Mareblu

So good to hear from you, Les. You have to make the decision that’s right for you, but you also deserve to live your life as comfortably as possible, without restriction of movement, if modern medicine can deliver those desired outcomes. Your call. We’re thinking if you, and sending our very best wishes.

@Megabear2 Here I risk your wrath. Since embarkation in Southampton until last night because they left QA today, we’ve had the delightful company of dining companions at the next table in our vicinity. We’ve swapped tales, shared a few laughs, and generally enjoyed the ambience. Here’s a highly intelligent and convivial Scot, she’s an elegant English woman with the cultured voice of one who’s trod the boards. Not once, till the end of our shared dining, did either of them announce who they actually were. It would have made no difference to me, my musical tastes are classical or 60s popular. I’m so sorry, until now I’d never heard of Midge Ure, and maybe they relaxed with us because they sensed that and felt they could just be themselves. Unassuming, delightful couple. Marvellous company. When I read bis bio, I was beyond impressed. Next table from tonight? Frank Bruno. My husband knew immediately. What an imposing presence, with a deep, infectious, musical chuckle.

Our walk-in robe on Queen Anne is spacious, more than adequate for our copious amount of clothing, which we deemed necessary for two months of travel.

Oh goodness! I thought I’d solved it for you. Where on earth, then, is your tissue dispenser?

I couldn’t agree more. West Highlands, my spiritual home, is absolutely stunning, almost ethereal. We’ve just spent a week in Oban, followed by a few days in Fort William, and finally, a week in Pitlochry. I weep every time I leave.

The forecast is indeed ominous, and the skies as we glide into Invergordon are dark and threatening. It’s rare for us to cancel a tour, but we’ve done just that a few minutes ago. Before driving south and boarding in Southampton, we spent a few weeks in the Highlands, and we’ve done that frequently over the years, as I have ancestral ties to this beautiful, haunting land. We made an executive decision to skip the deluge today.

Unlike all you bright and bushy-tailed in Oz, we’re toddling off to bed now. I’ll check your decision in the morning, Mic.

So excited. But don’t ask me exactly where in Iceland.

It reminds me of Iceland.

I’m delighted we’ve found a common source of agreement 😉

I’m really sorry you had that experience, but Kirkwall is lovely, with a truly interesting museum where the rich archeological and cultural history is revealed to interested souls, and the independent shops are treasure troves of exquisite jewellery, artwork and many other crafts, all created and produced locally.

That’s a really challenging, awful experience. Conversely, our exit was smooth and efficient. We left to join our tour at about 8.30. The elevator arrived quickly to our 7th floor, we walked straight out on Deck 2, down the gangplank then were promptly boarding the bus. The whole exercise took about 7-8 minutes. What time did your disastrous fiasco occur?

Quite a few.

Yes, remains open till late evening. Only a few steps from dining tables. Great for post-dinner drinks.

That brings back nightmares. I can still smell it.

No bar stools, and the bar actually opened at 11am today. Still too late, but a definite improvement.

I only ask because so far, and that’s important because we’ve only been aboard three days, the only occasions I’ve noticed the G lounge with a substantial gathering is just before or just after meal hours. It’s a natural area to enjoy a pre or after-dinner drink, and we also prefer to linger over the coffee there, because it’s till now been a superior cup to that served in the restaurant. It’s not just the machine that’s important, but the Barista’s expertise. While heavily patronised at these times, we’ve so far always found a seat. A few times on QE last year, there were no spots available, and several fellow passengers experienced the same situation. Of course, the vessels are different in size, so the lounges are designed accordingly, but Elizabeth’s is just too compact for the number of Grills passengers, IMHO. Anyhoo…it all boils down to opinions and perspectives, really. We simply find Anne’s Grills lounge inviting and comfortable.

What time, approximately, were you sneaking around the Grills lounge?

And I respect and understand your opinion completely. For us, it’s not a major factor, we simply find a view nonessential. We are truly enjoying the cosy comfort of this lounge, much to our surprise. We called by Carinthia this morning, hoping to relax over a coffee and croissant as we had skipped breakfast. It was packed, with not a spare table either in the general area or out in the walkways. We eventually scored two barstools, which were rather awkward to mount and perch on. Because it’s such an open area, and packed to the rafters, it’s naturally noisy, so not a cosy, relaxing experience. The huge plus: the coffee and croissants were excellent.

No, not at all. I at first assumed it was excellent soundproofing in the glazing, but even out on the balcony, and at a good steady rate of knots (pun intended), it’s a very soft “swishing”. Quite soothing, in fact.

He and his wife are delightful, and unassuming.

Not all cabin balconies. We are in the middle of the stern, directly above the propellers, which affords a wonderful view of port and starboard, as we progress. It’s as interesting as forward views, which we’ve enjoyed on several lines. The wake is mesmerising, almost hypnotic. Right now we are facing the entire span of the magnificent, original Firth of Forth bridge.

There is a slit on the return of the marble shelf, just to the right of the basin. I only discovered it this morning.

Actually, we find it very comfortable and pleasant. After we enjoyed QE’s Grills lounge so much last year, we were a little concerned that Anne’s wouldn’t measure up, being so radically different in positioning and design. For us, to our surprise, it’s actually superior, being more spacious and with both good conversation areas and cosy niches. Bear in mind that Grills passengers have balconies from which to enjoy land and seascapes, virtually all day if they wish. We enjoy chatting with other folk, reading our books and tackling crosswords in the lounge. A view is unnecessary for such activities. Our one gripe about the Grills lounge, and it’s a big one, is that the bar doesn’t open until 11.30am. That opening time is ridiculous, being too long after breakfast, and too close to lunch, for a mid-morning coffee or tea. As tea and coffee in the lounge is inclusive for Grills folk, perhaps it’s Cunard’s bottom-line trimming at work here.

She certainly did. We really enjoyed that series.