Megabear2

I was told this morning more information will be given on Sunday but we shall see.

Presumably everyone else knows he's the patron saint of archers but just in case ...

Well I do love a nice garden .. the plastic olive trees here in the Pavillion are truly spectacular... I'm typing on my phone which with my arthritic fingers is interesting, basically I'm too lazy to swap to tablet.

He is indeed MBE. The tax man comment was a joke, no more no less than many others amongst us might make when we see our own bills.

Back to general reporting!! I was extremely tired yesterday after two full days of excursions - I'll speak about those separately - so decided that after my archery at 11.00am it would be a day of enjoying scenic cruising, taking in a swim followed by reading. There was a call out from the bridge and I had the good fortune to see a couple of whales as a result which was an unexpected surprise You may recall I mentioned sign up for archery taking place on day 2 and it being very popular. A date and time was allocated, you could not choose, and a piece of paper was handed to you with meeting instructions. Typically me I noted the date and time but not the meeting place. That was rather stupid of me as I knew it was at a swimming pool but rather stupidly along with 2 others picked the wrong one. At 11.05am we realised our error and scurried off tail between our legs to the archery court. This was on the rather cold side of the ship nut I'd hazard a guess in warm weather it will be very nice. Groups of 6 with one set firing 3 arrows while the second set sit.on nice chairs awaiting their turn. Us being the late arrivals had.missed the equipment demonstration.but when our turn came things were quickly explained and we donned the necessary equipment fairly quickly. At the briefing at sign up we had been measured for arrow length and also leading eye. Interestingly although right handed naturally I was to fire left handed. This led to an interesting situation that being cackhanded I kept dropping my arrows when i went to load them. Our guide had the patio a saint and kindly picked them up and loaded for me. This isn't going to go too well I thought... well.im delighted to say I hit the red with my first arrow ... on my neighbour's board! The next two went in under the target thankfully this time my own. I did improve on the second set, at least hitting own target. My neighbour, a keen golfer was a natural as she hit the bullseye perfectly on each occasion after the first three arrows. So all you golfers are going to be great archers it seems. The session was 30 minutes and very good fun. Definitely a winner going forward I'd say. As Selbourne mentioned the scenic cruising was rather disappointing so I retired after lunch to the Pavillion where it was extremely pleasant with the roof open. A lazy afternoon spent swimming and then reading with a couple of ice cold Peroni to accompany it. Lovely relaxing afternoon which I thoroughly enjoyed. I went back via deck 1 as I wanted s coffee and it's a nice calm relaxed setting. There is an interest set up with call.buttons for service if the area is quiet. I pressed and as if by magic a lady appeared and took my order. Very impressive although as the call.buttons are loose and not fixed I.do wonder how long they will last before being accidentally taken away! Roaring twenties night beckoned so off to prepare for that. There were various themed events around the ship, even the evening quiz was 1920's themed so off I wandered to check out the scene. Most people had taken this one very much to heart with flapper dresses, boas etc highly prominent. I had donned my beaded 1920's style dress complete with a rather complex headgear which drapes and drops sparkling loops rather flatteringly over your head - I'd had it made by a local maker for a bit of fun for my world cruise in 2019. I had no idea how popular this thing would make me! Everywhere I went waiters and staff came zooming over to speak about it and I most certainly had no invisible difficulties last night! I'm thinking I should wear it every night, but the over indulgence of the repeat g&t and cocktails I enjoyed last night due to all.ghd attention would probably finish me off!! Dinner. Well what can I say? The dinner menu for me was a main course disaster waiting to explode. I have very many eating quirks including no fish that looks like fish(!), no skin.on any food and no bones anywhere in sight and that's just for starters! There's a menu offering me Beef Wellington (too rich), duck and sea bass was a personal nightmare. I therefore asked for always available which was salmon or steak.. I'd chosen gravalax starter and reasoned the salmon would have skin so steak it was. A few odd.moments with the waiters as to why I didn't want the menu items and we were off. The steak arrived, a rather sorry looking piece - my fault I'd asked for medium to well done - with a single broccoli piece and the same of cauliflower with twelve (yes I counted them just for you Selbourne!) green beans. On cutting into the steak rather gingerly I hit a long run.of gristle and after trying in a couple of places decided to.put it aside and not eat it. To be honest the chewy meat rather curtailed my appetite. Within seconds the waiter was there wanting to change it, no I said I'm fine. He seemed upset, went away and came back with his head waiter. Again I explained all.is well, thank you for your concern.but I'm fine. They disappeared, ah I though thank goodness that's over ... err maybe not! They're back and this time I have the MD and restaurant manager to contend with. Thankfully finally accepted a no thanks I.really don't need another meal. Goodness, I don't think I'll ever dare not to eat every scrap.in future. Joking apart I got the distinct impression they were expecting me to.kick.up a fuss and make a complaint. It certainly would explain the anxiety and desperate attempts to.bring more food. I actually felt sorry for them that I did not eat it. Marvin our waiter had been telling us that on the last cruise the waiting staff had gone through a very difficult time, and I felt the anxiety radiating from them when I chose not to eat the steak.

He does have an MBE and I would have thought that his mental health work is more than enough to qualify for proper recognition. Any tax problems were very many years ago, cleared and a major part of his complete mental breakdown - unlike the aforementioned Ken Dodd he did not go to court or get charged by HMRC. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-visits-frank-bruno-foundation-mental-health-initiative

I recall him having very little money left after his extremely messy divorce. At one point he was apparently living in an outhouse at his home. Like a lot of hugely popular figures with the public he appears to be overlooked for not being in the right sport or having the temerity to have lost a few times. Having just been to his book signing I mentioned a visit to a swimming pool in east London he used to come to with his family where he was extremely popular at the time and he astonished me by not only remembering it but also my very good friend who was the chief coach back then.

Totally concur, what an amazing man and yes a knighthood well overdue if only for his mental health work and advocacy. So good to see such a receptive audience with standing room filled and people sitting on the floor to ensure they saw him. One of life's gentlemen.

Yes but these ports have been changed and announced before the cruise so are not technically missed ports rather changed ports. No payment for insurance companies would be due.

On another note altogether the Liverpool Echo has a photograph of the stage set up today

How strange. That is my cabin!! I have the beds as one and separating them may work better on a long voyage. It depends on how much room you might need. Have a look at my current Queen Anne British Isles thread as I've posted photos of the storage over there. If you split them you could use the bed on the farthest side for sitting to watch TV if you wished. I can walk around the room on all sides, it is quite comfortable to do so. I love this cabin. I'm an appalling sleeper yet I'm getting 7-8 hours unbroken sleep every night. I'm going to miss it!

I believe there is such a company but you have to register and pay a monthly fee!

He does in my house!!! I have a signed Ultravox lithograph in my collection along with Ray Davies and Elbow and they hang in my hallway.

There are a very high number of red cards on here at the moment. The Britannia staff have.mentioned this cruise being better for them as the first two were very demanding. Apparently there were lots of complaints and they felt they could not do anything right. They seem more relaxed than in the first few days. However the MD on deck 3 apparently hasn't lightened up and people are still.on a nightly basis arriving at deck 2 to see if there's availability there. We've had 3 separate lots over the last few days to fill the two spare seats on our table. I think we are catering for any overflow as one of our fellow diners has companions allocated a space but have no.intention of coming.to dinner.

The room is small but I'd say very adequate for one. As a lady I have a lot of clothing, particularly as this is a cruise where I needed coats and sweaters. I am managing okay. My dinner companions are in balcony cabins (two guys) and they tell me it's been a challenge. They brought some hangers of their own. From chatting around the ship every one except Grills passengers are commenting on the closet situation. Personally I'd stick with your inside on cost grounds. I'd happily book again in this room as a solo. Which cabin number do you have?

Yes. Been monitoring for about five weeks. I last checked 23 May as I boarded Queen Anne on 24th but checked today as its past final payment date and it is very slightly down. 5 June will be the interesting one as the 7 day hiatus for payment tips over to a Late Saver. I don't anticipate any changes before then

Enjoy while you can. We at least have no rain today, some sun and it's warm enough to sit on deck (well me and a few others anyway!)

Crikey, I find my gin very large and strong. I doubt I could handle it bigger.

I would agree. The lack of wine choice could be very annoying for some but I did do my homework before letting my OH part with his cash. The coffees, teas, water and Fentimans and Fever Tree swing it very much in my favour but I appreciate many would want the alcohol offertory be better. Commodore Club on menu is particularly testing for package, but they get round it for me - I smile nicely you see!

That's very true. Sadly because the mainstream guys are so hard on those with medical conditions and age related some of those most in need of good insurance can't get it and gave little to no.options. Those people also tend to be price driven because their quotes are so high.. Just lunched with some ladies in their 80's who are talking about this being their last cruise due to insurance costs. They're the type the companies set up to deal with individual policies will love.

He left yesterday unfortunately but we now have Frank Bruno on, do you know what I mean 'arry. Vienna is a wonderful city, have a sache torte for me! Won't be doing any sunbathing here, the forecast is 11 degrees tomorrow!

Not midships but I have one forward on deck 7. It is superbly placed for stairs and lifts and exceptionally quiet - on this voyage anyway. I'd book it again in a heartbeat. However if watching TV is important you it might be wise to check the room layout before booking as my cabin and many others have the TV to the side of the bed. Personally I never switch it on apart from to check ship position or weather but a large number have made complaints about this on the current voyage.

Have a great time.

Yes, they ran that deal on it's equivalent last year, I recall you sending me details when I was considering it.

They use different underwriting companies based on each set of individuals. Total Travel and Good to Go do not provide the cover, your policy will have the insurer they select. Zap should have a different company stated that his policy is with X Y, or Z. My auntie's nightmare was bought through Good To Go, her policy was elsewhere. Some of the suppliers are good some very average