Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome!

No problem.

 

Short free format unresearched briefing documents ie of less than one page are chargeable at £4995 plus Vat. Invoice address?

 

:)

Did you have a brief kip Jeff? You sound refreshed. :)

No problem. Short free format unresearched briefing documents ie of less than one page are chargeable at £4995 plus Vat. Invoice address? :)

Appreciate Jeff's quick follow-up. The check is in the mail!! BUT, I am skipping the "honor" for paying the VAT.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 198,750 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Appreciate Jeff's quick follow-up. The check is in the mail!! BUT, I am skipping the "honor" for paying the VAT.

 

It's OK Terry, you can get the VAT refunded... Just ask Jeff for the forms!

Did you have a brief kip Jeff? You sound refreshed. :)

:)

No I was fine ... I'm quite use to not sleeping for a two or three nights for some reason.

I sometimes have a 20 minute afternoon doze which seems to do it.

Jeff

Been watching and following you all. Dealing with the old dog and trying to balance medications so she gets some sleep at night. And so I get some sleep too.

She's only comfortable on the wood floor or in the kitchen. I guess it's cool on her body.

Vet has not a lot of suggestions because we really don't know what we are dealing with.

After the bloody nose event, vet said likely a tumor in her sinus or brain.

So I came home armed with epinephrine and syringe give a few drops intranasally, of course absent the needle. No more bleeding events, thankfully. Yet I am told they could happen, and in a major fashion.

Dog still eating and smiling and walking, so not yet at point of the final decision.

In order to diagnose symptom constellation would have to perform testing under anesthesia, which would be beyond the pale for this old girl, not me, the dog.

Those of you with pets know the issues, I keep telling Bromley( that's her name) to please use her words to tell me what's wrong. So far she has not said anything.

Enjoying the posts, especially the political ones.

I'm quite use to not sleeping for a two or three nights for some reason. I sometimes have a 20 minute afternoon doze which seems to do it. Jeff

Glad to know that Jeff gets by with such a limited amount of sleep. To do all of that cooking and writing takes serious time.

It has been more fun to continue to read about how the Conservatives winning in the UK is playing out in the media coverage here in the U.S. and internationally. From the Reuters newswire today, they have this headline: "Britain's Cameron won big by selling stability over fear" with these highlights: "Prime Minister David Cameron sealed a surprise election win by persuading Britons to choose the security of modestly rising living standards over an implausible pretender many feared could become the puppet of Scottish nationalists. Blending the promise of 'the good life' fuelled by a strong economic recovery with fear of resurgent Scottish separatists calling the shots in a country they want to break up, Cameron steamrolled the opposition Labour Party and won his party's first outright majority in 23 years. Cameron, guided by his Australian campaign adviser Lynton Crosby, spent six weeks hammering home just two messages: Vote Conservative to secure economic recovery, and stop Labour coming to power backed by Scottish nationalists."

In the UK, your wide variety of media sources allows an interesting range of comments, viewpoints and opinions.

In the Daily Mail this morning, they have these two headlines: "The bloodletting begins: David Miliband sticks the knife into his brother as Blairites warn it will take TEN YEARS to rescue Labour" and "Cameron planning emergency budget to push through the tax and welfare changes once vetoed by the Lib Dems".

This Daily Mail publication also had a big, dramatic picture of the Scottish National Party celebrating its landslide victory. There was SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon lining up her 56 MPs in front of Edinburgh's Forth Rail Bridge icon to warn David Cameron that "it's not business as usual". Great picture and setting!! Scotland's First Minister is vowing that Scotland will no longer be "sidelined or ignored" in Westminster. But, does the SNP have the votes to muscle their wishes?

Her top SNP goal of "ending austerity" seems at odds with the traditional image of the Scotch people being thrifty and conservative with money. The SNP is now the third largest party in the House of Commons. Lots of interesting development to be following in the coming months and years ahead. That is what makes politics such a combination of stimulating and frustrating. As always, love to hear Jeff's added thoughts and analysis.

Full story at:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/09/britain-election-cameron-idUSL5N0Y005220150509

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 107,401 views for this posting.

Been watching and following you all. Dealing with the old dog and trying to balance medications so she gets some sleep at night. And so I get some sleep too.

She's only comfortable on the wood floor or in the kitchen. I guess it's cool on her body.

Vet has not a lot of suggestions because we really don't know what we are dealing with.

After the bloody nose event, vet said likely a tumor in her sinus or brain.

So I came home armed with epinephrine and syringe give a few drops intranasally, of course absent the needle. No more bleeding events, thankfully. Yet I am told they could happen, and in a major fashion.

Dog still eating and smiling and walking, so not yet at point of the final decision.

In order to diagnose symptom constellation would have to perform testing under anesthesia, which would be beyond the pale for this old girl, not me, the dog.

Those of you with pets know the issues, I keep telling Bromley( that's her name) to please use her words to tell me what's wrong. So far she has not said anything.

Enjoying the posts, especially the political ones.

So sorry to hear that Bromely and her loving owner are having a rough go of it. I hope things get easier for all.

Dealing with the old dog and trying to balance medications so she gets some sleep at night. And so I get some sleep too. She's only comfortable on the wood floor or in the kitchen. I guess it's cool on her body.

Vet has not a lot of suggestions because we really don't know what we are dealing with. Enjoying the posts, especially the political ones.

Sorry to hear that our South Florida friend has a struggling dog. Not fun!! Our black Lab, Roxie, age twelve, has been going through challenges in the past month, plus. Thought it was one problem with her throat and getting ready for doing surgery. BUT, at the OSU Vet Hospital, they did the pre-op testing to find out there was an enlarged heart and those types of issues.

GOOD NEWS??!!: The heart meds have done miracles and it is almost like a new dog. Much improved situation!! No need for that surgery. Good luck for you and Bromley. Never easy dealing with these challenges.

Glad that you like the political stuff. It has been a great learning experience for me in following these evolving developments. Things are still bad in Europe with their Euro challenges, Greece on the brink of currency failure, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro? Check these postings. Have had over 23,716 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and commented.:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

Hi Terry,

Good to see you studying our situation.

I think your reading has overlooked a few basic points which in fairness to you and your sources is too often forgotten. You must stop reading the Daily Mail! :eek:

1. SNP. You may not be aware but Ms Sturgeon is not an MP and will not be sitting in Parliament. The British people are therefore not only irritated and concerned about the nationalism issue but also a Scottish politician who is not even an MP telling us that she was going to control the UK. Her constant assertion that she was going to trash a government if it wasn't labour from a position of not even being an MP helped trashed Labour.

2. Labour. The reason why Blair has a landslide victory was because he was "New Labour". Britain, even hard-working working class Britain was tired of Old Labour. It was a Marxist hatred-led party that alienated all but the extreme. Blair changed that.

Milliband (Ed) was a Marxist. His brother David was "Blairite". Ed won because of the Union vote, and it is their votes which control the Labour leadership electoral college. This is how a Labour leader is elected:

1. Labour members of the House of Commons and the European Parliament

2. Individual members of the party

3. Individual members of affiliated organisations, such as trade unions and socialist societies

Each of the three electorates or sections contributed one third (33.33 per cent) of the total votes and were counted using the Alternative Vote system. As the unions control all of (3) and most of (2) through Union Membership (Union card membership has automatic Labour party contirbution added) and actually fund an appoint quite a lot of (1) they effectively placed Ed rather than Dave as the leader. Hence their torture. If David Milliband had been Labour leader than they would have "probably" won.

So ..... once the Great British Public realised that (a) Millipede had no grip on what the previous Labour government had done with the econonmy and (b) had no grasp or honesty as what he would do to our deficit and © that he would pursue a Marxist hatred-led government and (d) would be coerced and supported by a puppeteer Niclola Nolan (Sturgeon) ..... (do Americans know about the Nolan Sisters ....) and (e) he had an interview with Russel Brand who was against voting ... then the game for these and many other thins ... was up.

See if you can spot Nicola Nolan :)

(ps ... that will be another £4995 plus VAT ....)

Been watching and following you all. Dealing with the old dog and trying to balance medications so she gets some sleep at night. And so I get some sleep too.

She's only comfortable on the wood floor or in the kitchen. I guess it's cool on her body.

Vet has not a lot of suggestions because we really don't know what we are dealing with.

After the bloody nose event, vet said likely a tumor in her sinus or brain.

So I came home armed with epinephrine and syringe give a few drops intranasally, of course absent the needle. No more bleeding events, thankfully. Yet I am told they could happen, and in a major fashion.

Dog still eating and smiling and walking, so not yet at point of the final decision.

In order to diagnose symptom constellation would have to perform testing under anesthesia, which would be beyond the pale for this old girl, not me, the dog.

Those of you with pets know the issues, I keep telling Bromley( that's her name) to please use her words to tell me what's wrong. So far she has not said anything.

Enjoying the posts, especially the political ones.

Wifey and I feel your pain. Apart from wifey my best friends have been dogs, and anyone that doesn't understand, doesn't understand do they?

My dogs always understood me and forgave me. They tormented me, played with me, bullied me and took me for walks when they thought I needed one. We don't have dogs now because I can't cope with losing them. I blab away like a baby. When I lost one of my dogs, and the other dog who had not really bothered about me because he preferred females, adopted me and took me under his wing. Ben knew I missed Bob and looked after me. It was extraordinary. And we travel a bit. So we do not have dogs now. But I miss them.

So look after and enjoy Lady Bromley ..... it's the moment that's important. Do what you can. I miss having my ears licked. :(

I know against these other things (rub Bromley's ears from me .....) our lunch piccy will not be sufficient but today's lunch was Far Too Much PiriPiri Chicken with Buttered Pilau and Far Far Too Much Wine. Wifey was very gregarious and chatty today following her trip "Up To London" .. and having her hair done and lunch with daughter and buying lots of stuff ...

At the beginning of our last SS cruise in NZ, we joined a communal table that had a couple British couples sitting at it. As the evening wore on, and the wine flowed, and the conversation between the two couples who mostly ignored us strayed from tourism to commentary about other pax who had spoiled one of the couples' experience at dinner the prior night by mentioning U.S. political issues, one of the ladies sniffed with disgust that she " would not tolerate the discussion of politics in the dining room," and that if anyone were to try it around her, she would demand a new table. I thought about the old saying that in polite company one should not talk about politics, religion, or sex ( I suppose talking about existential nihilism and the finiteness of existence would also be out?)So the next night when we got seated next to an Anglican priest and his wife, I was worried we might slip up ( needlessly, it turned out, as the gentleman spent the evening in a one-sided monologue about himself that avoided all three evil topics). It is interesting to see how this semi-anonymous forum is disinhibiting, at least when it comes to politics.

I totally agree. But to be honest any topic can make a boring person even worst. The reason why wifey and I near enough always had a table for two is that we cannot stand competitive people. Those "Queen Bees" or loud and very big "Captains Of Industry" who constantly show off. When out I'm a listener because I really do not have anything interesting to say .... as wifey will confirm. But I cannot stand showing off.

On one of our cruises in the Dubya era I was accosted by an American with the longest cigar he could buy in the Humidor. My cigar was much smaller than his. And he stood over me and swayed to the waves, he said something along the lines of "You Brits don't appreciate how Us Amercians Have Saved The World. You don't appreciate Bush". "This is very true" I said, "I agree with you, we don't appreciate Bush as much as you clearly do", at which point a wave propelled him into my lap and he told me whilst sitting on me that if he saw me on one of the decks he was going to throw me overboard. That was nice I thought.

It isn't politics is it, it is the person.

I must tell you about Taiji my Japanese friend one day ....

:)

I guess if we were to adhere to the old maxim not to discuss politics, religion or sex in polite company (or at the dinner table), the food pics and politics would not be acceptable together in this forum. HeHe. Although the definition of "polite company" may have changed with the times as well. Not sure who qualifies as "polite company" or even whether their conversation would be interesting enough to engage in.

Quite agree.

The bad thing about a table is that once you are there you are basically stuck. And it can be dire and time you cannot replace. You can't really move can you. On the "Cooler" however you can can stay or go. So you can just be nice - and if you can't - keep quiet. Dont you agree? :)

On food, I have just taken the muffins I made for wifey out of the oven. She is going to have one when she makes tea soon.

Muffins look delish! You're not such a "curse" after all! :)

Muffins look delish! You're not such a "curse" after all! :)

Are you sayin' I ain't nuffin' without me muffin?

:eek:

:D

I'm afraid I don't know you well enough to answer that question. Time will tell. :)

Hi Terry, Good to see you studying our situation. You must stop reading the Daily Mail! :eek:

1. SNP. You may not be aware but Ms Sturgeon is not an MP and will not be sitting in Parliament. The British people are therefore not only irritated and concerned about the nationalism issue but also a Scottish politician who is not even an MP telling us that she was going to control the UK. Her constant assertion that she was going to trash a government if it wasn't labour from a position of not even being an MP helped trashed Labour.

2. Labour. The reason why Blair has a landslide victory was because he was "New Labour". Britain, even hard-working working class Britain was tired of Old Labour. It was a Marxist hatred-led party that alienated all but the extreme. Blair changed that.

Milliband (Ed) was a Marxist. His brother David was "Blairite". Ed won because of the Union vote, and it is their votes which control the Labour leadership electoral college.

So ..... once the Great British Public realised that (a) Millipede had no grip on what the previous Labour government had done with the econonmy and (b) had no grasp or honesty as what he would do to our deficit and © that he would pursue a Marxist hatred-led government and (d) would be coerced and supported by a puppeteer Niclola Nolan (Sturgeon) ..... (do Americans know about the Nolan Sisters ....) and (e) he had an interview with Russel Brand who was against voting ... then the game for these and many other thins ... was up.

(ps ... that will be another £4995 plus VAT ....)

mysty: I guess if we were to adhere to the old maxim not to discuss politics' date=' religion or sex in polite company (or at the dinner table), the food pics and politics would not be acceptable together in this forum. HeHe. [b']Although the definition of "polite company" may have changed with the times[/b] as well. Not sure who qualifies as "polite company" or even whether their conversation would be interesting enough to engage in.

Appreciate, again, Jeff's wonderful added insights and details on the UK, its political aspects, etc., etc. YES, add another £4995 to my bill, but I continue to refused to pay that VAT tax since I am here in the USA. That's my view for YOUR excessive tax structure.

On the Daily Mail, I do plead guilty to "looking" at it and its varied "eye candy" about various celebrities, public events, etc. Not saying that I am reading and always believing their text details from its articles. I like to sample a wide variety of media and news sources.

YES, lots of good questions for when and where is best for discussing politics, religion or sex. Then, there is the huge question for what makes "polite company" these days. As Jeff wisely noted, on this "Cooler", you can ignore 100% any and all topics/content . . . and/or . . . just follow in part at your exclusive choice. At a dinner table, it is hard to skip, shift topics, etc., etc. I do not like things to be "boring". I like some good intellectual stimulation, to learn new things, have decent variety, etc. Quite frankly, some do not know much and try to make up for their short-comings by talking louder and/or longer.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 107,401 views for this posting.

Good evening Jeff,

As a proud Scot I just want to say that we do not agree with SNP MPS voting on English issues some of us Scots are all for the UK and do not like the way the political landscape is going in Scotland.

Loved your encounter with the American in the humidor I have had some interesting political discussions with Americans over dinner and always found them to be enjoyable.

Excuse the typing as sitting with pre dinner G & T !

Good evening Jeff,

 

As a proud Scot I just want to say that we do not agree with SNP MPS voting on English issues some of us Scots are all for the UK and do not like the way the political landscape is going in Scotland.

Loved your encounter with the American in the humidor I have had some interesting political discussions with Americans over dinner and always found them to be enjoyable.

 

Excuse the typing as sitting with pre dinner G & T !

Thanks ... it is the only way to type. :D

You alongside the majority of Scots. Let's not forget that not every voter for the SNP is a nationalist. It is often forgot! Milliband made a right pigs-ear of Scotland. "Man on the run" jumps to mind.

You reminded me of a thread I opened long ago about one of cruises and in particular my encounters with some lovely Amercians and some of the seeming differences between us and them. Some Americans agreed with my comparisons. Shadow before Shadow was a shadow of it's former self. I miss that Shadow. :(

If you are bored enough and with nothing better to occupy yourself to glance through the thread (in the days when most threads seemed really light-hearted ....) you might remember a much loved poster Denyse (bldsld) ... we exchanged emails and she was a really lovely warm lady who told me she loved my humour and I made her smile.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=177549

Jeff, agree with you advising Terry to stop reading the Daily Mail. I was in lounge at Heathrow on Wednesday and newspaper choice was dreadful Mirror, Mail etc

Husband had a moan at security chief as we waited 40 minutes to clear security for ongoing flight up the road to Scotland. He informed us that the infrastructure at T5 was built to cope with 25000 passengers per day but on Wednesday 50000 were going through security for ongoing flights.

Unfortunately choice for International flights from Aberdeen is limited.

Curry time now after two large G & T'S Husband and I both love street food in Singapore, last time we were there most impressed as girl who served us was wearing a Scotland football top which made us laugh.

Apologies for earlier but I get so annoyed that many English people think we are all Scot Nats.

Spin, iPad not allowing me to quote tonight but just wanted to send all good wishes to you as you go through this hard time with Bromley. It's so distressing....I know I've been through it. Plenty of hugs and love is all you can give right now....hoping all will be well.

Sophia :)

Many people here in Canada were watching the referendum in Scotland with keen interest. Our province of Quebec has made loud noises in the past about leaving Canada to become a separate entity. For now, it seems that interest has waned on the issue of separation but the threat is ever-present. It seems we walk on tiptoe to avoid provoking another referendum on separation. It does did tiring.

Hello Jeff,

I also miss Denyse, aka bldsd. Although we never met I think we were kindred spirits who appreciated both Silversea and Seabourn and often shared memories and experiences.

On my latest cruise, Seabourn Spirit and her last crossing, Americans (26) were in the definite minority; the largest nationality (more than 80) was British, of which many were Scot. I disembarked with more knowledge--and VERY varied points of view--of your upcoming election. The SNP was definitely thoroughly discussed. How I wish we could have the blessedly brief pre-election period you have. We are already inundated with politicians and their speeches in preparation for an election 18 months in the future! Time for some Armagnac.

Many people here in Canada were watching the referendum in Scotland with keen interest. Our province of Quebec has made loud noises in the past about leaving Canada to become a separate entity. For now, it seems that interest has waned on the issue of separation but the threat is ever-present. It seems we walk on tiptoe to avoid provoking another referendum on separation. It does did tiring.

Hello Jeff,

 

I also miss Denyse, aka bldsd. Although we never met I think we were kindred spirits who appreciated both Silversea and Seabourn and often shared memories and experiences.

 

On my latest cruise, Seabourn Spirit and her last crossing, Americans (26) were in the definite minority; the largest nationality (more than 80) was British, of which many were Scot. I disembarked with more knowledge--and VERY varied points of view--of your upcoming election. The SNP was definitely thoroughly discussed. How I wish we could have the blessedly brief pre-election period you have. We are already inundated with politicians and their speeches in preparation for an election 18 months in the future! Time for some Armagnac.

Good morning all ......

One of the upsides of a clear Westminster majority is that some of the factors that should habe been predicted but seemingly overlooked in the referendum with respect to Scottish nationalism might not be repeated next time round. Some of those factors were allowing 16 year olds to vote, essentially allowing any EU citizen who happened to be resident in Scotland at the time to vote but dissalowing Scottish born citizens temporarily or permanently living aborad to vote. So for example a 16 year old Latvian student could vote but a Scottish born pensioner taking a few months in Spain could not.

Those particular groups are likely to favour a yes vote than no vote. It shouldn't have happened. It probably won't again. But what ever SNP wants the earliest another referendum will be is 10 to 15 years and no one will blindly walk in to rather dumb electoral rules. Who knows, perhaps the whole of the UK might be franchised on some sort of "college vote" system? Why is it not my business albeit to a lesser degree than a Latvian student who happens to be studying in Scotland?

Denyse was very shy about her illness and she would keep me up to date with her treatment and clearly loved being made to laugh even if half the time I appeared to be taking the urine out of myself and my "fascinating" interactions with Amercians on cruises. She coped really well. :D

I thought you might be interested in some of the Times cartoons this week ...