Harry Peterson

Those two channels really are first rate! I won’t pay for Sky, but I’m delighted Sky Arts can be had for free on Freeview.

Great place. Went to school in Falmouth many years ago. Very many happy memories of growing up in Cornwall. Including wandering down Dracaena Avenue at 3 in the morning at the age of 14 with a mate - we thought that so exciting!

Did you say you live in Falmouth? Envy………😇

Thanks for your reports - always helpful to hear something based on fact rather than speculation. At least you’ll be safely back sooner than planned, and I’m sure Saga will make suitable gestures to retain customer goodwill. They’re usually pretty good about these things. Good wishes for better weather on the last section of the journey - the shipping forecast suggests there should be some improvement.

Sorry to hear of the mobility problems you're currently having. I think it might have been me that mentioned a rollator, and if so it's a Rollz Motion - it's really great for its purposes, but I only ever need to use it outside, and then primarily as a seat every so often. We walk a mile or so every day and it's clocked up around a thousand miles so far without any kind of maintenance. Probably gross overkill, because it also converts into a wheelchair, but that's never been necessary. It wasn't clear when I bought it just how much worse the underlying medical condition might get, so we overthought things a bit. It folds neatly and quickly, which was one of the main reasons for getting it, and it's not bad looking, but probably way over the top for indoor use only. I can thoroughly recommend it for its design (Dutch) and quality, and I've added a link in case you're interested. The Rollz Flex might be more suitable for your purposes, but they might all suffer from the problems your Swedish Butler (!) suffered from. https://www.rollzmobility.co.uk/ There are better prices to be had of course by shopping around online.

Absolutely. But we're talking Daily Fail clickbait hyperbole here!

A couple of days in Falmouth then - where it’s not too bad a forecast. Apart from the wind! I’m assuming they’ll be allowed ashore. Infinitely better than the alternative! Really nice place, Falmouth, with a nice bolt hole to return to when you feel like it.

Some/most might just be changing hands, rather than closing: https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/lloydspharmacy-ceases-operating-90-of-branches-in-18-months

Just word of thanks to you for all the frequent updates, and all the details. It's given us an excellent taste of how a Saga cruise differs from a P&O cruise, and I'm sold! So is my wife. Have a smooth disembarkation, and a safe journey home. Thanks again! Harry

Don't worry about Wowzz, Avril. He posted this on 11 October elsewhere: "Good to see you posting on here as well as Cruise Critic. Perhaps you could tell my friends on CC that wowzz says hello !"

A point very well made, Dave. I wonder what checks there are on phones, powerbanks and e-cigarettes? Or what's actually feasible.

You NEVER come across that way. That’s one great thing about this group - it’s very supportive, but nobody ever comes across as moaning or complaining. Unless it’s about the green beans, of course!

If it’s of any interest, I had much the same thing after one of last year’s jabs. Couldn’t determine whether it was flu or Covid though because no record of which went into which arm. It made sleeping on that side almost impossible and I pretty much gave up on it. However, a year or so on it’s almost fully recovered on its own. There could still be grounds for hope.

I wonder how owners of mobile phones, laptops, Kindles etc would react to a ban on their devices, almost all of which, and many more, contain lithium batteries? Smaller, certainly, but still more than capable of starting a major fire.

Fair point, Zap, and I’d be very surprised if they don’t have protocols in place to do that. If not, I’d guess their insurers would have some issues! I’m not well up on these scooters, wheelchairs etc, but improperly handled or charged lithium batteries will always present risks. Using unauthorised replacement batteries and/or chargers is a recipe for disaster, and you could consider some sort of inspection routine, but my guess is that whilst it might satisfy the lawyers it probably wouldn’t be terribly effective at spotting fakes. I have no idea what the best solution might be.

Sometimes, practicalities have to be considered along with safety considerations. Crossing the road is very risky, but we do it because it’s necessary. The fact that incidents like this haven’t featured before suggests they’re very rare indeed, and it would surely be disproportionate to ban all battery scooters, wheelchairs etc.. Anything with a battery in it has the potential for causing a fire, but you can’t ban everything.

I’d keep an eye on Ted Bovis as a potential future CEO - there is a proven track record! 😉

First, congratulations on what’s very clearly a stunning bargain on a fascinating cruise. I’d be equally chuffed, equally excited, and I’m delighted you found it. We picked up a bargain Penthouse Suite on Azura once post-Costa Concordia at a fraction of the normal price and couldn’t believe it either! We’ve never done long cruises like yours, though I can certainly see the appeal. You and I both dislike sea days for the same reasons I think - nothing like enough to keep the mind stimulated and prevent boredom setting in. I’m pretty sure you’ll be doing this anyway, but just in case not, do make sure you have Amazon Kindles with you. Absolutely invaluable on all our cruises - even when they were so unusual that they attracted funny looks! Limitless reading matter for those dull moments between exciting bits.

The outside’s just fine. No great need to go inside for small children, but they are quite spectacular.

I know you said not big on architecture, but maybe just a flying visit past here in Rotterdam if you have a bit of time available: https://kubuswoning.nl/

That plan sounds absolutely perfect. Obviously, be sure to add in some of the excellent Belgian or Dutch frites with mayonnaise, plus daily visits to Leonidas for the best value Belgian chocolates around.

I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve lost your Dad, Sue. No words can express what it’s like, but I’m glad you were able to spend some time with him in the last few hours. That’s so very important, both for him and for you. Harry

Beware of the Yellow Snow warnings......

And thus was born the Great British Fray Bentos Pie…….

Thanks very much - I’ll have a look. Uninspiring name for a website: https://www.frozenfruit.co.uk/our-story/the-farm But we’ve found them reliably good, with a pretty wide range. Gooseberry and blackcurrant crumbles (separate!) appeared almost as soon as the fruit.