ann141

13 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Not too sure if we would want to pay for a total of six tests if any of the countries remain on the amber list by December.  Would certainly stump uo the money for two tests if the countries are on the green list.

I don't think the cruise companies would visit countries on the amber list.I think they would change the Itinerary

1 minute ago, Beckett said:

Oh my goodness Ann - how awful for the poor man. Thankfully the vet lady was on hand to save the day. I hope he makes a full recovery. I actually don't begrudge a penny of Teddy's bill - I'd have been lost without their help yesterday. Jane.x

Its one of my sons friends and its made my son realise that you don't know how long you have on this earth so he is making a point of visiting another close school friend next week on his way to stay with us 

4 minutes ago, Beckett said:

Thank Graham. You will never see a poor vet!!!! Jane.x

Never a poor vet or poor dentist! At least I can understand why people choose to be vets but dentists!!! ?A friends daughter who is a vet probably saved her husbands life earlier this week when he had an accident with an angle grinder.It involved an air ambulance, emergency operation but has probably saved his arm and her vet training meant she knew what to do before the paramedics arrived.

48 minutes ago, Beckett said:

Dripping toast with the jelly was always my dad's 'supper'. In those days we had breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper - a far cry from today's lunch and dinner. Different terminology these days! We also had roes on toast and brawn, jellied eels, and tripe and onions. Awful mostly! The food police now would probably have had us put into care!

 

An update on Teddy - and thank you all again for your get well messages for him: after posting yesterday I had a good look at the wound, which had started bleeding again, and I decided it probably did need sutures after all. I got an emergency appointment with the vet for 10am. They agreed sutures were required so they kept him in. He had a general anaesthetic and was stitched from the inside upwards. I collected, at 4pm,  the most desolate and sad looking dog ever! They also collected £598.15 from his mum. First post-op check tmorrow at 9am, second check the following Monday. He has antibiotics and painkillers and is not happy. Poor little Teds! 

 

It's raining here in London but very warm. No walking today as he has to be kept quiet and resting. What a weekend!

 

Have a lovely Sunday everyone. Best wishes as always. Jane.xxx

 

 

 

 

Sorry to hear about Teddy but hopefully he is now on the road to recovery.

2 hours ago, yorkshirephil said:

We used to have Brawn sarnies sometimes as kids, It was made from the flesh from a cow or pigs head, not sure whether the brains got into it though. Having been born and bred on a farm offal was always available, now they seem to use it for pet food, I am sure one of these telly chefs could knock out a plate of tripe with a raspberry jus or horseradish mash and make it look appetising, we got salt and vinegar on it.

I am not a .Vegetarian but I don't like anything if it looks like it came from an animal etc so your words reminded me of going to my best friends farm every saturday  as a child and eating Guinea Fowl paste sandwiches after seeing the Guinea Fowl running around outside.My friend is now a Vegetarian. My staple diet seemed to be jam sandwiches at home.My mother in law was a Domestic Science teacher so my hubby always had 'proper ' food at home but that did include things like crumble or suet pudding as a dessert most days.

1 hour ago, Josy1953 said:

The perfect end to a beautiful day.  My arms and legs are a similar colour to tonight's sky after spending the afternoon on the bowling green

Wow!!

I am not a blue light card holder and I know its not P and O but Celebrity cruises are offering BLC holders the chance to win one of 100 cabins on their inaugural cruise in July. Jane and others may be of interest to you. (Just google BLC cruise competition and it should take you to a link and details)

46 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

I'd like to see longer cruises to the SUN ,  with no stops, so classifying as staycations.  You could almost envisage a Christmas  Caribbean cruise from Southampton that just sailed round islands without stopping.  It would sell out. As they would be safe from Amber gambling (remember those adverts - don't be an amber gambler)

 

Just need a change in government  guidelines. 

That sounds nice, or even a cruise to the Canary Islands where there is a bit of warmth.I wouldn't mind sailing from Southampton cruising round the islands for 2 weeks then back again.Even with 14 nights, by the time you have reached the islands its almost time to say goodbye again so 3 or even 4 weeks would be nice in January or February.I wouldn't want a seacation with no ports round GB but to a warmer climate certainly appeals

1 minute ago, Rupert2251 said:

According to the gov website you have to book and pay for PCR tests before you travel, 1 test for green countries on day 2, 2 tests for amber countries on days 2 & 8. I thought Princess, like P&O were only testing on arrival at Port then during the cruise, nothing has been said about tests on return.

You may be correct.I haven't studied the details.I expect things will have changed by October. hopefully for the better

9 minutes ago, Rupert2251 said:

We are booked on a Canaries cruise in October with Princess. I am hoping it will be cancelled! When we booked it there was no traffic light system in place but now if this system stays we would have to pay extra for PCR tests on return even if the Canaries went green. Balance due mid July.

I think if the ship is sailing from Southampton Princess say they will pay for any covid tests needed. Also regarding sea sickness tablets onboard, I think P and O do sell the tablets at cost but I expect it cost a lot to have an injection but probably worth it if it lasts the cruise. We have got a cruise to the Med in October but feeling fairly hopeful if vaccination progress continues in all countries

7 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Test result today, Ann - no antibodies, unfortunately.  Full shielding continues until some other form of vaccine is developed.  This one hasn't had any effect at all, it seems.

 

Harry

So sorry to hear this.Hopefully with the trials taking place it won't be too long before a more suitable vaccine is found.Take care

Its nice to wake up to some humorous posts.Hope everyone has a good day 🙂 

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I wouldn't disagree with any of that, but putting Portugal on the Amber list has no relevance with regard to the Delta variant. 

It's just a knee jerk illogical decision. How can any holiday company plan for the future when the government cannot substantiate its decisions with factual evidence.

Personally I think it would have been better to wait a while before deciding to move Portugal to the Amber list but I think it is thought that the rise in cases last summer was largely due to people returning from holidays abroad so perhaps the government are trying to act sooner than later. Would have preferered that they had acted sooner than later with regard to some of the other covid decisions but as I don't want to get any further into politics I shall say no more on the matter!

4 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Cruising other than around the UK seems more unlikely than ever after today's travel announcement. 

Portugal has virtually the same incidence of cases as the UK ( and fewer than places like Blackburn), and there is no evidence that any new strains in Portugal are prevalent either. The decision is illogical, and Shapps blustered,  and huffed and puffed when trying to justify it. 

Plus, the decision to move from green to amber in just 5 days is contrary to previous government pronouncements that countries would be placed on a watch list, prior to any change in status.

I can't see how cruise lines can operate if they have only 5 days notice of a change in status of a country's rating. 

Anyone confident of European cruises in September?  I'm much more pessimistic about our Princess cruise in October than I was this time last week.

I am feeling hopeful that if restrictions are put in place now to help control the Delta variant and help prevent new variants coming in then things might have settled down by October.One advantage of the Princess cruise that a few of us are sailing on is that it visits several countries so the Itinerary can be changed without too much difficulty. I am feeling less hopeful about my Tradewinds voyage which departs from Scotland in July.Not sure if Nicola will allow it. I do feel sorry for the many people who will have booked holidays to Portugal this summer.

7 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Thanks for the further information, Ann - very much appreciated.  I shall sit back and wait!  You and I have both been playing it very carefully for very obvious reasons - it would be nice to feel a bit more relaxed about things. 

 

It's also going to influence my decision on cataract surgery, which at the moment is going to depend very much on the background Covid rate, and how far/quickly the Delta variant spreads across the country.  It's not dominant here yet, but it's just a matter of time. Risk analysis is my new hobby!

 

Harry

It would have been helpful to know the level of antibodies but just pleased that at least I have some antibodies.At the beginning of the week we were supposed to see our daughter and grandsons but when my daughter phoned to say the youngest had a bad cough and runny nose, we decided to put it off.Now that I know I am protected to some degree I shall enjoy seeing them tomorrow even more!

34 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Excellent news, Ann! Really pleased to hear that. It will have been quite a relief to hear that.

 

Funnily enough, my excellent GP had agreed to include an antibody test with today’s other regular blood tests, and I’m awaiting the result. Have to say I know very little about these tests, or how they’re interpreted. Is it a yes/no, or is there some gradation?

My test was done as part of research and states it is not a measure of vaccine effectiveness but just to test if the blood contained covid antibodies either as a result of previous infection or vaccine. The 3 categories were INVALID, CLEARLY DETECTABLE and NOT CLEARLY DETECTABLE.Invalid was if the blood test didnt work with the sample provided.(Hopefully Harry if a nurse or doctor took your blood it should be ok whereas I got my hubby to ***** my finger!)Clearly detectable states that antibodies were detected and not clear means the antibodies that they were looking for in the research test were not present but that you might have different antibodies that the  test was not designed for  or that you  might have been exposed to covid but at the time of blood collection your body was not mounting a clear antibody response or you had not been exposed to covid. There was nothing to state how many antibodies you had etc.I had to wait over 8 weeks for my results (I thought they may have got lost in the post!)but hopefully you should get yours soon Harry.I hope you get a positive result because although I will still be careful at least I know I have some protection whereas previously I felt I had to act as though I wasn't protected at all so its definatly helped reassure me.

Had a good day and pleased to find that the antibody test I did as part of Twins research shows clearly detectable antibodies.I was concerned because my immune system is compromised as a result of medication I am on so wasn't sure if the vaccines had worked.I hope Harry that you and others with immuno suppressed problems get the chance to have an antibody test too. 🙂 

Hope all goes well at the hospital Kalos and the results are encouraging.

Congratulations to Sandra and husband on 43 years of marriage,Enjoy your special day.

Congratulations on your grandson getting a 1st Eric but sorry he has got to stay in Sheffield a little longer.Hope he doesn't catch covid

Hope everyone has a good day 🙂 

4 minutes ago, Purdey16 said:

Well it’s been a mixed day today and very quiet on here , where is my Kalos fix !!  It’s not them same with out it 😔 any way I’ve been busy in the garden tidying up after the builders have given me a new fence all down the garden so a lot more private now for our hot tub afternoons .

It’s our 43rd wedding Anniversary tomorrow so I’ve been secretly wrapping my husband’s presents and hiding them all over the place when he’s out in the garden , I’m hoping he will like what I have got him this year. So our plan tomorrow is to go to a lovely bakery at 7 o’clock in morning to get these lovely selections for breakfast, then take a drive to the new forest for a cream tea ( jam on first then clotted cream) then home to chill and then out for a 7 course dinner in a very small chic restaurant, so tomorrow is all about the food 😛😋  , hope you’ve all had a good day today and not been caught in the rain and I hope tomorrow brings you all sunshine and joy to , take care everyone 🙂

Your plans sound wonderful.Congratulations and hope you have a great day tomorrow

51 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Depends on the restrictions at the time. At present only those on official tours can get off.

I think its as Barbara (Tring) said that there is an agreement that the summer seacations will only provide organised shore excursions.Although things will hopefully change soon regarding general freedom etc I think the cruise lines would find it difficult to cancel or re arrange excursions at short notice.Hopefully for the cruises that follow, we will be allowed to get off at each port and explore independantly.

1 hour ago, peteukmcr said:

Well, finally got to see the 2 engravings my donations to the British Heart Foundation paid for on the "Heart of Steel" in Meadowhall, Sheffield. One was for a lifelong friend who died from a heart attack at the age of 57 4 years ago and who ironically, was a regular shopper at the British Heart Foundation charity shops. The other for Patrick following his heart attack last year. You need a magnifying glass to see them with the naked eye!

BTW upon return our conservatory is showing a temperature of 31 degrees, ouch!

 

I will make sure that I look for Patricks name next time I go to Meadowhall.Its not far from us but I probably go only once or twice a year and haven't been since lockdown

We prefer St Kitts to St Marten and can recommend a trip to Nevis or to Palm Court Gardens which is walkable from the port.For a small charge you can stretch out on one of their sunbeds with an infinity pool overlooking the sea and great drinks and food.Its where you will find the Entertainment team as they get in free of charge! Beautiful gardens as well.

Just now, wowzz said:

No need for CCTV cameras around here. The neighbours see everything!

Our neighbours CCTV camera was quite useful last week as the neighbour could tell us that he had seen a deer running down our drive one night.I'm keeping a watch now in the hope of seeing it again!

Our 6 night cruise with Cruise and Maritime wasn't great (apart from the ports of call around Scotland) but if the Itinerary was right I might try them

We usually travel to Southampton by train.Once we used The Baggage Handling company to pick up our luggage from home (next time you see it its on the ship) and that worked quite well.Quite expensive but less stressful than having to find somewhere to put luggage etc