purplesea

31 minutes ago, happy v said:

Sewing was rubbish. We had to pin it. Get it checked to see if it was neat enough 

Tack it. Checked again. Then sew by hand. This was for our apron for cookery. I snuck in at lunchtime and did it on the machine.

I dropped sewing at the first opportunity. I had to take history as they wouldn't let me do metalwork.

Thankfully that wouldn't happen now

Similar to our sewing classes. First thing we had to make was an apron, pink and white striped material. I used to get frustrated with the pinning, tacking, sewing and then having to re-sew it if it wasn't right. 

I could sew when I started secondary school, as I learnt, literally on my mother's knee. I used to sit on her knee's while she used the sewing machine and she taught me too. It caused a few arguements about the way we were being taught at school too. Mum had attended Barret Street Trade School so she knew more than my teacher! 

After a couple of days of nice warm sunshine, we've got rain again🙄 although it's still a bit warmer than normal.

Hope you all have a good day.

Morning everyone,

Yesterday was a dull and misty start with the sun only getting out mid afternoon, but today is a complete contrast. Wall to wall sunshine and quite warm already, so after a few errands this morning will make the most of the sunshine in the garden.

@Purdey16  hope you both have a good cruise and look forward to hearing about it.

Hope everyone has a good day.

28 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

If you login to your booking and click in to Your Itinerary on the first day it will show your special request. Mine shows my husband's name and then

121 ASSISTANCE

Things To Know

121 assistance required in an emergency

 

How long does it take to appear after having submitted the questionaire?

I filled one in for my husband on Tuesday, but there's nothing there!

2 hours ago, P&O SUE said:

Morning all, sorry haven’t had time to read the thread. My mum has been in hospital since Tuesday night so it’s all been rather stressful. She’s on oxygen and antibiotics but they’re hopeful she won’t be in there for too long. It was a bit touch and go at first. Everyone at the Home says they miss her!

Sorry to hear about your Mum. Hopefully she will recover soon. Sending you all best wishes.

I can't answer for the summer holidays, but I was on Arvia at Easter and there were 1250 children on board.

Have had a lazy day reaeding in the garden as it's been a nice sunny day, although a bit breezy. We do have a weather alert for thunderstorms in place though!

I looked this up the other day - 7th to 25th November.

On Monday I booked a cruise with my TA and was asked about mobility. I said my OH would be taking a walking stick which was added to my booking. Yesterday, when My P&O appeared, I filled in the questionaire, have downloaded and printed it off, as proof!

On a previous occasion, before the new rules were applied, I had completed the medical assistance form for my mother and emailed it to P&O along with her allergy details. We arrived at Southampton and they had no details of her request for assistance, although arriving in our cabin there was a letter regarding her allergy. So what happened, as both were sent in the same email?

3 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

Can I just clarify something?

Does all this rigmarole apply even if you occasionally need to use a walking stick?

Avril

Yes, I'm afraid to say it does. 

I have to fill in the form for my OH as he takes a stick, although he doesn't need to use it on the ship, but uses it sometimes when ashore.

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Very busy day here trying to finalise our accounts before going on my wanderings.  Sending best wishes to all who are unwell and on the road to recovery.

 

Had very sad news this morning in that my last remaining blood auntie died at the grand old age of 99, only three months off her century.  Now I am in a panic as I will miss her funeral on 31st May as I go away on the 24th.  My husband has assured me he will attend on our behalves but it's not quite the same.  

 

To cheer me up Dutch Decoy is declared to run at York on Thursday.  Hopefully he will finally get his head in front for the first time this year.

 

 

 

 

Sorry to hear about your Auntie, sending you and your family my condolences

1 hour ago, happy v said:

I have a very old list but it still appears to work going on our last cruises. Deck 4 E on Arcadia 14.00

I have just booked Arcadia and will be on E Deck, it will be nice if that is so. We'll find out in due course. 

Rain has cleared away and although it is still windy the sun has reappeared.🙂

I had no plans for today, but have booked another cruise for the end of the year, on Arcadia. I am looking forward to it, especially as I haven't been on her before. 

16 hours ago, Photo Andy said:

Thought I would bring you all up to date. It is Sunday night and we are back in UK at home. 

Eventful final few days.

Wednesday in Alesund, we walked up Mt Aksla with many people from P and O Iona and an Aida ship. The footpath was very busy,  I took my camera / tripod images of Alesund  but not from the cafe as it seems permanently closed. Walked back down into the town and fell off a pavement and injured myself up, mostly my right hand knuckles, deskinned and bloody, avoided any facial injuries, a quick check and nothing seemed broken. Back on ship cleaned up, then back out into Alesund to buy some dressings, tape and scissors. (I used to work in the NHS doing tissue viability so self dressing is not a problem). Have you ever tried to pass through ship security with a pair of scissors longer than 40mm? They looked at the dressings we purchased, the tape and my bloody fingers etc. They allowed the scissors on board but we could not open the packet until in our cabin and could not take them out of the cabin. We were meant to have a pm cruise on a fjord but just did not feel up to it. 

Thursday - heavy rain, fog and 35mph wind and the ship had 2 attempts to enter Haugesund but no luck. On the upside we were refunded our excursion money. 

Friday, packed, had a table for dinner at the Keel and Cow, lovely meal, clean plates. 

Saturday, our disembarkation time was 8-55am, in the car and on the way home by 9-30am. 

This was a great holiday, the hand injury was my fault, but Iona was excellent, food, crew, venues etc. Missing a port excursion seems to be an issue in Norway, just stay cool and enjoy the ports you can visit.

BW

Derek.     

Thank you for your review.

Hope your hand is healing well.

We didn't make into Haugesund when on Britannia last September, but stayed in Flam overnight and left the following lunchtime.

2 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Websites such as National Rail Enquiries will often suggest going Cross Country to Reading and then GWR from there. Apart from the fact that Cross Country is hideous, this is quite a roundabout and expensive route. The other option is Southampton to Salisbury (around 30 mins) which connects with the Waterloo to Exeter route. If the timings work, it can be quicker and cheaper - and you avoid Cross Country which is always a good thing!

It used to be one change at Westbury, travelling up from Cornwall, but more often than not it now involves at least 2 changes. Exeter and Sailsbury. GWR are not much better than Cross Country!

Welcome to the forum.

I live in the far west of the country and we always travel up the day before. For our return we often travel back by train, we don't drive up. I usually book train departures for late morning/lunch time to allow us plenty of time to reach the station, which gets us home late afternoon/early evening.

Morning to you all.

Hope everyone is well or on the road to recovery.

Where has summer gone? We're back to winter down here, heavy rain and wind.

No plans for today, except stay in and dry!

Have a good week.

Morning everyone,

Had a lovely afternoon and evening at my daughter's BBQ. Three of my other children (they're adults but still act like children when they're togother) were there too, so was nice to catch up!

A bright sunny day here again, althoug not expected to be as warm as yesterday. Will make the most of it as rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Watched the second half of Eurovision too, but though a lot of the performances were OTT with the stage effects!

Looked out from time to time during the night but didn't manage to see the NL.

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday.

Morning all, 

I too am disappointed to have missed the NL as looking through my phone this morning they were even visable here😲 There are some really nice photos locally too. 

A trip out to Tesco in a little while and then heading over to my daughter's as she's having a BBQ later this afternoon. 

Enjoy your weekend.

On Arvia last month there were blue platic take away cups in use at Vista's, instead of paper/cardboard ones for use, return and reuse. I'm not sure if they were in use for any of the other Costa venues, but did see several around the ship.

I remember having a welcoming brass band at Bergen in 2012 and in Skagen we were welcomed by a group of singers as it was Britannia's maiden call at that port. They also had a marching band for our departure.

I had/have insurance with our bank and have got a policy booklet which covers all the required information as well as a letter.

I have had to take out a seperate insurance, as the bank will not cover my medical condition. With that insurance I have printed out the relevant details and downloaded the whole policy on to my ipad.

28 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

A discussion on another thread has reminded me of a bit of nostalgia. Do you remember going to new ports and the welcome you got back when ships were seen as a very welcome addition to the local economy.

 

The first time we went to Cartagena we were given a flower from ladies in costume and there was a band.

 

Frederica we had music, costumes and were given sweets.

One port in Iceland, I can’t remember which, gave us some sort of soused fish. I don’t recall the port but the fish was shall we say unique.

 

Closer to home in the early days Invergorden put on a full pipe band and highland dancers (don’t know if that was the local chamber of commerce or Celebrity).

 

Any memorable “welcomes”

On our first visit to Maderia we were welcomed by dancers in their national costumes and a band playing.

Granada has had a steel band playing.

Norway seem to be more pleased to see us depart as several ports there play music and wave flags as we leave!

Morning everyone,

Hope you're all well.

Bright, sunny day and currently 14c with expected temp of 19c.

Had a text message from my daughter yesterday saying she's doing a BBQ on Saturday and inviting us over.  I asked if she wanted me to bring anything, and got a reply at half six this morning could I make a pudding. So a baking day is now on the cards.

Have a good day, enjoy the sunshine and take care.

Morning all,

Hope you feel better this morning Sue @P&O SUE 

Bright down here, but sun's still trying to get out and a cool 13c but expected to reach the dizzy heights of 18c.

Got someone coming round to sort out our conservatory door, and I need to get in touch with BT as we are having problems with our phone line and the internet, but nothing else planned.

Enjoy your day.