Silversea Water Cooler: Part 3, Welcome!

[Bill B]

Jeff, I think you are very correct. With Scotland trying to break away from the UK, Wales have seen themselves under the occupation of a foreign army for over a thousand years and down here in Cornwall the Merbow Kernow (that's the Sons of Cornwall) would love to break away form England (if that's all right with the rest of you!!)

 

But seriously I think this United Kingdom is just inches away from being did-United...

 

Like this? -

[Lois R]

Good morning.........FYI, I have an appt to see a Kidney Specialist but it is next month. Seems specialists get backed up

very quickly. They had nothing available this month. Will keep you posted.

 

Hope everyone on here is doing well.:)

[Zombatar]

Like this? -

 

 

I think that's closer then you realise. The united Ireland would solve the problems we are currently having about borders after Brexit. My grandfather came from Cumberland and always regarded himself as a Scot and there are still echoes of the old Kingdom of Mercia in things like the West Mercia police force. There is a fantastic fantasy author called Jasper FForde who has Wales as the "Peoples Republic of Wales". It will be interesting to see what the next few years bring.

 

Peter

[UKCruiseJeff]

Peter, the issue with Ireland's borders could be resolved with a single fudge that may seem inelegant but could probably please almost everyone. Leave the Republic / Northern Ireland borders exactly the same as they are but make the UK mainland landing immigration to reflect exactly all others on UK mainland. So post-Brexit if there is a line at say Heathrow for "EU's" or just "Others" anyone from the EU who has managed to get to Belfast say, would pass through normal immigration when they hit the mainland. I wouldn't be surpised if that is what we end up with.

 

Less than eight weeks to our Vienna Christmas Market Safari. Looking forward to it, and we're now also starting to book short trips for 2018 so lot's to start looking forward to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zombatar]

Looks great Jeff but a bit to snowy for us down in the deep south west.

 

Never fear though, whilst you are enjoying the delights of chilly Europe we are off on Silver Wind for a week and then three days laying on the beach on Barbados!!!

 

Peter

[spinnaker2]

Jeff

I love the picture of the children. They are adorable.

 

Two days to go until we board the Muse.

Not ready yet.

 

Eloise, our pup, is morose. She keeps sighing. She doesn't know she's going to stay with her brother who adores her, but that's tomorrow after a long drive in the car.

 

Happy day all.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Spins, the excitement must be really increasing now, particularly needed after your recent excitement. You will need to drink twice as much to make up for the last one ...

 

Peter, good to see that you are breaking Wind in Barbados. What hotel are you using there?

[MissSophia]

G'Day.....

 

Haven't been keeping up with Spain...Wales lost the soccer so not good😡

 

Spins....please do have my share of the bubbles on the Muse and then some....you and DH deserve it.....poor Eloise....hate leaving our furry babies but I'm sure she'll be fine with her brother.

 

Watched a fascinating documentary about Concorde last night......brought back memories of flying on her in 1995 and seeing the curvature of earth.....way ahead of her time.

 

Also watched a documentary about Sir Bobby Charlton who turns 80 today....how can the likes of Mr Rooney even comment is beyond me....it's no longer a sport....just big big business.......and l don't even like football!!

 

Ah well....have enjoyed a morning with my hairdresser so all is good....

 

Happy Day 😊

[spinnaker2]

Here is the table with the four chairs I rescued.

I haven't finished yet, as you can see there are no seats! I didn't take a before picture, but imagine yellowed rusted paint on them.

You may be able to see our pool and patio, without the outdoor furniture which remains stacked up...

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Zombatar]

Jeff,

 

Can't wait to get the Wind!!

 

We are staying at the Hilton Resort which is just outside Bridgetown so we will be well placed to do a bit of walking as well. There is also a botanical garden on the island which has a reciprocal membership agreement with the Lost Gardens of Helligan so we can visit them for free. We both love botanical gardens and go to visit them whenever we get the chance if the travel itinerary allows it.

 

Peter

[UKCruiseJeff]

Peter,

 

Enjoy B! I think the Hilton is where the cricket teams normally stay .... never been there myself.

 

Have you had the chance to visit the Botanic `gardens in Singapore? They have a wonderful National Orchid Garden.

[UKCruiseJeff]

The tables and chairs look lovely Spins. I cannot believe your good fortune and am puzzled by the idiot throwing them away.

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

J....beautiful pics! Have fun choosing destinations! So glad you are getting back on the "travel" horse! :)

 

Miss S. Did your wonderful hairdresser work her magic? I'm sure you look ravishing!

 

Lois...best wishes for your specialist rendez-vous! Hopefully everything will work out fine!

 

Spins....that table and chairs look awesome! You really worked hard! Beautiful results! Safe travels and have a wonderful cruise!

 

Peter....have a wonderful time!

 

Have a great day all!

[spinnaker2]

Yes...I really love the table and chairs. I can't spend anymore time on them before we go. I had to coerce DH for his help.

DH felt like a thief in the night as if we were purloining them, instead of rescuing them from the curb, rubbish and debris of Irma. Each chair weighs 25 lbs. They are heavy. I found a similar set of five chairs online for 3400 + USD asking price.

I think it was my good fortune, Irma taketh and Irma giveth.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[UKCruiseJeff]

Spins, you can well and truly claim to now have a country seat ... something many aspire to!

 

Thanks M, yes it was good we had a couple of leaner travel years as it was becomong too routine. In a couple of months I'll be planning our next lengthy trip to Singapore and may combine it with a sea adventure.

[Zombatar]

The trip to Singapore sounds lovely Jeff. We were there in February and I agree, the botanical gardens are superb. We would love to go back again and combine it with another trip to Australia, possibly to the west coast this time but that will have to wait as we are booked up for next year.

 

Peter

 

Peter

[jpalbny]

Random International food and wine for dinner tonight. Trying to clean out the freezer before our trip!

 

I found an ancient piece of sirloin in the bottom of the freezer and we had some old red peppers. So lomo saltado was the dinner selection for tonight. A Peruvian dish that we tried back in 2011 during our trip there - beef stir-fried with vegetables and French fries! Such an odd combination but so tasty. I've made this recipe (from Food&Wine) a few times and it's always a treat.

 

 

Slice the beef and marinate in olive oil, cumin, coriander (the ground seed), grated garlic, salt and pepper. Add sliced red onion. The peppers were an addition on my part. Stir fry over high heat so it gets a char. Add some tomatoes for a minute then fold in the French fries and chopped cilantro (coriander leaf). Serve over rice.

 

 

A little hot sauce adds some kick for me, along with soy sauce. Peruvian cuisine has a fair bit of Japanese influence and it's evident in this dish.

 

We served it with a Finger Lakes Red, a mixture of Pinot Noir and Blaufränkish (Lemberger) which went well. Very few tannins to fight with the soy sauce and spices. Enough acidity to work well with the tomatoes. Now enjoying an Argentine Malbec for dessert.

 

***

Two weeks from today we will be boarding Silver Explorer in Guayaquil. Beyond excited. :D

[MissSophia]

Good Morning Coolers......such a beautiful sunny autumnal day here.

 

Love that recipe JP....you've a lovely trip to look forward to!

Great find Spins with the cast offs....good project!

Hairdresser did good M....he's excellent ...it felt good to be booking my pre cruise appointment!

 

Off to the outlet mall with DD later...taking a picnic lunch so will have more time for shopping!! :D

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good Morning Coolers,

 

Lovely plate JP ..... and sirloin saved! Enjoy the shopping Soapy. Peter we were there roughly the same time as you this year and had a great trip. We go two or three times a year normally but cut it to one this year and plan our next one in early 2019. It is well worth a long stay if you like your food!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers! BRRRR 1 C this morning! Winter's coming........

 

JP...that meal looks scrumptious! Hope you are getting some rest before your upcoming cruise!

 

Miss S. enjoy the picnic and the shopping!

 

J...Beautiful pictures! What is your impression of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore? The picture online look fascinating.

 

Have a great day all!

[UKCruiseJeff]

M, The Gardens by the Bay in themsleves are so new and undergrown that they really feel a little like Disney Garden if you get my drift. They are our secopnd morning walk when in Singapore which we take as a change from Botanic. However within the gardens are a couple of pavilions and they are worth a single visit probably as they open on a week day. We use to have annual passes when we were going for three visits ie around ten weeks of stay but felt that with a single visit we were done. The exception to all this is the tree light show each eveing which is worthwhile seeing and can be combined with the laser light show and "laser concert". These piccies are taken around the Gardens by the Bay plus some piccies around Marina Bay at night which is adjacent and just around the corner.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Gardens by The Bay Lit up at night ....

 

 

[mysty]

Thank you J! The night photos make the place look magical!

[jpalbny]

Weird, Jeff. The first post has pictures (very nice, BTW), but they don't show up for me on your second post.

 

Mysty, no rest here. I'm doing every other week in ICU so I have a few nights this week where I am not on call. But I just did 8 nights in a row ending Monday night, and I'm back at it next Monday, until Sunday night. I think I will take Monday the 23rd off before we fly out the next day. I don't want to be too worn out before the trip!

 

Freezer roulette for dinner again tonight. Should be interesting!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi JP, it is weird ... yesterday some showed some of the time then disappeared then returned. Good luck with the freezer. Today was old fashioned beef and ale pie with a nice flakey crust and some nice fresh freezing naturlub pils from the new toy.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums