Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome!

[TLCOhio]

Thanks Terry, I'm presuming your not playing at being a judge ... but like me is entitled to work out whether she has been treated fairly or not. I'm surprised that the amount of overwhelming evidence including enough to convince the law firm you mention should put you at least 99% there ... Forgive me for stating the obvious ..... but the "other side" have stated their case ... it's called the prosecution. They will simply deny all the charges in the writ. In our system you start off innocent, and you have to be proved to be guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. You have to have a fair trial.

 

jpalbny: Leaving on Friday evening for France' date=' and the river cruise! Chris and I are both feeling pretty tired, as we came down with some nasty colds at the end of last week. We spent most of the weekend lying around recuperating, but managed to get some clothes laid out for packing later this week. My big accomplishment was some homemade chicken soup yesterday. Tonight we felt a little better and managed to go out for a walk after work. [/quote']

 

Lord Horace: Cases all packed' date=' tickets, money etc all checked, and Emirates have rung to confirm chauffeur pick up time. Off to the pub now with my friends who are house sitting for me. A lovely spring like day up here, but still chilli [/quote']

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Plus, the start of "March Madness" here in the USA. That later item involves the big, BIG interest in NCAA college basketball. Thursday and Friday will be huge days with lots of exciting men's basketball games as the attention builds for the "Final Four' in Indianapolis for those early April battles. One of the NCAA second round game sites is here in Columbus. Among the eight teams here in Central Ohio will be #3 Oklahoma, #4 Maryland and #5 West Virginia.

 

Good luck for JP, Chris and Lady H with their upcoming travels. Look forward to hearing more on their adventure highlights, etc. Maybe some pictures??

 

Yesterday in Columbus was sunny, a high of 68 °F, the warmest day here since early November 2014. Nice weather is finally getting here!!!

 

For Jeff, I was not trying to be the "judge", just reminding you what a person in that position must do. You might believe that the prosecution has already stated its "case" or side. BUT, during the appeals process, BOTH sides can offer their opinions and legal cases, point out their views of any short-comings associated with the other side's claims, etc. The appeals process is far different from what happened, right or wrong, during the trial stage. Keep us posted for any major upcoming developments on this case.

 

Great to see the fun pizza pictures from Jeff. Keep up the good sharing.

 

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 102,773 views for this posting.

Edited March 17, 2015 by TLCOhio

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi all ....

 

Not food ... but an early "heads up" on a great offer if anyone is around and fancies a luxury trip to Monaco including free helicopter transfers .... in November or December ...

 

British Airways offering a free Nice-Monaco helicopter transfer with ‘flight and hotel’ packages!

 

BA has teamed up with the Monaco tourist authority to offer free return helicopter transfers with a ‘flight and hotel’ booking of just two nights during the Winter season (1 November to 31 December). For the rest of the year, you need to book a minimum of 5 nights hotel stay. You also get a free transfer from the heliport to your hotel and free tickets for certain Monaco attractions.

 

This is a really good deal in November. 2 nights at The Fairmont plus economy flights plus helicopter transfers for just £432 for two people (ie £216 each) for the first weekend in November. Note the small print re the transfers, especially the operating hours of the helicopter.

 

Monaco - Take luxury to another level

[UKCruiseJeff]

I'd really appreciate a bit of latitude on this .... as it is an urgent request try and save Shafqat Hussain's life.

 

Time to save Shafqat Hussain is running out. His execution is just days away and the Pakistani courts have just rejected his appeal.

 

Reprieve's partners at Justice Project Pakistan took the case to the High Court last night. They argued that Shafqat shouldn’t be hanged because it is illegal to execute those convicted as children, and because evidence obtained through torture is banned in Pakistan. The court didn’t listen, but there is still hope.

 

The Pakistani government retains the right to stop executions up until the last minute, and we need to keep up the pressure to make sure they do.

 

Over 5,559 have already sent messages (up to a few moments ago ...) demanding that the Federal Minister for the Interior, Chaudhry Nisar, intervene to stop Shafqat’s hanging, but the more people who voice their opposition, the more likely he is to take action. Here is a link

 

You can use the text as a guide, or personalise the message if you wish and send direct from this link ... it is very easy

 

Shafqat was a 14-year-old boy when he was illegally sentenced to death. After he was arrested, he was brutally tortured for 9 days. In the end, he admitted to a crime he didn’t commit to make the abuse stop. The Pakistani authorities tried to execute him in January, but thousands of us took action together and succeeded in stopping it.

 

Shafqat’s life is in immediate danger. We know that Chaudhry Nisar has the power to save Shafqat from execution, and we know our collective voices have huge power. But Shafqat’s hanging is just days away, and we must act quickly.

 

If you have already joined our campaign, you can still help by sharing this action as widely as possible.

 

Every bit of support helps strengthen our call, and is much appreciated. I'd appreciate any support by simply completing the email.

 

Thanks muchly,

 

Jeff

[TLCOhio]

I'd really appreciate a bit of latitude on this .... as it is an urgent request try and save Shafqat Hussain's life. Time to save Shafqat Hussain is running out. His execution is just days away and the Pakistani courts have just rejected his appeal. Reprieve's partners at Justice Project Pakistan took the case to the High Court last night. They argued that Shafqat shouldn’t be hanged because it is illegal to execute those convicted as children, and because evidence obtained through torture is banned in Pakistan. The court didn’t listen, but there is still hope.

Thanks muchly, Jeff

 

Appreciate Jeff bring this case to our attention. Did a quick news search and saw this New York Times item from five hours ago. They have this headline: "Pakistan’s Moral Catastrophe".

 

Here are some of the highlights from this summary column by Fatima Bhutto that has a subhead of "Don’t Execute Shafqat Hussain": "Shafqat Hussain, the youngest of seven children, came to Karachi from Kashmir in search of work in 2003. Having struggled with a learning disability, Shafqat failed in school. He was 13 years old when he dropped out, barely able to read or write. When he was 14, still four years under Pakistan’s legal age of adulthood, Shafqat was detained illegally by the police and severely beaten. The boy was held in solitary confinement, his genitals were electrocuted and he was burned with cigarette butts. The policemen interrogating him removed three of his fingernails. He was told that he would never escape police custody or his torturers until he confessed to a crime he did not commit, the murder of a 7-year-old boy."

 

Full column at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/opinion/fatima-bhutto-pakistan-dont-execute-shafqat-hussain.html?_r=0

 

My confidence in Pakistan and their system of "justice" is not even "low". It is, sadly, if possibly, even lower in its credibility and confidence!! Unfortunately, I do not have any connection or powers in Pakistan, but hopefully on this case, and many others there, that country and its "powers" will get smart and not act as stupid. Good luck!!

 

The author of this column is the granddaughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, niece of former Prime Minister B e n a z i r Bhutto. Neither the grandfather or aunt got much "justice" in Pakistan. Her father is the son of former Pakistani president and prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Such a tangled and twisted mess/history in Pakistan!!

 

THANKS! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 174,507 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi Terry, thanks for your interest in this ...

 

In the end some states don't do the right thing through any ethical considerations, they do so when the damage to reputation increases in volume and only when the perceived damage to world-wide prestige is threatened. The number of people writing to a minister makes him/her think for a moment ..."perhaps I should stop this one ....". That is all one can seek to achieve. I hope you agree and found time to send a note. All we can do is try and hope. :)

 

On a lighter cooly scale and as you like my last nights pizza piccy. I have been experimenting. My constant mission to create that illusive perfect pizza continues with trying different ideas.

 

I'm trying to achieve an even thinner topping but with more flavour. So I made a large quantity of chopped smoky bacon with slowly braised red onion, and mushroom with my famous tomato base - all mixed and concentrated by evaporating off all moisture. And it has the advantage of being really suitable for bulk freezing.

 

It's really good. Lovely crust using 7 day dough and 90 seconds at just under 1000F brought a decent Neapolitan.

 

[Lord Horace]

Hello Jeff and Terry. Now in sunny, and hot Singapore. Actually raining in Dubai, whilst waiting for connecting flight. Hotel and staff just as good as past stays, albeit I am rattling around in my suite, eight chairs/sofas in lounge and a further five chairs in bedroom. Terry I have tried attaching an image, but seem to have failed. Will have to wait until on board and ask someone. Jeff I plan to take a taxi later this pm to the areas you kindly recommended, my taste buds are working just with the thought. Could just devour your pizza now, even thought I had a very good breakfast. The glass of champagne has also made me hungary

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hello Lady H.

 

So the adventure has begun .......!!:D

 

It sounds like they are treating you like a queen there .... it's so lovely to hear you are ensconced in the suite and contemplating your next few days.

 

I hope I haven't suggested places too adventurous for a lady of breeding and up-market sensitivities like yours ... ... and that you enjoy your time there. I'm envious - we have to wait a few more weeks until our next arrival in Singapore.

 

If you get to Chinatown do pop into Chinatown food court ... it is one of the largest hawker center / food courts in Singapore and for some reason most tourists never notice the entrance and get there. It's on several floors and also has a food market in the basement for you to explore. There is so much lovely food to explore there. One of our favourite is the roast meats stall selling suckling pig and char siu.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=singapore+chinatown+food+court&biw=1523&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BDYJVdG2A8z3aordgfgL&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

[UKCruiseJeff]

Shafqat Hussain's execution halted.

 

Just a note for those interested.

 

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government on Wednesday halted execution of Shafqat Hussain just hours before he was set to be hanged in Central Jail Karachi.

 

The development came after Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan requested the President of Pakistan to halt his execution pending re-examining his age.

 

“We have learnt from multiple sources that Shafqat’s execution has been stayed. We have yet to see an official notification but personally handed over his mercy petition to an official of Presidency at 11:30pm [Wednesday],” Communication Specialist for Justice Project Pakistan Shahab Siddiqi said.

 

After receiving documents from his family, the Interior Minister wrote to President Mamnoon Hussain requesting him to stay Shafqat’s execution temporarily, he said. Shafqat was due to be executed on March 19 at 6am.

 

A jail official, who was waiting for official order for staying Shafqat’s execution, said that it had likely been postponed.

 

Shafqat’s mother had filed a fresh mercy petition with President of Pakistan, seeking to commute her son’s death to life imprisonment.

 

“I seek mercy (of my son Shafqat Hussain s/o Shahzullah, as his execution date has been fixed by the Central Jail Karachi, for 19.03.2015) in the name of Allah Almighty from your highness, and request you to kindly commute my son’s death to life imprisonment (25 years punishment) as empowered under Article 45 of constitution of Pakistan which is not challenged in any court of law,” reads the petition.

 

“Through this new petition—we beg pardon of President/Prime Minister of Pakistan. I beg for new life of her son,” Makhani Begum, 65, told The Express Tribune on phone from district Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Documents made available to The Express Tribune show that Shafqat was born in 1991. His birth certificate and affidavit and CNIC of Shafqat’s class fellow, Qamarul Islam; affidavits and identity cards of Shafqat’s younger sister Sumera and his oldest brother Gul Zaman, his father and mother also prove his age. These documents have been submitted to Ministry of Interior as well as office of the President.

 

Shafqat was aged 14 when he had allegedly murdered a child in 2001. He had been sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in 2004. Mercy appeals for Shafqat were rejected by the high court in 2006, and the Supreme Court in 2007 while the then President, Asif Ali Zardari, had also rejected his mercy petition in 2012.

 

The question regarding Shafqat being a juvenile had recently been raised, but only after the court proceedings and his mercy appeals were rejected by the presidency and various courts and his black warrants issued.

 

Thanks to those that troubled to send an email.

 

Jeff

[Lord Horace]

Hello Jeff

My trip for food was amazing. Thank you so much in pointing me in the right direction. I have now learned that really anything is edible...however being a westerner I was too shy or panicy (not sure if that is a word) to try anything very exotic, but so cheap. You are right taxis are cheap. In fact most basic things I have found cheap. I now understand why you keep retuning here. For me, it is not just the weather, cost of living etc...it is the locals and there lovely smiles. We should learn to smile more in Britain.

Well the bell boy has just been to collect the cases, so I am now another step closer to joining Wind. We can board from midday..just an hour away

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hello Jeff

My trip for food was amazing. Thank you so much in pointing me in the right direction. I have now learned that really anything is edible...however being a westerner I was too shy or panicy (not sure if that is a word) to try anything very exotic, but so cheap. You are right taxis are cheap. In fact most basic things I have found cheap. I now understand why you keep retuning here. For me, it is not just the weather, cost of living etc...it is the locals and there lovely smiles. We should learn to smile more in Britain.

Well the bell boy has just been to collect the cases, so I am now another step closer to joining Wind. We can board from midday..just an hour away

 

I am so pleased ..... and relieved ... that you liked what you found and that it's been a bit of an adventure for you.

 

I'd love to hear more if you have time.

 

Jeff

 

:)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good morning coolies and anyone else dipping in that is interested. Can anyone make any sense of this ... as it has floored me completely.

 

I was at a neighbours property a few days ago. They had problems with their mains drainage and had workman on their property ready to dig up their land to search for the drains with mechanical diggers. They had no site plans hence they were contemplating considerable disruption and costs. I asked if they had a couple of metal coat hangars, which they did and I made a couple of L shaped divining rods.

 

My builder had done this in our property ten years or so ago when looking for central heating pipework under our concrete. I had been sceptical of this but it had worked. He showed me how to do it and it worked for me. My presumption was that this was nothing fanciful or para-normal just physical electro-mechanical type changes out of sight that simply created difference magnetic type forces. Thought not much more about it.

 

Anyway within ten minutes on my neighbour's property or so I'd found the line of drains and we'd pegged it out and when they dug there they were. However both neighbour and builder convinced themselves that this wasn't natural forces but super natural forces which I dismiss completely. I do not believe whatsoever in the paranormal.

 

Anyway yesterday I started to read about all this and of course everyone dismisses it. I did however find one web site that treated it seriously and talked about “calibrating” your divining rods. So yesterday with my wife hooting with derision I got up without explaining, got 5 bits of paper which I wrote 1 to 5 on and placed them on the floor face up so I could see them. I then concentrated on number 3 and said loudly “find me number 3”. I walked along and sure enough the rods crossed when I moved over number 3. So I deduced from this that it was me controlling the rods somehow. Nothing super-natural at all. But this is the thing that has completely floored me.

 

I then left the room asking my wife to turn them over so the numbers were face down and shuffle them around so I didn't know where 3 was. I then returned, said “find me 3” and I moved along, and then the rods crossed, I turned over the paper and it was 3. This really shocked me. Really shocked me. I didn't know where 3 was so couldn't be controlling it. We repeated this several times. Always found 3. My wife tried the same thing – it didn't work.

 

Any ideas views and comments? Anyone ever tried it or prepared to give it a go and see whether this works for others ie either looking for specific things and then the calibration tests? I outlined? I find it unsettling because there is no rational explanation but I simply am too set in my beliefs to accept any super-natural explanation. But I can't find any other.

 

Any comments welcomed other than accusation that it didn't happen exactly as I said.

 

Jeff

[spinnaker2]

Get out your ouija board.

There are a lot of questions I would like answered.

 

Seriously...sounds weird Jeff.

Maybe you have some electrical force field like an aura....

[nobog]

Yahoo News:

 

Lawyers for Shafqat Hussain say...

 

http://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-postpones-execution-killer-convicted-child-media-022444953.html

[rojo2012]

Jeff,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I forwarded Reprieve's case on Shafqat to all my friend and my daughter did the same. Was so relieved with the news last night. Hopefully justice will prevail eventually.

Edited March 19, 2015 by rojo2012

[UKCruiseJeff]

Jeff,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I forwarded Reprieve's case on Shafqat to all my friend and my daughter did the same. Was so relieved with the news last night. Hopefully justice will prevail eventually.

 

Thanks so much for taking the trouble.

 

Basically with only two days or so warning the execution was quietly rescheduled without warning and having promised a review of the evidence that was presented, and so a fairly swift action was required if there was any chance to save him. Posting here on such a topic is always going to be somewhat of a compromise of offending against "not" or taking action but a life was at imminent risk.

 

I've just heard from Clive Stafford Smith and he is sending out a thank you email to those that helped. Over 10,000 people responded in a very short time period and with those others that made representations I have no doubt that without the response Shafqat would not be with us now. However, there are 40 executions scheduled for the next week and many of these were children when convicted and many were abused and tortured to gain "confessions".

 

The view I take is that the way you eat an elephant is by a bite at a time and this time we prevailed. Only through wonderful people like you who didn't grumble at me for bringing the tone of the thread down for this but instead "did something" did this result come about.

 

Thanks again to you and through you the people you asked and who gave help. You were lovely jubbly!

 

Jeff

[TLCOhio]

Yahoo News:

Lawyers for Shafqat Hussain say...

http://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-postpones-execution-killer-convicted-child-media-022444953.html

 

Sadly, it appears to only be a "temporary" delay with no clear word for what type of legal process will be followed. From NBC News, here is their opening story summary: "The imminent execution of a Pakistani man convicted of murder and kidnapping when he was 14 has been postponed for 72 hours, the government announced on Thursday, following an international outcry over the case. 'A question was being raised about Pakistan's justice system,' Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said in parliament, without elaborating on what that was."

 

Clearly, their top Interior Minister is acknowledging that the major media and opinion leader questions got their attention. BUT, what will happen in a few days??? Thanks to Jeff and others for the attention on this issue.

 

For full NBC News story:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/shafqat-hussain-execution-looms-pakistan-supporters-hope-miracle-n325811

 

Look forward to reading more on the adventures from Lord Horace.

 

THANKS! Terry in Ohio

[tgh]

Quite it's own hydra , this thread…

 

I have used a bit of wire for finding stuff most of my life, it's a very common way of finding water of course although some of the folksy apps are eye opening.

One very well regarded diviner walks around with a mouthful of gum leaves.

There are truly more things ...…. Horatio…

seek and ye may find…

all sorts of

good stuff :-)

[UKCruiseJeff]

For those that might be interested ... the eclipse from our beachcam in Devon a few moments ago at roughly maximum darkness .....

 

[jpalbny]

Awesome! Disjointed we missed it by a day... Leaving for Paris tonight!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Safe travels to you and Chris JP!

 

Jeff

[spinnaker2]

Love the photo, it's eerily beautiful!

[jpalbny]

Thanks Jeff. Correcting my earlier post - disappointed, not disjointed! Darn autocorrect...

[UKCruiseJeff]

Thanks Jeff. Correcting my earlier post - disappointed, not disjointed! Darn autocorrect...

 

Neal Desperado JP, I realised your disappointed was disjointed or vice versa ...

 

#SingaporeStreetFood@HampshireUK .... teriyaki sirloin today ...à midi ... a big wok and an 8kw wok burner will travel ...

 

[spinnaker2]

Nice ...you had a food booth?

Looks very yummy.

I just finished squeezing the last of the Meyer lemons, will freeze into cubes for use another time.

Also same with the Honeybells.

We are getting ready for next cruise, we leave next week and I, like JP am trying to clean out refrig for space for the dog sitter.

 

JP have a wonderful time.

 

lady H, hope all well on the wind, and that the seas follow!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Nice ...you had a food booth?

Looks very yummy.

I just finished squeezing the last of the Meyer lemons, will freeze into cubes for use another time.

Also same with the Honeybells.

We are getting ready for next cruise, we leave next week and I, like JP am trying to clean out refrig for space for the dog sitter.

 

JP have a wonderful time.

 

lady H, hope all well on the wind, and that the seas follow!

 

Spinach,

 

I hope you aren't casting nasturtiums on my wokery! :eek:

 

I wish I had a booth ... but I only have a kitchen. I think I'd be a good wokker hawker but for the time being it's just me, the wok and the wife.

 

You are a lucky bunny being off somewhere imminently and eminently and I'm a bit envious.

 

All I'll say in mitigation is that I am currently moving from wokery to muffinery and chocery.

 

I wish I had an attractive dog sitter. I'd make her muffins.

 

:D

 

Jeff