Back to the old routine in no time. Bridge the first day back was really good and came second then down to earth with a bang yesterday really bad day - no cards.
Suzie gave Sam a beautiful sheepskin coat which he is wearing with great pride. He is better rugged up than I am. We look a real pair late at night walking round the grounds me in mu cosy dressing gown and Sam in his coat. A bit disappointing the personnel in the doggy park seen to have changed somewhat and many more large dogs. I do not know where they all come from.
Looking forward to the Reds on Saturday will have to keep my fingers well crossed. Then Billy Hunter is getting us tickets for State of Origin - Rich, Vicki and Me.
Will have to start on the saga of the light again as it is still shining in my eyes.
Off to lunch with Mannie to-day at US Club. Should be good.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Last Gasp
Now in Singapore after a good journey in a 777-300ER. Very comfortable and single seat next to the window so no one to climb over. Trying to type fast as have 15 mins free time!!
A bit overcast but still going to go to the Marina Sands to that amazing pool etc in the sky. Might see if there are any decent shops nearby. Not that I am going to buy anything!!
Keepingy fingers crossed for the Reds.
Well done to Ethan quite the star. Good to have an Aussie Rules player in the family.
Home tomorrow - hope Sam recognizes me.
A bit overcast but still going to go to the Marina Sands to that amazing pool etc in the sky. Might see if there are any decent shops nearby. Not that I am going to buy anything!!
Keepingy fingers crossed for the Reds.
Well done to Ethan quite the star. Good to have an Aussie Rules player in the family.
Home tomorrow - hope Sam recognizes me.
Monday, June 13, 2011
SatNav Saga
Forgot to tell you about this. Arrived all bright and shiny at the National Car place in Southampton. As I was early she said I could either wait for the car I had ordered or take the one outside which was an upgrade. As it was only £40 more (nice to have £ and € keys as well as $) I said I would take it. I told her I did not want to hire their SatNav at £83.50. I had ordered one to hire off the computer and it was there in the , the parcel unmarked `i'm glad to say. She then tried to charge me a `sat `nav anyway. So after a bit I got it taken off the bill. A very nice elderly gent from the place then gave me lots of advice as to how to get to Bruton. Thanking him very much I scooted round the corner unpacked my parcel, got the Tom Tom going and was on my way. Very uneventful 'til the last mile or two when it took me down one of those narrow lanes where the hedgerow touches the car on both sides. Luckily no one coming the other way.
Great visit with Jean and Willie as I said. Driving up to London I noticed a button near the gear stick which firmly said NAV so what do you know I had one anyway. She could have told me!
Went to Sarah's yesterday, kind neighbours taking Dick down the front stairs. Had a really nice day. Emily and Alice in great form and growing up of course. Lovely lunch beautifully cooked beef fillet. It was funny on the way down as we were going to be a bit earlyand Hil was panicking about it. So we stopped at a local pub for coffee. As Dick could not get out for it a waiter came out witj cups a pot of coffee milk and cugar. He looked like the waiter from Faulty Towers. So we looked very grand in the car and arrived bang on time at Sarah's! Quiet day to-day. Went for a walk and met what turned out to be a French Basset Hound which is all curly. I was looking at it first and thought to call it a Boodle!!
Great visit with Jean and Willie as I said. Driving up to London I noticed a button near the gear stick which firmly said NAV so what do you know I had one anyway. She could have told me!
Went to Sarah's yesterday, kind neighbours taking Dick down the front stairs. Had a really nice day. Emily and Alice in great form and growing up of course. Lovely lunch beautifully cooked beef fillet. It was funny on the way down as we were going to be a bit earlyand Hil was panicking about it. So we stopped at a local pub for coffee. As Dick could not get out for it a waiter came out witj cups a pot of coffee milk and cugar. He looked like the waiter from Faulty Towers. So we looked very grand in the car and arrived bang on time at Sarah's! Quiet day to-day. Went for a walk and met what turned out to be a French Basset Hound which is all curly. I was looking at it first and thought to call it a Boodle!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Computers ugh!!!!
Damn thing would not let me get in saying I might be a hacker because I was in a different country. First stayed with Jean and Willie who walked me off my feet but very enjoyable. Went to Stourhead which is a wonderful old home and parkland with plenty of 'follies' and a grotto. One was like a Greek temple and of course had a statue of me the goddess of hunting!! Also King Alfreds Tower in the middle of a field and what they called the Dovecote another tower for no reason at all on the top of a hill and visible for miles around.
Mark rang to say Dick had had a turn. But he went to hospital and after tests was allowed home. He is OK but wheelchair bound. This afternoon we have been cooking an Irish stew and not agreeing on how to do it!!
I keep taking Hil to do vast amounts of shopping getting enough food for an army.
We are going to go to Sarah's on Tuesday providing we can manage Dick's wheelchair down the stairs.
Thats it for now.
Mark rang to say Dick had had a turn. But he went to hospital and after tests was allowed home. He is OK but wheelchair bound. This afternoon we have been cooking an Irish stew and not agreeing on how to do it!!
I keep taking Hil to do vast amounts of shopping getting enough food for an army.
We are going to go to Sarah's on Tuesday providing we can manage Dick's wheelchair down the stairs.
Thats it for now.
Monday, June 6, 2011
L'Havre
Had a very relaxing trip this morning in light rain. Deauxville in the rain is not the most beautiful sight but gave an interesting aspect to a beach resort. Interesting that they call their houses wooden style when they are really mock Tudor to my eyes. All built by rich gentry. Then off to a Chateau that makes Calvados. This was very interesting and so different from wine distilleries. Calvados is made from apples for those who don't know (including me!).
Had dinner at Prime 7 the other night. Forgot when I ordered the roast beef that they gave you a piece about 6 cms long and 1.5 cms thick. Very nice tho' and I made a good fist of it. The company however left a lot to be desired. On my right a nice couple. He was interesting and held the patent for the tamper seals they use on security bags for carrying money. Then there was a woman whom I had first seen in the hairdressers. I had to wait,in the next seat, while her hair was finished. Naturally I looked across and smiled, well if looks could kill. She only managed to speak a couple of wrds to me all night. Next to me was this knowall man, one of those who always goes one better no matter what. If I spoke he did his best to ignore it. He was on the world cruise and had got on 5 minths before. So had the woman. Apparently they had met in the first few days and were a couple (both previously married). Her daughter had joined the ship in Barcelona, she was quite nice but very legal in her conversation. The wife of the guy next to me asked them what they were going to do at the end of the trip as they lived in different States. Deathly hush for a few moments and she said she hoped she wasn't being too personal! However they have apparently already booked themselves another trip!
Packing at the moment as in Southampton tomorrow and off to the constantines.
Had dinner at Prime 7 the other night. Forgot when I ordered the roast beef that they gave you a piece about 6 cms long and 1.5 cms thick. Very nice tho' and I made a good fist of it. The company however left a lot to be desired. On my right a nice couple. He was interesting and held the patent for the tamper seals they use on security bags for carrying money. Then there was a woman whom I had first seen in the hairdressers. I had to wait,in the next seat, while her hair was finished. Naturally I looked across and smiled, well if looks could kill. She only managed to speak a couple of wrds to me all night. Next to me was this knowall man, one of those who always goes one better no matter what. If I spoke he did his best to ignore it. He was on the world cruise and had got on 5 minths before. So had the woman. Apparently they had met in the first few days and were a couple (both previously married). Her daughter had joined the ship in Barcelona, she was quite nice but very legal in her conversation. The wife of the guy next to me asked them what they were going to do at the end of the trip as they lived in different States. Deathly hush for a few moments and she said she hoped she wasn't being too personal! However they have apparently already booked themselves another trip!
Packing at the moment as in Southampton tomorrow and off to the constantines.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Bordeaux
Yesterday off to St Emillion and a chateau for wine tasting. In this part of the world Chateau means a winery. Had a woman guide who was a professional wine taster. Consequently we heard nothing about the countryside or history of the area but an hour or so lecture about wine. The village of St Emillion was very ancient with an underground church. Apparently the stone was originally quarried from there and then they decided to carve out a church where the stone had come from. It took 300 years to complete. We went afterwards to Chateau Telshar when the owner showed us all about wine making etc ably interupted by our guide!! Tasted 2 vintages of Merlot both of them not to my taste!
To-day went for about an hours walk around town and then went on the tourist sightseeing bus. They even lent us a hat because it was quite hot - about 28 degrees. Off to Prime 7 for dinner so expecting a good meal.
Sea day tomorrow.
Stupid Reds!!
To-day went for about an hours walk around town and then went on the tourist sightseeing bus. They even lent us a hat because it was quite hot - about 28 degrees. Off to Prime 7 for dinner so expecting a good meal.
Sea day tomorrow.
Stupid Reds!!
Friday, June 3, 2011
France
We are now having 2 days in Bordeaux.Off on a trip to a winery and such this afternoon. Weather is nice and fine and expected to be around 26 hopefully.
Everybody very angry about not getting in to Balboa yesterday. We were held up by heavy seas and only got to Santander. This is only 44 miles by road from Balboa. Why they could not hire buses from there to take us to Balboa no-one knows. We were docked for 6 hours so plenty of time. Many people had thought of the Guggenheim building in Balboa to be the highlight of their trip. Not happy Jan!! The opinion was they were too mean to hire extra buses in Santander.
The ensemble shows on board are not bad but all young people starting out in showbiz. However the music and singing is so loud that it almost hurts. The dancers do alot of arm waving as well. There is a Russian couple however who do acrobatic - more contorsionist really- who are very good, even if some of the positions she gets herself into are a bit obscene!!
Trying not to eat too much, but a bit addicted to the icecream!
Everybody very angry about not getting in to Balboa yesterday. We were held up by heavy seas and only got to Santander. This is only 44 miles by road from Balboa. Why they could not hire buses from there to take us to Balboa no-one knows. We were docked for 6 hours so plenty of time. Many people had thought of the Guggenheim building in Balboa to be the highlight of their trip. Not happy Jan!! The opinion was they were too mean to hire extra buses in Santander.
The ensemble shows on board are not bad but all young people starting out in showbiz. However the music and singing is so loud that it almost hurts. The dancers do alot of arm waving as well. There is a Russian couple however who do acrobatic - more contorsionist really- who are very good, even if some of the positions she gets herself into are a bit obscene!!
Trying not to eat too much, but a bit addicted to the icecream!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Fancy That
I have got in and I have no idea how. So much I have missed saying.
Had a good flight. First leg with a lady who is the head of the Arts Dept at UQ. Second leg with a short plump guy from NSW in his tracky dacks. Slept and then in the middle of the night had a meal. Followed later buy a full brekky. Flew off the plane as if his life depended on it.\
Stayed in Citivavecchia which was good and took the day train to Rome. Did the hop on hop off bus trip. Too many people at the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain. had lunch and then a thunder storm errupted and spent the time chatting with a guy from San Diego.
Was first at the ship so, as the reception staff were all new, I was used as the demo for them.
Met some nice people specially my next door neighbours who come from Derbyshire. Done some good trips in various ports to-days being one of the best. Won Trivia last night and nearly did so again to-day with a different group each time.
Last night had dinner with 6 of us hosted by 2 of the entertainers. A married couple wife a singer- not heard her yet- and he is a comic and quite good. enjoyed his show.
Sea day tomorrow so will have bridge lesson etc.
Weather has been good all the way with only a short shower yesterday.
Will try and do more tomorrow if I can get in!!!
Had a good flight. First leg with a lady who is the head of the Arts Dept at UQ. Second leg with a short plump guy from NSW in his tracky dacks. Slept and then in the middle of the night had a meal. Followed later buy a full brekky. Flew off the plane as if his life depended on it.\
Stayed in Citivavecchia which was good and took the day train to Rome. Did the hop on hop off bus trip. Too many people at the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain. had lunch and then a thunder storm errupted and spent the time chatting with a guy from San Diego.
Was first at the ship so, as the reception staff were all new, I was used as the demo for them.
Met some nice people specially my next door neighbours who come from Derbyshire. Done some good trips in various ports to-days being one of the best. Won Trivia last night and nearly did so again to-day with a different group each time.
Last night had dinner with 6 of us hosted by 2 of the entertainers. A married couple wife a singer- not heard her yet- and he is a comic and quite good. enjoyed his show.
Sea day tomorrow so will have bridge lesson etc.
Weather has been good all the way with only a short shower yesterday.
Will try and do more tomorrow if I can get in!!!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Hot
Sam and I have just panted our way upstairs - it seems so steamy to-day. First game of bridge for the year not too many mistakes luckily.
Suzie and I went to Wicked for her birthday. Looking for a park was a real problem as the QPAC parks are still closed. We all parked under the convention centre - lucky there was no expo on. Enjoyed the show but not as good as I expected. A bit disappointed in the Good Fairy who had a very harsh voice altho her acting was good. No real memorable songs in it.
The other day we went to see Black Swan - what a disaster that was. A sort of grown up Omen type film. Ending was so ludicrous many of us were laughing. Suzie had her eyes shut half of the time as she does not like blood and gore.
Dick and Hil seem to be coping with the Nursing Home OK but could do with a good meal!
Suzie and I went to Wicked for her birthday. Looking for a park was a real problem as the QPAC parks are still closed. We all parked under the convention centre - lucky there was no expo on. Enjoyed the show but not as good as I expected. A bit disappointed in the Good Fairy who had a very harsh voice altho her acting was good. No real memorable songs in it.
The other day we went to see Black Swan - what a disaster that was. A sort of grown up Omen type film. Ending was so ludicrous many of us were laughing. Suzie had her eyes shut half of the time as she does not like blood and gore.
Dick and Hil seem to be coping with the Nursing Home OK but could do with a good meal!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Here we go again
Feeling very hot and bothered as it is so humid. We were very lucky in the floods only about a metre of water or should I say drain effluent in the basement. Got most of our things out. Threw the rest away when the water went down. A fair bit of angst about the lifts. none of us knew that you could wind the lifts up as they were caught in the basement when we were all clearing our cages and the electricity went off. Hence in the words of our manager they are "shot". Three flights of stairs a few times a day should be good for the figure if not the knees. Sam sits and looks at the lift with longing everytime we come back from a walk. Certainly limits the shopping I can carry.
Went to stay with Judy and Sid while the electricity was off which was really enjoyable. Their dog Fred was cut off in the floods as it had been boarded while they were in Canberra for X-mas. So Sam had the run of the place. Was good having a garden he could just slip out to for a wee.
The shops are begining to fill up again and such things as tomatoes are appearing again even if costing their weight in gold. Gots lots of stuff to use up over the next few days that I had in Julie's fridge.
I am looking quite a fright having had a BCC on the bridge of my nose treated on Monday. very sore perching my glasses just above the treated bit. Also one on my leg but that is OK. The light they shine on it is so bright that you can still see it with your eyes shut under a pair of dark glasses covered in alfoil! Got to go thru it again in 2 weeks time. Oh dear!
The river still looks revolting and is still quite high. I am hoping that in a couple of weeks or so the cross river ferry may start as the Oxford Street ferry stop seems OK now it is cleaned and the pontoon the other side seems OK as well. Keep our fingers crossed.
Been to the movies a few times. King's Speech good, Social Network passable, goodness knows why it is up for an Oscar it was more of a documentary really. Tho' the lead actor was very good. Burlesque Suzie and I enjoyed as it is exactly what one would expect of that type of musical. I wish Sher had had a few more numbers tho.
Enough of my rambling. Too lazy to correct any typos!!
Went to stay with Judy and Sid while the electricity was off which was really enjoyable. Their dog Fred was cut off in the floods as it had been boarded while they were in Canberra for X-mas. So Sam had the run of the place. Was good having a garden he could just slip out to for a wee.
The shops are begining to fill up again and such things as tomatoes are appearing again even if costing their weight in gold. Gots lots of stuff to use up over the next few days that I had in Julie's fridge.
I am looking quite a fright having had a BCC on the bridge of my nose treated on Monday. very sore perching my glasses just above the treated bit. Also one on my leg but that is OK. The light they shine on it is so bright that you can still see it with your eyes shut under a pair of dark glasses covered in alfoil! Got to go thru it again in 2 weeks time. Oh dear!
The river still looks revolting and is still quite high. I am hoping that in a couple of weeks or so the cross river ferry may start as the Oxford Street ferry stop seems OK now it is cleaned and the pontoon the other side seems OK as well. Keep our fingers crossed.
Been to the movies a few times. King's Speech good, Social Network passable, goodness knows why it is up for an Oscar it was more of a documentary really. Tho' the lead actor was very good. Burlesque Suzie and I enjoyed as it is exactly what one would expect of that type of musical. I wish Sher had had a few more numbers tho.
Enough of my rambling. Too lazy to correct any typos!!
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