Jim_Iain – Silhouette Live Post April 8, 21, 30 - B3B - TransAtlantic, Portugal Spain, France and the Norwegian Fjords

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, SkystheLimit said:

Those are yummy looking treats!  Nothing like a HobNob!  Thank you for sharing your updates with us.  Take care of yourselves.

 

I love them also.   Iain's favorite since childhood is the Battenburg Cake.    My walking really took a dive in the past couple days.    Only did 3,000 steps yesterday.    Hopefully we will get out today for a hike in the New Forest.   

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, ptater said:

Hi Jim!  Have enjoyed so much your blog!  Thanks for sharing. I’m curious to know if you will be in the Penthouse Suite on the Iceland trip.  If so, I may be your neighbor. We are so looking forward to this trip in August.

 

Unfortunately no.   We didn't book until late and as you know it has been sold out for 6-8 months ago.   Initially all I could get was a Concierge but kept wait listing until I finally got a SS Guarantee. 

 

Things must opening up since Final Payment yesterday and I applied for a $5,000 price match.   A bunch of SS opened up.

 

I'm still wait listed for a CS but we can be just as happy with a Sky Suite.  

 

Are you on both to and from Greenland? 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I don't think that is true at this moment.  You are supposed to isolate and not fly for 5 days after your symptoms disappear.

It's really interesting to find any consistency at all.   In the UK no regulations at all but recommend the 5 day.    U.S. only requires a negative test 1 day prior to boarding flight or a Recovery Certificate hat requires 5 day isolation.  

 

I kinda like the Doctors here.    The one I called made a house call instead of coming to his Surgery.  He said he was ok with ending isolation after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart.   

 

Like you suggested we are doing the 5 days minimum with 2 negative test. 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, hcat said:

SENDING POSITIVE AND HAPPY THOUGHTS YOUR WAY!

 

I definitely felt those happy and positive thoughts with a warmth in my heart.

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, RICCruisers said:

Jim, Like everyone else I am sorry you and Iain tested positive.

 

One thing I meant to ask while you were in isolation onboard was, how many laps around the Penthouse was 15 miles?  Hope you have been able to return to your walking routine while staying in the cottage. 

 

Couldn't tell you as we were in a Royal Suite.   LOL 

 

Not many as I have only averaged 1 mile the last 3 days.   "These feet are made for walking"

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, TowandaUK said:

Glad that you and Iain are settling into your new pad. Sorry that Iain is also positive, but hope that you both have only mild symptoms. Hope you may get a chance to explore the beautiful new forest before moving on to Scotland. 
I’m curious as to what happened to your remaining onboard credit?  You obviously had no chance to spend it all once quarantined. Was it refunded or did you lose it?   

 

The policy for NR OBC is use it or spend it.   @jetblue was able to transfer his to a friend and they were able to play it in the casino and returned a pretty good % of it to him.

 

We cashed out the night before.    Iain said just hold onto it until the last night of the cruise.   I'm glad I didn't listen to him.     I also heard many were upset as on the last night at about 11:00 (not sure of the time)  there was an unexpected announcement that the Casino would close in 15 minutes because they would be in British Waters.

 

Many were upset with so little notice as of course the Captain would have known when they would be in British Waters hours before.  

[delondin]

17 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It's really interesting to find any consistency at all.   In the UK no regulations at all but recommend the 5 day.    U.S. only requires a negative test 1 day prior to boarding flight or a Recovery Certificate hat requires 5 day isolation.  

 

I kinda like the Doctors here.    The one I called made a house call instead of coming to his Surgery.  He said he was ok with ending isolation after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart.   

 

Like you suggested we are doing the 5 days minimum with 2 negative test. 

Interesting re the doctor. I presume this was  a private clinic Trying to get a house visit in the Uk is very difficult and no chance on a Sunday of a bank holiday weekend. Our healthcare system is very different to USA. 

[TowandaUK]

If you are going into the new forest today I would thoroughly recommend the Rhinefield ornamental drive. Lots of lovely walks along the way including some next to a little river. There’s a deer park at one end. Fingers crossed for dry weather. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, delondin said:

Interesting re the doctor. I presume this was  a private clinic Trying to get a house visit in the Uk is very difficult and no chance on a Sunday of a bank holiday weekend. Our healthcare system is very different to USA. 

LOL -- yes since I am NOT going through NHS and have private insurance I just called up and they dispatched a doctor.   I paid for it privately and will submit for reimbursement. 

[TowandaUK]

Incidentally. If you are still craving Cornish pasties and cream teas look up the Cornwall Hamper company. They dispatch frozen pasties in dry ice for next day delivery for cooking at home. They usually deal in boxes of 6 but if you were to contact them and explain the circumstances I am sure they would accommodate you. 
Best pasties in the UK!!

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, TowandaUK said:

If you are going into the new forest today I would thoroughly recommend the Rhinefield ornamental drive. Lots of lovely walks along the way including some next to a little river. There’s a deer park at one end. Fingers crossed for dry weather. 
 

That's on the list.   Looks like a beautiful area.   It is a smirr of a day.   But OK as it is suppose to be like this all week.   I bought some slickers for Norway so just pulled them out of the suitcase.  

 

We are slow getting today but It's only 9:30 and we are sitting around watching the news and sipping coffee and tea. 

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Everyone should travel with an infrared thermometer. We have been checking every couple hours.  Also helps with peace of mind 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, TowandaUK said:

Incidentally. If you are still craving Cornish pasties and cream teas look up the Cornwall Hamper company. They dispatch frozen pasties in dry ice for next day delivery for cooking at home. They usually deal in boxes of 6 but if you were to contact them and explain the circumstances I am sure they would accommodate you. 
Best pasties in the UK!!

 

Do they ship by Post or courier.   Our flat is behind a private gate to 3 homes.  There is no intercom or other ways to let someone in without a combination.   I left a note to the Courier of the additional kits coming Wednesday by courier to toss them over the gate.   Should be safe as really nice neighbors

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

I kinda like the Doctors here.    The one I called made a house call instead of coming to his Surgery.  He said he was ok with ending isolation after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart.   

I'm astonished!!!  Even a private doctor is video call only for Covid patients.  One mention of the word and all doors are locked.  The NHS runs so called hot clinics for anyone who is having difficulties or unusual symptoms.  I ended up in one in March as I started to cough blood and had nose bleeds.  The doctor was kitted out in  tyvek suit with gloves like a cricket wicketkeeper which meant he had problems holding his instruments.  Thankfully due to that referral I was placed on antivirals and avoided the hospitalisation my GP wanted.

 

Hope you both stay with mild symptoms. My husband ironically never caught it from me although I tested positive for 18 days.  On day 21 of my being unwell he went to hospital for a routine appointment and tested positive two days late, on day 6 he tested clear.  I meantime continue coughing, being exhausted and generally befuddled in the brain!  Strange old illness.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Megabear2

[Megabear2]

Seems some cruise lines are reverting to extra precautions. Just heard from someone the QM2 departed Southampton yesterday :

 

"We have just boarded . The Daily Programme says :

Wear a face mask when moving around indoors, and when seated in Illuminations, the Royal Court Theatre, Casino, and when using the gym. Social distancing would be practiced throughout your holiday.

A maximum of 4 people in the lift at once."

 

I wonder how long before more of the cruise lines revert to this? Understand current P&O sailings have gone to 80% occupancy this weekend as well.  Clearly there is a big demand for the ex Southampton departures.

 

[JeanieC,Aston]

Hi

The Curse of the Silhouette strikes again.

Left the ship on Saturday….tested Covid positive Sunday,,,both myself and my wife.

 

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

It's really interesting to find any consistency at all.   In the UK no regulations at all but recommend the 5 day.    U.S. only requires a negative test 1 day prior to boarding flight or a Recovery Certificate hat requires 5 day isolation.  

 

I kinda like the Doctors here.    The one I called made a house call instead of coming to his Surgery.  He said he was ok with ending isolation after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart.   

 

Like you suggested we are doing the 5 days minimum with 2 negative test. 

 

I wish you and Lain the best and a quick recovery.  I agree that the requirements are confusing and there is a difference between government requirements and the medical definition of contagious.   I agree that the US airlines, in my case Delta, have the 1-day test requirement but they also have the disclaimer that a passenger meet applicable health guidelines.  Here is the portion of the CDC guidelines if you contract Covid.  There is also the discussion about ending isolation vs taking precautions.  To me it seems like the CDC is recommending that people should not travel until 10 days after your symptoms started.

 

In your case I think that you will certainly meet all of these requirements because of the additional time you planned to spend in the UK.  Most people probably haven't planned for that extra time before flying home.  I'll suggest that many people that contract Covid will fly after clearing the 1-day test and actually be in violation of the government guidelines.

 

[sgmn]

13 minutes ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

Hi

The Curse of the Silhouette strikes again.

Left the ship on Saturday….tested Covid positive Sunday,,,both myself and my wife.

 

So sorry to hear, hope your symptoms are mild. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

  I meantime continue coughing, being exhausted and generally befuddled in the brain!  Strange old illness.

 

Ahh.. that must be it--- Befuddled Brain.     We had to grab some provision and our test kits today so went really early before folks were out.    Being a bank holiday the streets were empty.   

 

In case someone is in need of Test kits in the Southampton area.   Super drugs have them and you can order online with pickup at front counter in 30 minutes. 

 

When Iain came out of the store he turned the wrong direction.   I laughed.... wonder if it is a befuddled brain. 

[Jim_Iain]

Out getting our test kits and provisions, I shot a couple pictures 

 

No not a Doll House but  a Dog House

 

 

 

Let us never forget those that gave their lives to protect us.   The shoes Bring it all back to reality 

 

We were able to avoid others. 

 

[Host Hattie]

55 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Seems some cruise lines are reverting to extra precautions. Just heard from someone the QM2 departed Southampton yesterday :

 

"We have just boarded . The Daily Programme says :

Wear a face mask when moving around indoors, and when seated in Illuminations, the Royal Court Theatre, Casino, and when using the gym. Social distancing would be practiced throughout your holiday.

A maximum of 4 people in the lift at once."

 

I wonder how long before more of the cruise lines revert to this? Understand current P&O sailings have gone to 80% occupancy this weekend as well.  Clearly there is a big demand for the ex Southampton departures.

 

Just to clarify, QM2 sailed from Brooklyn yesterday.

[Megabear2]

3 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Just to clarify, QM2 sailed from Brooklyn yesterday.

Yes, I am aware of that thank you but my reflection was on the sensible reintroduction of precautions. Hopefully they are only needed temporarily.  

[TowandaUK]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Do they ship by Post or courier.   Our flat is behind a private gate to 3 homes.  There is no intercom or other ways to let someone in without a combination.   I left a note to the Courier of the additional kits coming Wednesday by courier to toss them over the gate.   Should be safe as really nice neighbors

They use a courier if my memory serves me right. 

[dollydosh]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Everyone should travel with an infrared thermometer. We have been checking every couple hours.  Also helps with peace of mind 

 

As a safety net it may also be worth investing in a Pulse oximeter.  Article about how a £20 gadget can save lives https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55733527

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, delondin said:

Interesting re the doctor. I presume this was  a private clinic Trying to get a house visit in the Uk is very difficult and no chance on a Sunday of a bank holiday weekend. Our healthcare system is very different to USA. 

It sure is.

My wife was ill in an LA hotel and I phoned Reception to see about getting a doctor.

Put the phone down, turned around and my wife has collapsed on the bed.

Phoned Reception, forget the doctor we need an ambulance.

10 minutes later knock at the room door which I open to find 3 Firemen.

Me: "please don't tell me the hotel is on fire."

Fireman: " no sir we are the First Responders and if it's necessary we call the Ambulance.

Me " great"

F: "will you get your wife's passport, insurance docs, meds etc ready"

M: "All here ready" then nothing. I have also collapsed.

Next thing I know I am in an ambulance going goodness knows where, turns out to be the Marina del Rae hospital, and as I am unloaded on a gurney outside my wife is being unloaded from a second ambulance.

We are now out in the street on 2 Gurney's and a lady  holding a clip board asks the following:

L: do you both have medical insurance"

M: yes - box ticked.

L: do you have the policy with you.

M: yes - box ticked

L: does your insurance company have an office in the USA.

M: I have no idea, what difference does it make - Clip board lady is not happy.

L: we only bill in the US if your insurance company doesn't have an office here I need proof that you have a means of paying. I will allow you one free phone call to find out.

At that point I was wheeled inside (my wife was left outside on her gurney) to a phone on the wall. I called the insurance company who confirmed that they did have a US Office.

Lady with the clip board ticked the last box and we were then both admitted.

Turns out we both had food poisoning, we were discharged 2 days later, total hospital bill 💲15,000.

This all started on day 2 of a 90 day trip.