Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[sgmn]

On 7/30/2023 at 1:46 AM, Ocean Boy said:

This evening on the beach could not get much better...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I absolutely love you beach pictures. Looks like you live in a very special place.

[sgmn]

On 7/30/2023 at 8:18 AM, grapau27 said:

Highclere castle home of Downton abbey is 200 miles from Ripon at Newbury About 35 miles from Southampton the main cruise port in the UK. 

We visited and did a tour of the castle and grounds there 2 years ago before  a cruise.

I haven't been there myself but family members have. It's a great day out. Need to book as not always open to public though. 

[sgmn]

19 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

 

Mike wants to take 6 months off after he retires and travel around Australia in an rv. I know we won’t be able to do it that soon because we will still have cats and I can’t leave them for that long.

Our plan too was to travel extensively when we retired. Then after forced retirement during covid (though I was planning to soon anyway), we couldn't travel. Then by the time the world opened up again we had grandkids and I wouldn't want to be too long gone from them . Molly the Collie is a (welcome) responsibility too. 

Maybe in five years or so when the g/kids are in full time school we can travel for longer periods of time 

[sgmn]

19 hours ago, h20skibum said:

Yesterday, we tried out a new experience for the kids.  Three guesses what it was.  

 

When we were getting ready to go, I grabbed a few props and put them on.  When my grandson saw them, he wanted to put them on.  

 

 

I guess that anyone in the know, knows that tomorrow is Harry Potter’s birthday.  Now me, I know nothing of it.  Never read the books, nor have I watched any of the movies.  But I guess the grandkids know something of the wizarding world, because they have owls and wands. 

 

So last night we went to a themed dinner celebrating Harry’s birthday.  

 

 

No one in our group wore official costume, but I think we were the only ones in the place that didn’t.  Evidently there are some serious fans out there. 

 

 

They had a couple characters dressed as Harry and I guess it is one of his friends (like I said, I know nothing of the movies)

 

 

I guess this is Potter drink and food.  My one grandson swears that butter beer is the best, so I tried it out. 

 

 

Shepard’s pie

 

 

And a cupcake.  

 

 

Everyone received a mini wand favor and a chocolate quidditch ball

 

 

The kids seemed to enjoy themselves. 
 

Today, SYFY has a Harry Potter movie marathon, so maybe I will get to watch one of the movies to see what they are about. 

 

Had a butterbeer at Harry Potter World studio tour. No real rides but loads of props and interest info about the movies

https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwt52mBhB5EiwA05YKo8Z2sq2xh4veA8DGKDbA6klfuYWgfra3hjucpMtwHXbARbzrMw_mtBoCYsIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edited July 31, 2023 by sgmn

[sgmn]

14 hours ago, ollienbertsmum said:

So today was a day at sea.  Almost felt like I was on a cruise.  For my birthday in April  my girls promised me a whale watch.  The idea is to see Orcas but they don’t pass through the Straits of Gibraltar until mid summer.  We saw whales but only pilot whales.  Apparently they are quite territorial and aggressive so they keep the Orcas away.  We were a bit spoiled the first time we went two years ago when we saw so many Orcas….  maybe next year.  We had a lovely lunch in Tarifa to end.  

IMG_7439.mov 29.84 MB · 2 downloads  

In this area there are not many boats that go out.  When we went in Vancouver and Boston there were lots of boats.  I think that they communicate with each other and let each other know where the whales are on that day giving more chance of sighting.  It was good to see one whale species though.  

 

It did feel l like I was standing on a balcony at one point.  

 

Sounds like a fab day. I would love to see whales 🐋 

[sgmn]

As expected our family BBQ yesterday (with my brothers and their partners) had to be held indoors due to rain.  But we have a great time and loved catching up on extended family news.

Now we have left overs for the next few days 

Edited July 31, 2023 by sgmn

[Ocean Boy]

26 minutes ago, sgmn said:

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I absolutely love you beach pictures. Looks like you live in a very special place.

Thank you very much.

[h20skibum]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

Had a butterbeer at Harry Potter World studio tour. No real rides but loads of props and interest info about the movies

https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwt52mBhB5EiwA05YKo8Z2sq2xh4veA8DGKDbA6klfuYWgfra3hjucpMtwHXbARbzrMw_mtBoCYsIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That looks very interesting. 

Edited July 31, 2023 by h20skibum

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, sgmn said:

I haven't been there myself but family members have. It's a great day out. Need to book as not always open to public though. 

We booked and paid online.

 

[HBE4]

21 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

The last time I was on a NY beach was 1976.I was on beaches in the Caribbean and California more recently.

 

That sounds about right. The beaches in the Caribbean & California are much nicer than NY.

 

[BonTexasNY]

7 hours ago, brillohead said:

Not for civilians, but my Army Vet son and his Marine Reserve girlfriend would disagree with you!!!

The GF is being medically discharged from the Marines and she's pursuing disability from them.  Her knee got torn up during a training, and she's had two operations on it so far and they've told her that it can't be repaired.  

My son is contemplating going for partial disability for his knees and back pain, both of which he was being treated for in his last year of service.  

Best of luck to both of them and thank them for their service.

[BonTexasNY]

49 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

That sounds about right. The beaches in the Caribbean & California are much nicer than NY.

 

OK, my NY friends.  Where is this beach?  Hint, it's in NY:

 

[Keksie]

This is our beach.

 

[Jimbo]

Ok pick a few of those ugly tomatoes this morning. They are starting to ripen on the vine. Not that easy to pick since they are large and packed in the plant around the metal cages.

 

I hope  that green stem like is not like that in every tomato,but since they are mostly all large it should be easy to cut around them.

 

They do however taste great,they are very,very sweet. 🙂

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2023 by Jimbo

[BonTexasNY]

5 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Ok pick a few of those ugly tomatoes this morning. They are starting to ripen on the vine. Not that easy to pick since they are large and packed in the plant around the metal cages.

 

I hope  that green stem like is not like that in every tomato,but since they are mostly all large it should be easy to cut around them.

 

They do however taste great,they are very,very sweet. 🙂

 

 

 

Nothing like home grown tomatoes no matter how they look.

[jagsfan]

On 7/29/2023 at 3:50 PM, grapau27 said:

Thank you Maryann.

Pauline said thank you so much.

Lovely Pauline!

[jagsfan]

2 hours ago, Keksie said:

This is our beach.

 

Beautiful powdery sand!

[helen haywood]

@bobmacliberty Your trivia story reminded me of trivia once on Oasis.  We looked to be the only contestants and the trivia host nervously told us not to worry, if no one else showed up, we would still be given a prize.  😁  Guess she was used to those serious key chain collectors you mentioned.

[George C]

40 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

@bobmacliberty Your trivia story reminded me of trivia once on Oasis.  We looked to be the only contestants and the trivia host nervously told us not to worry, if no one else showed up, we would still be given a prize.  😁  Guess she was used to those serious key chain collectors you mentioned.

We also enjoy trivia , best prize was when we were on edge with captain Kate if you won you got a picture of you and her cat 😁😁😁,  but I prefer poker won a hundred yesterday will use a bit of it on mega million lottery tickets. 

[ReneeFLL]

23 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

+1. @ReneeFLL. Love that itinerary b2b.   Hope you have an excellent cruise.   Is Mike going to be on both legs?

It will be both Mike and I. Our cruising separately days are most likely over with. I booked a bunch of double points and cheap cruises before the promo ended. Some were b2b - b4b. We knew he wouldn’t be able to take that many per month without using vacation time. He keeps that for our longer cruises. Can’t wait to be back on a ship. 🛳️🍹. I know I’ve said we don’t drink that much when it’s just the 2 of us. This time I can blame it on @seatoshiningsea and @bmblob. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. 😆😆😆

[ReneeFLL]

3 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Ok pick a few of those ugly tomatoes this morning. They are starting to ripen on the vine. Not that easy to pick since they are large and packed in the plant around the metal cages.

 

I hope  that green stem like is not like that in every tomato,but since they are mostly all large it should be easy to cut around them.

 

They do however taste great,they are very,very sweet. 🙂

 

 

 

Glad they taste good.

[helen haywood]

49 minutes ago, George C said:

you got a picture of you and her cat 😁😁😁,  

As we all know, I love cats…but I would not want my picture taken with THAT cat.

[Arzeena]

Awwww
What has THAT poor thing done wrong?
Not beautiful looking, OK I get it😄...makes me love it even more, just as I would one with three legs or no tail or one eye.

[Ourusualbeach]

51 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

This time I can blame it on @seatoshiningsea and @bmblob. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

That's the great thing about group cruise.  There are always others to blame your overindulgences on.🤣

Edited July 31, 2023 by Ourusualbeach

[A&L_Ont]

Just hanging at the home pool today.   Niece and nephews are out this week.