The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday June 10th, 2024

[aliaschief]

Just now, ger_77 said:

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I love ball point pens - varying between medium and fine points.  I don't know that I can be a miracle in someone's life, but I do like to help in small ways.  If it was warmer, today would be a good day for iced tea, but it'll have to wait.

 

Our sun made a brief appearance yesterday and today it's gone again, replaced by clouds and wind.  Everyone is tiring of the wind, especially that it brings pollen from all the trees onto every surface - I'm tired of dusting and washing everything on the deck, sometimes multiple times a day.  I shouldn't complain about the rain though,as it's good for the farmers and we all depend on them.

 

We were docked in Valetta, Malta on our first Mediterranean cruise; we took the shore excursion to the beautiful fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

 

@marshhawksorry your washer and dryer didn't get installed as hoped; you'd think the installers would have had extra supplies in their vehicles just in case.  I've seen ads on TV recently for the newest washer/dryer combination and they're touting you can do a full load in 2 hours.  Nope.  Don't like them - we used them when we were in Japan and they take too long.  Using our old w&d I can do 2 loads in that time, both washing and drying.  I guess they're good if you don't have a lot of space, but I wouldn't be specifically ordering one as a replacement for my current set.

@Denise THappy Birthday, although I'm not sure it's today!

@aliaschiefwelcome home - glad everything was alright on your return.  Although you had a wonderful time, I'll bet it felt good to sleep in your own bed again.  

 

I have to share this - yesterday was our lovely DIL's birthday and she was treated like a queen by the men in her house.  Our oldest DGS made her scrambled eggs & toast for breakfast, they went out for a lovely lunch, and later in the afternoon, our youngest DGS called his mom outside to see that "I made you spaghetti!"

 

Today DH is having a telephone assessment for the cardiac rehab program - it's an exercise program where he'll be monitored for a few weeks, and after that we can continue on our own.  He's been through it before when he had his first heart attacks, and after his sextuple bypass, so he knows what will be going on.  It'll be good to get out and do some serious walking again, for both of us.  

 

I'd like to try the drink of the day (not sure if the bourbon would overpower it), would definitely like the wine, but $$$$$! I like the menu suggestion today, but would definitely add in some cooked chicken breasts to make it a meal in a bowl. I found a container of beef stew in the freezer that will be heated and served with some crusty buns for us at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief.  Cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

 

 

Having our regular pillows back was wonderful.

[Vict0riann]

Afternoon here!  I spent most of the morning being interviewed for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which I have been part of for over 10 years.  Boy, am I aging!  They want people to wear 2 monitors for a week to measure activity, but I declined.  I'm not sure how things will be for the next few weeks.   I forgot(!) that part of this in home interview includes memory tests, things like "all the animals you can list in 90 seconds" _ think I ran out after 30.  Especially as my mind is elsewhere.  Then, after lunch, DD and I went out to ReStore to donate some items, now DD has gone to Home Depot, and I get to put my feet up.

 

We have been to Malta twice, once on Prinsendam (I think we met Tony and Martha on that cruise) and later on Koningsdam (also with T&M) We had DD with us on the first and DSIL and her hubby and also a cousin and her husband on the K.  My pictures are many duplicates of Tony's and the others, but I'll add a few.  Malta was acknowledged after the war by England and the US.

 

 

 

The ferry to Gozo

 

The natural bridge - don't step back (it collapsed after we left)

 

and a bit of Maltese food porn

 

 

.

 

[dfish]

3 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Good morning and Happy Monday. Debbie @dfish, I feel for you about Sunday nights sleeping except mine is opposite, I get to sleep just fine but wake up too early. I’ve been able to get back to sleep after being awake a few hours. When I was working I didn’t have enough time to do that. This morning I was able to sleep until 8:00, and I had some crazy dreams. We were on our August cruise and I was all settled into my inside cabin but two people showed up, it was a shared cabin!  (Must be because of that solo cabin thread.). I was really upset and to top it all off the cabin turned out to also be the only bar/lounge onboard!  We were all stuffed in there like sardines. What was in my mind beats me. 
 

 

Good grief, Sharon!  What did you have to eat or drink last night before you went to bed?  Sue says to bring some along because it is obviously more fun than anything we take.  

 

2 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I am very proud of you for being proactive and inviting the Relatives for a drink. 

 

I have had an estranged period with my sister since October last year. I sent her a Happy birthday text in February and she called and was so happy I reached out to her. She's coming for a short visit later July. We hardly have any relations left, maybe 6? 

 

Joy, I am so glad you were able to break the barrier of estrangement.   Life is too short for that, especially with a sibling.

[ottahand7]

Thank you everyone for the lovely Malta photos!   

 

@1ANGELCAT thanks for the beautiful photos of Longwood.  

[Cruising-along]

4 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

This morning I was able to sleep until 8:00, and I had some crazy dreams. We were on our August cruise and I was all settled into my inside cabin but two people showed up, it was a shared cabin!  (Must be because of that solo cabin thread.). I was really upset and to top it all off the cabin turned out to also be the only bar/lounge onboard!  We were all stuffed in there like sardines. What was in my mind beats me. 

Oh Sharon, I'm laughing so hard now.  I have some crazy dreams too, but I especially am laughing that your cabin turned out to be the only bar/lounge!!  What a hoot!  

I'm also a little jealous that I won't be on your cruise -- you're all going to have a ball!

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Carolyn, I hope the dental appointment went well today.  Thanks for sharing your pictures of Valletta.

Thank you Lenda!  It went well, I was in and out in under an hour.  The only thing that hurts is my jaw from keeping it open so long.  

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We got a bit of rain this afternnon, 0.14 inches, and it rained pretty hard for a time.  When we took our ride tonight, we noticed the humidity had dropped considerably.  The temperature was a pleasant 79F.   We also saw all fourn of our deer.

 

Lenda 

[durangoscots]

We have finally had some showers. Not much, but I will take it. And it is chilly right now... temp is an actual 61, but it feels like 55. After the heat, it is welcome. Looks like they have backed off a bit on our highs tomorrow too. And my handyman will be here to deal with the fan.

 

Susan

[Sharon in AZ]

4 hours ago, bobpatj said:

Sharon, it’s so nice to hear you mention the cruise we first met!  We’re doing well, but not cruising as much as we once did.  We may call it aging out?  I haven’t posted for a while, and don’t read as often because I was dropped for not recognizing my password!  But now I’m back and may post again.  

Pat, so good to hear from you!  I hope you post more often. Please give Bob my best. 

 

3 hours ago, dfish said:

 

Good grief, Sharon!  What did you have to eat or drink last night before you went to bed?  Sue says to bring some along because it is obviously more fun than anything we take.  

 

 

Joy, I am so glad you were able to break the barrier of estrangement.   Life is too short for that, especially with a sibling.

I don’t remember what I ate but gosh that dream was vivid and crazy. 

 

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Oh Sharon, I'm laughing so hard now.  I have some crazy dreams too, but I especially am laughing that your cabin turned out to be the only bar/lounge!!  What a hoot!  

I'm also a little jealous that I won't be on your cruise -- you're all going to have a ball!

Thank you Lenda!  It went well, I was in and out in under an hour.  The only thing that hurts is my jaw from keeping it open so long.  

 

Carolyn, I wish you were on the cruise too!  But don’t you have a Grand World cruise in January?  I’m envious of that!

[Haljo1935]

Happy Birthday @Denise T🥳

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

23 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

We have finally had some showers. Not much, but I will take it. And it is chilly right now... temp is an actual 61, but it feels like 55. After the heat, it is welcome. Looks like they have backed off a bit on our highs tomorrow too. And my handyman will be here to deal with the fan.

 

Susan

 

Susan, that is good news about the rain and cooler temperatures.  I'm glad your handyman is coming to deal with the fan.

 

Lenda

[Cruising-along]

59 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Carolyn, I wish you were on the cruise too!  But don’t you have a Grand World cruise in January?  I’m envious of that!

Thanks Sharon, maybe some day we'll sail together again.  The World is in January of '26, have to save up for it!  In '25 we're on the 28-day Alaska Solstice.  Staying home the rest of '24!  😂

[erewhon]

Good afternoon.

Thank you for posting the HAL Fleet locations. and the daily news.

Appreciate seeing all the photos of Malta. 

Welcome home @aliaschief and @DWAliaschief  thank you for sharing your memorable cruise with us.

Wishing @Denise T a very Happy Birthday.

[grapau27]

Good morning.

Thank you for today's daily reports.

3 interesting days.

Valetta is a lovely port with an impressive sail in.

Prayers 🙏 for all on the care list.

I hope everyone has a happy day.

[StLouisCruisers]

12 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I am very proud of you for being proactive and inviting the Relatives for a drink. 

 

I have had an estranged period with my sister since October last year. I sent her a Happy birthday text in February and she called and was so happy I reached out to her. She's coming for a short visit later July. We hardly have any relations left, maybe 6? 

Been there, done that in regards to family squabbles and estrangement.  All is well now and we never bring it up. So glad your sis and you are doing well now. 😇

[grapau27]

@Denise T.

Happy birthday Denise.