The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday October 30th, 2023

[quilty964]

Good afternoon, it's in the 30's here, but the sun is shining.  The sun feels great!  Our forecast calls for up to an inch of snow tomorrow for trick or treat...we did have some snow a few years back.  

I'm not sure about that meal, and I'll pass on the wine and cocktail.  I prefer beer.  Have not been to Belfast, but the pictures look nice.  

We had fun carving pumpkins Friday evening!  Our grand-daughter couldn't come, party night at college.  She graduates in December!  

Prayers for all who need them and cheers to those cruising and celebrating!  K

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Amsterdam Grand Asia segment.  On October 30 we were in Shanghai:

 

 

There is a bit of drama here.  We should not have been in Shanghai.  We were directly behind the Volendam which had been held for over a day since her planned departure and we should have left the prior evening.  We had been giving a range of excuses from water issues to heavy traffic to storms on the Yangtze.  This was especially distressing for me as our next port was Hong Kong and I was due to disembark there, fly to Rome, and board a Prinsendam transatlantic the next day.  Our departure came about 10:30, approximately 20 hours late.  Fortunately, Captain Everson really put the pedal to the metal and we were only about an hour late docking so I had ample time to make my flight.

 

Roy

[RedneckBob]

Todays quote by James Thurber, If I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone.

 

Because when you wrote that quote there was no caller ID, duh!

[seagarsmoker]

Engineers showed up right after my last post. They cleaned the filters and said we were good to go. Hoping temp gets cooler in here before bedtime.  

We did have a first for me on cruise, one long horn blast, followed by 3 or 4 more. I asked the Engineer who had stripes what happened since no announcement was made.  He said they had a big cargo ship on radar in the shipping lane that would not respond by radio contact.  Apparently after the horns were blasted it moved. 

It stopped raining and captain said at his afternoon talk we have made up lost time at port everglades and will arrive in St Martin at 8am scheduled time. 😀 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon. Our temperature has made it to 42F, but the wind is still blowing about 19 mph.  The good news is we've seen the sun off and on today, so our 42F feels like 42F, as long as you stay out of the north wind.  

 

The cake is finished and waiting for us to test it after supper.  

 

The kitchen is cleaned up after the cake was finished, and in a bit, I'll be making a mess again.  While the pizza sauce is made, I need to get the dough mixed and in a bowl to rise.  While it is rising, I'll get the toppings ready, so the assembly will go a little more quickly.

 

1 hour ago, lazey1 said:

I have never been to Ireland and am enjoying seeing the photos. Am I the only dailyite that likes warmth? 77degree's seems perfect most of the time. It is 72 in my house today and I am debating turning on the heater. 

I will also give a miss to the meal, the drink and the wine on todays menu. Grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of  soup sounds much better.

To the best of my knowlege Michief night was never a thing where I grew up but we did go Trick or Treating on Halloween after a costume party in the town courtyard.

Jane

 

We broke down and turned on the heater a couple of weeks ago when we had a cold snap.  When we need the heater, we keep it about 77F in the daytime, but drop the temperature down to 70F at night.  

 

5 minutes ago, seagarsmoker said:

Engineers showed up right after my last post. They cleaned the filters and said we were good to go. Hoping temp gets cooler in here before bedtime.  

We did have a first for me on cruise, one long horn blast, followed by 3 or 4 more. I asked the Engineer who had stripes what happened since no announcement was made.  He said they had a big cargo ship on radar in the shipping lane that would not respond by radio contact.  Apparently after the horns were blasted it moved. 

It stopped raining and captain said at his afternoon talk we have made up lost time at port everglades and will arrive in St Martin at 8am scheduled time. 😀 

 

I hope they got the a/c fixed, and your cabin is cooler by bed time.  It's amazing how a few toots from the ship's horn will get other vessels out of the the way.

 

 

 

 

Lenda

[kochleffel]

No line at the Reina Sofia when I went back, but when I was leaving the line was even longer than in the morning. That was because admission is free after 19:00.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

3 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

We enjoyed the Crown Bar as well. We stayed across the street at the Europa for 2 nights. We loved Belfast.

 

Joy, I noticed some photos of a hotel in Belfast in my collection that might interest you.  On our walk to the bar for Guinness that day, I saw someone hanging on the side of a hotel, sort of rappelling down it.  It said Europa on it!!

 

 

And a closer look at the brave guy at the end of the rope.  It didn't look like a window washer set up at all.  ??

 

 

 

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser your cake looks delicious!  I'll take a slice of devil's food cake any day.

 

Which reminds me DD told me yesterday she was making cookies for something at work (elementary school) Tuesday.  Ghost cookies!  I made her send me a picture because she happens to be a great cookie baker and often has friends ask her to make them for special occasions.  She picked ghosts because they were the fastest and she's a pretty busy gal.

 

 

Cute!  I could eat a dozen myself...👻  The pumpkin cookies she's made in the past are really adorable.

 

 

[dfish]

13 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser your cake looks delicious!  I'll take a slice of devil's food cake any day.

 

Me, too!

 

13 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Which reminds me DD told me yesterday she was making cookies for something at work (elementary school) Tuesday.  Ghost cookies!  I made her send me a picture because she happens to be a great cookie baker and often has friends ask her to make them for special occasions.  She picked ghosts because they were the fastest and she's a pretty busy gal.

 

 

Cute!  I could eat a dozen myself...👻  The pumpkin cookies she's made in the past are really adorable.

 

 

 

This reminds me of a time when I was teaching middle school on an interdisciplinary team.  For every holiday the women on the team made cookies.  So, for Halloween Val and I made ghost cookies.  We were up until 2 am baking, cooling, and frosting ghost cookies.  I said never again and that the men could bake cookies as easily as the gals and from that time on the baking was shared by all four of us.  

 

We are still looking at Hawaii.  There is one we have our eye on and final payment is Wednesday.  If the price goes down after final payment, we might jump on it.  We'll see.  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[HAL Sailer]

Thanks, Daily-ites, for your ongoing messages of support. With DH's various health challenges, I think I will soon qualify for an honorary degree in medical case management!

 

However, I am trying to find time for myself each day... (and the following memory is one of those 'me moments')

 

During WWII, while in Northern Ireland, my late father stood on the Giants Causeway. I haven't been there yet but, in 2017, I was able to stand on the opposite end where it rises on the tiny island of Staffa, Scotland. I stood there, looked toward the memory of my father, and added Northern Ireland to my bucket list. 

 

-Melisa

 

Staffa, Scotland

 

[Seasick Sailor]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Joy, I noticed some photos of a hotel in Belfast in my collection that might interest you.  On our walk to the bar for Guinness that day, I saw someone hanging on the side of a hotel, sort of rappelling down it.  It said Europa on it!!

 

 

And a closer look at the brave guy at the end of the rope.  It didn't look like a window washer set up at all.  ??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandi I looked at the 2nd picture close up and see another person repelling as well as guy's above each window casement.  Looks like a planned event. 

[JazzyV]

Brrr. The temperature continues to go down.

 

@Quartzsite Cruiser You're a talented cake decorator! I'd take a slice of that too.

@StLouisCruisers DD is very talented.

@HAL Sailer Thanks for checking in. Quite a cool memory! I hope DH is relatively stable at this point.

 

[Crazy For Cats]

Someone currently on the Volendam is sharing Halloween display pictures.   They are very well done.

[kazu]

 

4 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

The cake is finished and waiting for us to test it after supper.  

 

 

That looks scrumptious 👍 ♥️ 

 

 

3 hours ago, kochleffel said:

No line at the Reina Sofia when I went back, but when I was leaving the line was even longer than in the morning. That was because admission is free after 19:00.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed it. 🤞 

 

 

 

@StLouisCruisers Those cookies  are really cute!  I’d be tempted to have a couple too 🙂 someone is very talented!

 

 

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

Brrr. The temperature continues to go down.

 

Here too.  Freezing and it’s still coming down 😔. Heat is definitely on.

 

 

[Cruisercl]

Hi everyone!

Haven't posted for awhile but have been following along. Lots going on.

Still enjoy and am grateful for this thread and all of its contibutors.

Prayers for all daily; best wishes and cheers for those celebrating and cruising/vacationing.

Take good care,

Caron 😊

[57redbird]

Got my 2nd epidural steroid injection earlier today...he only did 1 because I told him my right leg seemed to be better but my lower back & left leg still are troublesome....like an 8 when I first get out of bed.  Hoping this one lasts longer than the day & a half that the 1st ones did.  Still going to PT but I don't think it's doing or helping much.  The doc's PA said he would be using a different steroid but when I asked him he said he'd used Dexamethasone again --- something about Medicare....

[kazu]

17 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

Hi everyone!

Haven't posted for awhile but have been following along. Lots going on.

Still enjoy and am grateful for this thread and all of its contibutors.

Prayers for all daily; best wishes and cheers for those celebrating and cruising/vacationing.

Take good care,

Caron 😊

 

You have been missed, Caron. I hope all is ok?

 

 

4 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

Got my 2nd epidural steroid injection earlier today...he only did 1 because I told him my right leg seemed to be better but my lower back & left leg still are troublesome....like an 8 when I first get out of bed.  Hoping this one lasts longer than the day & a half that the 1st ones did.  Still going to PT but I don't think it's doing or helping much.  The doc's PA said he would be using a different steroid but when I asked him he said he'd used Dexamethasone again --- something about Medicare....

 

Well DAM.  I hope there is a solution for you 🙏 

 

[seagarsmoker]

Well the ac is better,  it's now a steady 73, so hopefully can get some sleep tonight. 😴 

Dinner was very good.  I had penne and bolognese with cheese, hit the spot. I know, pretty boring to some, but I enjoy Italian food. 😀

By some miracle,  I won in the casino.  Wind has calmed down and rain squalls have stopped. 

I will be checking in the morning before we get off the ship in St Martin. 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good evening.  We're recovering from dinner of pizza with red wine uand and a sugar overload from the cake, plus enjoying a glass or two (?) Of Merlot.  The cake was good, but then it's hard to mess up a box cake mix cake.  I do make the frosting from scratch.

 

4 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Joy, I noticed some photos of a hotel in Belfast in my collection that might interest you.  On our walk to the bar for Guinness that day, I saw someone hanging on the side of a hotel, sort of rappelling down it.  It said Europa on it!!

 

 

And a closer look at the brave guy at the end of the rope.  It didn't look like a window washer set up at all.  ??

 

 

 

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser your cake looks delicious!  I'll take a slice of devil's food cake any day.

 

Which reminds me DD told me yesterday she was making cookies for something at work (elementary school) Tuesday.  Ghost cookies!  I made her send me a picture because she happens to be a great cookie baker and often has friends ask her to make them for special occasions.  She picked ghosts because they were the fastest and she's a pretty busy gal.

 

 

Cute!  I could eat a dozen myself...👻  The pumpkin cookies she's made in the past are really adorable.

 

 

 

Sandi, sorry you weren't here to enjoy a slice of cake.  Your DD"s cookies look good,  and I bet they taste good too.

 

3 hours ago, HAL Sailer said:

Thanks, Daily-ites, for your ongoing messages of support. With DH's various health challenges, I think I will soon qualify for an honorary degree in medical case management!

 

However, I am trying to find time for myself each day... (and the following memory is one of those 'me moments')

 

During WWII, while in Northern Ireland, my late father stood on the Giants Causeway. I haven't been there yet but, in 2017, I was able to stand on the opposite end where it rises on the tiny island of Staffa, Scotland. I stood there, looked toward the memory of my father, and added Northern Ireland to my bucket list. 

 

-Melisa

 

Staffa, Scotland

 

 

Melisa, your story about your father and the Giants Causeway was very touching.  There is also a place very similar to it in Iceland, east of Reykjavik at black beach.  I was going to share a picture, but it's not on my tablet.

 

3 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Brrr. The temperature continues to go down.

 

@Quartzsite Cruiser You're a talented cake decorator! I'd take a slice of that too.

@StLouisCruisers DD is very talented.

@HAL Sailer Thanks for checking in. Quite a cool memory! I hope DH is relatively stable at this point.

 

 

Vanessa, thank you for the compliment.  I'm just an amateur as far as cake decorating is concerned, and I stick to what I feel comfortable doing.. Sometimes it work's and others  we eat it quickly ti hide the evidence.  The bakery in our local grocery would not hire me.  I've watched them decorating cakes.  They can just about do an entire cake in the time it would take me to do the border on a small area of a cake.

 

1 hour ago, 57redbird said:

Got my 2nd epidural steroid injection earlier today...he only did 1 because I told him my right leg seemed to be better but my lower back & left leg still are troublesome....like an 8 when I first get out of bed.  Hoping this one lasts longer than the day & a half that the 1st ones did.  Still going to PT but I don't think it's doing or helping much.  The doc's PA said he would be using a different steroid but when I asked him he said he'd used Dexamethasone again --- something about Medicare....

 

I hope the epidural does the job.

 

Lenda 

[Haljo1935]

Interesting collection of days, especially Mischief Night given Tues is Halloween 🎃 🤔 I used to like checklists, now I use mini stick-it notes around my computer screen.

Pass on the meal & drink, would try the wine, not been to the port.

Supposed current temp is 75°, but it thinks I'm still in Villa San Giovanni so not sure.

 

HAL TV says rain today.

 

Last night's sunset was very nice.

 

Go Rangers!! But injuries are not good.

 

Ship is looking like Halloween

 

and Halloween activities are on the planner for tonight.

We are in Dubrovnik today - let the games begin - GOT tours, that is.

Prayers and positive thoughts for all. 

[kochleffel]