Canal archive

Thank you Notamermaid when I first became aware of it I tried a bit of tech searching and it’s obviously not my forte but if you’re travelling with Scenic it’s an interesting tool. They did remove the second Scenic boat that was sold to an independent company, almost straight away.

DougK got it, anyoverip has been around since at least 2011 it then was mentioned in the small print I haven’t checked recently. It’s useful but occasionally a little behind. If I remember correctly it was very usefully interesting when Scenic Gem was sailed to the Seine and Scenic Sapphire to the Rhône, I’m pretty sure it’s German but owned by Scenic. I tend to just use it automatically so forget to mention it.

I know this won’t help if your a very far forward planner but it could help your wondering organisations if you contact the CD some time before your departure and build a rapport  it may be useful.

Don’t mention the S word in my DHs hearing as it tends to hurt his pockets.

Daisi ohhhh wowwww I cross stitched, quilted and bead worked quite a few decorations for our tree and my DH insisted on at least one of them being a spider ever since known as our Christmas Spider when he sees this he will be so pleased so thank you he’s getting an early Christmas present.

Look for Jazzbeau’s in depth report they did it last year. It was our second time this year we were on the very first Scenic Seine cruise as well. My DH did the bike tour in Caudebec which he throughly enjoyed. Don’t miss Giverney. Trying to fit in everything keeps you very busy. Next year heritage wise is worth going it’s the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Superb cruise as usual with Scenic.

In the past we’ve bought trees from ‘tree farms’ and at most we could choose which one we wanted. When I had my 2CV dads at work (could have been in Germany) so two daughters myself and car went off to a garden centre to choose our tree. So off home top down tree upright playing Christmas music down the A3 to home, any other time they would be so embarrassed to be seen in my ‘Dolly’ 2CV but not then because it was Christmas. Ohh and thank you for that particular invasion.

For a start Doug K what is the website you mention! Also you do realise that all docking regardless of where or when is in the control of the local authorities. Scenic have always changed their itineraries from year to year this is why we have been able to repeat cruises and consequently had a different experience although being on the same stretch of river. I’m also just a tad surprised that you would choose an all inclusive river cruise company if you wanted to do your ‘own thing’. With acquaintances we have managed to go exploring ourselves on our Scenic cruises with would you believe it the assistance of our cruise director and managed to fit in the odd picnic courtesy of the restaurant crew. Mooring up at a set time is not a given on European rivers, especially if river levels are a challenge.

As is coming up to Christmas market cruising I thought you’d like a web site I found about Fairies, Angels and Stars on the top of Christmas trees and bother I can’t get the site to copy so if you do it the long way round with the question - Why do we put Fairies, Angels and Stars on Top of Christmas Trees you’ll find out why! Of course Notamermaid it is a German tradition as it should be because of the tree but it is so very sweet, so thank you Germany, my fairy is clothed with fabric from my wedding dress so she’s now over 50 years old.

We did Amsterdam to Budapest 15 day with Scenic leaving towards the end of April. It a tad fresh - freezing in Amsterdam but seriously not slippy underfoot so toured the city warming up in shops as we went, you must try the fish tasting from the street stalls. The weather gradually got warmer so by the time we arrived in Budapest we were occasionally in shirt sleeves. The most challenging thing about that time of year is what clothing to pack. Enjoy, Pat

I’m definitely not accusing everyone and really not those used to tipping as a norm. It’s usually those who consider themselves above and beyond and I’ve seen the brown envelopes in some of the so called most up market places in this world.

On our first trip with Scenic included tipping we tipped both our cabin stewardess and butler in the privacy of our cabin then they and ourselves were covered. At the time extra tipping was a real no no the next year all had changed and although tipping was included across the board no one batted an eyelid if extra was given and this is still the norm.

Getting coins in Europe is a real problem, no way from a bank etc., who  uses change these days. The other thing that I have noticed and it may not be obvious to those who naturally tip, is those who are flashy and oh so very obvious about it - ohh look at me I tip more than you! It’s demeaning for them and the recipient, I’ve seen it so many times. So please try not to embarrass the intended recipient take notice of those little brown envelopes, small clue there. Overall tipping is a minefield so a thank you and a subtle handshake is wonderful (practice)

Thanks Pontac yeh got caught with predictive U.K., I just thought it interesting heritage wise and what a fantastic picture of the Thames and so many of its bridges.

Hi all now I don’t know if this will work I have a link to the BBCs pictures of the week and could not separate one about bridges it’s a tradition about hanging a hay bail from one when it’s being worked on. Well hopefully here is the link to the lot which includes a really dried up French river.

https://www.bbc.co.U.K./news/in-pictures-67157348

if it works enjoy.

The gratuities thing is so different across the world, one of my husbands American colleagues explained it was because of the American wages being so low it was needed by those in basically the service industry to make a living, I for one could never understand this as hey this is the big USA. My DH started going to the states on business many moons ago. So DH used to take dollar bills (I know much more now)and got so used to tipping he never had a problem anywhere in the world. It’s when you don’t know the local norm when the challenges start. We’ve only ever travelled with Scenic our first trip was before they went all inclusive the next we were asked not to tip extra but since then as is I believe usual across the world tip when you feel you’ve had service of better quality than expected. Mind you I still do know that some of my countrymen wouldn’t put their hands in their pockets to tip if their lives depended on it.

My pleasure I should have realised about the gluten free as I have several friends who have had to work really hard first to get a diagnosis and then to work with it and not let it take over their lives.

My copier decided to play up so photographed them so a bit wibbly wobbly.

Enjoy.

If anyone’s interested I have two recipes from a cooking session in Nuremberg Scenic Jewel 2017 Elise’s Lebkuchen recipes 1& 2. There were eight of us in a superb professional kitchen great fun, completely the wrong time of year for anything Christmasy but well worth it.

Notamermaid it’s definitely been a hot chocolate day today. Even a frost on the roof’s this morning.

Do you prefer Baroque or ABC!

Hummmm high Baroque in all its splendour on those two vessels would be, shall we say ‘interesting’.

scenicusa.com

just close the pop up that directs you to the U.K. site.

Micky is always on my tree this one returned from the States with me but I have a huge selection of German and Swiss tree ornaments and English Spode ones I’m a really sad collector. If I did a Christmas market cruise I’d have to ship my purchases home or sink the aforementioned ship. ⛄️

Jazz sign me up GC one of my favourite places on earth (so far). 
For years there has been this, more like an allergy than an actual infection cough, when air con is involved we always thought it was because in the U.K. air con is definitely not the norm now of course - covid - is in the equation, so many Brits just return from anywhere abroad with that niggly or worse tickle, as happened on our recent Seine cruise. Although individuals must know when they are seeming to be infectious a little judicious self isolation would be appreciated by all and not hurt the person involved. Or is it - oh I can’t be thought to have ‘Covid’.

Neveragain91and out what cruise line are you on?

Hearing does seem to be one of the most common of our senses that tend to disappear as we grow in experience, plus on board the cruise ship’s restaurants and lounges seem to have a quality that really doesn’t help any of us hearing wise. More and more people are recognising this. It is especially awkward when someone continues the end of a conversation as they turn their heads away. Noticing your facial expression (usually so small you don’t realise you are doing it yourself) or you use that slight touch and indication towards your ear can be of assistance, at least it would save that dreaded (for some) announcement. 
One of my really deaf friends who used to do a lot of sea cruises got so fed up with explaining that she got one of those old fashioned hearing trumpets after the first few meals no more fuss and bother, mind you she is just a little on the eccentric side.

I say travel and enjoy give people the chance to interact it’s there loss if they don’t.