The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday August 12th, 2022

[aliaschief]

@kazuJacqui I just read about Shadow. I’m so sorry to hear about this and your in my thoughts and prayers. You’ve had enough sorrow and pain.

 

Bruce

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon.  I have a lot more pictures from our five visits to Edinburgh, and I thought I'd share some more here and in other posts.

 

@bennybear  Brenda, a great pictures of the moon.  Our condolences on your DSIL loss of his mother.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, glad you are off the steroids.  I hope you won't need them again.

@Vict0riann  Ann, I'm happy to know you and Pat are Covid free and are now back in the world.

@ger_77  Gerry, I'm sorry your DH tested positive, and I hope you don't get  Covid.

@Live4cruises  Welcome home.  I'm glad you had some healing time while you were away.  I think we all need some healing time from all the stress and uncertainty of the past two years.

@aliaschief  Bruce, great news on the negative tests.

@XBGuy  Thank you for the story and the nice comments on all our postings on here.  I tried to use correct grammar and punctuation, but I'm the first to admit, I'm guilty of ending many sentences with participles even though my 10th grade English teacher drummed proper grammar into our heads. She had us diagramming post-graduate college sentences.  I also had a college journalism professor, "Col. Mary" , a colonel in the Marine Reserves, drum proper word usage into our skulls.  They were two of the toughest and best teachers I had.  I cringe reading some posts on other social media sites.  Also, I'm sure  you've noticed that proofreading is a skill that did not take.

 

Our first visit to Edinburgh was on August 25, 2011.  Because we wanted to see as much as possible in one day, we took a morning panoramic city tour which included a tour of Edinburgh Castle, and an afternoon tour to St. Andrews. 

 

The day we were there was Armed Forces day, and not only were the veterans in my earlier picture marching, but many military units too.  I found out today, thanks to Google, that Prince Charles was there and gave the troops a salute.  I'm going to post my pictures of Edinburgh here, and the ones of St. Andrews in another post.

 

Some of these pictures were taken from the bus, and are not the greatest.  A couple of pictures of houses.

 

 

Preparations for the parade

 

 

Even though it was June 25, the stands for the Tattoo were already being erected.

 

The entrance to Edinburgh Castle

 

The Governor's House circa 1731

 

 

For @Cruising-along  Carolyn, here are a few pictures from inside the castle.  The rooms for the royal family, without furnishings, are first, followed by the quarters for the soldiers.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down on Edinburgh from the castle

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

These are my pictures from St. Andrews.  Since several Dailyites have shared their pictures from the Old Course, I am only including one.  The rest are from our afternoon in St. Andrews.

 

Our first stop was St. Andrews Cathedral, really the ruins of the 12th century cathedral.

 

 

Our next stop was the Old Course, where we had free time.

 

After we looked around the Old Course, we walked back into town.  Our first stop was the University of St. Andrew.  We walked into the chapel but were not even allowed time to take one picture because the were setting up to take some pictures, IIRC.

 

 

The rest of the pictures were taken as we walked around town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pretty park and playground

 

Lenda

 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

@marshhawkDid you ever let the Fizzy tablets dissolve on your tongue? 😜

@aliaschiefWould you mind sharing info on the Covid test in Amsterdam? Although I hope we won't need to worry about it by next May! Thanks.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, bennybear said:

Happy birthday Rich!  
 

so devastating for dear Jacqui. I have no words.  
 

a sad day here too,  DSIL lost his mom last night.

That is very sad news Barbara.

Sending our deepest condolences to your son in law.

G&Px

[grapau27]

Tonight Dinner highlights.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Good afternoon, everyone.

St Petersburg has one of the largest vinyl record dealers, Banana Records, with over 

3 and 1/2 MILLION records!  They also have a collection of old record players all the way back to Edison's wax cylinders and of course, Victrolas.

Always sad to read of others' problems.  We try to give thanks for every day and enjoy them, within reason of course, to the fullest.  I'm enjoying cruise reports from those who are onboard our BHB's wherever they may be.  Good to see Copper 10-8 will be reporting from the Zaandam.  He is such a wealth of info for CC friends.

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

These are my last pictures for the day.  We were in Edinburgh once in 2016 on Prinsendam, and three times on Prinsendam in 2017 on multiple B2Bs.  These pictures are from 2016 and our first visit in 2017.  The second time in  2017, we took the city bus out to tour the Britannia, and the third time we did the Ho-Ho and walked the Royal Mile from top to bottom.  

 

In 2016. we took the Ho-Ho around Edinburgh.   When we were in the vicinity of the castle, we ran into extremely heavy crowds who were in town for the Tattoo and the Fringe.  Several blocks were turned into pedestrian only streets and the Ho-Ho had to make a detour.  Even the area around Waverly Station was crowded.

 

 

From our detour on the Ho-Ho

 

The new bridge across the Firth of Forth.  It was nearing completion, with just a few spans waiting to be installed.  It was opened the next year by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

In 2017, we did a ship's tour to the Falkirk Wheel, which is an engineering marvel.  It connects two canals which are on different elevations.  Boats enter one of the two chambers on the wheel and are either raised or lowered to the other canal.  The chambers, for want of a better word, used Archimedes' principle of water displacement, so they do not have to add or remove water when the boat enters and exits the wheel.  I strongly recommend a ship's tour to visit the wheel, since the tours are guaranteed a time to "ride" the wheel.

 

We entered the wheel from the lower canal, were raised to the next canal, sailed down the canal, turned around and went back to the wheel to return to the lower canal.

 

 

Entering the wheel on the lower level.

 

Coming back toward the tunnel and the wheel.

 

Entering the wheel at the upper level

 

The view across the countryside from the top of the wheel was spectacular, even on a cloudy day.

 

Canal boats in the canal near the Kelpies.

 

Lenda

 

[JazzyV]

Whew. I got a lot of yard work done, and now I'm out of energy. Time to relax and replenish fluids.

 

Thanks for more pictures of Edinburgh.

 

@aliaschief Congrats on making it to Amsterdam with all your luggage! Quite hot there. Enjoy touring around before boarding Rotterdam.

@Cruzin Terri  Congrats on getting off the steroids. When I started Prednisone for my eyes, I thought it would be for a few weeks and here I am 3 years later and still on it (although a small dose). 

@bennybear Condolences on the loss of DSIL's DM.

@ger_77 Sorry to hear DH tested positive; hopefully his symptoms stay mild and you stay negative!

 

[Seasick Sailor]

Just got home from a delightful afternoon with Cav friends when I read about Jacqui's devastating news on Shadow. I'm so angry Jacqui was not made aware of Shadow's condition. I'm sick for Jacqui having to deal with more pain, as well as the money paid to get Shadow here. I'm so, so sorry.

[HAL Sailer]

6 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

My heart goes out to Jacqui @kazu and to Shadow.  Poor Shadow, after a life on the mean streets, she deserves better than this.

 

Jacqui, has been through so much in the past eight months, she also does not deserve to have to go through this additional emotional pain and turmoil.  Sending virtual hugs and support to Jacqui.

+1

@kazu please know the Daily-ites are wrapping their arms around you and Shadow in the hope that our virtual hugs will be a comfort.

[Sharon in AZ]

Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers, Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser,  and Vanessa @JazzyV for helping me out with an easier way to search for previous port of the day pictures!!  This will help me so much because a lot of our pictures are on our old hard drive. So…. Back to yesterday’s port—Sydney, NS. And to my fellow Dailyite friends on the October cruise, no, I will not be wearing my “jacket of many colors “!

 

My previous post from March 24, 2021:
 

 

Craig found our Sydney, NS August 2009 Eurodam pictures on our old hard drive for me.

 

 

 

This is Cossit House:

 

 

We have a lot of pictures of the inside but I'll post just one, kitchens always fascinate me:

 

This is Jost House, which was much smaller than Cossit House:

 

One of the inside:

 

The church, we must not have gone inside:

 

Me with the Eurodam as background, you can even make out the fiddle.  It must have been a breezy day with my hair flying all around.  BTW, this is another jacket Craig asked me to never wear again, said it looked like carpet.  I liked it because of all the colors, it went with anything.

 

Craig and I have a "thing" we do upon arriving back at the ship in each port, I go ahead to our cabin and get out on the balcony and wave while he takes pictures.  It's always fun to see where our cabin is:

 

You can hardly see me now:

 

That was a formal "dress up" night for us, now called Gala Night.  We were in the Ocean Bar:

 

I believe this is the last time Craig ever wore a tux on a cruise.

[kochleffel]

Arrived in Cooperstown around 5:00; opera at 7:30.

 

 

 

[rafinmd]

A question for @StLouisCruisers.  Can you share what hotel you are using in Ft. Lauderdale, and how quick and easy it is to get back to your car after your cruise.  When I disembark Eurodam November 20 there is a church service I would like to get to.

 

Thanks

Roy

[Sharon in AZ]

I just read @Rowsby’s post about Little Shadow. OMG!  Jacqui @kazu must be devastated and overwhelmed. She does not deserve this. Jacqui, please know that you are in our hearts ♥️  

[richwmn]

My sister sent me this today

 

[Sharon in AZ]

Welcome home Robin @Live4cruises!

 

Bruce @aliaschief, congrats on your negative tests and enjoy your cruise!  I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures. Bon Voyage!

 

Rich @richwmn, Happiest of Birthdays to you today, our fearless leader. 
 

Carol @mamaofami, I’m so sorry about your double loss. What a sad story about your DDIL. 
 

5 hours ago, ger_77 said:

Oh my, my heart just sank when I read @Rowsby's post.  I thought maybe things had started to brighten up in @kazu's world with the addition of Shadow.  I can only hope there is a disabled rescue service that can take her in.  

 

My worries pale by comparison - our lovely salmon dinner  with friends that we had  planned for tonight had to be canceled.  DH has tested positive for Covid.  Crap.

 

Prayers to all who need them.

Gerry!  Oh no!!  Hopefully your DH’s case will be mild and that it hasn’t spread to you. 
 

Joy @Seasick Sailor, what a great picture of you, Allen and your sister!  
 

 

[quilty964]

@kazuSo sorry to hear about Little Shadow...so hard for you and her.  I'm guessing you can feel all of the hugs from your friends here...

 

[Cruzin Terri]

My heart is so sad tonight reading of so many of you with Covid and other problems.

Also @kazu with her problems with Shadow.  What a difficult situation when this was to be a time of healing for both of you.  My prayers reach out to you.

God Bless

Terri

[StLouisCruisers]

Jacqui @kazu I am very sorry to hear of the news about Shadow and her past troubles.  Hugs to you as you deal with the fallout and find her somewhere that can take care of her.  XX

 

Gerry @ger_77 what a shame your DH did test positive for Covid!  Hopefully it will be a minor case and he will be back to normal soon.

 

Roy @rafinmd the hotel we are using for our 7 day February cruise (parking our car there), is Hyatt Place, at 1851 SE 10th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale.  If you look at google maps, it's pretty close to the port, and should take less than 8-10 minutes to get from the HAL dock to the hotel by taxi.  

 

[dfish]

3 hours ago, HAL Sailer said:

+1

@kazu please know the Daily-ites are wrapping their arms around you and Shadow in the hope that our virtual hugs will be a comfort.

Add my hugs in.   

 

@ger_77 So sorry to hear DH tested positive.   I also wish for a short, mild case.   

[smitty34877]

Oh no @ger_77, so sorry DH is positive. Hopefully he will get over it quickly. And keep testing  yourself.

[Cruzin Terri]

It almost appears to me at this point, that getting Covid is a rite of passage.

Am I wrong?

Terri

[erewhon]

Rich,  @richwmn thank you for posting the locations of the Holland America Line fleet.

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday.

 

[Tbay]

@richwmnHappy Birthday 

@kazuVery sorry to hear about Shadow.  Hugs.

@ger_77Sorry to hear about DH.  Hope it is a mild case.