Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[DavyWavey70]

31 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That would indeed have worked on our 1977 trip, as we were doing the West End of an evening.  I remember seeing Robert Morley in Banana Ridge – a dreadful plot, but a perfect vehicle for him.  A few days later we were having dinner in Henley and a couple of tables over were Eli Wallach and Anne Bancroft, dining with (and fawning over) Morley!  [BTW, I'm not playing 'can you top this?' – or at any rate I'm one and done, as that is my only encounter with the rich and famous]

 

In addition to not having digital photos of that trip, we don't have one of DW's wonderful blogs.  In those days she wrote a précis of each day on a postcard and sent it to her mother, with instructions to keep them.  But we have no idea where they are now...

I’d never play that game either Host JB. I Had many encounters in my time there but I’m forbidden to this day of discussing them. If I had had encounters with the Queen, Princess Diana, several Princes, Sinatra, Kerry, Thatcher, Attenborough, Robin Day, Tom Cruise, Nichole Kidman,, Stephen Hawking, MJ, Cilla, A fat lady, and several others, I could neither confirm nor deny such encounters. Life is so much simpler in the Country.

[Host Jazzbeau]

6 hours ago, Emtbsam said:

1958 picking up our new Mark VIII with steering wheel on the left side and driving through England and even into London.

Impressive!  My father bought a used MG Magnette XB at some point in the late '50s.  We drove from Long Island NY to Vermont to pick it up [he must have bought it sight unseen!].  He had owned a couple of Studebakers, so with their demise I guess he was looking for something "not Big 3."  I don't remember why he got rid of it – and it must have been fairly quickly.  Too late to ask now...  After that it was only boring Ford and Chevy sedans (and my mother's VW Beetle).  But it was helpful to learn to drive in a 1965 Chevy Bel Air (213 inches long) three-on-the-tree – after that you can drive (and park) anything.  [DW can top me: she learned to drive in a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville (221 inches long)!]

 

When his boss wanted to unload an MGB (6 months old) he got it for me as a graduation present – vicariously living his midlife crisis I guess.  I only kept that a year – it never left me stranded, but there was never a day when something didn't need fixing – although I did drive it from NY to California and back, and it did attract the attention of my future wife...  Then I bought the new Mercury Capri coupe [made by Ford of Germany, but with another Lucas electrical system thanks to Ford's Vauxhall connection]  Then a Giugiaro-designed VW Scirocco.  Three great cars to start my garage history!  Then came kids, and I went the sedan route for a while until the Infiniti G35 coupe and a couple of BMW coupes.  I've always wanted to own a big honkin' V8, but I think that ship has sailed.  Maybe I'll end up back where I started and buy a Mazda Miata [the Japanese MGB] next time...

[DavyWavey70]

Also I didn’t see Brian May and Anita Dobson on their first New Year’s Eve together. If I had then I’d have said that they were a wonderful couple but as I didn’t see them then I have no comment.

Edited August 26 by DavyWavey70

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 minutes ago, DavyWavey70 said:

I’d never play that game either Host JB. I Had many encounters in my time there but I’m forbidden to this day of discussing them. If I had had encounters with the Queen, Princess Diana, several Princes, Sinatra, Kerry, Thatcher, Attenborough, Robin Day, Tom Cruise, Nichole Kidman,, Stephen Hawking, MJ, Cilla, A fat lady, and several others, I could neither confirm nor deny such encounters. Life is so much simpler in the Country.

I'm so glad you're not playing that game too.  😏

[DavyWavey70]

And the time I didn’t meet Jon Bon Jovi was very memorable too. The other people that never met him were bowled over too.

Edited August 26 by DavyWavey70

[DavyWavey70]

The most special moment that I will take to my grave is a moment that I shared with our beloved Queen. It was the only time I ever saw her Cortège caught up in traffic but Aldwych was a mess that day.  I’m sorry to say that some Americans exclaimed “oh my god it’s the Queen and one went to bang on the car window. She disappeared instantly under several policemen. Prince Phillip dropped a bollock but the Queen looked down at the woman on the ground, looked me square in the eye and howled with laughter. 

[drron29]

I will not play this game so I will neither confirm or deny that I have met someone from Wales who posts on cruise critic.

[UKCruiseJeff]

14 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

This was a real trip down memory lane.  My digital photos only go back to 2003, so I have to pull out the cases of color slides to check details on the prior trips.  My college "grand tour" was quite amazing!  Too bad Stanford doesn't have European campuses like that any more, or make any attempt to provide a traditional liberal education.

 

I was thinking about this …. and add this in case you hadn’t thought of it.  It might be totally irrelevant! 

 

I have an enormous collection of pre-digital age photographs and have therefore bit the bullet and invested in an Epson FastFoto FF-680W Photo and Document Scanning System and it really whips through scanning all those old photographs at stunning speed and also has acceptable automated (included) AI software to improve and correct the colour of the images as they are scanned.  If you are solely slides then you’d choose a different scanner.  

 

I’m so pleased I bought it and spent a few hours digitally archiving and improving all those old “snaps”.   I have converted old yellow snaps to gorgeous A3+ crystal clear perfectly coloured  prints. The digital quality of the result is better than the original and is good enough for large screen viewing. 

 

For particularly precious piccies that I want to enlarge and print off  I bought and use Topaz Photo AI which is extraordinary.  I mostly view them on-screen but some of the most precious I upscale and print on an Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+.  So I can print an old scanned postcard photo print having taken them through photoshop if needed for adjustments but then AI upscaled to A3+.  The inks are cheap as they are professional size bottle refills and last forever. And AI upscaling is breathtaking.  Topaz - although a once only charge - also gives you a free year of updates which has been great as they have really improved the AI engine.

 

I’m really pleased with this workflow and setup and memories are too precious to abandon to old boxes never to be viewed again.  Some cash, some time, and you have those memories back again. This may sound complex, but all I’ll say is that if I can do it anyone can.  You learn a little at a time. 

 

Tell me what you think.

 

Jeff

 

 

 

Edited August 26 by UKCruiseJeff

[MissSophia]

10 minutes ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

 

I was thinking about this post …. and add this in case you hadn’t thought of it.  

 

I have an enormous collection of pre-digital age photographs and have therefore bit the bullet and invested in an Epson FastFoto FF-680W Photo and Document Scanning System and it really whips through scanning all those old photographs at stunning speed and also has acceptable ai software to improve the images.  I’m so pleased I bought it and spent a few hours digitally archiving and improving all those old “snaps”.   The digital quality of the result is better than the original.  

 

For particularly precious piccies that I want to enlarge and print off  I use Topaz Photo AI which is extraordinary.  I mostly view them on-screen but some of the most precious I upscale and print on an Epson EcoTank ET-8550 A3+.  I’m really pleased with this workflow and setup and memories are too precious to abandon to old boxes never to be viewed again.  Some cash, some time, and you have those memories back again.

 

Tell me what you think.

 

Jeff

I can attest to this as Jeff very kindly scanned two old photos for me which have turned out simply stunning 😊

[UKCruiseJeff]

3 minutes ago, MissSophia said:

I can attest to this as Jeff very kindly scanned two old photos for me which have turned out simply stunning 😊

 

That’s kind … thanks.   I loved those piccies of you.  

 

Jeff

[drron29]

 

 

 

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

On 8/24/2024 at 4:27 PM, Lois R said:

Hi Terry, I watched the game.....our defense pretty much sucked the entire time.  We had NO run defense....and if we don't improve it, we are going to be awful this year.

 

Hang in, Lois!!  Don't despair!  That was only the first game.  It is a very long season and Florida State has a very good head coach with much talent.  Things will improve, hopefully.  Many good teams get surprised early in the season, get their "act" together and improve as the experience and "team chemistry" jell.  

 

What's next?  For those in the US who like college football, below are the games for this upcoming weekend that seem to me most interesting and challenging. Even though FSU lost for Lois and the 'Noles fans, it was an exciting and highly-competitive game for fan to watch on TV.  Thriller down to the final seconds!!

 

Saturday, August 31, 2024
#14 Clemson vs. #1 Georgia in Atlanta, 12:00 noon (ET for all times) on ABC

#8 Penn State at West Virginia, 12:00 noon on FOX

#19 Miami at Florida, 3:30 PM on ABC

#7 Notre Dame at #20 Texas A&M, 7:30 PM on ABC 

 

Sunday, September 1, 2024
# 23 USC at #13 LSU in Las Vegas, 7:30 PM on ABC

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good Afternoon Coolers!

 

We haven’t been back to Vienna since pre-covid and so the request was for schnitzel and beans and fries …… 

 

She was happy!

 

Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 26 by UKCruiseJeff

[Lois R]

2 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Hang in, Lois!!  Don't despair!  That was only the first game.  It is a very long season and Florida State has a very good head coach with much talent.  Things will improve, hopefully.  Many good teams get surprised early in the season, get their "act" together and improve as the experience and "team chemistry" jell.  

 

What's next?  For those in the US who like college football, below are the games for this upcoming weekend that seem to me most interesting and challenging. Even though FSU lost for Lois and the 'Noles fans, it was an exciting and highly-competitive game for fan to watch on TV.  Thriller down to the final seconds!!

 

Saturday, August 31, 2024
#14 Clemson vs. #1 Georgia in Atlanta, 12:00 noon (ET for all times) on ABC

#8 Penn State at West Virginia, 12:00 noon on FOX

#19 Miami at Florida, 3:30 PM on ABC

#7 Notre Dame at #20 Texas A&M, 7:30 PM on ABC 

 

Sunday, September 1, 2024
# 23 USC at #13 LSU in Las Vegas, 7:30 PM on ABC

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

Hi Terry, I agree about it being a long season........but our defense looked terrible, long or short.

Those are some good games (hopefully) coming up.......both of the teams I hate the most are playing each other LOL......I am trying to decide if I care who wins or loses. Miami and Florida are our biggest rivals.......

 

Anyway, who are your Buckeyes playing?

[Lois R]

24 minutes ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

Good Afternoon Coolers!

 

We haven’t been back to Vienna since pre-covid and so the request was for schnitzel and beans and fries …… 

 

She was happy!

 

Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff, that food looks delicious😀

[Emtbsam]

Jeff - I have literally miles of my father’s 16mm movies from the Coronation cruise in the 1930’s up to the late 1970’s. I would love to convert them to digital but have yet to figure out what system would handle it.  Do you have any suggestions?

[UKCruiseJeff]

30 minutes ago, Emtbsam said:

Jeff - I have literally miles of my father’s 16mm movies from the Coronation cruise in the 1930’s up to the late 1970’s. I would love to convert them to digital but have yet to figure out what system would handle it.  Do you have any suggestions?

 

Hi,

 

Cine is a much bigger challenge and so  I’d look to have a professional company do it for you rather than try and buy the equipment and do it yourself.  It would be cheaper and the results much better. 

 

I’d look for a reliable company that can provide you with an AI remastered digital copy and ensure you use a reliable courier to pick them up and deliver them with complete tracking. 

 

If you have a look at YouTube there are a lot of remastered AI videos of original late 1800’s to 1930’s content which quite breathtaking and shows what's possible.  You may find some of them are showcasing what they are capable of and might offer to help you with yours.

 

Good luck. 

 

Jeff

Edited August 26 by UKCruiseJeff

[mysty]

Myster's favourite meal is a Prime Rib.  He found the perfect recipe and has used it repeatedly.  Of course, with the price of Prime Rib these days, those opportunities are not as abundant as they once were.  For those interested here is the recipe and a little info about the chef who created the recipe, Ricardo Larrivée.

 

Prime Rib Roast (The Best)

Preparation - 15 min
Cooking - 2 h 25 min
Servings - 6

 

Ingredients

1 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 roast beef prime rib, about 4.5 lbs (2 kg) with the bone, at room temperature for 1 hour

 

Preparation

With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.

In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients, except for the roast.

On a work surface, rub the roast all over with the seasoning mixture.

Place the roast on the baking sheet, fat side up. Bake for 25 minutes. Turn the oven off and do not open the door for 2 hours. It is very important not to release any heat from the oven. Remove the roast from the oven and slice. Serve with béarnaise sauce, if desired.

 

 

 

The Chef.....

Ricardo Larrivée, sometimes credited as Ricardo, is a television host and a food writer who lives in Quebec, Canada. He hosted the television show Ricardo on Radio-Canada and previously hosted Ricardo and Friends on Food Network Canada...
 

https://www.ricardocuisine.com/

[zqtchas]

4 hours ago, Emtbsam said:

Jeff - I have literally miles of my father’s 16mm movies from the Coronation cruise in the 1930’s up to the late 1970’s. I would love to convert them to digital but have yet to figure out what system would handle it.  Do you have any suggestions?

There is a film company in Georgetown and I think also in Arlington that does work for the Kennedy center. Maybe they could help.

[lincslady]

My mouth watering at the sight of that beef, Mysty, especially since I hardly ever eat it now (very pricy in the UK),  As well as the sauce it just needs some creamed horseradish and a Yorkshire or two, roast potatoes and roast parsnips and maybe some sprouts.  Heaven on a winter's day.

[mysty]

9 minutes ago, lincslady said:

My mouth watering at the sight of that beef, Mysty, especially since I hardly ever eat it now (very pricy in the UK),  As well as the sauce it just needs some creamed horseradish and a Yorkshire or two, roast potatoes and roast parsnips and maybe some sprouts.  Heaven on a winter's day.

 

Absolutely agree!  🥰

[Downunder55]

On 8/24/2024 at 2:07 AM, TLCOhio said:

The great funnies and food/cooking treats keep rolling at The Cooler!!  Appreciate the excellent sharing and fun.  

 

To offer future travel options and/or bring back memories for those who have visited and enjoyed Athens and Greece, here is more news/insights to consider.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal for their weekend edition, they had this headline: “Athens Just Might Be the Most Underrated Capital City in Europe"  with this sub-headline:  "The Greek capital was the cradle of Western civilization, but it has far more to offer today than its famed ancient ruins.”

 

Here are some of the reporting highlights by author Tony Perrottet: “When I first visited over two decades ago, I found it a sprawling, gridlocked and gritty eyesore with graffiti-covered streets. Back then, most travelers allocated a day to visit the Acropolis, then fled to the glittering beaches and seafood tavernas.  Energetic Greek expats returned during the pandemic had opened restaurants, galleries, cafes and boutiques, and were joined by European bohemians flooding south in search of cheap rents and sunshine.  All of this has turned the Greek capital into one of the most livable and entertaining cities in Europe.”

 

Many specifics and details are offered, including for "underground dining" including at Diporto’s naturally cool cellar lined with wine barrels, doing post-Acropolis therapy such at the sandwich store Guarantee using local ingredients, rocking the Odeon of Herodes Atticus amphitheater with summer theater and concerts, art in the red-light district for contemporary-art centers at the Breeder, options at rooftops bar-restaurants such as at  the gilt-and-marble Hotel Grand Bretagne and the new Metro stop Dimotiko Theatro in the port district of Piraeus, where the Athenian fleet was constructed in the era of Pericles.  Lots of history and aspects to explore in Athens.  

 

Here is an interesting, different option cited: Benaki Museum of Islamic Art, considered one of the finest in Europe. People forget that ancient Athens was the trade gateway to Egypt and the Middle East and what one historian called “the first truly global city” as for more than 350 years, Athens was a key outpost of the Ottoman Empire. 

 

This WSJ article is behind a tight paywall, but might be obtained from a local library source.  Good to check it out if Athens is on your future to-do list.  Bring back nice Athens memories?  Any good Athens tips from those visiting there recently?  Below are two of our favorite visuals from being there during visits in 2006 and 2018.  

 

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/athens-greece-visitors-guide-e0050af2?mod=lifestyle_feat1_travel_pos3

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 69,101 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

My favourite part of Athens is the departure lounge at the airport !

[TLCOhio]

5 hours ago, Emtbsam said:

Jeff - I have literally miles of my father’s 16mm movies from the Coronation cruise in the 1930’s up to the late 1970’s. I would love to convert them to digital but have yet to figure out what system would handle it.  Do you have any suggestions?

 

In the past, i have used the firm linked below to do scanning of color slides going back to the 1970's from Europe travels and a massive number of color print negatives.  Sent them this huge number of items and they worked it out well as the below slide digital transition shows from being in Paris at the Louvre before the I.M. Pei Glass Pyramid was built.  

 

At that time (and probably still done today), their scanning is processed in India.  Lots of labor is involved in this process, but this Scancafe firm is worth considering.   

 

https://www.scancafe.com/services/movies

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[Emtbsam]

Thank you Charles and Jeff.  My work is cut out for me.