StanleyandGus

4 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

DH has just informed me that he is off to obedience training with Max, our rescue this weekend.  Last year, he had private lessons with a lady who did amazing things with Max but DH could not reciprocate what she did at home.  Be interesting to see what the outcome of this weekend will be.  Max is a 4 year old border collie/German shepherd mix and very strong on the lead.  DH just wants Max to walk calmly on the lead from the outset.

We are anticipating having our son’s dog until Christmas- he’s military and is deploying. The cats have met him; they weren’t particularly impressed! He’s a German Shepherd, and turns one in June. He’s reasonably well trained, but we’re going to do classes with him as well.

 I love your photos- we are having a very snowy Spring, so photos of colour are nice!

Enjoy the sun! I hope when you’re back home it will truly be Spring.
 

We are doing a TA in November from Barcelona on a much smaller ship.

Have a wonderful cruise! 
 

Please come back after the cruise and tell us how it went- right now, you should be putting your feet up by the pool and having a drink!

We tried to hand over about 6 bottles in Barcelona. The port staff was mystified. No matter how much we said it had to be locked away, they wouldn’t cooperate!
 

The wine spent the  transatlantic in our closet.

Which is to say, I guess it depends on your port of departure. The Spanish perspective is, I think- it’s yours, you bought it, and if you want to drink it, cheers!

We claimed everything, by the way. 11 bottles (there were stops in the Canary Islands…😁)

6 hours ago, Coralc said:

 

Our neighbors just removed their river rock fireplace and their brick fireplace and replaced them both with sheetrock and electric digital fireplaces with heaters. They kind of got rid of the whole fireplace thing altogether. It looks very modern.  Our fireplace and hearth are brick. I will not paint brick. Whoever buys the house can paint it, but I won't. 

This is my (apparently sideways) fireplace. It’s incredibly ugly. It’s in my family room. We’re thinking of removing all the brick, and replacing the fireplace with something (anything) more modern. The thing that’s holding us back is that it’s directly linked to the gas line- no electricity is involved. There have been a couple days this winter that we were glad to have it!

Ugh. -31 C, which Google tells me is -23.8 F. Definitely hat weather!

43 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Today is my son’s RFA procedure, then they will have him in a back brace for a week.  We are all hoping it gets rid of some of his pain.  He will have to go back for a second one, because they are only doing one half at a time.

Is RFA radio-frequency ablation? If it is, Chris has been having it done 3 or 4 times a year, and it’s very successful in managing pain. 
 

Best of luck to your son!

50 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

There is also an X rated game called Lewdle.The commentators on a NYC Sports show were discussing it last week.

I think I’ll avoid that one!

This is totally off-topic, but has anyone tried Quordle? It’s four Wordles simultaneously.

It’s -24 C (about -9 F), but next week it will be almost to the plus temperatures! Time to plan my garden.

Nice cabin! Is it an an aft? 
 

If you get a chance, some photos of the pool deck and Centrum would be appreciated. Have a wonderful cruise!

@aussielozzie18I love your photos! I tried to take a picture of our birds. They showed up as brown lumps on the bird feeder, so yours are far prettier!

15 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Earlier, I looked all over the kitchen for my can opener, couldn't find it.  Not in the dishwasher, the sink, the cutlery drawer.  It was finally found in my utensil holder where I keep tall spatulas, stuff like that.  At first glance it couldn't be seen. I took everything out to check and there it was.  NOT where it belongs

That generally happens when Chris empties the dishwasher!

Absolutely! The Jewel is my favourite ship!

51 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

I got Wordle in 3 today.

4 for me!

I’ve been reading along without contributing, so best wishes to Greg for his recovery, Graham is on holiday again (and Pauline is lovely, as always), Dani is on vacation, thankfully,  and Andrew is at home, like all good Canadians 😁. The pictures of Australia are very tempting- I might be able to overcome my aversion to things that want to kill you to make the trip!
 

Anyhow, I am now addicted to Wordle. Thanks, Lenny! 

Wow. What a journey!
 

Thankfully, you’re home! 

1 hour ago, helen haywood said:

So far no one seems interested in fighting for the top spot!

 

I think we need this- we have at least 4 sofas and chairs with blankets on them, because the cats object to the feel of leather on their delicate fur. Our cat post is more vertical, and one big boned cat has trouble with the jump.

8 minutes ago, JessyCruises said:

BeeperMD was here about an hour ago and the test is done.  Paul took one too - who knows, maybe he will be negative now!

🤞

4 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

The Sydney Opera House is interesting to me, not just because of its iconic architecture, but because it has come to represent a city.  Ask people from all over the world about Sydney and I bet the Opera House is the first thing that comes to mind.  I think the Eiffel Tower is the same for Paris, although some might say the Louvre.  London may have too many competing structures to have just one represent London...maybe the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)?  Same for Rome...maybe the Colosseum would represent them?  NYC probably would have been the Twin Towers, and will probably be the new 1 World Trade Center in a few years, but it feels a little too new for worldwide association as THE structure to define NYC.  Maybe the Empire State Building?

 

I can't think of too many other major cities that have one structure that is associated with the city worldwide.  Am I missing anything?  Is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona at that same level of international recognition?

The Statue of Liberty for New York, I would think. That’s interesting, I am going to spend my day thinking about iconic buildings!

We are going to be painting the living room rather than cruising. I was just reminded of that because AirCanada just pinged me with a reminder to check in. (We did cancel)

The living room doesn’t desperately need painting, but it will keep Chris occupied. And he wants to do it. Besides, he has leave already booked!

20 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

From next Thursday no need to wear masks anywhere and most restrictions removed.

90,000 new cases yesterday.

My husband was feeling is bit snuffley, so he went upstairs to test. I assume it was negative, because I can hear him getting dressed. 
 

It’s -29 C, but it’s going to be warming up substantially next week. Still cold, but not breathtaking cold! 

48 minutes ago, zook50 said:

We are very happy with our holiday here.  Even the cold days here are entertaining - they refer to Saskatchewan and Canada a lot, and blame their cold fronts on "Saskatchewan Screamers" and the "Siberian air" coming from Canada - LOL!! 

I certainly would appreciate Canada changing the border rule, especially for land travel.  In every other way, I feel Canada is making better decisions and has a smarter, more proactive attitude toward Covid and the preventative measures needed to protect itself.  At home, we have free, easy access to RAT's and are encouraged to use them regularly and have the necessary restrictions in place, depending on cases and hospitalizations.   We were given timely vaccines, etc.  Most people mask properly and social distance.  Here?  People are friendly and warm, but most are making choices re:  Covid that are definitely not smart.

We cancelled our cruises- we would have left on Friday, but felt it was wiser not to go. The high in Regina today is -24, so I am a bit ambivalent about that!
 

Enjoy your sun, and stay safe!

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

I think I'll wander out to the main Royal board and see what's happening.  Haven't been there in a while.  Wish me luck.

An unobserved recce is fine, but keep your head down!

They’re like rabid wolves out there!

It was -26 C (-14 F) earlier this morning when we were doing errands. The wind chill made it feel like -41 (the same no matter how you measure it). We came home to no power, but it’s on now. Cups of tea, and lovely warmth! 

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

The hotel in Barcelona

Which hotel in Barcelona are you using? We hope to be there for a transatlantic in November.

 I don’t dislike Barcelona, but I much prefer Rome.