Angel57

24 minutes ago, Vampiress88 said:

yeah that made me cry. 
I used to love my kitchen and now I hate it because he’s not in it. 
it hurts and other things are also falling apart. 
I need to keep it together for the girls

Oh gosh that made me cry too. My dog is my world and the thought of losing him is unbearable.
My heart goes out to you and I know there are no words of comfort that will help at this moment - it is too raw. But after a while you will remember him with smiles and laughter. 

X

24 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

Back to the post- I’ve just had a delivery- on a Sunday!! Made me jump as there was quite a lot! I’ve just been out for a walk and from across the road I saw the postman. I called across and asked why he was working on a Sunday. He said our local office is so behind they’ve offered overtime! One of the letters I got was dated 23rd!

A parcel I sent 1st class on Wednesday morning has just been delivered to my friend so they working today in parts of Cheshire....... Good that they doing this, but......

6 hours ago, ann141 said:

I wish I had Bills energy too.I think he is great but this week I preferred Maisies dance, though not keen on her as a person as I think she's a bit full of herself.I think Clara will be in the dance off but no idea who will be with her?

Absolutely agree Ann which is why Maisie has probably been in dance off two weeks running. My bet would be Jamie and Clara in dance off.

10 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Thanks Sandra we were all very close and all our late parents are sadly missed.

Graham.

Every year I put up the last Christmas card my Mum gave me before her death.....

Christmas does remind one of all those fabulous times spent with loved ones now sadly gone.

With regards to Christmas cards, I still send them but the list has been trimmed a bit.

I love to receive cards from school friends, cruise friends etc etc as it is often the only time of the year I hear from them and their news (altho no one has much to tell this year).
And it may sound rather sad but I so enjoy trying to work out who sent me the card from the handwriting on the envelope.......

The price of sending them is outrageous. I remember many years ago the Post Office brought out a Christmas stamp which I believe was 12p......

10 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

That's what I've decided to do Andy. Things are bad enough at the moment and I would come on this thread for a diversion, a chat and a little light banter.  It's not the same now. I persevered for a while but enoughs enough. I still skim quickly  through the posts, react to a few, have a laugh with kalos and a couple of others and reply to one or two but I don't interact now, it's not worth the hassle. You and michelle take care and stay safe.

Avril

Don’t let the trumpet blowers who like the sound of the noises they emit keep you away from the forum.

I always like reading your posts - honest and amusing.

Look after yourself.

Gill x

12 hours ago, Selbourne said:

What would you do? (honest answers only).....

 

Like many people, we live in a fairly rural area but have learned today that our local authority is tier 3, no doubt due to the fact that some of our county (20 miles away) borders a city with high infection rates. We are right on the county line and could quite literally throw a stone into our neighbouring county, which is tier 2. Some of the local pubs that we enjoy lunches in are in our ‘neighbouring county’ and these will be open again from next week. I know what the law states but, in all honesty, would you go to them?

Personally, I wouldn’t go as if everyone disobeys the rules then the virus gets even more out of control.

Basically it is up to your own conscience......

At 61 I also intend to have the vaccine when called (currently waiting to be asked to go for flu jab which I’ve never had before).

Sadly, no cruises planned, but hopefully I will go again when things settle.

3 minutes ago, SarahHben said:

I'm a church going Christian and have no problem with the thought of celebrating at home this Christmas.

 

We have already decided that we won't be spending time with my parents or my husband's parents despite any possible lifting of restrictions, we don't see the point of risking their health when a vaccine looks like it's almost within reach. Especially as my daughters both work in busy retail.

 

We are in Medway where numbers are increasing substantially and as others have said neighbouring Swale has the second highest rate in the country at the moment. Swale and Medway are so closely linked, people living in one area and working or going to school in the other, sharing a hospital etc, that I can only imagine Medway numbers will continue to rise.

 

If we're allowed to bubble with 6 people then we'll spend the day with my daughter and Grandbaby but we're also fully prepared to have a day apart if necessary. I'm freezing Christmas goodies in 2 batches in case they aren't supposed to come here. It wouldn't be our preferred option but it's only 1 Christmas after all.

 

That is such a sensible approach and wouldn’t it be great if everyone felt like that. Although I admit on an ITV poll this morning 75% thought we shouldn’t relax the rules for 5 days......

I love Christmas and seeing friends and family - but I will be spending it alone this year. It is just one day and it is not worth risking everyone’s health plus the extra stress and pressure that will be put on our wonderful nurses and doctors and who are most likely having to give up their family time this year.

I just think that Christmas 2021 will be extra special because we will all have hopefully have been vaccinated and will be able to spend it with our loved ones in the knowledge that we are not risking theirs and our own health.

6 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

From the perspective of bumping into passengers that you have met previously, I would completely agree that it is easier / more likely on the smaller ships. On the larger ships it is often the case that you never meet the same passengers twice! My point related to variety and choice of restaurants, facilities etc. As I said, all the ships have pros and cons. The OP has booked Britannia and is seeking reassurance and I am sure that 2 weeks in the Med on her will be a fabulous introduction to solo cruising. 

I think whichever ship you are on cruising is the best form of a holiday for a single traveller. The security, the friendships formed, the entertainment, the ports etc etc - and returning “home” after a lovely day ashore is unbeatable.

7 hours ago, wowzz said:

I don't have your experience of the various P&O ships, so obviously cannot argue with you.

I was just of the opinion that if  I was a solo traveller, I would prefer to be on a smaller ship, such as Arcadia, because it is easier to "bump" into other cruisers and make new friends, rather than on the larger ships. 

Hopefully neither of us will never need to find out if my theory is correct.  

As a solo traveller I would absolutely agree that the smaller ships are much better for “bumping” into people.

I have been on Aurora, Arcadia and Azura as a solo and I would say the first two were much better for making friends and seeing the same people around on deck and in the various venues - but that has just been my personal experience.

Just now, grapau27 said:

Thanks Sue.

Just had a shower while Pauline changed all our bedding and feel a lot better for it.

Graham.

Nothing makes you feel better than a shower and then getting into a bed with freshly laundered sheets.......

Take your time in recovering and recuperating.

Best wishes to you and Pauline. 
Gill x

16 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

On the subject of Strictly, we have been on 3 strictly cruises and I am now a big fan of Craig, every time we have seen him onboard he has been very pleasant and we have often seen in standing around talking to passengers,  Gorka was on board once with Gemma Atkinson and they came and sat with us in the Glass House one night, again lovely people. 

I’ve done a Strictly cruise too and agree that Craig was very pleasant and chatty. We also had Ian Waite on board and he was lovely too.

I wonder if Maisie might find herself in the bottom two tonight, along with Max maybe?

Welcome to the forum. I’ve done quite a few solo cruises and have found it very enjoyable. There are usually events for solo travellers organised on board and I’d recommend going along to one of those (initially it is usually tea or coffee) to meet other passengers in the same boat so to speak.
You will hopefully find a few people of the same age and interests and then you can arrange to go ashore together or meet up in the bar for drinkies.
If you think it’s not for you then you don’t need to go again...

Alternatively I find cruisers to be very friendly and chatty and I’ve no doubt there’ll be a few from this forum on your cruise. There may be a Roll Call set up so that is another way to get to know others before boarding.

Enjoy the looking forward to it. You’ll love it.

34 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

My niece has just called me her husband came home from work on Tuesday feeling ill, he had a covid test on Wednesday and had the result this morning telling him he is positive.  They now all have to isolate and she has got to speak to her consultant about what to do about her next chemo session which is 2 weeks today. Just when you think things can't get worse they do ☹️☹️

Oh gosh Josy , I’m very sorry to hear that. Such bad timing. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out and your niece remains healthy and her chemo can go ahead.  Gill x

42 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Tested positive for covid19.

Got result around 7 am this morning.

Graham

Really sorry to hear that news Graham. Hopefully you’ll soon be back to good health. Gill x

11 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

Thank you. I tell her the same, but because she lives alone, she is in a 'bubble' (what a silly word!) with her daughter and family so who knows. Her daughter is doing the test for her as she's a nurse and wants to make sure it's done properly. Have to stay positive.

Avril

My fingers are crossed for your daughter Avril.......x

4 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

I have a covid19 test at 10am this morning.

I have been unwell since Friday and stopped at home and last night I had a high temperature.

Not looking forward to the test.☹️

Get well soon Graham and i hope the test result comes back quickly and comes back negative. X

11 hours ago, Josy1953 said:

Well I am back from my injection of either the Covid vaccine or saline.  The appointment that should have taken about 2 hours actually took 3.5 hours because there were so many people there.  I really hope that when we all get the actual vaccination they are better organised.  Last time I had no reaction at all but I have a really sore arm this time even though it is the same thing that they gave me both times.

Good luck for Friday Pete.

“Thank you” to both you and Pete. I think it is wonderful that you are prepared to do this.

1 hour ago, Dermotsgirl said:

I'm in group 8, so that's why I'm not expecting to vaccinated soon 

I’m also in group 8....... Agree we will have a long wait, but am optimistic that by the summer we may have had it.

The best thing about the announcement yesterday re the vaccine is that we now have hope.......

27 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Just watched it too.  Pretty good really considering so few people.  Love hearing all the music.  I am remember my lovely Mum today.  She was a WAAF in WWII and she died at 11 am on 11/11/95.  Very apt.  She always marched with the British Legion to her local church in Midhurst wearing her medals.

 

I am waiting to see whether the doc can get me a scan of this knee, because without it can't possibly know what damage I have done.  I imagine I will probably have to pay privately for one.

Aw. Jean, lovely to hear about your Mum. I’m not sure what Midhurst did today, but in Petworth a few miles away they certainly had a service and wreath laying. I’m sure Midhurst would have done the same.

Good luck with the knee. X

9th to 19th December 2019 Christmas Market cruise on Aurora was my last cruise.

We could never have imagined that 3 months later life would almost grind to a halt...!

Your Dad sounds a very special man Andy and he lives on through you.

Gill x

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

A shop assistant told Pauline yesterday that she was pleased because she could look after her seriously ill father. 

She said work wouldn't give her time off to do this before lockdown.

Graham.

I’ve had two delivery drivers recently tell me that they are hoping restrictions remain in place so they don’t have to have the in-laws over Christmas.

Whilst it will always be a lonely time of the year for many of us, for some the restrictions around the table are obviously going to be a bonus!

5 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I've done that before!   And well before 0330!

So have I. On one cruise on Aurora the woman next door had a laugh like a hyena on steroids..... I banged on the wall rather loudly and to their credit they did go quiet after that.