridges filled with white and rosé wines. There's also the locked cabinet, which didn't have any Petrus in it today, the most expensive bottle there was about €860.

Total spend on lunch today was €34, half being the sancerre, which had much more depth and flavour to it than the one Cunard serves by the glass. More than we usually pay in a shop, but today should be compared to a restaurant wine.

We then get a bus to Monaco Ville. Most people continue towards the Palace and may end up in the gardens overlooking Fontvieille.  We walk back down the hill to the gardens that overlook the cruise ship berth, which are much quieter and have that view.

 

I really shouldn't be telling other folk about it; it might not be as quiet in future!

 

There are restaurants in Monaco that are in a price range we would pay for lunch but we don't know of any that can match the view and general ambience of our spot.

 

 

IMG_20220721_141235885_PORTRAIT.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted
On 7/19/2022 at 9:32 PM, D&N said:

It's been over 27C the last couple of nights, but thankfully that's supposed to come down a little in time for QM2's arrival at Villefranche on Thursday.

 

Thank you D&N for sharing your wonderful pictures.

Sadly where live we also tend to get plagued by the very large sea gulls and they will swoop down and pluck food from your hand if you are not careful. 

 

Its been a few years since we have been to Villefranche but we remember it well and have visited several times as a tender port. A beautiful little harbour, and I seem to recall having a lovely lunch during one visit at one of the seafood restaurants overlooking the harbour. 

 

From there we have taken the train to Nice and also Monaco  and also one time we went by car to Monaco driving passed Ez, and I recall stunning sea views during the journey. 

Certainly a beautiful part of the world. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted

So, next week will be ten weeks since I sent my passport away for renewal and still no sign of it.
amAll I get is the standard response to any enquiries that it is “being processed” and it could take up to ten weeks. 
Both our passports were sent away at the same time and my wife got hers back last week. 
We are just glad we did it when we did and didn’t leave it until the last minute. 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronpes

ronpes

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Oh dear, when do you need it for travel?

 

We don't actually leave for another 8 weeks yet, so we have plenty time. However, I need the new Passport details etc to allow for Visa application etc which I want to get sorted out sooner rather than later to ensure of no issues.  

I have also just seen in todays news that there are over 55,000 passport applications currently waiting for process at ten weeks or more. 

 

We also arrived back home last night and it is much cooler today with a slight "nip in the air" blowing off the North Sea but still better than the oppressive heat of earlier this week. 

Back to reality with laundry and cutting the grass etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tonopah

Tonopah

Posted
Posted

I can smell and taste! YAY! I’m still coughing but the worst of the covid seems over. I’m finally feeling well enough to go back to dance. It is hot and humid here, but that’s normal in our part of the world. Doesn’t make it easier to deal with, though.

 

Today is our 34th(!) anniversary. Big plans include going out to dinner. 

 

Glad you all are doing well, despite the heat. Thanks for keeping me company while I’ve been under the weather.

 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bigmike911

Bigmike911

Posted
Posted
23 hours ago, Tonopah said:

I can smell and taste! YAY! I’m still coughing but the worst of the covid seems over. I’m finally feeling well enough to go back to dance. It is hot and humid here, but that’s normal in our part of the world. Doesn’t make it easier to deal with, though.

 

Today is our 34th(!) anniversary. Big plans include going out to dinner. 

 

Glad you all are doing well, despite the heat. Thanks for keeping me company while I’ve been under the weather.

 

 

Congratulations on the return of smell and taste. Life is very bland with out them (a tiny bit of Texas levity). The weather is still hot over 100f although a front blew through and the temp 'plunged' to 82 last night. There was heavy rain on the coast -  4 inches at my sisters. None here. 

 

The weather prognosticator says the 'heat dome' that has been over us, moves east off over the Atlantic at mid week and we will likely get wide spread rain on Thursday. The weatherman always has little tidbits to engage the viewers. He reported that the highest Temperature ever experienced in North Dakota was 126f at the town of Steele 100 miles from the Canadian border. This was on 6 July, 1936. I found that very interesting. 

 

 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...