Mareblu

Looking, but I don’t have full access to my photos while away, but will search. I’ll probably also do a repeat😅

How are you feeling and healing, Lyle?

I feel like a cheat to say, “Capri”, because I claimed this one, once before, because I knew it. For the second time: Capri 🤣

Wishing you all a truly wonderful and memorable sailing on this epic voyage.

We’re still aboard Oceania Vista, and yesterday, ANZAC Day, were in Mykonos. We were all back on board (Aussies and Kiwis) for the 4.15pm commemoration service in the theatre. Very moving, with recital of The Ode, Last Post, and hymns and both national anthems. The poem I’m posting was read beautifully by an Australian female passenger. Brought tears to our eyes. Bravo, Oceania, and CD Peter, who organised this moving reflection and homage on their own initiative. Lest We Forget.

Whoopee!👏

We’re just over an hour from anchoring in Santorini. Our friends with us aboard Vista are doing Santorini Panorama today, as they haven’t been to the island before. We’re staying aboard this time, as we believe there’ll be at least another four cruise ships ahead of us. The tour (as I remember) finishes at the top, with free time to spend in the village. Then the cable car queue is to be faced. The facility can only move a max of 600 pax per hour. No thanks! Before Istanbul was dropped from our itinerary, we were scheduled to visit on a day when we were apparently the only vessel in Santorini. Such is life. !

My internet is strong on Vista here in the Aegean sea.

Hi Don, and yes, I couldn’t agree more about coffee in Horizons at an early hour. It would make so much sense to be able to enjoy this facility with an open coffee bar. It would spread the Barista crowd, and make full use of the panoramic view from a large, comfortable venue. We were granted full barista service for our M&M the other day, but that was from 11.00am.

We are currently happily settled in PH 11033. Not a peep have we heard since sailing from Civitavecchia on 11 April. The suite is quiet, comfortable, and perfectly situated almost opposite the Executive Lounge for an early morning wake-up tea or coffee. The central elevators are also very near. There is what some may consider “noise” occasionally, as the pool deck above is attended to, but it’s hardly worth mentioning, as the movement is indistinct and distant. My only niggle is the too-soft bed. I recall Oceania beds through our many voyages as being very comfortable. This new bed is not denying us a good night’s sleep, but sitting up in bed or turning over through the night is quite a challenge.

Transatlantico is a term rarely used, and refers more to a “nave” plying a particular route. Nave is the term for all vessels. “Barca” is a boat.

Perhaps, before casting aspersions, you should research the language. The word for ship is “nave”. That applies to all vessels, whether passenger, cargo, etc. I’m sure that just like my Italian (by birth) husband, Fincantieri’s executive staff are educated.

Singapore?

Nor the Scots in🤣

Culloden battlefield site, where the courageous and hopelessly outnumbered Jacobites were defeated, is a haunting and sobering visit experience. Close to Inverness and easily accessible. My ancestor John Fletcher of Inveroran fought there, but survived. His father, my sixth g. grandfather, was Fletcher Clan Chief. I have visited their gravesites at the Fletcher castle cemetery by Loch Tulla, near the Pass of Glencoe.

Hadrian’s wall is an incredible construction.

My friend who admires Lord Yum Yum is a MacLeod by marriage. Her husband finds her infatuation worth a chuckle in his rich brogue🤣

It means she’s a Highlander. Frasers are prominent all through the Highlands, particularly around Inverness and Orkney Isles. Explains Rosie’s beautiful red hair in her photos.

A friend who lives in the Highlands told me the Scots believe that when you visit and feel that comforting, familiar sense of belonging, a mystic cord has been tied to your body. The spirits of the Highlands can gently tug that invisible link at any time, and often, during your life, no matter how far from Scotland you stray. I love these myths and legends. They raise us to their realm.

Campbell is the dominant clan in the Highlands. The Duke of Argyle is Campbell Clan Chief. He’s a delightful, particularly handsome man. My close friend (originally from NZ with Shetland Isles ancestry) calls him “Lord Yum Yum”.

I have Somerset ancestral lines as well. Through all the west country, in fact. My mother’s lines are Scottish, Northern Irish and west midlands. I feel I’m home when I’m in the Scottish Highlands.

Thanks, Leigh. Looking forward to simply walking the landscape they walked.

Oh goodness, Aussieflyer, that certainly trumps our drama. Glad you weren’t more seriously injured, and yes, a miracle the motor cyclist survived. We’ll be in Devon in a few weeks, after Scotland and Wales. Devon will be a week’s stay. I have ancestry, on my father’s side, from Devon and Cornwall. Leigh’s Rob and I share ancestry a few centuries back. Amazing who and what you discover on CC🥰

So very sorry to learn of your accident, Lyle. Falls, like moments of profound grief, happen suddenly and obviously when we least expect them. Different effects for both of course, and I’m sorry for your pain and discomfort, but relieved, as you and Lynn would patently be, that you didn’t suffer more severe injuries. Healing wishes to you both, from us both. Lynn’s grief will last longer; I can tell she was very close to her mum. Yesterday was a rather dramatic cruising day. Our tour bus for our excursion to Aix-en-Provence suffered sudden engine failure on the highway, with the driver finally pulling to the side near a paddock, just as the bus filled with acrid smoke. Tour Leader managed to get everyone off in an orderly manner and we were directed to quickly move away from the bus into the paddock. To do this we had to straddle and swing over a concrete barrier. One frailer gentleman chose to cross instead via the adjoining, lower metal road barrier. He fell heavily and sustained deep gashes to his face and legs. The edge was sharp. We ended up being surrounded by two ambulances, a large fire truck and two police patrol cars, all with sirens blaring. Finally, a replacement bus and driver arrived, and we continued our tour to beautiful Aix. Fortunately, the injured passenger was back on board for sailaway, after treatment in Vista’s medical centre. He declined the offer of suturing at the Marseilles hospital, obviously because he wanted to ensure a timely return to our ship.