The Daily for Wednesday Mar 24, 2021

[Marmot@Sea]

@cunnorl

 

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.

 

Val

[Horizon chaser 1957]

2 hours ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Thank you so much for the pictures!!!!

Always been on our list just things got in the way like Covid! I appreciate you doing the pictures for me❤️
Denise😊

You’re welcome. Your beautiful drawings have brightened my days so often, it was the least I could do!

These are from our overnight stay in Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney. My almost - son treated us to a night there, and a sunrise air balloon flight before returning us to the Amsterdam.

Kangaroos coming to feed in the backyard in the evening.

 

Gallahs, a wild cockatoo that lives in the gum trees.

 

A crested pigeon stopping on the phone line to,check us out.

 

The balloon slips the surly bonds of earth. (At this point I remembered I have a fear of heights. Too late now!)

 

The early bird gets a phenomenal sunrise!

 

Dawn comes to Hunter Valley.

 

Farm and vineyard views from the sky.

 

Finally, what goes up must come down, but a champagne breakfast awaits!

Edited March 24, 2021 by Horizon chaser 1957

[smitty34877]

Thank  you @Horizon chaser 1957  for  the  great  pictures. I  was  sorry  to  hear that  you  BIL  is  now  on a  vent. It is  very  difficult  with  COPD for  patient  and  family.

@cunnorl, I  was  sorry to  hear  of  the  passing  of  your  BIL. Sometimes  the  sorrow seems  to  multiply  with so  many  situations  to deal  with.

Terrry

 

[bobpatj]

We visited Sydney on Rotterdam, Voyage of the Vikings cruise in 2016 and on Westerdam two years later on the Canada/New England cruise.  We stayed in town walking the shoreline, visiting shops and stopping at the library for free wi-fi.  Our favorite restaurant is just across the street from the port.

[bobpatj]

Oops!  That was Zuiderdam, not Westerdam!

[DeeniEncinitas]

49 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

You’re welcome. Your beautiful drawings have brightened my days so often, it was the least I could do!

These are from our overnight stay in Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney. My almost - son treated us to a night there, and a sunrise air balloon flight before returning us to the Amsterdam.

Kangaroos coming to feed in the backyard in the evening.

 

Gallahs, a wild cockatoo that lives in the gum trees.

 

A crested pigeon stopping on the phone line to,check us out.

 

The balloon slips the surly bonds of earth. (At this point I remembered I have a fear of heights. Too late now!)

 

The early bird gets a phenomenal sunrise!

 

Dawn comes to Hunter Valley.

 

Farm and vineyard views from the sky.

 

Finally, what goes up must come down, but a champagne breakfast awaits!

🌺OMGOSH FANTASTIC!!! Stunning sunrise picture! That camera shot was perfect!! The kangaroos are adorable just want to hug them! Oh so love the pictures THANKYOU SO MUCH. I am very humbled by your kind words of my sketches! I appreciate that very much! We have such a wonderful group here and each day is a great experience to see everyone’s pictures, their daily lives, and all of the fellowship!

Denise😊
My prayers go out to your family in regards to your Dear BIL. I hope with COPD he can get better soon! 

Edited March 24, 2021 by DeeniEncinitas
Follow up

[St Pete Cruiser]

5 hours ago, cunnorl said:

Good Afternoon Everyone,

    I have not posted in the last few days Grateful for all the positive posts. Also very thankful that my BIL was on the prayer list. Unfortunately he passed last night. Very sad time again for our family.  He was only 66. This terrible virus has affected so many lives.

Your family of posters here sends their sincere sympathy.

[Love the beach]

5 hours ago, cunnorl said:

Good Afternoon Everyone,

    I have not posted in the last few days Grateful for all the positive posts. Also very thankful that my BIL was on the prayer list. Unfortunately he passed last night. Very sad time again for our family.  He was only 66. This terrible virus has affected so many lives.

So sorry to hear this....

 

And Horizon Chaser's news as well....hoping for better days ahead.

Edited March 24, 2021 by Love the beach

[cruzn single]

So sorry @cunnorland @Horizon chaser 1957for your news.  Sending prayers for both families.

 

Sydney, NS is a port that I can say I was at, but didn't get to see.  On my Canada to Florida re-positioning on the Zuiderdam, I spent the day in my cabin with a fever!  Also missed Charlottetown, for same reason.  Thankfully, was better and got to see a little of Halifax.  So, it looks like I need to have a "do-over" of that cruise.  Right?

 

I enjoy chocolate covered raisins, but since I don't have any, just went to the cupboard and found some raisins.  My Grandmother used to give me raisins as a snack when I was very young.  so happy memories.

 

I have loved all the great photos posted today. This is such a sharing, caring place.  Thanks, everyone.  Have a great day!

[highland cruiser]

 So sorry to read of more loss and hospitalization of loved ones. Prayers to all. 
Thank you to all who post and keep this a positive, enjoyable daily read. 
we are on our last afternoon of camping.  Have taken several walks and one long hike thru numerous redwood groves.  Was really good for my mental outlook to be outside and viewing such grandeur. 
Time for our happy hour under the redwoods.  Will raise a toast to you all. 
🍷🥃🤗

[AncientWanderer]

54 minutes ago, cruzn single said:

 

 

I enjoy chocolate covered raisins, but since I don't have any, just went to the cupboard and found some raisins.  My Grandmother used to give me raisins as a snack when I was very young.  so happy memories.

 

 

Sometimes I mix raisins and chocolate chips in a little bowl and have for a snack.

Shhhh...don't tell   😊

[Red Haired Lady]

9 hours ago, rafinmd said:

I've actually been to Sydney twice.  The first was 1994 on the Regent Sun (RIP Regency Cruises) and again on the Veendam August 21, 2013.  I did 2 tours that day starting with a walking tour of town that was interesting but not a lot I have nice photos of.  I paused for lunch at Tim Hortons (Chicken Noodle Soup) before returning to the ship.

 

The afternoon tour was to the former French City/Fortress of Louisburg.  It was captured by the British in 1855 and languished until the 1960's.  It was good that it did as when the restoration took place they had fertile ground for archeological digs facilitating a quality restoration.  I'll start with the gate:

 

 

The land sides were surrounded by a wall and a ditch (not a moat, a moat is filled with water.  The British capture was via the land side:

 

 

Since we did not return to the ship until 6, it was a good time to try Canaletto.  There was a Celtic group playing in the Lido:

 

 

Roy

Loved the Regent Sun.  My 3rd cruise in 1990.  Cruise director (older man) had a very small staff, he and his wife were part of the entertainment. Everyone did double duty in more than one job.  I still remember they did songs from Fiddler on the Roof and it was excellent. Those were the days!

[erewhon]

8 hours ago, cunnorl said:

Good Afternoon Everyone,

    I have not posted in the last few days Grateful for all the positive posts. Also very thankful that my BIL was on the prayer list. Unfortunately he passed last night. Very sad time again for our family.  He was only 66. This terrible virus has affected so many lives.

 

So very sorry to read your sad news, sending.our condolences to you and your family.

[oakridger]

Thanks @garlictownfor the info on Hawaii restaurants, etc.  I'm just "thinking about" when I will go next!  I have stayed twice at a small condo complex in Honokowai which is just north of Kaanapali.  I really enjoyed the area.  

 

~Nancy

[erewhon]

Thanks for all the daily reports.

@richwmn thanks for mentioning another NZ wine, one of many from the Marlborough region.

Today began  with fog and rain, now clearing, hopefully be OK to cook Lamb Steaks out on the BBQ for dinner this evening.

Kep well, stay safe everyone.

 

[erewhon]

9 hours ago, NextOne said:

Good morning! A great selection of days, Rich, and thank you Roy for the lists of concerns and shoutouts!

I'm pleased to report that DH came home from orthopedic rehab yesterday, after three weeks. In-home PT & OT will begin soon. The visiting nurse stops by tomorrow, so everything is progressing! We see the surgeon on Friday to get an update on how the leg is healing. It's all good.

The chemo continues and he's due for a CT scan soon to see whether the cancer has traveled anywhere else. We're hopeful that the last radiation treatments may have eradicated it. We'll see!

Thanks for all your kinds thoughts and prayers!

Good news that your DH is home again you will both be so very happy.

 Does he have daily chemo?

Best wishes for his continuing good progress.

[rafinmd]

13 minutes ago, Red Haired Lady said:

Loved the Regent Sun.  My 3rd cruise in 1990.  Cruise director (older man) had a very small staff, he and his wife were part of the entertainment. Everyone did double duty in more than one job.  I still remember they did songs from Fiddler on the Roof and it was excellent. Those were the days!

I think maybe Regency declined a bit in the intervening 4 years.  Still multiple jobs for everybody.  I was checked in on the ship by a young man who took my credit card and ran it through the machine.  A few days later there was a magic show in the theater with card tricks and all kinds of sleight of hand.  The magician was the same guy who had been handling my credit card at checkin.  Oops!

 

Roy

[TiogaCruiser]

Sharing a picture of dinner on our BBQ. That’s an Argentina gaucho style “parrilla insert” I got off Amazon and it has changed our grilling life. 
 

 

Well, that’s strange. I took the picture right side up. Maybe my iPad thought it was in South America.

Edited March 25, 2021 by TiogaCruiser

[Sharon in AZ]

Craig found our Sydney, NS August 2009 Eurodam pictures on our old hard drive for me.

 

 

 

This is Cossit House:

 

 

We have a lot of pictures of the inside but I'll post just one, kitchens always fascinate me:

 

This is Jost House, which was much smaller than Cossit House:

 

One of the inside:

 

The church, we must not have gone inside:

 

Me with the Eurodam as background, you can even make out the fiddle.  It must have been a breezy day with my hair flying all around.  BTW, this is another jacket Craig asked me to never wear again, said it looked like carpet.  I liked it because of all the colors, it went with anything.

 

Craig and I have a "thing" we do upon arriving back at the ship in each port, I go ahead to our cabin and get out on the balcony and wave while he takes pictures.  It's always fun to see where our cabin is:

 

You can hardly see me now:

 

That was a formal "dress up" night for us, now called Gala Night.  We were in the Ocean Bar:

 

I believe this is the last time Craig ever wore a tux on a cruise.

Edited March 25, 2021 by Sharon in AZ

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Craig found our Sydney, NS August 2009 Eurodam pictures on our old hard drive for me.

 

 

 

This is Cossit House:

 

 

We have a lot of pictures of the inside but I'll post just one, kitchens always fascinate me:

 

This is Jost House, which was much smaller than Cossit House:

 

One of the inside:

 

The church, we must not have gone inside:

 

Me with the Eurodam as background, you can even make out the fiddle.  It must have been a breezy day with my hair flying all around.  BTW, this is another jacket Craig asked me to never wear again, said it looked like carpet.  I liked it because of all the colors, it went with anything.

 

Craig and I have a "thing" we do upon arriving back at the ship in each port, I go ahead to our cabin and get out on the balcony and wave while he takes pictures.  It's always fun to see where our cabin is:

 

You can hardly see me now:

 

That was a formal "dress up" night for us, now called Gala Night.  We were in the Ocean Bar:

 

I believe this is the last time Craig ever wore a tux on a cruise.

Sharon Thank you so much for finding your photos! Appreciate. You all look so happy! Have a great evening.

Denise😊

[daisybertie]

Good afternoon everyone. It is Thursday afternoon and we are about to get a storm, lots of thunder and black skies. We were in Sydney NS in June 2018, on the Maasdam from Montreal to Boston, and that was the last time I saw my sister, as we were unable to meet in Alaska last year. 
We only walked around the town, but were very moved by the merchant marine memorial. The harbour was used as a marshalling area for convoys, before they set out across the Atlantic during WWII. My father in law was in the Royal Navy at that time on convoy duty, and was torpedoed three times. Luckily he survived and lived till he was 94.

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

 A late good evening after a longer day than planned as we had some hiccups, more annoying than serious.

 

We’ve been to Sydney five times, all on the Veendam.  We rented cars four times and saw all the major highlights.  In 2019, for a change we just walked around town and the waterfront.

 

I like anything chocolate except raisins.  I do not like the taste or texture of raisins.

 

@NextOneGlad your DH is home.

@cunnorl  Condolences on your BIL’s passing.  Our thoughts and with you and all your family.

@Horizon chaser 1957 Hope your BIL improves.

@cat shepard Glad you are feeling better.

 

Lenda

 

 

[garlictown]

5 hours ago, oakridger said:

Thanks @garlictownfor the info on Hawaii restaurants, etc.  I'm just "thinking about" when I will go next!  I have stayed twice at a small condo complex in Honokowai which is just north of Kaanapali.  I really enjoyed the area.  

 

~Nancy

🌴It's been a great experience "getting away"....we have been to all the islands previously since 5 hours is a hop, skip and a jump for us.🌴  Maui seems to be a favorite. I mentioned to my husband that either January or February 2022, I'd like renting for a month here. 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️I met a lady in the pool that teaches water aerobics and actually lives on the property...what a life! 🚢🚢We have two Holland America cruises still planned for 2021 so we'll have to see how that goes? The first one is September 3rd out of Rotterdam and the second out of Fort Lauderdale over the Christmas/New Year's holidays.  Take good care!💗

[Ichiban Nekko]

An early start today, which is a good opportunity to finish reading yesterday’s daily with a cup of coffee. The warmth an fellowship of this group is truly wonderful and I thank you all.

 

Time to go nudge DH into daytime status. We have a ‘road trip’ to Costco (30 miles away) and other such wondrous places, including a stop at our favorite diner, LOL!! 

 

Please continue the hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing. With so many people getting vaccinated, perhaps we really will be on a blue-hulled beauty sooner, rather than later.

 

[cat shepard]

9 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Craig found our Sydney, NS August 2009 Eurodam pictures on our old hard drive for me.

 

 

 

This is Cossit House:

 

 

We have a lot of pictures of the inside but I'll post just one, kitchens always fascinate me:

 

This is Jost House, which was much smaller than Cossit House:

 

One of the inside:

 

The church, we must not have gone inside:

 

Me with the Eurodam as background, you can even make out the fiddle.  It must have been a breezy day with my hair flying all around.  BTW, this is another jacket Craig asked me to never wear again, said it looked like carpet.  I liked it because of all the colors, it went with anything.

 

Craig and I have a "thing" we do upon arriving back at the ship in each port, I go ahead to our cabin and get out on the balcony and wave while he takes pictures.  It's always fun to see where our cabin is:

 

You can hardly see me now:

 

That was a formal "dress up" night for us, now called Gala Night.  We were in the Ocean Bar:

 

I believe this is the last time Craig ever wore a tux on a cruise.

Wonderful pictures Sharon! I will disagree with Craig on this jacket. It looks like a rich tapestry. I can almost feel the texture through my iPad.