.......idle jottings continued

[Jim Avery]

Can't wait and the Escobars will be gone too !

Thank the Lawd.

 

You finally had a "Jim Trip". I used to get roundly flamed for describing such a trip. All will be better. Find your "happy Place" and practice your mantra: Oooooommmmmmmmmmm. Ooooooooooommmmmmmmm. Failing that, Cameron makes a mean Martini.:eek:

[ho-hum]

You finally had a "Jim Trip". I used to get roundly flamed for describing such a trip. All will be better. Find your "happy Place" and practice your mantra: Oooooommmmmmmmmmm. Ooooooooooommmmmmmmm. Failing that, Cameron makes a mean Martini.:eek:

 

Several passengers are being treated onboard with a debilitating condition that has caused involuntary crying, hiding in cabins, not wishing to see anyone and continually rocking back and front.

Quite a few crew members are exhibiting this same condition.

It was baffling until a guest onboard was able to diagnose the condition based on his military experience.

He diagnosed it as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD).

The departure of the extended family later today will no doubt relieve the condition greatly and both passengers and guests are all expected to make a full and speedy recovery and will be back to normal except for possible involuntary twitching if the words "large family with very young children" are overheard.

 

One crew member said " I've never seen anything like it !"

 

Whilst a passenger commented "I go on a voyage for rest and relaxation and look at me. I am a bag of nerves. What was that !"

 

It is baffling that guests can behave so badly and selfishly with very little awareness or consideration for the comfort of others, passengers and crew alike.

Nobody could have prevented it from happening or foreseen the nature of these guests. They could have been thrown off the ship but over the Xmas period and with children and being so many, this was never an option.

 

The crew have been wonderful, minimising the detrimental intrusion as much as possible.

 

It has not spoilt our voyage. Everything else considered has enabled us to enjoy the islands, weather etc... but some passengers may never come back until there are better rules regarding children.

And don't we all recognise by now, it is not the children's fault, it is irresponsible parents.

With a better children's policy this very large family would not have been sailing on SD.

 

Will this change shoreside management's view ?

Correct.

They do not suffer.

How nice to have such progressive, liberal attitudes of tolerance when you don't have to deal with the consequences.

Besides a large booking goes a long way to paying for the monthly bonus.

 

Lesson: don't travel in holiday season.

Easy for Hum but most do not have the flexibility Hum is privileged too.

 

Other very young people onboard have been a delight and well mannered and have made sailing an enjoyment.

Maybe we were just unlucky.

But chums, Hum appreciates one thing from all this.

The crew have been brilliant.

And that was a truly heartening experience.

Maybe Hum should stop whingeing and "take a leaf out of their book".

Maybe Hum is inclined to this mature re-consideration now because the obnoxious, vile, rude, aggressive (expletives) will be gone in 3 hours !!!!

 

And for your information Jim, Cameron is on leave however barman were conscripted to provide Hum with as much vino as required over a 24 hour period during the last week !

What service.

What devotion.

 

Never has Hum ever looked forward to arriving in "Schitola" (for the disembarkation of this family from hell).

[Jim Avery]

NOW you see why Jimbo has railed on from time to time about kids on board. It is my PTSD kicking in from time to time. Luckily (and that it is , pure luck of the draw) our last three or so SD voyages have been kid free and a mix of wonderful passengers. And yes, management turns a stone ear to any suggestion of age limits. So far AB has managed to have his cake and eat it too.

[Jim Avery]

Adios los Escobars....:eek: Bon Voyage Kathy & Danny:D

[TrapperZimmy]

 

Lesson: don't travel in holiday season.

Easy for Hum but most do not have the flexibility Hum is privileged too.

 

Sorry you and Blondie had such an awful experience. And this is why Zimmy and I won't be boarding SD1 until Tuesday. Not just a matter of privilege. It is a function of being empty nesters. Not tied to school schedules gives us greater flexibility. Although it would be nice to spend NYE in St. Barts for once.

[TrapperZimmy]

NOW you see why Jimbo has railed on from time to time about kids on board. It is my PTSD kicking in from time to time. Luckily (and that it is , pure luck of the draw) our last three or so SD voyages have been kid free and a mix of wonderful passengers. And yes, management turns a stone ear to any suggestion of age limits. So far AB has managed to have his cake and eat it too.

 

They may have been kid free, Jim, but you did have to put up with Ho-Hum and Trapper.

[Jim Avery]

They may have been kid free, Jim, but you did have to put up with Ho-Hum and Trapper.

 

But I wouldn't have missed those educational opportunities for anything 👀🎉🍸😎

[TrapperZimmy]

Happy New Year, Jim. And Lois, too. And . . . . . Roll Tide!

[ho-hum]

Sorry you and Blondie had such an awful experience. And this is why Zimmy and I won't be boarding SD1 until Tuesday. Not just a matter of privilege. It is a function of being empty nesters. Not tied to school schedules gives us greater flexibility. Although it would be nice to spend NYE in St. Barts for once.

 

Oh but for us and the majority of the passengers it wasnt that bad but for some passengers and crew it was hell.

 

This week there are 108 "big kids"; 80 of them Club Members.

Behaviour will be rowdy and fun and most importantly inclusive with consideration for everyone including crew.

 

Happy New Year to you all.

Edited December 29, 2016 by ho-hum

[Jim Avery]

Happy New Year, Jim. And Lois, too. And . . . . . Roll Tide!

Thanks Trap, and the best New Year to you and Zimmy as well.. Looking forward to hearing all about your upcoming trip. Hopefully the Escobars are not returning.:eek: And yes, ROLL TIDE!!!!!

[popper]

Curious how old the kids were on the last sailing and how many were there?

Thanks Hum

[ho-hum]

Curious how old the kids were on the last sailing and how many were there?

Thanks Hum

 

1, 2x5, 11 all one family

 

2x13/14

[ho-hum]

So we meet up with Kathy and Danny.

Kathy is sitting front and centre at the TOYB.

There is a large throng of passengers all around and we know quite a few.

Hugs, kisses exchanged.

Chums introducing chums to other chums etc... etc....

A nice buzz and inclusive, everybody getting on with one another.

86 Club Members and chums make a nice crowd.

 

We dine with K&D and two American ladies: one of whom we have known for many years. The last time we saw her was when she visited London where we had a fabulous time at "La Caprice" for lunch.

And as we set sail, the seas become a little choppy.

Too choppy for the ladies and Blondie who disappear down to their cabins, one by one.

 

The two trips in and out of "Schitola" were much worse during previous weeks.

 

The planned trip to Saba is cancelled. The Captain explains during his early morning rounds that it's too rough so we moor in St.Barts instead next to Roman Abramovich's "Eclipse".

Hum waves to Roman, Roman waves back.

"Mick Jagger is doing a concert tomorrow, do you want to come over Hum, bring Blondie"

Hum let's him know he has other plans (dining with Captain) but it was nice for him to ask.

 

Later in the morning SDI pulls up and is surprised to see us.

We catch the tender over to meet up with crew and passengers.

The couple with the longest days onboard SD is sitting (also) front and centre at the TOYB and we pay our respects to this English Lord.

Various crew pass by: waiters, bar staff, kitchen, maitre d', purser, provisions Master and Hotel Manager but no Captain or Chief Officer unfortunately (we meet Club Director later onshore).

 

And then we head over to St.Barts where we go for lunch at "Nikki Beach" with two English couples from SDI who booked SDI after we had told one of the couples about SD when we met up at a Henley Regatta "bash" earlier in the year and now they are here !

 

"Nikki Beach" was amazing. Completely packed with the "bold and the beautiful" and Hum !

Oh it was wonderful, champagne, food, company, fellow party minded guests.

By about 3.00pm another "sitting" had arrived and the DJ played some great thumping music which had the whole place dancing and mixing into one huge melee.

Jon Bon Jovi was somewhere in the hub and an American actor who played a boxer (sorry, name escapes Hum). And then 10 of the young staff proceed into the main area with Dom Perignon bottles in each hand attached to which are sparkling flares.

At $1000 a bottle, it signifies that some "high roller" is in the place.

 

The place resembles a throbbing, dancing sea of humanity amongst which dozens of young staff somehow pour drinks and deliver divine food and dance enthusiastically. It is pure theatre.

A fashion show of nubile girls parades passed Hum wearing next to nothing and elements of their personage get pretty close to a seated Hum !

 

Our English chums pose with various "head honchos" of the establishment. It transpires they know them from their St.Tropez establishment: this explains how we managed to get such a great table (we spent a "small fortune" too which also guaranteed a great spot).

 

Outside the narrow single road is blocked with a jam of cars. Somehow Blondie gets into a cab with other revellers but there is no room for "wasted" Hummy.

A 45 minute walk later and Hum makes it back to the harbour where a worried Blondie has been waiting.

And so home.

Too exhausted, lubricated and fed to eat dinner, we skip dinner and chat over our day.

Ruddy marvellous.

Loved every second.

Oh she's off......in the land of nod.

Hum's still "buzzing".

Perhaps if he counts memories of the passing models bikini tops he will be asleep.

No that ain't helpin'

And so Hum jots of the day to you dearest, dearest chums.

Wish you were here.

[kathyanddanny]

Hello Everyone!

 

It's been a wonderful two days so far!...with a great mix of people on board. Really enjoying ourselves. We were sad to have missed Saba as we have never been but being in St.Barts for two nights more than makes up for it.

It's been fantastic meeting up with Blondie and Brother Hum again! Lots of laughs as usual! I just hope Ho Hum stops going on and on about that long walk!? And showing everyone all the ugly blisters on his feet! Really Ho Hum! I thought you had better manners! Hahahaha

Blondie as usual is on her best behaviour and has been kind enough to invite us to dine with them at the captains table tonight! So sweet! And of course we accepted! Who wouldn't!?

One Bit of news! They have my favorite rum! Yaaay! A very smooth top shelf Guadamalen Zacapa! YUM!

 

Happy New Year Everyone! Xo

Edited December 31, 2016 by kathyanddanny

[Jim Avery]

K&D, glad you are having such a good time. Please try and keep His Nibs out of major trouble. Too many $1K bottles of DP can make him do strange ® things.:D Happy New Year to all and to all a good ROLL TIDE!!!

[commander courageous]

While the hoi polloi sip Andres, Mr. Hum sequesters himself with the likes of

Mick Jagger and Bon Jovi on the deck of Nikki Beach and $1000 bottles of

DP, then has the unmitigated gall to complain there are no Ubers in sight and

he is forced to walk back to the tender dock. Can't you just hear the tears

now!

 

Here in the tundra, we'll be celebrating with some of the local aristocracy,

making snow angels as the "ball falls" and wondering why in hell we are

not in St. Barths. All the best to you, the ever so beautiful and patient

Blondie, the rest of the cast and crew aboard ship, and loyal readers to

this drivel from the Commander (soon in line for promotion to Rear

Admiral ... forget it Hum, we've already heard all the jokes) and his

aide de camp, Ensign Pulver.

[kathyanddanny]

K&D, glad you are having such a good time. Please try and keep His Nibs out of major trouble. Too many $1K bottles of DP can make him do strange ® things.:D Happy New Year to all and to all a good ROLL TIDE!!!

 

I'm affraid it's already too late for that!...ha! But we're making the best of it anywho! Lol will try to keep in touch after tonight but not sure if there will be survivers!? Lol :eek:

[ho-hum]

Early breakfast on New Year's Eve and Kathy and Danny are up at their allotted spot on the rear deck.

Customary hellos are made and enquiries about the night before are also made.

The Chief Officer (CO) and Club Director from SDI are visiting us for a catch up over a coffee and a bite to eat.

Hum's missed these guys.

It "kicks off" immediately and much laughter ensues.

The CO promises to pop over after dinner and before the SDI crew party for a couple of drinks (in his kilt !).

The weather turns chillier and a very light shower descends spraying the table.

 

Later we are joined by Activities Director (SDII) for breakfast who tells us about the "meet up" with the Club Director and Activities Manager from SDI where they also met Club Director and replacement Activities Manager from SDII on St.Barts late last night.

It's great to feel that the SD family get together when the rare occasions occur.

 

We discuss with the Hotel Manager the other guests for the Captain's table.

 

More SDI passengers are popping over for lunch. They are American chums from the state of Kentucky. A "horsey" couple who bring their two extremely well behaved daughters (who adore Blondie's high heels) and their less well behaved parents/parents in law ! This time they pop over sans kids and oldies. We lay on some DP for them.

 

Heavy showers descend at our allotted table but the waiters have already tipped us off and we have drinks at the central table between the stairs which resembles a train station of passing passengers dripping over us and chatting as they pass by. We adjourn to a sheltered table at the back for another "catch up" and plan for our next "meet up" both in the Caribbean and a trip to the UK for racing at Ascot.

Next year's New Year, SDII is chartered which Hum considers a travesty and an act of great disloyalty to the regular Club Members. So great pressure is being put on Hum to join them on SDI (which Hum will follow by a week on SDII or not: Hum cannot decide).

 

Rather a lot is consumed and Hum retired to make himself glamorous for the evening: a feeble attempt at being somewhat presentable. Meanwhile Blondie goes shopping with an American chum and very bad influence who buys a limited edition Louis Vuitton bag (one of 3 bags made for St.Barts). She is an interior designer for top hotels and is strikingly distinct. The crew adore her as she is so kind and fabulous fun. We introduced her to an American guy who is also an interior designer for up market homes and they are getting on so well exchanging tastes, tales of awful clients and life.

 

Hum has attracted much attention for his loud and exuberant behaviour by other guests some of who had hoped for a civilised welcoming of the New Year: they were to be severely disappointed. Bigly, Bigly Bigly. It is New Year and it will be being celebrated with a cacophony leading up to a BIG BANG ! So get over it !!!

 

We assemble for evening cocktail and most guests are looking fabulous, dressed "to the nines".

We dine outside at the Captain's table with Kathy and Danny and the two American ladies. The Club Director and Chief Officer from SDI have popped over with the CO regaled in kilt and the full works. After a very convivial evening, we all head to the TOYB for revelling and glasses of our favourite New Year Eve beverages. As the end of the year approaches, we head to the front of the boat where the lights are turned off to watch the imminent fireworks.

 

And then bang, whoosh and the fireworks begin.

 

Blondie and Hum sneak away to the crew party on the Pool Deck feeling very honoured for permission to attend to wish the crew a Happy New Year. Such a privilege to spend even just a few minutes with this amazing company of remarkable men and women (the ladies looked unrecognisable in their beautiful gowns). Hum showed them a few "moves" on the dance floor which impressed them greatly as they stood around struck in awe with their mouths dropped open. Nobody had seen anything like it ! But Hum was not going to "hog the limelight" and so adjourned quickly into the background to sit and chat with the crew. It was great to see the love between all ranks of the various crew departments.

 

Very generous and kind of them but now it was time to leave. Let the crew have their special moment with one another without us.

 

Great camaraderie between all crew and between all passengers. You can't get better than this.

 

Happy New Year to you all dear chums.

 

Note: Hum was not drinking $1K bottles of DP at "Nikki Beach" (it was Comte de Tattinger rose at half that price !)

[TrulyBlonde]

Happy New Year Mr. Hum,

 

Your Nikki Beach story brings back wonderful memories. Champagne and lobster are our favorite pastime for a romantic lunch while relaxing in front of the white sand, turquoise seas, and watching all of those near naked bodies. Always a fun afternoon. "Less is more" when at Nikki Beach ;-)

[ho-hum]

Hello Everyone!

 

It's been a wonderful two days so far!...with a great mix of people on board. Really enjoying ourselves. We were sad to have missed Saba as we have never been but being in St.Barts for two nights more than makes up for it.

It's been fantastic meeting up with Blondie and Brother Hum again! Lots of laughs as usual! I just hope Ho Hum stops going on and on about that long walk!? And showing everyone all the ugly blisters on his feet! Really Ho Hum! I thought you had better manners! Hahahaha I

Blondie as usual is on her best behaviour and has been kind enough to invite us to dine with them at the captains table tonight! So sweet! And of course we accepted! Who wouldn't!?

One Bit of news! They have my favorite rum! Yaaay! A very smooth top shelf Guadamalen Zacapa! YUM!

 

Happy New Year Everyone! Xo

 

Hum's manners are exceptional sis !

Exceptionally bad !

A great dinner with Kathy and Danny but Hum did have to suggest to her eating her small entree as we were in danger of missing out on seeing in the New Year !

2018 !

She was too busy talking and keeping us all highly entertained.

Thanks for the introduction to the rum.

Rich and smooth.

Wonderful

 

K&D, glad you are having such a good time. Please try and keep His Nibs out of major trouble. Too many $1K bottles of DP can make him do strange ® things.:D Happy New Year to all and to all a good ROLL TIDE!!!

 

I'm affraid it's already too late for that!...ha! But we're making the best of it anywho! Lol will try to keep in touch after tonight but not sure if there will be survivers!? Lol :eek:

 

Kathy's right.

Way too late Jim........Hum was loud and exuberant and certainly too much for some !

Kathy did her fair share of bawdy stories (does the reason for getting married really quickly, ring a bell sis ? Thank heavens it was'nt told at the Captain's table ! But when the American lady spoke about a book she read with a very basic title, well Hum did squirm "un peu". Too rude to pist chums.).

 

And for clarity's sake, again, Hum was not imbibing DP (at $1 K a bash: the bottles ordered by our lunch companions was half that price. Yes, it's silly money).

[ho-hum]

If there is a God !!!!

Show Hum a sign !!!

[kathyanddanny]

What a fantastic couple of days we've had! So much fun!

New Year's Eve was terrific! Dinner at the Captains table with Brother Hum and Blondie! They are such charmers! It was nice to see the Captain laugh and enjoy himself as well. Fireworks!, champagne and dancing to the wee hours!

 

So naturally, a nice Long Beach day in Anguilla was a welcomed way to start the New Year...found a lovely new hotel on Shoal bay beach (Moana hotel)? I think. Beautiful decor, comfy beach chairs and pool! So relaxing!...

Then back to the Yacht!...and that's where the trouble began! ;) yikes!

Not to worry! Danny tells me a good time was had by all! Hahaha

And Ho Hum did not witness a thing! So don't listen to a word he says! Haha

 

Today in St.Marteen was very nice...site seeing touristy stuff included was a visit to a butterfly farm!...so serene! Really enjoyed the day!

We have met such nice people on this voyage! So far! One of the best for us in terms of the passenger mix.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

 

And for clarity's sake, again, Hum was not imbibing DP (at $1 K a bash: the bottles ordered by our lunch companions was half that price. Yes, it's silly money).

 

 

And to think, we felt bad enough fixing a $75 prime rib for the two of us (three if you count the "pony") and washing it down with a $100 bottle of cabernet on New Years eve. Think of the starving children...

 

Speaking of the pony, he got a new toy for Christmas (purloined from the Toys for Tots barrel outside the orphanage...):

Edited January 3, 2017 by Ragnar Danneskjold

[ho-hum]

While the hoi polloi sip Andres, Mr. Hum sequesters himself with the likes ofMick Jagger and Bon Jovi on the deck of Nikki Beach and $1000 bottles ofDP, then has the unmitigated gall to complain there are no Ubers in sight and he is forced to walk back to the tender dock. Can't you just hear the tears now!

 

Here in the tundra, we'll be celebrating with some of the local aristocracy,

making snow angels as the "ball falls" and wondering why in hell we are

not in St. Barths. All the best to you, the ever so beautiful and patient

Blondie, the rest of the cast and crew aboard ship, and loyal readers to

this drivel from the Commander (soon in line for promotion to Rear

Admiral ... forget it Hum, we've already heard all the jokes) and his

aide de camp, Ensign Pulver.

 

The Commander is not known for his benevolence towards dear kind old Hum, in fact the delight at Hum's predicament makes "The Grinch" seem quite a kind character in comparison to the "tundra dweller" who has now promoted himself through the ranks whilst demoting Abenaki !

There are a plethora of "put downs" to choose from by your new self-appointment title and so little time that Hum is forced to let it go this time.

 

Despite the barbs, Hum has some sympathy for all those in "Trudeauland" (what a disappointment he is turning out to be. A kind of "white men cant jump" alternative to the famous Irishman: O'Bummer).

Yes sympathy for the terrible weather conditions that you are enduring.

There are quite a few Canadians onboard besides the wonderful K&D.

There is also a great couple "right up your alley".

Tremendous fun, extremely witty and amazingly dressed.

They even bought their own olives onboard as they detested the ship's olives (for their martinis !).

They travel with the entire range of LV luggage including LV cover protectors which are all monogrammed in gold !

Hum is sure they don't mind being gossiped about.

In fact they would be hurt if they were'nt !

He appeared in that blockbuster film of the year starring yours truly (tender scene: tender, as in "dat fing dat floats").

We dined with them last night.

 

We missed you at St.Barts.

St. Barts will forever be embedded in our memories as time with you both but somehow Hum thinks "Nikki Beach" would not have "floated your bought" even though you may have appreciated seeing an array of gyrating well toned bodies (but you only need look in a mirror for that) however your preference is now likely a somewhat quiet and refined setting such as the Cheval Blanc and Guanahani.

If Hum recalls, your entrance at New York's, "Studio 54" was a fashion disaster but boy have you made up for that since.

Bigly.

[ho-hum]

If there is a God !!!!

Show Hum a sign !!!

 

You gotta be kiddin' Hum !

Really ?

That would be ......... !