Mareblu

Phew!👏

Totally random note to you. Spent time in Ballachulish today when we drove from Oban to Ft William. Thought of Your Lordship.

Lake Bled is beautiful, Hank. It’s several years since we drove from Mario’s home town just over the Slovenian border. We stayed several days, and during that time it certainly wasn’t “touristy”. It was just before Slovenia switched to the Euro. At night, with its former island sanctuary bathed in soft light, the lake seemed ethereal. We are also missing Vista, but enjoying being independent travellers again. We will collect a car in Scotland on Friday. At least we will be driving on “our side” of the road, though you would disagree. Happy and safe travels.

We usually do both, but this time flew straight through because we were travelling with friends. BC and a stopover for a few days in Singapore is perfect for us.

Had no trouble downloading. Thanks for this excellent recipe.

Mario and i are seated in Martinis, enjoying our last evening on Vista before disembarking tomorrow. I just read your post, with its link, to him. He nearly choked on his single malt, and he is a placid man. I can assure you, Italians consider Roma central Italia. We have been married 55 tears this years (yes, married very young) but we have spent what would total several years of that time in Italy, mainly in his home region of the Dolomites. That is northern Italy. We consider ourselves members of a vibrant Italian community in Australia, where those who ventured from Italy to start a new life retained the vital elements of their roots, while happily embracing their adopted land. To a person, they would tell you Rome is central Italy. Many of them are of Roman origin. Anyhooo…Mario has stopped choking and rolling about the floor, and has just raised a glass to you. Do some wider research.

Considered by whom?

Yes, I agree. The starchy pasta water and cheese are sufficient to coat and bind. Cream is rarely, if ever, used in genuine Italian cuisine. It is absolutely forbidden in carbonara, but people still insist “a little is okay”. It is not.

Try this, as it traditionally uses olive oil. Even butter would be frowned upon, but not so much as cream. This recipe does call for a heavy dose of fresh garlic, could be eliminated or at least reduced, but be brave and add at least a little. https://www.delicious.com.au > traditional cacio e pepe recipe

Penultimate evening of the cruise. Grazie Hank for your dedication and objectivity in faithfully maintaining the blog. We dined in Toscana tonight, and enjoyed all but Mario’s “caccio e Pepe” linguine. Very bland, and cream had been added. A huge taboo. Overall, though, a very pleasant evening. In the theatre now, awaiting the talented Welsh singer. Then up to Horizons. Mario is in a pink shirt and I’m in a sparkly jacket if you’re there and wish to say hello before we all leave. Thanks again for the great daily reports.

On either day 1or 2 of this cruise, the HS flavour was a vanilla with salted caramel and toffee shards. I must admit it was delicious. I haven’t seen it repeated, but then I seldom approach the ice cream counter, and then with caution, for obvious reasons.

There’s actually one HS ice cream aboard named “Elvis the Fat Years”🤷🏻‍♀️

We stayed in that hotel some years ago awaiting a Uniworld river cruise. Don’t recall seeing the ice cream, but Gerry and I would agree that some of the world’s little treasures are indeed found in Australia and Switzerland🥰

A different HS flavour is presented each day. I hadn’t heard of it either, until boarding.

Really? That’s so fascinating. We wondered where the name originated. DH keeps calling it “Humphry Bogart”🙄 Mrs Slocombe’s one-liners would be toe-curling now😉.

For us, the air travel component has always been part of our adventure, ever since we first flew business with Lauder 25 years ago. I cannot in my wildest nightmares imagine returning to the cramped discomfort of economy (which we flew all our lives previously) unless it was absolutely essential. The alternative to business travel for us, having enjoyed the wonder of countless exploration adventures over many years, is simple: we’ll happily stay in the comfort of our own home. I wouldn’t dream of criticising your point if view, Mic, because that is exactly how we felt until we didn’t. This current adventure is our first and only trip this year. We’re probably running out of years for comfortable travel, but we wouldn’t even consider another trip for at least 18-24 months, that’s why we’re extending our time in the northern hemisphere. Truth be told, we don’t relish the hassles that air travel brings: airport security, crowds, wait times. $200 per hour is no temptation. Julie, my apologies. The new SA bc cabin refurbishment is not great, because the seats are indeed hard. They were perfect before. We switched to a smaller plane for the Singapore-Rome leg, and enjoyed sinking into ultra comfy seats. i’ll be watching for your world voyage blog. Have a wonderful time.

Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Yes, estate settling is poignant and sometimes exhausting. Qantas fares always seem exorbitant. BC is a good product, I know, but the price makes it prohibitive for us. Does Air New Zealand fly direct? Last time we flew from Vancouver to Sydney (years ago) we flew to Honolulu then picked up AirNZ business. Fantastic flight, great ambiance with hilarious crew. I seem to remember they were angled pods though.

Bingo! Well done. Cliffs guarding the waterway to Lerwick. Your turn…

Not Ireland

Not Newfoundland Lyle

Looking, but I don’t have full access to my photos while away, but will search. I’ll probably also do a repeat😅

How are you feeling and healing, Lyle?

I feel like a cheat to say, “Capri”, because I claimed this one, once before, because I knew it. For the second time: Capri 🤣

Wishing you all a truly wonderful and memorable sailing on this epic voyage.