Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome!

Does dad eat mushrooms S? Just askin' ......;)

Actually....he loves them Jeff!! ;)

Terry,

Lovely pictures of Sydney, last time l was there on a ship was Christmas 1971, guess it's changed a bit since then!

Thanks for sharing with us

Sophia :)

When in Oz, we stay in Quay Grand which is a couple of buildings down from the Opera House and is on and directly overlooks Circular Quay .... some of the boats are very big!

:)

Good morning fellow Coolies, wasup!

Autumnal walk today followed by a couple of chops and some wine ....

Good Morning,

A very long tiring day yesterday and I'm still bushed :( thankfully the weather is picking up again so looks like we may have an Indian summer with temps of 21 forecast up here by the end of the week.

Just seven weeks until my Whisper soirée, so only five until the luggage goes....time to start sorting out, need one evening dress shortened ...why do l always leave these things until the last minute!!

Ate on the hop yesterday so need to make up for it today.....those lamb chops have tickled my taste buds Jeff!

Happy Tuesday

Sophia :)

Buonoz Diaz S :)! And other coolies.

It is fly season in sunny blighty. Everything has little blue things flying around.

I don't know about others but this situation with Ashya with his wonderful and heroic and stoic parents Brett and Naghemeh King has moved me to tears and dispair abut our leaders and about the police and NHS.

Jeff

Couldn't agree more about Ashya - what a dreadful mess.

Jeff those chops looked yummmmmmeee. My DH won't touch lamb so I never cook it. I used to do it in Bda when he was away on a business trip but then I ended up sharing a good chunk of it with our, then, cat who adored lamb and would sit in front of the oven while it cooked!

Yes S lots of Christmas cards in the shops here - have been for about 3 weeks. As with everything else here they seem awfully expensive for what they are!

Very productive day up here as the sun is actually shining, grass mowed, windows power washed, ditto garage door, insides of windows cleaned, first fall of leaves blown and vacced and gone Visit to garden centre for some clematis to cover a rather bare trellis, visit to store for curtain pole and roller blind. Now I think it must nearly be wine time LOL

Mary

Yes, the handling of all the authorities over Ashya was amateurish. It was awful to imagine him - not a tiny baby, but a 5 year old boy - being in a foreign hospital without his family. The likely outcome, assuming he will be well enough to make it, is that he will get his treatment, probably quickly and paid for by others, which may or may not work for him, but at least it will happen, I am sure.

Those lamb chops on the grill looked wonderful Jeff, are they a local butcher or Waitrose?

Sophia - I have just looked up your upcoming cruise on the SS website, and not only does it look good, with perfect ports at the start and end, but it seems that the single supplement is tiny? Very unusual, and most welcome. I see there are to be 'dance hosts' dare one ask if you take advantage of them? (No, not in that way!)

I have shopped quite a lot today, but compared with Mary feel very idle. Weather here lovely as well.

I'm so glad you liked my chops! I love chops but why are they so expensive? I hear that the Ambassador has asked for no more chops! :D These were Ocado "flash sale" 40% off chops! I'm an opportunist and a cheap skate. Much of our food is decided a few minutes before cut off.:)

Just been watching the interrogation of the Chief Constable of Yorkshire Police by the select committee with respect to both their handling of the Cliff Richard raids and the child abuse issues. Rarely have I seen a man with less affinity with reality and so completely detached from the rest of us. Breathtaking. I wonder how long he will be in that job. Totally unbelievable. I could hear every word but couldn't believe what I was hearing, If he is at the top of the management pyramid, heaven spare us from the rest. He reminded us exactly of that clueless Chief Superintendent Bright in Endeavour (young Morse) , who was you recall always clueless. But sadly, this wasn't fiction, and he is a current Chief Constable.

Jeff

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Couldn't agree more about Ashya - what a dreadful mess.

 

Jeff those chops looked yummmmmmeee. My DH won't touch lamb so I never cook it. I used to do it in Bda when he was away on a business trip but then I ended up sharing a good chunk of it with our, then, cat who adored lamb and would sit in front of the oven while it cooked!

 

Yes S lots of Christmas cards in the shops here - have been for about 3 weeks. As with everything else here they seem awfully expensive for what they are!

 

Very productive day up here as the sun is actually shining, grass mowed, windows power washed, ditto garage door, insides of windows cleaned, first fall of leaves blown and vacced and gone Visit to garden centre for some clematis to cover a rather bare trellis, visit to store for curtain pole and roller blind. Now I think it must nearly be wine time LOL

 

Mary

Funnily enough l love lamb but hate the smell of it cooking! Never gave the leftovers to our previous pooches as it would upset their tums....current pup will devour a chop in seconds quite happily!

I try and buy my Christmas cards in the January sales, but then usually forget where I've put them...:eek:

They are expensive....well the ones l like are! Don't send very many these days and l do find it a chore!

I'll be in Bermuda soon....looking forward to seeing the island again after 40 odd years.

I've had a touch of idleitis today.....you've put me to shame!

S:)

 

Sophia - I have just looked up your upcoming cruise on the SS website, and not only does it look good, with perfect ports at the start and end, but it seems that the single supplement is tiny? Very unusual, and most welcome. I see there are to be 'dance hosts' dare one ask if you take advantage of them? (No, not in that way!)

 

I have shopped quite a lot today, but compared with Mary feel very idle. Weather here lovely as well.

LL,

I got an excellent single deal for this trip. SS actually reduced the fare on the day that l paid the balance, but thanks to my TA we got the new lower price honoured with SS actually refunding me the difference which impressed me greatly....along with my bank manager...;)

Now would l ever take advantage of the gentlemen hosts....:rolleyes:

Seriously though....no, as l don't feel comfortable with it from a purely personal point of view. I do love dancing and have in the past been known to enjoy a quick boogie with the lovely people I've met on board who have invited me to do so.

The hosts I'm sure do a wonderful job, it's just not for me.

S:)

I'm so glad you liked my chops! I love chops but why are they so expensive? I hear that the Ambassador has asked for no more chops! :D These were Ocado "flash sale" 40% off chops! I'm an opportunist and a cheap skate. Much of our food is decided a few minutes before cut off.:)

 

Just been watching the interrogation of the Chief Constable of Yorkshire Police by the select committee with respect to both their handling of the Cliff Richard raids and the child abuse issues. Rarely have I seen a man with less affinity with reality and so completely detached from the rest of us. Breathtaking. I wonder how long he will be in that job. Totally unbelievable. I could hear every word but couldn't believe what I was hearing, If he is at the top of the management pyramid, heaven spare us from the rest. He reminded us exactly of that clueless Chief Superintendent Bright in Endeavour (young Morse) , who was you recall always clueless. But sadly, this wasn't fiction, and he is a current Chief Constable.

 

 

 

Jeff

 

 

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You chopsin again Chef Jeff....:D

I'm also feeling distressed about this little boy....he needs his Mum bless him.

As for the debacle with South Yorks police...it's mind boggling stuff and disturbing. The Commissioner is no better and should resign.

These people take action with such issues then spend their time and our money defending themselves....the CPS are no better.

S:)

The South Yorkshire Police seem to specialise in being spectacularly and catastrophically inept. At least, unlike Hillsborough, the failings are coming to light a bit sooner. For our US cousins - South Yorkshire is a bit like Detroit, but without the benefit of culture!

Terry, Lovely pictures of Sydney, last time l was there on a ship was Christmas 1971, guess it's changed a bit since then! Thanks for sharing with us. Sophia :)

UKCruiseJeff: When in Oz' date=' we stay in Quay Grand which is a couple of buildings down from the Opera House and is on and directly overlooks Circular Quay .... [b']some of the boats are very big![/b]

YES, Sophia, things have changed lots in Sydney since 1971. Here are a couple of more visuals from Sydney to prove it. One shows closer the area of the Opera House and that Quay Grand location. Plus, the mass of the big, big buildings as you do the sail-away in this scenic harbor.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 156,074 views. Nice to be hitting this high of a level for viewership. Appreciate the interest and follow-up questions/comments!!

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Here is another view of Sydney's Opera House on Sunday, December 9, 2012. This Opera House just had its 40th anniversary of its opening by Queen Elizabeth II. This air picture was taken by an Australian resident, Sutho, who took a helicopter ride around the harbor, offering unique visual viewpoints.

As our ship starts its sail-away on Jan. 21, 2014, here is that view from the top, back of the ship. Lots and lots of super great memories from Sydney during our only two-and-a-half days there.:

Good Evening all ....... a night in tonight with the TV!

Terry, thanks for taking the trouble of posting your Oz piccies ..... they are lovely.

To thank you for that I thought I'd post a few from the suite as it really is uniquely positioned.

As with Singapore, it's always the same suite, so it's a home .... and on that balcony we once lunched with Vlad the Impaler (Ashkanazy) ... you should have seen wifey's face when he wandered in with his little salad bag saying "Hello Wifey"! And on another trip we had a wonderful curry on the balcony with the manager of Smokey (Living Next Door to Alice?) and Black Lace and if you look carefully you'll see wifey's naked feet whilst she waches the telly!

You chopsin again Chef Jeff....:D

 

I'm also feeling distressed about this little boy....he needs his Mum bless him.

 

As for the debacle with South Yorks police...it's mind boggling stuff and disturbing. The Commissioner is no better and should resign.

These people take action with such issues then spend their time and our money defending themselves....the CPS are no better.

 

S:)

He was Vazed today, so it is just a matter of time for him!

Wifey is a chop girl. She loves her chops!

:D

The South Yorkshire Police seem to specialise in being spectacularly and catastrophically inept. At least, unlike Hillsborough, the failings are coming to light a bit sooner. For our US cousins - South Yorkshire is a bit like Detroit, but without the benefit of culture!

And the kicking of the ball into the long grass by having another enquiry didn't go down to well. It's about time some bobbies were prosecuted for abetting the rape of children.

Good Morning,

How lovely to wake up to such lovely pictures! :)

Busy day ahead starting with the usual GP review/check up/ how many more pills can I prescribe appointment early doors :rolleyes:

Happy Wednesday

S:)

Good Morning,

 

How lovely to wake up to such lovely pictures!

 

Busy day ahead starting with the usual GP review/check up/ how many more pills can I prescribe appointment early doors

 

Happy Wednesday

 

S

Lovely of you to say so .... here are a few from todays walk.

I'm quite convinced now that the medication society is harming as many as it helps and making all of us feel we are ill when we are healthy. I'll stop at that!

Lovely summery walk today ... sort of Last of The Summer Wine I'd say ...

Autumn is indeed on the way although it's been quite warm here today.

It's been a busy tiring day so now chilling with a nice vodka and tonic....;)

S:)

Love the pix of the village Jeff and the fur baby enjoying the sun!

Another busy day here - seemed to get lots done with the help of my wonderful contractor and his helper. Also planted the clematis I bought yesterday.

Leftovers for dinner this evening - often better than something freshly cooked - I also indulged in some of my delicious broad beans - yum. Gave DH spag with sauce one of his favourites so all was happy with the world.

S - I will be interested on your thoughts about BDA and how it has changed - especially Hamilton - so sad.

Seems we have mindless football on TV - guess I must plug myself into something on this and catch up with some of MY shows!

M

Beautiful photos Jeff. Thanks.

Karin

Good Morning Coolies! Yesterdays lunch.

Haddock in batter fishfinger sandwiches with tartare sauce and Paulaner.

Observe the mousse on the Paulaner. This is what you will get if you "lay down" Paulaner and try to drink it at about 6 months past use by date. Frozen, it is gorgeous.

Good Day All,

Jeff, why do your sandwiches always look better than mine!! I have a good stock of those fingers in the freezer now...pup loves them! :rolleyes:

I've had rather a pleasant morning, I'm most definitely in pre cruise mode! All the dry cleaning collected and two evening gowns now with my dressmaker for alterations...one is being remodelled a bit, it's eight years old and never been worn but still a classic number that should look much better once sorted...I'm looking forward to the result!

We have such lovely individual boutiques in one of our local villages and as usual l just have to have a nose.....bought a silvery scarf plus two pair of earrings....I must stop now and wait for NYC.....;)

Finished all this off with a wonderful Indian Head Massage ....wow, £19 well spent with aches and pains very much relieved...and another booked for next week!

Just enjoying a glass of the casa blanco before lunch....sausage and chips today...diet starts Monday....I hope!

S:)