Bank holidays

Do you like them or loathe them? Are they a chance to catch up with chores, family or friends? Just spend at home or venture further afield? I loathe them, perhaps because I think we should do something rather than stay in, especially in retirement. So today I took myself off for a walk toContinue reading “Bank holidays”

April 2024 so far

I can’t believe we’ve been back from our cruise almost 3 weeks: it’s certainly been pretty full on. First day back and Georgina’s new car was hit, resulting in a lot of damage. Thankfully she was fine and that’s the main thing. We’ve seen a lot of River, been to Brighton, Arbroath ( a 14Continue reading “April 2024 so far”

Last day of our amazing adventure

We arrived in Buenos Aires, and even though our hotel was a few minutes from the Port it took over an hour to locate the passengers to make the short journey. Once ensconced in the hotel Emperador we sat outside in the warm sun and enjoyed lunch and drinks. Kevin and I went for aContinue reading “Last day of our amazing adventure”

Weather not permitting and New Island

Overnight with the weather being less kind, the captain and crew made their way to Carcass Island . The wind and swell made it too hard even for the tenders to get to land, so we moved on to try to land at West Point, again no joy, so we cruised around and were offeredContinue reading “Weather not permitting and New Island”

To the Falklands

Two days at sea after our amazing five days in Antarctica. Travelling across the Scotia Sea, with conditions due to change, for this time of year, still relatively easy. I did wear my sea sickness bands though. The crew are adept at providing activities and lectures which helps pass the time. With specialists on boardContinue reading “To the Falklands”

The Drake’s Passage 1 and our first landing

The captain kept his word and with it being Drake Lake, the time was made up to arrive at Half Moon Islands. We saw and heard our first whales and icebergs galore as we glided into our anchor point. The peace and tranquility was phenomenal. The depth of colour of white and blue extraordinary. IContinue reading “The Drake’s Passage 1 and our first landing”

Getting set for Antarctica

We booked this trip to cruise with Hurtigruten expeditions and our ship is the Fridtjof Nansen ( an intrepid explorer). We embarked on the ship and our cases were in our cabins. We did the ‘housekeeping’ elements and made our way to the cabin via the very impressive lift. A sail away was arranged forContinue reading “Getting set for Antarctica”

Busy,busy, busy

The last three weeks have been full on, trip to the theatre, visit to Scotland, trip to Chelsea Flower Show, football, London, and Brighton. Mum is slowly on the mend, she enjoyed our visit and those of so many friends and family. Hopefully the assessments required will be carried out and the support needed putContinue reading “Busy,busy, busy”

All roads lead to Rome, but not without a bump

On Wednesday a change in plans for the weekend presented themselves and I was busy arranging accommodation in Rome ( over a 6N weekend). No mean feat, but I did secure some in a religious community near to where my cousin and her husband were staying. This was a huge departure for me staying somewhereContinue reading “All roads lead to Rome, but not without a bump”

Living life with all it has to offer

I started this blog originally to be a chronological edict, but it soon became a written commentary of what I was doing. In part it is so that when I’m no longer here there is something written down for my family to revisit, the other reason is it’s cathartic to write things, especially when timesContinue reading “Living life with all it has to offer”

Time flies

I can’t believe it’s been eight weeks since my last blog. We’ve been busy with birthdays, trips to London, seeing family, friends, cooking, eating, planning trips: one which is far flung. Exciting times! January seems to be so much longer than 31 days in some ways, but seeing bulbs popping up in the garden remindsContinue reading “Time flies”

Bellrock and a Ruby anniversary

Last Sunday Kevin and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We stayed on the Fingal at Leith in the Bellrock Lighthouse Suite. I chose this as the Bellrock is the oldest existing rock lighthouse in the British Isles that is still an active lighthouse, is the tower on the Bell, or Inchcape, rock. This isContinue reading “Bellrock and a Ruby anniversary”

Retirement one year in

Well that year flew by, although it’s not been without it’s challenges. The relief of not getting up five days a week, to meet deadlines, smoke and mirrors, pulling rabbits from hats and spinning plates, is great. I don’t regret the decision to retire, in fact it’s one of the best I’ve made. I, andContinue reading “Retirement one year in”

Fathers Day 2022

A strange day although wonderful at the same time. Great to spend time with Joe, River and SpongeBob SquarePants! Also Georgina and Kevin. Although this wasn’t the first Father’s Day after Dad died, in some ways it felt as if it was, as I had made a card for last year. It’s those little thingsContinue reading “Fathers Day 2022”