Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, Luckynana said:

Our granddaughter from Connecticut was just presented with the Central Ct Conference All Conference Team award in recognition of Outstanding Performance and Athletic Achievement in the sport of Field Hockey. 🏒🏒

Quite an achievement.   Congratulations to her and her Lucky Nana🥰

[xpcdoojk]

By the way it is snowing here.  We are off to the west coast Wednesday.  So-Cal.  Wedding, wine tastings (Temecula), Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs.  

 

JC

[lenquixote66]

1 hour ago, Luckynana said:

Our granddaughter from Connecticut was just presented with the Central Ct Conference All Conference Team award in recognition of Outstanding Performance and Athletic Achievement in the sport of Field Hockey. 🏒🏒

Congratulations to your granddaughter,MaryAnn

[Luckynana]

6 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Quite an achievement.   Congratulations to her and her Lucky Nana🥰

Thanks Deb.  I see what you did here..lol!😘

[Luckynana]

1 minute ago, lenquixote66 said:

Congratulations to your granddaughter,MaryAnn

Thanks Lenny😊

[Tree_skier]

19 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

By the way it is snowing here.  We are off to the west coast Wednesday.  So-Cal.  Wedding, wine tastings (Temecula), Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs.  

 

JC

It's looking good out here for you... Should be low 70's, maybe a little bit better in PS.

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

  So if I understand you correctly Bourbon is Whiskey but Whiskey isn't necessarily Bourbon.  Would that then mean that Bourbon is better than Whiskey and that I should avoid American Whiskey not considered Bourbon?

 

 

 You mentioned Irish Whiskey but made no comment.  Also, what is the difference between single malt and blended.

 

Would that then mean that Bourbon is better than Whiskey and that I should avoid American Whiskey not considered Bourbon?

 

No I don't think Bourbon is better than American Whiskey but I tend to prefer bourbon. Let's say a Makers or Buffalo Trace over say Jack Daniels which is American Whiskey. It's all about what you like to taste.

 

I have not drank a lot of Scotch so I'm a newbie on that. I would say I like Glenfiddich and Balvenie which are real solid. The Johnny Walkers, Red, Blue and Black are fine but seem like they are a lot of hype. There are better brands out there.

 

A single malt is made with malted barley in pot stills at a single distillery. The goal is to achieve very distinctive flavors and nuances that exemplify a single distillery's style. A blended scotch whisky is made by combining several single malts with wheat and/or corn whiskies in column stills

 

As yo go on your journey you will find a lot distilleries will blend. Crown Royal is a Canadian Whiskey that is blended with over 50 whiskeys. There are other brands of bourbons that will blend their bourbons to create different flavor profiles. The other thing that distilleries do is finish casks. Some will age in charred oak but then finish aging in a port cask, or a sherry cask, etc. Tequila's are now doing this a lot too. Some of my favorite bourbon's are finished in port or sherry casks. Remember I have a sweet tooth so I like the sweeter bourbons.

 

I am trying to learn more about Irish Whiskey and Scotch. I would recommend for Irish whiskey trying, Jameson, Red Breast, Yellow Spot, Teeling and Writer's Tears. those are my favorites so far.

 

I still don't know what my favorite Scotch is. Most of the fun is the adventure.

 

Cheers,

The Dog

[George C]

11 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

 

Would that then mean that Bourbon is better than Whiskey and that I should avoid American Whiskey not considered Bourbon?

 

No I don't think Bourbon is better than American Whiskey but I tend to prefer bourbon. Let's say a Makers or Buffalo Trace over say Jack Daniels which is American Whiskey. It's all about what you like to taste.

 

I have not drank a lot of Scotch so I'm a newbie on that. I would say I like Glenfiddich and Balvenie which are real solid. The Johnny Walkers, Red, Blue and Black are fine but seem like they are a lot of hype. There are better brands out there.

 

A single malt is made with malted barley in pot stills at a single distillery. The goal is to achieve very distinctive flavors and nuances that exemplify a single distillery's style. A blended scotch whisky is made by combining several single malts with wheat and/or corn whiskies in column stills

 

As yo go on your journey you will find a lot distilleries will blend. Crown Royal is a Canadian Whiskey that is blended with over 50 whiskeys. There are other brands of bourbons that will blend their bourbons to create different flavor profiles. The other thing that distilleries do is finish casks. Some will age in charred oak but then finish aging in a port cask, or a sherry cask, etc. Tequila's are now doing this a lot too. Some of my favorite bourbon's are finished in port or sherry casks. Remember I have a sweet tooth so I like the sweeter bourbons.

 

I am trying to learn more about Irish Whiskey and Scotch. I would recommend for Irish whiskey trying, Jameson, Red Breast, Yellow Spot, Teeling and Writer's Tears. those are my favorites so far.

 

I still don't know what my favorite Scotch is. Most of the fun is the adventure.

 

Cheers,

The Dog

My favorite scotch is Johnny Walker Gold which unfortunately will not be part of any drink package, the better scotch and other high end drinks will cost extra . Most of my friends prefer single malt scotch for whatever reason I prefer blended sometimes Johnny Walker green might be available on some liquor package and that is nice . 

[NHProud]

1 hour ago, xpcdoojk said:

By the way it is snowing here.  We are off to the west coast Wednesday.  So-Cal.  Wedding, wine tastings (Temecula), Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs.  

 

JC

I don’t have a very educated palate which doesn’t stop me from recommending the Thornton winery in Temecula.  Their Café Champagne reminded of Provence especially if you sit facing the vineyards. Pechanga in Temecula is the largest California casino.  Joshua Tree hiking is fun.  The aerial tram in Palm Springs if you’re not afraid of heights. 

 

@Sea Dog You should travel to Scotland especially to the Isle of Skye to sample the scotch.  And , the scenery isn’t bad , either.  

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2022 by NHProud

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Our granddaughter from Connecticut was just presented with the Central Ct Conference All Conference Team award in recognition of Outstanding Performance and Athletic Achievement in the sport of Field Hockey. 🏒🏒

Edited November 15, 2022 by BonTexasNY

[BonTexasNY]

For some weird CC reason I clicked to quote Maryann's post but couldn't type a response!!

So, what I wanted to say, @LuckynanaMariann, is that I love reading about your grandkids achievements.  Congrats on the latest!  You, Jim and the whole family must be so proud and rightly so.

[Sea Dog]

24 minutes ago, NHProud said:

I don’t have a very educated palate which doesn’t stop me from recommending the Thornton winery in Temecula.  Their Café Champagne reminded of Provence especially if you sit facing the vineyards. Pechanga in Temecula is the largest California casino.  Joshua Tree hiking is fun.  The aerial tram in Palm Springs if you’re not afraid of heights. 

 

@Sea Dog You should travel to Scotland especially to the Isle of Skye to sample the scotch.  And , the scenery isn’t bad , either.  

 

 

 

It’s on my list. There is a sailing cruise that takes you to some of the different islands and distilleries.

[George C]

14 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

It’s on my list. There is a sailing cruise that takes you to some of the different islands and distilleries.

Greg have you done the bourbon trail near Lexington, I not a big bourbon fan but lots of my friends are and wife has family in the area. My favorite bourbon wild Turkey is in that area.

[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, George C said:

Greg have you done the bourbon trail near Lexington, I not a big bourbon fan but lots of my friends are and wife has family in the area. My favorite bourbon wild Turkey is in that area.

It’s something I really want to do. I’ve looked at some bus tours that take you to the distilleries. Trying to figure out the best way to do it. 

[aussielozzie18]

16 hours ago, sgmn said:

Just heard Dr's want him to stay at least one more night. I think oxygen levels naturally drop at night so though he seems fine during the day, they aren't totally happy with his levels at night 😔

Waiting to hear if we can go over to give them some respite 

I hope next time you post, he has been discharged but at least he is getting good care.

[aussielozzie18]

@Jimbo Sorry for the passing of Graycie.  I hope you and your wife can take some comfort in knowing you gave her a wonderful life in the relatively short time she was with you.

 

@Lionesss please accept my prayers x

 

@h20skibum beautiful Christmas tree.  Thank you for sharing those special handmade decorations with us all.  Hope your granddaughters hospital stays is brief.

 

@TravelGirlinDallas hope Andrew recovers from his illness quickly 

Edited November 15, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

@mets07 Congratulations to you and your son & partner on the birth of your newest granddaughter.

 

@Luckynana Congratulations to your granddaughter on her sporting achievements.  

[aussielozzie18]

This morning we were at the International airport to say farewell to our son who is currently enroute to Canada.  He dropped a bombshell earlier in the year that he had applied for a 2 year working visa.

 

He is flying direct to Vancouver- 14hr flight.  He was delighted to score a spare seat next to him. Not so delighted to have a baby across the aisle…

 

After farewells & tears, we drove to Kirribilli for brunch.  Snapped a photo of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth at OPT as we were crossing Cahill Expressway.

 

 

Absolutely glorious morning so we did our favourite neighbourhood walk in Kirribilli after our delicious brunch as the Jacarandas are now in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

And not just Jacarandas are in bloom.  Love that bougainvilleas are in bloom too.

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Hiked the trail by the San Francisco Bay yesterday:

 

 

 

 

Out to the left is San Francisco on the other side of the Bay.  Oakland is to the right

 

 

 

San Mateo Bridge in the background

 

 

Southwest plane on approach to land at Oakland Airport 

 

 

Flying directly above me

 

 

Zooming in to see San Francisco.  You can see the red tower of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background 

 

 

Bay Bridge to the right

 

 

Water break by the bench

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, that's a lot of birds

 

 

 

 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a thousand pictures especially if you listen to the sound.  Poetry in motion here.  Like a dragon flying in the air

 

 

 

[dani negreanu]

3 minutes ago, harryfat1 said:

Poetry in motion here.

 

Beautiful pictures, beautiful weather 🌹

[grapau27]

7 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Our granddaughter from Connecticut was just presented with the Central Ct Conference All Conference Team award in recognition of Outstanding Performance and Athletic Achievement in the sport of Field Hockey. 🏒🏒

Congratulations to your granddaughter Maryann.

Graham.

[grapau27]

@TravelGirlinDallas.

Sending you our good wishes for Andrew's good health.

Graham.

[grapau27]

Good morning.

It is currently raining and 46°F here in North East England.

I hope everyone is safe and well and looking forward to a great day.

G

[sgmn]

5 hours ago, George C said:

My favorite scotch is Johnny Walker Gold which unfortunately will not be part of any drink package, the better scotch and other high end drinks will cost extra . Most of my friends prefer single malt scotch for whatever reason I prefer blended sometimes Johnny Walker green might be available on some liquor package and that is nice . 

My two cents about Scotch, (I'm no expert) is that if you have it with ginger ale or as a mixed drink then probably not worth getting an expensive single malt  but get a cheaper blend. If you like a single malt it's best drunk with just a couple of ice cubes or splash of water 

[sgmn]

3 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

This morning we were at the International airport to say farewell to our son who is currently enroute to Canada.  He dropped a bombshell earlier in the year that he had applied for a 2 year working visa.

 

He is flying direct to Vancouver- 14hr flight.  He was delighted to score a spare seat next to him. Not so delighted to have a baby across the aisle…

 

After farewells & tears, we drove to Kirribilli for brunch.  Snapped a photo of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth at OPT as we were crossing Cahill Expressway.

 

 

Absolutely glorious morning so we did our favourite neighbourhood walk in Kirribilli after our delicious brunch as the Jacarandas are now in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

And not just Jacarandas are in bloom.  Love that bougainvilleas are in bloom too.

 

 

 

 

Hope he has a fab time in Canada. Its such a beautiful country.  My neice and nephew both spent several months working during the winter in winter sports resorts on the west coast 

And hopefully you will be able to visit 😊