lyndarra

There are many brands. One example. https://www.billabong.com.au/mens-rash-vests/

https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/beauty-and-personal-care/skin-care-and-cosmetics/articles/sunscreen-test#test Worth a look especially in view of this quote. "The US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration, recommends that samples of sunscreens with an SPF claim higher than 50 are tested at multiple laboratories using the same test method – something we'd like to see Australian manufacturers do."

The sun is fierce during summer so I'd also recommend a broad brimmed hat and a rashie shirt if swimming or snokelling.

There are many to choose from. Recommended is SPF50. Do not use spray ons, they are not as effective and are overpriced. Use a seperate moisteriser of your choice after sun exposure.

Could it have been when they built the new airport, opened in 2014. The Hyatt Regency used to be the airport hotel right next to the old runways but it's now 10 minutes away - depending on traffic.

That doesn't sound like Doha to me. I've been through there many times with my wife and BF. Have also transited there in Business Class. Have never been bussed to or from any aircraft at Doha but have experienced that at Dubai. Perhaps it was Dubai or Abu Dhabi? I have no problem with the personal information as it was only about COVID testing and vaccination status - they already have your Passport info.

My BF and I had suitcases weighing 16kg each for our 6 week getaway in Europe. I'm sure others on the tour had almost twice that and had trouble lugging them into and out of hotels. Our cases weigh about the same, 16kg or less, for cruises.

An alert to anyone transiting Doha involving leaving the airport. On my recent trip to Europe I had to transit in Doha (Sydney/Doha/Barcelona). As there was only a couple of hours between flights there was no need to leave the airport. However, on return, I had a 20 hour stop over due to timing of conecting flights (Morocco/Doha/Sydney).My TA had booked a hotel (Hyatt Regency Oryx Rotana) including transfers from return to airport (private Camry taxi). While in Morocco we (our tour group who were doing the 20 hour stopover) were told we would require a PCR test 48 hours or less before entering Qatar. This had quite a few of us concerned as there had been more than a bit of coughing going on in the final days of our tour. PCR test was 50 Euros or equivalent - in cash - and was done at our hotel in Casablanca. Much to my surprise, everyone tested negative. Hmm. So, we all clear to enter Qatar. What some didn't realise was that there was an extra formality to go through before entering Qatar, the compulsory installation of Qatar's EHTERAZ app on our phones. For most of us we could not, for various reasons, get the app to run on our phones, not very user friendly. So, when we arrived at immigration in Doha, we had to go though a different gate where immigration staff (about 5) assisted us in installing the app. nMysel and BF were assisted by a very nice, friendly, young lady who, using our supplied info, including COVID PCR status, set the app on her (or her work) phone. When she had finished she instructed us to take a photo, using my phone, of the relevant app page she had set up for us. Withj this done we were allowed through. We were also informed that we may have to show the app photo at some places like hotel, entering stores or offices etc. while in Doah. We later discovered one or two of the immigration staff were not as nice as the young lady we had. So, if you're going to Qatar ensure you have the app to avoid delays if you are visiting or stopping over.This will be important for anyone going there for the upcoming World Cup. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moi.covid19&hl=en_AU&gl=US

It was listed as a Japanese made (MIJ) Coronet however I have since done some research and found it to be (about) a 1968 Silvertone 1445 Mosrite. It was not unusual for a maker, in this case Teisco, to make guitars for other brands. In this case the Silvertone version (made by Teisco) was sold through Sears stores in the US but as Coronet in Australia. Teiesco was taken over by Kawai (keyboard makers) at about that time - 1968/69 IIRC.

You are correct.

The aching was getting to me so this morning I went to the doc. Was sent to radiologist for an ultra sound. They weren't particularly happy with it so contacted my GP to issue referral for an x-ray. I go back to GP on Friday for results. I'll fill in tomorrow with a trip down to Avalon to pick up a guitar I bought off Ebay while I was away. Looking forward to that.

My wife and I also had that experience in Japan a few years ago with a high school group tour although we were surprised at the amount of deep fried Japanese food.

Except for the food (which I was looking forward to) I found Morocco a little disappointing. I think there's quite a bit of myth and exotic inference/legend as portrayed in movies and the 60s culture. generally the average Moroccon is poor and life has not changed (improved?) a lot for them over the years but change is slowly happening. I did learn about Moroccan culture and Berber history. The big cities seem to be getting all the attention but there is now a lot of emphasis on affordable social housing. The worst thing about the place was the amount of rubbish, particularly plastic, everywhere. At one point, while on a motorway on our bus, we passed a poor housing estate(?) which had a fence seperating it from the motorway. It would seem there was no garbage service for the area as rubbish was just thrown over the fence forming large piles and being scattered by the wind. Even far out in the countryside there was plastic hanging in trees and and caught on fences. So sad to see.

I do like Moroccan flavours. Had a few Tajine meals which I really enjoyed but for some untintended reason didn't have any cous-cous but I've had that before. I couldn't understand why some (quite a few actually) members of our tour group would order pizza or pasta when having lunch or dinner in a restaurant. Heck, you don't go to Morocco for pizza, you can have pizza anytime at home. Some years ago there was a show here on TV called "Burke's Backyard" where they did a Moroccan dish. It was a boned out lamb shoulder, a cheap cut at the time, slow cooked using Moroccan spices. You could write to the TV show for the recipe - pre internet message days. We got the recipe and tried it it- it was delicious. For weeks after that show aired it was almost impossible to buy a lamb shoulder!

Thanks Lyle. The abrasions have all but healed however I have an underlying issue with my right shoulder which has apparently suffered some impact damage and is still quite sore. Found it difficult to do the hands over the head for airport x-ray machine. Started aching when I was putting washing out yesterday so I need to keep my arm below shoulder level.

After six weeks away I'm back and longing for a pie and some bacon. Why bacon? The final week of my tour was in Morocco, a Muslim country, so no bacon or any pork product at brekky. Will have to restock the the fridge, freezer and pantry. Aldi visit coming soon.

I've been absent for a few days. I killed my computer (dropped it on a stone floor so now it has power but no screen imaging, nothing, nada, zilch) and now borrowed my BF's. Was going to post a little of our experience in Bordeaux but BF has priority. Tomorrow morning we leave Bordeaux for Barcelona. Barcelona is a wonderful place for a visit. Yesterday we saw Viking Forseti, Scenic Diamond and Uniworld Bon Voyage tied up. Visited Le Bissons de Lumierres music light show in the old WW2 submarine base. Almost no one is wearing masks, perhaps 1/100. Lots of cafes and restaurants of varying sizes. We are staying at Best Western Superior which is directly across the street, about 5 metres away from a tiny Thai restaurant. Have to watch out for a miriad of bicycles and electric scooters - mostly rentals. Not eating much at the moment due to our friends' hospitality. Will try and update as time and computer availability permits.

Going well thanks Les. Still stiff and sore from bike prang. We are leaving our friends house today as they are returning to Oz. We will be taking a train to Bordeaux this arvo where we will spend three nights before flying to Barcelona to commence our tour. Have a great cruise, mate.

An 18 year old who kills five friends with a four wheeled lethal weapon will get how long?

Thanks Lyle. Latest is I crashed a mountain bike on the road near our digs. The rear view mirror of a parked car was protruding a little to far into the road. To tell the truth I was looking at the front sprocket set shifter and not where I was going. Left chunks of skin all over the road. Busted the seat off the bike too. Now I have a great case of raspberry rash, a sore shoulder and ribs and a possible haematoma on my left leg below the knee. I had a stack hat on but there's not a scratch on it. We went to a shopping centre this arvo and found a pharmacy with a resident nurse and she did a great patch-up job. Merci beaucoup Madam. No charge. Walked out with a bag full of plasters and tape. It will be tricky having a shower tonight or maybe I'll give myself a sponge bath instead because no one here is willing to volunteer. My first bicycle prang since I was about 17.

You got it.😉

Do ships still go to Acapulco?

I am getting more confident with my limited high school French (which I failed) of 50+ years ago. I can go to the local shop each morning and buy bread, order coffee etc. Still having some trouble reading menus. BTW, for those interested in country, folk and blues music, Miss A and the Country Man have a Face plant page. I don't do FB so I can't see it.

Plus one essential breakfast item. Did you spot it?

Typical breakfast. Local bread. Home grown figs, fig jam and raspberries. Good coffee too