The projectile vomiting went as well as could reasonably have been expected. 10 out of 10 for force and volume. Maybe only 7 out of 10 for accuracy but at least I missed the swimming pool. Throwing up in the pool of a cruise ship at sea is very, very, unlucky, particularly for the junior engineering staff and anyone who wants a swim for the next 2 or 3 days.
I've looked hard for the cause of the problem. I have eliminated the 3 large meals, the pints of beer and the bottle of wine I consumed during the day. I think the culprit was the canapes that are delivered each evening to our cabin for a pre-dinner snack - some of them smelt a bit fishy.
I accuse the butler, in the cabin, with the caviar - probably.
Dave C
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
A Letter of Complaint
As I blogged earlier, we have a superb balcony - but the seating leaves a bit to be desired. We asked for loungers but were told that the ones onboard did not meet the fire regulations for balcony furniture. It's not really been a problem. I worked out how to make a lounger from the comfy chair in the cabin, a towel, a cushion, two pillows and a length of balcony rail. I've made a drawing for the next occupant but it looks like an illustration from the advanced section of the Kama Sutra so I'll probably throw it away.
I've not got enough material for two loungers but as Janet's sunbathing tends to follow the - I've got my cossy and lotion on - I'll just sit down - God it's hot - I think I'll go inside - pattern, that's not really been a problem either. Nevertheless I intend to write a letter of complaint something along the lines of -
Dear Fred,
I am writing to complain about the chairs on your otherwise superb balcony to cabin 8010 on the Braemar.
I am aware that balconies serve many different functions. For example, they stop you falling a hundred feet to your death when you walk through the patio door. They give your wife somewhere to dry her underwear, although you have to be careful not to send the wrong signal to passing ships. Balcony rails are ideal for leaning nonchantly against when sailing in or out of ports. This is best enjoyed in full view of the inside cabin people as they fight for a foot of rail on the public decks. However, surely you must agree that, above all, balconies on cruise ships are for sitting privately and comfortably in the sun and watching the world bob by. Could you therefore please explain why you have chosen balcony furniture with the comfort characteristics of an Iron Maiden.
I am aware of the fire a few years ago on a cruise ship balcony that caused the Health & Safety Gestapo to salivate over yet more regulations. However, despite their best efforts, it is still not necessary to station a fireman, with his hose in his hand, next to every comfortable seat. You can now buy adjustable hardwood loungers with self-extinguishing grade covers. Obviously these days you need to get the hardwood from a sustainable source like B&Q.
Instead of extending the ship by 30 metres you should have extended it by 29.95 metres and spent the other two inches on some decent seats. It's obviously too late for this and if you're strapped for cash I have a suggestion.
Why not have sun-loungers paid for by donation with little brass plaques to commemorate passengers who have gone to that great cruise ship in the sky. Looking at the average age on this ship it will not be long before the loungers are over subscribed. Relatives will book holidays to see the plaques and can be encouraged to leave flowers which would be another commercial opportunity. The loungers are much less likely to be vandalised by meths drinking tramps than commemorative park benches, particularly if you restrict their use to Deck 8.
I hope that you will view this letter, together with my previous one on how to unblock and clean your toilet drainage system, as a genuine attempt to help you to improve your service. Coincidentally, my letter on drainage does suggest future career opportunities for your furniture procurement team.
Yours sincerely
D.A.C.
I've not got enough material for two loungers but as Janet's sunbathing tends to follow the - I've got my cossy and lotion on - I'll just sit down - God it's hot - I think I'll go inside - pattern, that's not really been a problem either. Nevertheless I intend to write a letter of complaint something along the lines of -
Dear Fred,
I am writing to complain about the chairs on your otherwise superb balcony to cabin 8010 on the Braemar.
I am aware that balconies serve many different functions. For example, they stop you falling a hundred feet to your death when you walk through the patio door. They give your wife somewhere to dry her underwear, although you have to be careful not to send the wrong signal to passing ships. Balcony rails are ideal for leaning nonchantly against when sailing in or out of ports. This is best enjoyed in full view of the inside cabin people as they fight for a foot of rail on the public decks. However, surely you must agree that, above all, balconies on cruise ships are for sitting privately and comfortably in the sun and watching the world bob by. Could you therefore please explain why you have chosen balcony furniture with the comfort characteristics of an Iron Maiden.
I am aware of the fire a few years ago on a cruise ship balcony that caused the Health & Safety Gestapo to salivate over yet more regulations. However, despite their best efforts, it is still not necessary to station a fireman, with his hose in his hand, next to every comfortable seat. You can now buy adjustable hardwood loungers with self-extinguishing grade covers. Obviously these days you need to get the hardwood from a sustainable source like B&Q.
Instead of extending the ship by 30 metres you should have extended it by 29.95 metres and spent the other two inches on some decent seats. It's obviously too late for this and if you're strapped for cash I have a suggestion.
Why not have sun-loungers paid for by donation with little brass plaques to commemorate passengers who have gone to that great cruise ship in the sky. Looking at the average age on this ship it will not be long before the loungers are over subscribed. Relatives will book holidays to see the plaques and can be encouraged to leave flowers which would be another commercial opportunity. The loungers are much less likely to be vandalised by meths drinking tramps than commemorative park benches, particularly if you restrict their use to Deck 8.
I hope that you will view this letter, together with my previous one on how to unblock and clean your toilet drainage system, as a genuine attempt to help you to improve your service. Coincidentally, my letter on drainage does suggest future career opportunities for your furniture procurement team.
Yours sincerely
D.A.C.
Life on Marquee Deck
There is a distinction on this deck - the Lord and Lady's accommodation and the area fro sunworshippers !! And almost never the twain shall meet !! Although there is a rumour that Lord C took a dip yesterday. He ventored amongst the seasoned sunbathers - the prunes as we call them. Some of the ladies ( and I have to say that this is mainly a female trait) lay in direct sunlight all day - turning regularly !. Some match their lipsticks to the colour of their bikinis !
Also served here is delicios ice cream - although Lord and Lady C probably have theirs served by the butler!
In the pool is where you sit and get all the ship's gossip - or urban myths. People compare their cruising experiences on this and other ships. Actually this is often very useful info
It is also the deck where Adam sita and watches the moon set and the sun rise - no he doesn't get up early to do that - he actually hasn't been to bed at that time !!
Today we are at sea and have just passed the island of Stromboli - which has an active volcano on it - we saw the gentle steam rising. Janet and I have just been to a cookery demonstration - so expect beef stroganoff next time you are invited to dinner there !!
Our phrase of the holiday has been ' How could you not like that' Said frequently as we watch the moonbeam from our favourite spot in the observatory.
A great holiday and we hope that we can do it all again
Julie and Dave
Also served here is delicios ice cream - although Lord and Lady C probably have theirs served by the butler!
In the pool is where you sit and get all the ship's gossip - or urban myths. People compare their cruising experiences on this and other ships. Actually this is often very useful info
It is also the deck where Adam sita and watches the moon set and the sun rise - no he doesn't get up early to do that - he actually hasn't been to bed at that time !!
Today we are at sea and have just passed the island of Stromboli - which has an active volcano on it - we saw the gentle steam rising. Janet and I have just been to a cookery demonstration - so expect beef stroganoff next time you are invited to dinner there !!
Our phrase of the holiday has been ' How could you not like that' Said frequently as we watch the moonbeam from our favourite spot in the observatory.
A great holiday and we hope that we can do it all again
Julie and Dave
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Near Mutiny on the Braemar
We're in Corfu today, and it's 97degrees in the shade. Not an inch of shade on our balcony, so I've been sitting in the Library for the last hour reading in the comfort of air conditioning. Dave and I decided to give Corfu Town a miss as it's so hot, and the memories of yesterday's disastrous venture into Dubrovnic are still vivid. Oh, did we not tell you about Dubrovnic? Well, briefly, we arived at noon and moored about 15 minutes drive from the old walled town, and shuttle buses had been laid on to ferry us back and forth throughout the afternoon. Well, that was the theory.
We watched from the upper decks as the throng wishing to get to town grew, and grew, and by about 12:15 there must have been 300+ people down there, getting hotter and angrier by the minute as no transport materialised. When a single coach eventually arrived there was a mass stampede towards it! Quite amusing from above, but there were lots of very cross passengers.
Dave and I decided to leave it till about 2pm, by which time there were 3 buses waiting empty on the dockside, and we had a comfortable ride into town.
However... did I say it was hot? Well, having briefly looked at Dubrovnik, which was nice but far too HOT and too many tourists, we faced a similarly long wait and chaotic scramble to get back to the ship. Mutiny was definitely in the air.
Julie and Dave, wisely, didn't even attempt to get off the ship!
Announcements onboard as we sailed away apologised profusely for the poor service (blaming the Croatians of course) and offering FREE DRINKS for everyone before dinner! Since we're on the early sitting we managed to take advantage of our own free pre-dinner drinks, and also those of secong sitting too, so we all ended up reasonably happy!
Now - back to the 5 a day theme. I am now officially the food eating champion, having managed 5 meals in one day. Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner and Midnight Buffet!
Weight Watchers here I come.
Janet x
We watched from the upper decks as the throng wishing to get to town grew, and grew, and by about 12:15 there must have been 300+ people down there, getting hotter and angrier by the minute as no transport materialised. When a single coach eventually arrived there was a mass stampede towards it! Quite amusing from above, but there were lots of very cross passengers.
Dave and I decided to leave it till about 2pm, by which time there were 3 buses waiting empty on the dockside, and we had a comfortable ride into town.
However... did I say it was hot? Well, having briefly looked at Dubrovnik, which was nice but far too HOT and too many tourists, we faced a similarly long wait and chaotic scramble to get back to the ship. Mutiny was definitely in the air.
Julie and Dave, wisely, didn't even attempt to get off the ship!
Announcements onboard as we sailed away apologised profusely for the poor service (blaming the Croatians of course) and offering FREE DRINKS for everyone before dinner! Since we're on the early sitting we managed to take advantage of our own free pre-dinner drinks, and also those of secong sitting too, so we all ended up reasonably happy!
Now - back to the 5 a day theme. I am now officially the food eating champion, having managed 5 meals in one day. Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner and Midnight Buffet!
Weight Watchers here I come.
Janet x
Monday, August 18, 2008
Near Death in Venice
In the early days of the home PC, when the BBC Micro was king and 32k was all the memory you could ever need, someone invented a game called Frogger. You had to hop a frog across multiple lanes of a motorway and not get squashed. Janet remembered it when we sailed into the Canale della Giudecca which is Venice's main waterway.
Different types of craft plough backwards and forwards along multiple lanes. There are the enormous cruise liners which lok like floating blocks of flats, which of course is what they are. They try not to hit anything because of the paperwork involved but they have the manoueverability of well, a block of flats. Then there are the car ferries. By tradition, at the entrance to the Canale, the captains of these ferries lash their wheels, lock their engines on full and then go below for a fag. Then there are the powerful motorboats, who do follow rules of the road. The main one seems to be that they have to keep to the right, unless they don't want to. They are all driven by young people, maybe they don't get to be old.
Venetian Frogger is played in water taxis. If you imagine a single decker bus without wheels, welded to a large baking tray, you will get a good idea of the appearance and sea-worthiness of these craft. The water taxis tack between alternate stops on each side of the Canale.
Advanced Venetian Frogger is played at night. We took the number 2, the long way, both ways, to St Mark's Square. The taxis have room for 80 seated and 100 standing, which gives them a night-time capacity of 350. We talked nervously to ease the tension, but conversations tended to towards "That bell tower looks beautiful in the moon... Christ that was close!" as another unlit, jet black car ferry full of jet black cars missed us by inches and left us bobbing in its wake. (Funny word Wake). All the taxi drivers, also remarkably young, ever did was to shove the throttle forward and look for someone else to miss.
At the end of the game we emerged shaken but still with one life left. Lager in pavement cafe near St Mark's Square £10 a pint; surviving to blog about it, priceless.
Dave C
Different types of craft plough backwards and forwards along multiple lanes. There are the enormous cruise liners which lok like floating blocks of flats, which of course is what they are. They try not to hit anything because of the paperwork involved but they have the manoueverability of well, a block of flats. Then there are the car ferries. By tradition, at the entrance to the Canale, the captains of these ferries lash their wheels, lock their engines on full and then go below for a fag. Then there are the powerful motorboats, who do follow rules of the road. The main one seems to be that they have to keep to the right, unless they don't want to. They are all driven by young people, maybe they don't get to be old.
Venetian Frogger is played in water taxis. If you imagine a single decker bus without wheels, welded to a large baking tray, you will get a good idea of the appearance and sea-worthiness of these craft. The water taxis tack between alternate stops on each side of the Canale.
Advanced Venetian Frogger is played at night. We took the number 2, the long way, both ways, to St Mark's Square. The taxis have room for 80 seated and 100 standing, which gives them a night-time capacity of 350. We talked nervously to ease the tension, but conversations tended to towards "That bell tower looks beautiful in the moon... Christ that was close!" as another unlit, jet black car ferry full of jet black cars missed us by inches and left us bobbing in its wake. (Funny word Wake). All the taxi drivers, also remarkably young, ever did was to shove the throttle forward and look for someone else to miss.
At the end of the game we emerged shaken but still with one life left. Lager in pavement cafe near St Mark's Square £10 a pint; surviving to blog about it, priceless.
Dave C
Sunday, August 17, 2008
H's Musical Extravaganza
We attended the quay side, under the watchful eye of the 'delightful' Lydia at 8-15pm, and at 8-30 proceeded to the motor launch. It was here that I met 'Pauline of Wigan' - or to be more correct, bumped into Pauline of Wigan. The impact proved to be so explosive that we became companions for the evening.
Once ensconsced aboard the said launch we continued our journey along the waterways of Venice accompanied by a courier who gave - I think - a description and history of the area, but she spoke in a dialect of Italo/Inglese with a touch of Russian cossack, so I couldn't understand a word she said !! I don't think that I was on my own - Pauline of Wigan agreed !
Having traversed the Venetian waterways we disembarked and walked alomng the various bye-ways until we arrived at our destination. This proved to be the Ca Zen - a medieval pile in the Gothic style where we were supplied with liquid refreshment- the delightful Lydia ensured that I had my full whack !!
We were then ushered into a very capacious hall in which was a very grand piano.
The owner of the palazza, a member of the Zeno family, made us welcome and gave a little talk on family history ( bet he didn't know Robert Peel (Spence) !!!!
We were then treated to a most lovely concert performed by two sporanos and three tenors together with a pianist and a violinist.
Songs and music - mainly opera arias, but quite a few others - Volari, O Sole Mio to name a few.
The programme was excellent and afterwards the delightful Lydia ensured that I had another glass of wine and had a look round the house, then we made our way home.
A good time was had by all and Pauline of Wigan like Cinderella had to be in at midnight as she had an early call.
I rounded off the evening with a little drink with J,D and J and D outside on the deck
Marvellous !!
Harold
Once ensconsced aboard the said launch we continued our journey along the waterways of Venice accompanied by a courier who gave - I think - a description and history of the area, but she spoke in a dialect of Italo/Inglese with a touch of Russian cossack, so I couldn't understand a word she said !! I don't think that I was on my own - Pauline of Wigan agreed !
Having traversed the Venetian waterways we disembarked and walked alomng the various bye-ways until we arrived at our destination. This proved to be the Ca Zen - a medieval pile in the Gothic style where we were supplied with liquid refreshment- the delightful Lydia ensured that I had my full whack !!
We were then ushered into a very capacious hall in which was a very grand piano.
The owner of the palazza, a member of the Zeno family, made us welcome and gave a little talk on family history ( bet he didn't know Robert Peel (Spence) !!!!
We were then treated to a most lovely concert performed by two sporanos and three tenors together with a pianist and a violinist.
Songs and music - mainly opera arias, but quite a few others - Volari, O Sole Mio to name a few.
The programme was excellent and afterwards the delightful Lydia ensured that I had another glass of wine and had a look round the house, then we made our way home.
A good time was had by all and Pauline of Wigan like Cinderella had to be in at midnight as she had an early call.
I rounded off the evening with a little drink with J,D and J and D outside on the deck
Marvellous !!
Harold
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Taking a Break
When I've watched the Holiday Programme on the telly I've often wondered where the presenters go for their holidays. Somewhere different I suppose. I get a vision of Judith Chalmers, on a break, chained to a wall in a dank cellar but this usually disappears when I take my pill.
Before we go on a cruise we diet for several weeks, it's like fattening yourself up for Lent, but in reverse. The eating starts when you get onboard and you only really stop when you're having a drink. Sometimes I feel like the creature in the Pacman video game endlessly trying to eat his way out of the maze. I've had smoked salmon for breakfast every day so far, so today we skipped breakfast to have a break and a nice lie in.
We were gently massaged by the mattress which vibrated to the rhythm of the ship as it ploughed its way through a choppy sea towards Venice. To save the bother of looking sidways out of the patio window, we watched the white horses on the view from the front of the ship displayed on the flat screen TV at the foot of our bed. We nibbled Belgian chocolate biscuits.
It made us realise that it is the simple things in life, like watching TV and eating biscuits in bed, that are really the most important. It helps of course if you do them on a luxury cruise ship and have a Phillipino maid to sweep up the crumbs.
Dave C
Before we go on a cruise we diet for several weeks, it's like fattening yourself up for Lent, but in reverse. The eating starts when you get onboard and you only really stop when you're having a drink. Sometimes I feel like the creature in the Pacman video game endlessly trying to eat his way out of the maze. I've had smoked salmon for breakfast every day so far, so today we skipped breakfast to have a break and a nice lie in.
We were gently massaged by the mattress which vibrated to the rhythm of the ship as it ploughed its way through a choppy sea towards Venice. To save the bother of looking sidways out of the patio window, we watched the white horses on the view from the front of the ship displayed on the flat screen TV at the foot of our bed. We nibbled Belgian chocolate biscuits.
It made us realise that it is the simple things in life, like watching TV and eating biscuits in bed, that are really the most important. It helps of course if you do them on a luxury cruise ship and have a Phillipino maid to sweep up the crumbs.
Dave C
Friday, August 15, 2008
Montenegro - FAB
This is a fabulous place - apparently quite like Norway- but hotter !!
It was 100 degrees today and no breeze - Lord and Lady C retired to their spacious balcony. Luckily the rest of the gang were invited for drinks and nibbles before dinner. The bultler interrupted when he brought the canapes !!
Our sailway on the balcony was actually amazing - the view was just incredible and we hope that our pictures do it justice - which of course you will all have to see when we return !!
Adam had some bad news tonight at dinner - no more Stella on the ship. As he rolled into his cabin at 6-15 am this morning we think that he is probably largely responsible for this shortage !
However he did karaoke last night in his white dj - thinking he was the new Frank S !!
He just told us a story that Charlie Chaplin entered a lookk alike competition in Monte Carlo and came third !! Full of useless info
Just had dinner and our waiter gave us a sneak preview of tomorrow's meal - a Norwegian delight - reindeer. Think Julie will miss on that.
Sailing off to Venice now - sea is smooth and the evening is beautiful
Not sure if we mentioned it - but we won the quiz again yesterday !!
All for now folks
J and J
It was 100 degrees today and no breeze - Lord and Lady C retired to their spacious balcony. Luckily the rest of the gang were invited for drinks and nibbles before dinner. The bultler interrupted when he brought the canapes !!
Our sailway on the balcony was actually amazing - the view was just incredible and we hope that our pictures do it justice - which of course you will all have to see when we return !!
Adam had some bad news tonight at dinner - no more Stella on the ship. As he rolled into his cabin at 6-15 am this morning we think that he is probably largely responsible for this shortage !
However he did karaoke last night in his white dj - thinking he was the new Frank S !!
He just told us a story that Charlie Chaplin entered a lookk alike competition in Monte Carlo and came third !! Full of useless info
Just had dinner and our waiter gave us a sneak preview of tomorrow's meal - a Norwegian delight - reindeer. Think Julie will miss on that.
Sailing off to Venice now - sea is smooth and the evening is beautiful
Not sure if we mentioned it - but we won the quiz again yesterday !!
All for now folks
J and J
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Dirty Dancing
We arrived early for the show and caught the end of the line dancing. Yeeee Haaa. The large and overtly gay instructor was drilling his charges. "Men to the left and ladies to the right" he ordered "Decide if you want to be a man or a woman". That's two people on the ship who don't understand irony.
Bumping their way through the line dance were two of the ship's Gigolos or 'Dance Partners' as they are officially known. These men are employed by Fred Olsen to dance with unaccompanied ladies (No I'm not kidding). They are very very old, unless of course they have all been prematurely aged by the rigours of their jobs. They hobble round the floor, their artificial joints clicking in time to the music. In the spotlights their skin appears stretched tight with too much aftershave or possibly embalming fluid. Julie reckons one of them doubles up as a model for the morning arthritis seminar.
I can't help it, there are things I need to know. Do they give extras that can be charged to your shipboard account, and what does it say on the bill. Do these extras cost more if they leave their teeth in. If they take a lady back to their cabin, before they get a glimpse of surgical stocking, does the Health & Safety Officer insist they explain how their defibrilator works?
I can't get these images out of my mind, perhaps if I just have another drink...
(Dave C)
Bumping their way through the line dance were two of the ship's Gigolos or 'Dance Partners' as they are officially known. These men are employed by Fred Olsen to dance with unaccompanied ladies (No I'm not kidding). They are very very old, unless of course they have all been prematurely aged by the rigours of their jobs. They hobble round the floor, their artificial joints clicking in time to the music. In the spotlights their skin appears stretched tight with too much aftershave or possibly embalming fluid. Julie reckons one of them doubles up as a model for the morning arthritis seminar.
I can't help it, there are things I need to know. Do they give extras that can be charged to your shipboard account, and what does it say on the bill. Do these extras cost more if they leave their teeth in. If they take a lady back to their cabin, before they get a glimpse of surgical stocking, does the Health & Safety Officer insist they explain how their defibrilator works?
I can't get these images out of my mind, perhaps if I just have another drink...
(Dave C)
7am Janet's up early
(I tried to post this earlier today but couldn't get a connection).
This morning I awoke at 6:45. Couldn't decide whether the ship was moving or not, so peeped through the curtains and could see the hazy outline of mountains on the horizon, across an almost mirror-like turquoise sea. Vague words from the Captain's tannoy announcement yesterday came into my head - "We will arrive in Kotor, Montenegro, at 7am, it's a stunning approach, so I hope to see many of you on deck"... I rummaged around for shorts and t shirt in the dark, located the camera and sunhat, and crept towards the door. "What are you doing" mumbled Lord C. from his Lord-sized pit. "Just going to see us arrive at Kotor" I replied. "But we're at sea today"....
Are we? Oh yes. Kotor's tomorrow.
Ah well, I went on deck anyway, just me and two other early birds. I looked for dolphins, but even they were still asleep.
At 8 am the 'walk a mile' session started, and Julie and Dave joined me.
Happy Birthday Dave!!!! I guess we may have cake tonight - and it's another formal evening, so I think the wine will be flowing, courtesy of Lydia and Fred.
Sorry to hear the weather in UK isn't great, it's going to be about 94degrees in Kotor tomorrow, so another scorcher here.
xx
Janet
This morning I awoke at 6:45. Couldn't decide whether the ship was moving or not, so peeped through the curtains and could see the hazy outline of mountains on the horizon, across an almost mirror-like turquoise sea. Vague words from the Captain's tannoy announcement yesterday came into my head - "We will arrive in Kotor, Montenegro, at 7am, it's a stunning approach, so I hope to see many of you on deck"... I rummaged around for shorts and t shirt in the dark, located the camera and sunhat, and crept towards the door. "What are you doing" mumbled Lord C. from his Lord-sized pit. "Just going to see us arrive at Kotor" I replied. "But we're at sea today"....
Are we? Oh yes. Kotor's tomorrow.
Ah well, I went on deck anyway, just me and two other early birds. I looked for dolphins, but even they were still asleep.
At 8 am the 'walk a mile' session started, and Julie and Dave joined me.
Happy Birthday Dave!!!! I guess we may have cake tonight - and it's another formal evening, so I think the wine will be flowing, courtesy of Lydia and Fred.
Sorry to hear the weather in UK isn't great, it's going to be about 94degrees in Kotor tomorrow, so another scorcher here.
xx
Janet
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Valetta
Greetings from Valetta which is a very beautiful city. It's been a hot one here today and the pool was very welcome when we returned back to the ship.
Just about to leave now - Dave S on Lord and Lady C's balcony for sail away
Had a strange sensation today - felt hungry !!
Just fruit and cereal for brekkie and no lunch - roll on dinner !!
Adam still having a ball - rolling in later and later each night
All for now
Julie
Just about to leave now - Dave S on Lord and Lady C's balcony for sail away
Had a strange sensation today - felt hungry !!
Just fruit and cereal for brekkie and no lunch - roll on dinner !!
Adam still having a ball - rolling in later and later each night
All for now
Julie
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Crizz Part 2
Well
Today we won !!!!!
It went to tie break, and luckily we knew how many verses in the Greek National Anthem
Actually 184 -( well we were nearest with 32 !!!!)
A great sea day today with a lovely breeze and ice cream served on the decks.
Valetta tomorrow
All for now
J and J
The Crizz
To misquote Bill Shankley, ship's quizzes are not a matter of life and death, they're more important than that. 4pm each day sees the Smith/Spence/Curran team in action striving to achieve the elusive (laminated) winner's certificate. The team is a finely honed quizzing machine. Each member has special skills, history, music, mine is listening to adjoining tables to see if anybody mouths the right answer.
Yesterday's quiz was unusual mainly becuase the quizperson was Phillipino. English was not her first, second, or probably third language. She knew all the words, but not the subtleties of pronunciation.
The giggles started with the question about which star won his only Oscar for the film 'Two Griss' (a - John Wayne, True Grit). We got worse with Who did 'Hard Kill' play in Annie Get your Gun? (a - Wild Bill Hickock, Howard Keele). Our efforts and score collapsed into hysterics when we heard the question 'Hon what part of dee body do you find dee muff'. Maybe it was just us. We were surprised on marking the adjoining team's paper to see they'd answered 'hands', and they seemed rather shocked at our answer.
The climax of the 'crizz' was a tie breaker between the two highest scoring teams. The question was about the role of opera in Information Technology* which did not make sense in English, let alone Phillipino. Our quizperson repeated it 4 times to blank stares from the competitors. Finally in exasperation a member of the audience came forward and snatched the paper out of the poor girl's hand. Without a trace of irony he read out the question in a thick impenetrable Scouse accent. Blank stares, shared prize, pure joy.
* Opera was actually the name of an early Internet browser.
Dave C
Yesterday's quiz was unusual mainly becuase the quizperson was Phillipino. English was not her first, second, or probably third language. She knew all the words, but not the subtleties of pronunciation.
The giggles started with the question about which star won his only Oscar for the film 'Two Griss' (a - John Wayne, True Grit). We got worse with Who did 'Hard Kill' play in Annie Get your Gun? (a - Wild Bill Hickock, Howard Keele). Our efforts and score collapsed into hysterics when we heard the question 'Hon what part of dee body do you find dee muff'. Maybe it was just us. We were surprised on marking the adjoining team's paper to see they'd answered 'hands', and they seemed rather shocked at our answer.
The climax of the 'crizz' was a tie breaker between the two highest scoring teams. The question was about the role of opera in Information Technology* which did not make sense in English, let alone Phillipino. Our quizperson repeated it 4 times to blank stares from the competitors. Finally in exasperation a member of the audience came forward and snatched the paper out of the poor girl's hand. Without a trace of irony he read out the question in a thick impenetrable Scouse accent. Blank stares, shared prize, pure joy.
* Opera was actually the name of an early Internet browser.
Dave C
Monday, August 11, 2008
Healthy Eating
Enjoyed a hot day in Palma today - lots of nice shops
Last night we sat in the Observatory Bar having a late drink or two and watching the ship following a moonbeam on the water - very beautiful and romantic.
We are ensuring that we get our 5 a day - lemon meringue pie, olive in the Martini, cherry in the cocktail, lemon in the gin, carrot cake, etc etc...
Off to the show now - Big Band Sound tonight. Cruising at sea tomorrow, then Valletta on Wednesday - but we'll no doubt be in touch again before then!
xx
J&J
Last night we sat in the Observatory Bar having a late drink or two and watching the ship following a moonbeam on the water - very beautiful and romantic.
We are ensuring that we get our 5 a day - lemon meringue pie, olive in the Martini, cherry in the cocktail, lemon in the gin, carrot cake, etc etc...
Off to the show now - Big Band Sound tonight. Cruising at sea tomorrow, then Valletta on Wednesday - but we'll no doubt be in touch again before then!
xx
J&J
Sunday, August 10, 2008
2 Fried Eggs and 2 Pecan Pies
Well we have said that this is not a stuffy ship and it isn't cos Lady C and I had 2 fried eggs for dinner !! Accompanied of course by beans and potato rosti - well it was Western night !! Dave S managed 2 portions of pecan pie and ice cream !!
Barcelona was stunning - we split into 2 groups - one went on a tour off to the football stadium and the others went shopping. Guess which group Janet and I were in ??
Had a lovely day in the sun and we are all still so enjoying the holiday
Keep the comments coming
Julie
Barcelona was stunning - we split into 2 groups - one went on a tour off to the football stadium and the others went shopping. Guess which group Janet and I were in ??
Had a lovely day in the sun and we are all still so enjoying the holiday
Keep the comments coming
Julie
First Formal Night
We sailed away from Cannes late afternoon and got spruced up for the first Formal evening. All in our finery, we met for pre-dinner drinks at the Captain's Cocktail Party. Adam looked very dishy in his white tuxedo and diamond earrings. (Sorry Adam, is 'dishy' an acceptable adjective these days? - I've a feeling it might be a tad old-fashioned, but Carole and Jane will know what I mean!) And to reinforce his new James Bond image he chose dry martinis from the Captain's free bar!
The Captain, who sounds exactly like the Muppets' Swedish Chef, gave a short speech introducing the key members of his team and gave various statistics about the ship and the nationalities of crew and passengers. Quite interesting while the free booze is flowing.
Anyway, dinner was served and we found one of the Fred Oslen crew had been allocated to our table, just for tonight. Lydia works for the Excursions Department, and after introducing herself she announced - to loud cheers from us all - that she would buy the wine! We enjoyed her company (and the free wine) and hope that she may join us again at the next Formal evening.
After dinner we strolled down the ship to the Show Lounge where we watched dances and songs from 5 West End shows (but not Zorro), then up to another bar for MORE drinks and a quiz, after which all those members of our party aged over 21 collapsed into their beds.
More to come...!
Janet
The Captain, who sounds exactly like the Muppets' Swedish Chef, gave a short speech introducing the key members of his team and gave various statistics about the ship and the nationalities of crew and passengers. Quite interesting while the free booze is flowing.
Anyway, dinner was served and we found one of the Fred Oslen crew had been allocated to our table, just for tonight. Lydia works for the Excursions Department, and after introducing herself she announced - to loud cheers from us all - that she would buy the wine! We enjoyed her company (and the free wine) and hope that she may join us again at the next Formal evening.
After dinner we strolled down the ship to the Show Lounge where we watched dances and songs from 5 West End shows (but not Zorro), then up to another bar for MORE drinks and a quiz, after which all those members of our party aged over 21 collapsed into their beds.
More to come...!
Janet
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Saturday 9th August, Lord C reports...
Janet says I have to write a blog or she won't let me put her suntan lotion on again. I'm sitting here in the shade at the far end of our balcony looking out on the Prom at Cannes. It's a perfect position apart from the fact that it's too far away to hear the doorbell to our suite! The balcony is very nice but it would benefit from a small lawn and perhaps a vegetable patch. We went to Cannes harbour on the tender this morning to look at the boats. Most of them were the sort that if you kept them in a boathouse you would have to have a zip instead of a door. It as really really hot so after a short walk we got the tender back to the sea breeze on our ship. We are surrounded by posh yachts that it must be impossible to acquire without some seriously dishonest toil. I'm not really jealous but I hope there is a special place in Hell reserved for the owner of the one opposite with a small helicopter parked on the back. Somewhere between the mime artists and the accordian players would be nice.
French Riviera
Greetings from Cannes where it has been obout 40C - Wow
Formal night tonight so all dressed up. Lady C will probably have the diamonds out !!!
Next formal night on my birthday - so I will be seranaded by the waiters !!
Adam loving the cruise - we don't see much of him - he has found young people to play with !!
Off to the quiz now
Please feel free to leave comments - just click on 'comments' at the end of each blog and then we can read them
Dave
Formal night tonight so all dressed up. Lady C will probably have the diamonds out !!!
Next formal night on my birthday - so I will be seranaded by the waiters !!
Adam loving the cruise - we don't see much of him - he has found young people to play with !!
Off to the quiz now
Please feel free to leave comments - just click on 'comments' at the end of each blog and then we can read them
Dave
Friday, August 8, 2008
Lord and Lady C
So Lord C did bring his cords but I am assured that they are summer ones !
However the weather is so hot that we have actually seen his legs this afternoon !
Lord and Lady C's stateroom is so posh ! They have canapes served each evening. A light comes on when they open their wardrobe door - lights up Lady J's diamonds !!!
They shared those with us tonight together with pre- dinner champagne - delicios !
Harold has just gone off in search of his safe key which he has managed to lose !!!!!
Our didning table is in a really good position and beside a window which is fab.
Julie and Dave ventured into Livorno taday and sampled some delicios Italian ice cream - Carole would have liked that.
Change of itinerary and Cannes tomorrow - so no doubt topless bathers !!
All for now - significant wine has been taken already and now the men are ahead of us, so we need to catch up.
Quiz at 10 pm - Harold entered one on his own this afternoon and came second so we may have to rely on him !!
More again soon
Julie
However the weather is so hot that we have actually seen his legs this afternoon !
Lord and Lady C's stateroom is so posh ! They have canapes served each evening. A light comes on when they open their wardrobe door - lights up Lady J's diamonds !!!
They shared those with us tonight together with pre- dinner champagne - delicios !
Harold has just gone off in search of his safe key which he has managed to lose !!!!!
Our didning table is in a really good position and beside a window which is fab.
Julie and Dave ventured into Livorno taday and sampled some delicios Italian ice cream - Carole would have liked that.
Change of itinerary and Cannes tomorrow - so no doubt topless bathers !!
All for now - significant wine has been taken already and now the men are ahead of us, so we need to catch up.
Quiz at 10 pm - Harold entered one on his own this afternoon and came second so we may have to rely on him !!
More again soon
Julie
Friday, 8th August - Livorno, Italy
We're in Livorno today. A busy working port, so the views from the ship aren't great. Container vessels and ferries pass frequently and a huge dredger is working virtually alongside, so we're able to watch buckets full of black sludge being grappled from the depths. Ah well, makes a change from dolphins.
Chez Curran is quite nice. We have a full sized bath, a huge bed and an enormous balcony. Only one problem with the balcony - they won't allow sun loungers on it. We've been to Reception to ask, and they say they're not fire retardant, so the notorious Elf'n'Safety regs don't permit it.
Dave and I had lunch with Harold today, Julie and Dave have gone ashore to look at the town. I've just been for a manicure, and I think Adam's spent the day on a sun lounger and in the jacuzzi (though someone else may blog more detail later).
All for now - excuse spelling and typos, trying to be quick as it's pay-per-minute!
Love to all who read this
Janet
Chez Curran is quite nice. We have a full sized bath, a huge bed and an enormous balcony. Only one problem with the balcony - they won't allow sun loungers on it. We've been to Reception to ask, and they say they're not fire retardant, so the notorious Elf'n'Safety regs don't permit it.
Dave and I had lunch with Harold today, Julie and Dave have gone ashore to look at the town. I've just been for a manicure, and I think Adam's spent the day on a sun lounger and in the jacuzzi (though someone else may blog more detail later).
All for now - excuse spelling and typos, trying to be quick as it's pay-per-minute!
Love to all who read this
Janet
The Journey
Taxi to Manchester Airport was prompt and efficient, and we arrived with plenty of time in which to do some pre-flight shopping. Perfume for the girls, some books, and a Dail M*** for Dave C.
We checked in our colourful suitcases (3 gree, 1 silver, 1 pink, 1 yellow and 1 purple) and were given boarding cards - for some as yet unknown reason the Currans were in 'Premier' seat - which turned out to be identical to 'Non-Premier' seats but slightly nearer to any potential accident.
The flight was OK ecxcept for some turbulence and a rather curious selection of offerings on the overhead TV - given that the average age onboard must have been >60, we had Robin Hood, some obscure American teen comedy, and an episode of The Simpsons which, to Adam and Dave C's disgust, was cut off halfway through.
We landed at Rome and trekked the compulsory mile or so to the carousels, and waited... and waited... and waited... for over an hour! As we finally got our 7th bag on the trolley, Dave S announced in a loud voice ' Three cheers for the Rome baggae handlers' but he didn't get any takers!
During the wait Harold and Julie were deep in conversation with another weary fellow traveller 'Have you come from Manchester' asked Harold - 'No I'm from a place called St Annes' she replied! Turns out she lives on St Annes Rd East!
Anyway, we now had a 1 hour coach ride to the port and eventually got on board, found our cabins and met for a very late dinner in the restaurant - nearly midnight by now, all were very tired.
No time to explore, that will have to be done tomorrow.
Janet C
We checked in our colourful suitcases (3 gree, 1 silver, 1 pink, 1 yellow and 1 purple) and were given boarding cards - for some as yet unknown reason the Currans were in 'Premier' seat - which turned out to be identical to 'Non-Premier' seats but slightly nearer to any potential accident.
The flight was OK ecxcept for some turbulence and a rather curious selection of offerings on the overhead TV - given that the average age onboard must have been >60, we had Robin Hood, some obscure American teen comedy, and an episode of The Simpsons which, to Adam and Dave C's disgust, was cut off halfway through.
We landed at Rome and trekked the compulsory mile or so to the carousels, and waited... and waited... and waited... for over an hour! As we finally got our 7th bag on the trolley, Dave S announced in a loud voice ' Three cheers for the Rome baggae handlers' but he didn't get any takers!
During the wait Harold and Julie were deep in conversation with another weary fellow traveller 'Have you come from Manchester' asked Harold - 'No I'm from a place called St Annes' she replied! Turns out she lives on St Annes Rd East!
Anyway, we now had a 1 hour coach ride to the port and eventually got on board, found our cabins and met for a very late dinner in the restaurant - nearly midnight by now, all were very tired.
No time to explore, that will have to be done tomorrow.
Janet C
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday 5th August - The Joys of Packing
I’ve just checked the temperature online at several of the places we’re going to be visiting – it’s currently between 30°C and 38°C.
Since Dave & I have previously only cruised from Southampton and have always been able to take unlimited amounts of luggage with us, we’ve had great difficulty trying to work out what 25kg of stuff looks like. Balancing on the bathroom scales with suitcase in hand has also presented us with new challenges, but we’ve nearly finished packing now. Dave’s suitcase contains his cords – but they’re his summer cords, so they’ll be fine in Tunisia, won’t they...?
Janet
Since Dave & I have previously only cruised from Southampton and have always been able to take unlimited amounts of luggage with us, we’ve had great difficulty trying to work out what 25kg of stuff looks like. Balancing on the bathroom scales with suitcase in hand has also presented us with new challenges, but we’ve nearly finished packing now. Dave’s suitcase contains his cords – but they’re his summer cords, so they’ll be fine in Tunisia, won’t they...?
Janet
Blue Rinse?
Well, now I am worried. I thought that we were away with the manly Curran and now there's talk of blue rinses!!! That reminds me - need to do my roots !! Still ironing away and matching shirts and ties for the three men I am packing for. Dad's case is nearly full - undies, socks, shoes, medicines and artist materials and not much room left for the essentials - James Bond dinner jacket.
I don't think that J and C should worry about the join on the Braemar as they are high up and first to the lifeboats!!!!!
Back to the ironing board !!
J
I don't think that J and C should worry about the join on the Braemar as they are high up and first to the lifeboats!!!!!
Back to the ironing board !!
J
Monday, August 4, 2008
Just looked at the brochure
I have just discovered that the Braemar is actually the front and rear sections of a ship that have been welded together. As this is an illegal activity on motor cars why is it OK for ocean going vessels?
I looked at the before and after plans of the boat to see exactly what had been altered during what I understand in criminal circles is known as a cut and shut. Imagine my horror when I discovered that we appear to have booked the cabin that used to be the hair salon. I don’t really like chrome, white leather and smoky glass but I am mainly concerned about how much to charge for a blue rinse…..
Dave C
I looked at the before and after plans of the boat to see exactly what had been altered during what I understand in criminal circles is known as a cut and shut. Imagine my horror when I discovered that we appear to have booked the cabin that used to be the hair salon. I don’t really like chrome, white leather and smoky glass but I am mainly concerned about how much to charge for a blue rinse…..
Dave C
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Matching and ironing
We have so many clothes, so many days ,so many occasions. What will we travel in, how hot will it be.Thank goodness for 25 Kg allowance on flight.If it was not for formal evenings could i just take shorts and tee shirts and maybe one 'smart' outfit in a small case?My chief ironing lady is totally focused on her task and is military in her approach, thank goodness. I could not attempt this scale of operation without her packing and preparing skills. I know we will all be well turned out and everything will match,i don't really do matching.
This is going to be such an interesting varied great cruise. A delicate mix of interests and needs, ages and of course sunners and shaders.
Dave S
This is going to be such an interesting varied great cruise. A delicate mix of interests and needs, ages and of course sunners and shaders.
Dave S
30th July 2008
Our tickets have arrived, the suitcases are out, the countdown has begun...
We will be flying from Manchester to Rome, where we'll be transferred by coach to Civitavecchia where the newly stretched Braemar should be waiting for us. How exciting!
Janet
We will be flying from Manchester to Rome, where we'll be transferred by coach to Civitavecchia where the newly stretched Braemar should be waiting for us. How exciting!
Janet
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