Ozwoody

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments. The last weeks been fun, and I think it good to laugh at your self, and the trouble you can create quite accidently. I was hoping it would inspire others to tell stories, of what was I thinking.... 😆

Has anyone else got a: - I need a cruise story?

This quicky job of cutting two rough old sleepers in half and semi burying them, blossomed out into: - 3 new sleepers, Semi dressed (ie: Sanded back to remove rough furry finish) Cut in half. Stained Japanese brown Multiple angle cuts Glue and screwed jointed together. Laid level following the garden around the existing curves. 1 cubic metres of top dressing. About 6 metres of kwila sanded and oiled with linseed oil Which was subsequently cut to fit the sleepers following the garden, then glued & screwed down. A lot of packing down and restoring of the garden. A lot of packing down and restoring of the lawn. AND, almost a week of work. But SWMBO, stood there, and looked at the finished job, nodded a little and said, “hmm yes that looks great, ok yes very happy with it” and gives me a well pleased thank you smile. Did you read that “It Looks Great, she’s happy”, my heart did soar, I have a happy wife, I’m a happy man. Actually, truth be told, I loved every minute of doing this project it was fun. Next week I’m going to get into that gardening work, and sort out the bromeliad tree, truly I will. Maybe.

Now after measuring out around the garden edges, I’ve discovered two things, I will need lots more wood, and I need to figure out how to join all these little wiggly bits together so they form a continuous smooth line, that won’t go out of align over time, or you know who is not going to be happy. Morning is quickly being gobbled up, just measuring up and getting the materials needed. Run all the sleepers through the table saw to cut them in half. There is one section of garden that is a nice straight piece, so, started digging shallow test trench for edging, start test laying edging, only to find, that my perfectly flat lawn isn’t!!!! Can’t believe it varies up and down more than 50mm. It looks flat but obviously isn’t. So, you ask? Well, if you know who, is to be happy, the tops will still have to look even, you see everything will need to be curved but straight and flat. Yeah, I know, confusing, but I’m not going argue with the boss. Unfortunately, I have already cut all the timber in half, now how am I going to have it run flat and level but still stop the grass going under. Then I remember, I have this black plastic edging I bought some time back to do this very job, but did not get used, as someone decided it looked cheap and nasty and refused to allow its installation. I could run that in front at a lower level, so it just laps 30mm above the bottom of the sleepers. Try a test run, yep it will work. BUT in some areas, the black plastic is exposed somewhat, well a lot actually. Then from behind me, I hear a voice say, “I don’t want the black exposed” Oh god someone is watching. Yes dear, I know I’m working on it! I’m planning on adding lawn filler to bring the level up in those areas. I wasn’t really, but I’m thinking quick on my feet…. Potential problem averted… Except, oh bugger, just realised, now I’m going to have to order soil in as well. Grrrr. Getting the angles required to go around the curves is proving to be difficult as the curves keep changing and I’m not allowed to change them, my quick job is getting a lot longer. Decided to glue the end together, but to do that, means I have to temporary drill and screw them together while the glue dries, which is adding another complication that is adding time to the project. Starting to wish I had just cut the lawn edges as originally requested. But that option is not possible now, because SWMBO has now very got excited about her new garden edging, and besides my ego is getting in the way. To make matters worse, I’m not game to tell her my quicky job is getting too big for a day. Actually, it is too big for two days. I’m working away, knowing that I am going to have to eventually go up and tell her, the jobs grown into a major project that will take probably 2 to 3 days more to complete. The worst part of it all is, I know, she knows, and is waiting patiently up there for me to front up. Oh, if only I had stuck with the original plan, which was to ummm, ???? there was? an original plan wasn’t there? Damn it, I so need a cruise!🙄

Distraction Yes, that’s exactly what is happening here, all thoughts of the veggie gardening and bromeliad tree pruning, has temporarily slip from my mind. So, I’m off down the back to grab those two old 220*50 garden sleepers which would be perfect for the job. I will slice them down the middle, bury them 60mm down in a nice straight line, that will stop the grass root runners going under, leaving 50mm above ground as the edging, a quick simple job, a couple of hours at most. NGR starts Hil follows me down, “WHAT are you doing?” Huh? The garden edge strip I just told you I would make? I get one of those looks and a, “I did not agree to that!” Huh? But! “I did not agree to that!” But you’re always complaining the grass keeps growing into your garden? This will solve it. “I don’t want an ugly lump of wood exposed around my garden, and you always want straight lines, I like the garden to curve and flow!” Ahh, yes darling, I umm, I can make it do that, (getting excited here) I can cut it at angles and make it flow around with the garden. I give big hopeful look. “And what will it look like when finished?” Umm ahh, (thinking quick on my feet realising that rough timber just won’t get past the look I’m getting). I say, (face lighting up with my brilliance) it will have a nice piece of dressed oiled kwila on top. It will look great!! Give her my biggest brightest reassuring smile, and raise my eyebrows up & down. “hmm, we will see”, how long will this take?" I’ll have it finished today, I sincerely promise, “Really” Ahh yes dear, today, can I go now? “I’ll be watching”. Yes dear. Have you by chance noticed the veggie garden & bromeliad tree have been totally forgotten? But most importantly did you also notice that the simple whip a couple of lengths of wood in half, and half bury them, quicky job. Has suddenly became much, much more complicated. Very good, you get a free jelly bean, I didn’t! It’s was just a couple of little hiccups, nothing serious.

The following has nothing to do with Cruising But everything to do with going Cruising Introduction This post is about two things: a) Did you ever have one of those days? b) Get distracted. You know Elvis’s song that goes, “Did you ever have one of those days boys, where nothing goes right from morning to night, did ever have one of those day boys” Yep, we’re going to talk about, one of those days, where Nothing Goes Right. (NGR) Also have you gone to start doing something, and then get distracted while you’re about to do it, and end up doing all sorts of things that wasn’t planned? Well, I’m pretty sure that the above two are closely linked, and this is my tale of woe. Most nights as I’m going to bed, I reflect on the day, and plan what I wish to achieve the next day. My plan this night was to complete the revamp and planting of my veggie gardens, and to clean the dead stems of our bromeliad tree, which is a job long overdue, it’s also a while since we harvested any of the bromeliads from the tree, and they were starting to get out of hand. The morning starts pretty normal; where my first thought is I need to get out early to start on the garden before it gets too hot. I’m the, I’m awake let’s go, type. But others are the, yep ok I’m waking, let me wiggle my toes and do some stretching, and let me ease slowly into the day, type. I’ll let you figure out who’s the second type in this story. Over the last 30 odd years I have learnt to be considerate of the latter type. They tend to get decidedly crotchety if you don’t. This morning Hil casually mentions, the front lawn needs to be edge trimmed around the front garden. Casual statements like this from SWMBO, actually translates into “MUST BE”. Immediately I’m thinking if I built an edge strip between garden and lawn, this would not be a task that takes ages, just a quick whipper snip and its done. So brightly suggest to Hil, I will build a wooden edging around it to keep the grass out of the garden (which in truth is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time). Now first thing in the morning, is probably not the best time to thrust instant decision making, on someone who hasn’t yet had a chance to have her shower, or even more importantly, her morning coffee. By the look in her eyes, I can see that the full comprehension of what I’m talking about, is eluding her, and maybe I need to back up a little and let her gently ease into the blossoming day. But I’m already planning and working out material requirements, and know I have most of what I need to start.

Probably none, just one or two formal nights. Just smart clothing is that is required these days, but some will be done up to the nines.

Yes often thinking the same, but I don't know if I could have another long term pet, my dog Leah a mini Schnauzer Bichon Frise cross, was one month off her 20th birthday when the vet said we had to put her to sleep. Broke my heart, that was about 10 years ago, still miss her. That's the trouble with pets, they stop being pets, and become family members.

Tote Bag, more long term use, and as Julie said we rarely ate them, brought them home for the grandkids.

Hi Guys I wonder how many who think extra bags on a WC are excessive, have actually done 3 1/2 month cruise. A WC is in my opinion a different beast, you tend to become more a community, and the ship is more your home than just a cruise. before I continue let me assure you, please don't think for a moment I've been offended by the comments, that's the best part of this forum is getting other thoughts on things. I'm cool ok. Just to show you what 10 bags can be, this is a list of our last WC bags from above post: 3 large cases (2 Hils clothes; one mine) 1 smaller case (Winter clothes for both of us.) 2 carry on spinners (one with shoes for both of us; other with misc bits and pieces) 2 Princess rucksacks (Painting gear in one; small painting canvases in the other) My good rucksack (my carry on’s and all our electronics: adaptors, computer, power adaptors, shaver, toothbrushes, chargers, spare batteries, Camera, etc) Hils carry on. Yep, not too hard to make up 10 pieces of luggage is it. Normally we would do a medium cruise with 2 large + 2 carry on spinners, and my rucksack. For some that's still a lot for them, great but that's their style, other like to take more, that's also great that's their style. Some women like to have a selection of clothes, don't like to wear the same things several times a week to the dinning room. If they can take it with them, what's the problem.😉 I know those that like to travel light, do it for a number of reasons, and can take some pride in doing it. But we over-packers as we may be, however are happy doing our thing, and we're not inconveniencing anyone else. Viva La Difference🥳 Regards

We normally only take two large and two carry on's, but for a world cruise full of elites, the free laundry can be a bit slow, returning, being overly cautious added extra, also don't like to wear clothes twice.😬 Then off cause Hil is an artist and needed to take all her painting gear, and a number of canvas's. I believe we over did it with the warm stuff, as the weather in the artic reign turned out reasonably warm, and did not need it, even though we were up there for about 12 days in total. But yes have to admit I can be a tad bit of an over packer, just a small tad mind you.😂 But the point is relax, if your home porting, pack what ever way you prefer, its no big deal. Take what ever you like, no one counts your bags. There is no weight or cost restrictions.😁 Its better to take something you don't need, than not taking something you find you do need and having to buy another while away. Its 110 days away, not a 14-21 day jaunt.😃

No idea what his name was, but he was definitely a passenger. Could have been on a bus mans holiday from P&O I suppose.😄

I would not worry too much re luggage see extract from our last WC blog below: B-Day (Boarding Day) Well actually B-Day -1, we are frantically packing, and already it is obvious that Hils 1 large bag each was wildly optimistic. Current estimate is at least six bags is going to be the go. Complicating this cruise is we need to pack for some cold weather as we travel through the arctic circle. But I'm no innocent angle in the packing stakes, I'm being a little naughty, normally I only pack 14 days of everything, but just know the boat is going to be full of Elite level passengers like us, and the free washing is going to have long turn around times, so currently loading 21 days' worth of standard cruise clothes and 7 days of winter clothes for the artic bit. THAT's 28 days of clothes, gees I hope it fits in. The day is wearing on and the frantic pace of packing has well passed on, the level now is hectic beyond belief. Where this? where's that? is the major cry's going on around me, and I'm hoping I will survive the next few hours. Oh my god, my packing usually lasts no more than 30 minutes, we have been going at it for hours and we're still not completed. I'm folding and rolling, cramming, and squeezing, and I now have one suit case full. Just weighed it, 29kg, good grief, I never have more than 21kg, this is ridiculous. How can this be! And I still have heaps I need, repeat NEED to pack yet. We have got down to the nitty gritties now, I have finished pack two more smaller bags. For the sake of sanity, and my own wellbeing, I have been packing in the guest bedroom, while Hil uses our bedroom, just popped in to see how she is going. And ahm, in my own best interests, I will refrain from any comments, other than to say my earlier overly optimistic estimate of six bags has been seriously shattered. We are now at least 7 most likely 8, umm what's that dear? Ohh umm ahh ok, make that 9 bloody bags….. Ok, Ok dear no, their not all yours, (just most of them). 4.5 mdbw (my dearly beloved wife) 3.5 yours truly, and 1 general bits and pieces. And yes, That's Right, now 10 bags including carry on's. We are officially now packed, we can now sit down, and enjoy a nice glass of wine, and a job well done. Ahh what! still more to cram in!!! where!!! Yes dear stop grumbling or we'll never get finished! Several little flurries of repacking later, not I have to admit, all mdbw, quite a bit of oh my god haven't I packed that from me as well. But we are now off to bed, for a good night's sleep, well as good as you would expect with the excitement that we are off tomorrow, YAY

Oh I don't know you should be ok. On our last Princess cruise, on formal nights one guy kept turning up in a beautiful cut suit, made from multi coloured large circles. Maybe you could get together with him on a cruise.😝

Two cruise in the last year, not a single freebie, had to buy a lanyards because we forgot to pack ours on our last cruise. Definitely no hats; T-shirts, or tote.

Really, I thought all the cruise lines gave something similar, except from P&O, which as their a cut price economy cruise line, I wasn't surprised not to get one from them.

Now that one great tote bag, wish Princess gave those out.🥺

Take it with you, almost everything we wanted overseas was not what we get in Australia. A lot of things we accept as normal, are quite often banned in other countries. As long as you don't take them of the ship there's no problems, however if your planning to take items ashore, check them out for each country your planning to take things into. Some things like over the counter purchase here (medicines, cough mixtures, etc) can get you arrested in some other countries. So carefully check out what you plan to carry with you. We went through all our medication with our doctor, and she gave us a list of medication she prescribed, and noted what they were for, in a letter form. She also provided a medical list of treatment that we have had that may be useful to anyone treating us overseas, in case it was relevant to their treatments they were considering.

Absolutely. Funny thing was after fiddling to enter everything into Verifly, they did not use it and we had to do it again at the terminal, good job we took all the paper work with us.

The worlds gone to pot😂 Everything has to be done by computer generated responses, or must be done on your phone app, and oh do I hate being told "Just use our friendly phone app", dam it give me a real live person any day...🤣

Does it make you feel like their please to have you sail with them.🙄 Or 😱

If I had a little windfall I would be doing the same.😁 Not long now just a few short months. You will love the cruise, it seems a long time 110 days, but its amazing how quickly it goes on a WC.

Hi Evon Sorry have not been on Princess since covid, but prior to that, I often took sealed plastic bottles of drink on with me. Mostly in my carry on bags, but on occasions in my check in. No body raised any concerns. But could have changed since covid, which of coarse is your question.

Really its what your willing to pay for a bit more comfit. If you can afford it do it. Our budgets are usually tight, so to have longer cruises which we enjoy, and prefer, it often means internals or OVs. Balconies we only get on very short cruises. On a WC spending $70k odd grand for an internal is a major investment, prefer to save the difference for visiting the places we go to. However if you have the wherewithal for balconies or suites go for it, wouldn't think twice about if it was me. I'm the spend less cruise more type.

I feel for you, I had a jumper I just loved to death, it had a chequered beginning, my mom knitted me two jumpers a blue one and a grey one, the grey one arms were too small and the blue one's body didn't fit me at all, so she took the sleeves of the blue and put them on the grey one, and hey presto, a perfect jumper, well in my eyes anyway. True Story.... I wore it from my late teens until my early 60's, it as you can imagine, it had started to get a little shaggy. Then one day it disappeared, Hil denied responsibility for its loss, but there was a suspicious smirk hovering under that sympathetic look!😒