The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday March 19th, 2023

[marshhawk]

Good Sunday Morning Dailyites!  

 

I had a great day off yesterday, watched F1 Qualifying, and then the F2 sprint race, I finally, after more than a  month had enough time to call a friend (who always makes a phone call last longer than an hour) and chatted with him for one and a half hours.  Lots of Formula 1 talk, and then I watched some of the Sebring 12 hour race, went out for dinner, at Old Hickory House,  came back, watched the end of the race, but it actually felt like I had a decent day off!

 

Today it's more F2, then run to the farmers market, then come home and watch the F1 race and then??? We have been invited by our friends for dinner tonight.  We haven't seen them since mid December!  Three reasons for that, they have a ton of grandkids, they travel all the time, and they have not been very honest about who in the family has had covid, but they still get together with them all the time. They do not like cruising, but they are the ones who instigated the change of itinerary to cruise Greece, and this up coming trip in October had DH and I more excited about a vacation, than we ever have been, so thank them for that!  And this will be our corned beef and cabbage dinner, as the wife is pure Irish!  The hubby is German, but he is the chef!

[Mtn2Sea]

When the Zuiderdam stopped at Penneshaw a month ago, we took an excursion that covered many of the natural highlights of Kangaroo Island.  We went to both the Seal Bay Conservation Park and Finders Chase National Park.  There’s not much to see in Penneshaw itself.
 

 

 

The following photos are from Finders Chase National Park.  The first photos are from the Remarkable Rocks area and around the Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

On the way back to Penneshaw, we stopped to look at a beach that’s popular for surfers.
 

[seagarsmoker]

Raining here at half moon cay. Sadly for us, at 7:30 am, already standing room only at the sea view pool smoking section.  At 8:30, even though it's raining,  they started tendering the island.  

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I think every day should be Let's Laugh Day - it's good for the soul.  I know a few certified nurses and we eat a lot of poultry, but didn't know it had it's own day.

 

It's a bright sunny morning out there right now and we're sitting at -17C, but are told the temps should climb to -4C.  Because our street is on an ever so slight incline, the thick layer of road ice has begun to melt with the bright sunshine.  That sounds great, right?  Until you realize that it now feels like we're driving down an old wagon trail as we try to get to our house with all the bumps and lumps caused by the melting.  Ah, the pleasures of living on the "frozen tundra".  LOL

 

@mamaofamiI know you're concerned about your cataract surgery, but rest assured, it's very easy.  DH had both of his done a number of years ago and was amazed at how quick and easy it was.  Our good friend had hers done last Friday morning and we were enjoying a coffee date with them 2 days later.

 

Well yesterday's dinner suggestion didn't go as planned; as we were reading the morning paper, DH found a new restaurant on the other side of the city that has schnitzel as their Saturday special.  You didn't have to tell me twice to put the ground beef back in the fridge for another day!  We drove there around 5PM and were treated to 2 large pieces of schnitzel covered in jaeger sauce.  I had to ask what was in it, and was told cream, garlic, mushrooms, onions and capers . . . oh my, was it EVER delicious!  We both ended up bringing 1 piece of the schnitzel home with us and DH had his as a night snack before bed.  I think I'll let him have mine for lunch today.  Delicious as it was, I did miss the lingonberry sauce on the side that you get with schnitzel on a BHB.

 

Not a lot going on today; I'm going to package up most of the ground beef we bought yesterday into 1 pound flat packages so they're quick and easy to use later.  I'll be watching the NA sail-away (yes, I'm one of the addicts), and working on my latest blanket.  Tonight will be our dinner that was originally planned for yesterday - meat loaf with green beans and mashed potatoes at the kitchen table.  And wine.

 

Prayers for all who are in need, cheers to everyone with celebrations.  

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

 

 

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info!

 

It’s Poultry Day and Let’s Laugh Day. Let try to combine these days.

 

RedneckBob has a mobile home so he must have a mobile chicken coup!

 

[grapau27]

10 minutes ago, Mtn2Sea said:

When the Zuiderdam stopped at Penneshaw a month ago, we took an excursion that covered many of the natural highlights of Kangaroo Island.  We went to both the Seal Bay Conservation Park and Finders Chase National Park.  There’s not much to see in Penneshaw itself.
 

 

 

The following photos are from Finders Chase National Park.  The first photos are from the Remarkable Rocks area and around the Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

On the way back to Penneshaw, we stopped to look at a beach that’s popular for surfers.
 

Lovely photos.

[StLouisCruisers]

11 minutes ago, Mtn2Sea said:

When the Zuiderdam stopped at Penneshaw a month ago, we took an excursion that covered many of the natural highlights of Kangaroo Island.  We went to both the Seal Bay Conservation Park and Finders Chase National Park.  There’s not much to see in Penneshaw itself.
 

 

 

The following photos are from Finders Chase National Park.  The first photos are from the Remarkable Rocks area and around the Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admiral’s Arch area.

 

 

 

 

On the way back to Penneshaw, we stopped to look at a beach that’s popular for surfers.
 

 

Thank you for posting the photos.  They're great!  Looks like a beautiful spot and I love the seals.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, seagarsmoker said:

Raining here at half moon cay. Sadly for us, at 7:30 am, already standing room only at the sea view pool smoking section.  At 8:30, even though it's raining,  they started tendering the island.  

 

What a shame your beach day has to be rainy.  I looked at the Weather Channel and it says the rain will stop by 1 pm but since the ship is only there until 3 that's not much time.  I hope you can find somewhere on the ship to enjoy your day.

[superoma]

3 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Good morning from Florida.  We were off the ship at 7:45 and in a taxi at 8. Off to the Hyatt place where our truck had been parked for 82 days.  I wish I had taken a picture of it.  We had to use our snow brushes to get the oak flowers and pollen off it. We finally found a car wash and we were on the turnpike by 9:30. A slow slog up the Turnpike but we made it to my friend's house in the Villages by 2.  Seems like we are always driving home post cruise with returning spring breakers. We never use their center highway rest areas.  About as crazy as a Buc-Es gas station in Alabama. Heading home early tomorrow. 

Thanks for the Daily Reports and the Care reports.  Prayers for all needing them and the people of Ukraine.  Have a wonderful Sunday! Nancy 

Funny road story. Not spring breakers but snow birds. For several years when we drove home from Florida we would take I95 to Richmond area to visit for a few days with dh’s sisters and families. The first year we stayed in Florida until end of March we left on April first like thousands of snow birds. Well, I 95 corridor is worse than 75 northbound. The first day we drove as far as savanna and started looking for a place to sleep. Nothing. We wove in and out of exits, nothings. Then hit a backup that lasted a couple of hours. By midnight we were just into North Carolina and stopped at a loves truck stop because they are open all night with bathrooms and we just hunkered down in the minivan and grabbed a couple of hours sleep. We learned never to do that again. Either have a reservation somewhere or leave on an alternate day! It also prompted me to get a tracfone so I would have US calling availability 

 

sunny but chilly today. This week promises to warm up nicely, however, and I hope it stays.

Edited March 19, 2023 by superoma
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[lindaler]

3 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Good morning from Florida.  We were off the ship at 7:45 and in a taxi at 8. Off to the Hyatt place where our truck had been parked for 82 days.  I wish I had taken a picture of it.  We had to use our snow brushes to get the oak flowers and pollen off it. We finally found a car wash and we were on the turnpike by 9:30. A slow slog up the Turnpike but we made it to my friend's house in the Villages by 2.  Seems like we are always driving home post cruise with returning spring breakers. We never use their center highway rest areas.  About as crazy as a Buc-Es gas station in Alabama. Heading home early tomorrow. 

Thanks for the Daily Reports and the Care reports.  Prayers for all needing them and the people of Ukraine.  Have a wonderful Sunday! Nancy 

 

I made it home about 11pm last night. My jeep was also covered in pollen. I have a wash started, and first sort on the mail. I plan to wash the jeep when it warms up a bit to be ready to kayak tomorrow. It's nice to be home after 91 days. 

[JazzyV]

Good morning.

I hope we all have a reason to laugh today. I'll salute certified nurses for all they do. I eat a lot of poultry. Interesting quote. The meal sounds good, although maybe using zucchini to lower the carbs. I like the drink and wine.

I haven't been to Penneshaw.

 

Brrr. Winter doesn't want to leave; it's 17F out  and with the wind chill 6F. But at least the sun is shining, and we'll warm up this week. I woke up later today, so the Cares List wasn't posted as early. No big plans here other than trying to restore one of BFF's Dad's computers (not successful so far) and looking at one of my old computers to save things from it before cleaning it's hard drive to donate it.

 

@StLouisCruisers Thank you for our start today. Nice photos from Port Douglas.

@grapau27 Thanks for posting Fr. David's sermon this morning. 

@seagarsmoker Have a great time aboard NS. Sorry it raining at HMC.

@rafinmd Prayers that your energy level improves.

@ottahand7 Welcome back and safe travels home. 

@0106 Thanks for being our literary reference!

@dfish The recipes look good.

@Mtn2Sea Great pictures from Kangaroo Island.

@lindaler I'm glad you got home safely. Enjoy kayaking tomorrow.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for the Celebration List.

Be well everyone.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a mostly sunny ☀️ and not windy (yet?) central Texas.  The lowest our temperature reached was about 33F, and it's warming up with the sun, and should reach 57F this afternoon.  Today and tomorrow look to be our last cold days for the foreseeable future.  Remember for those of us not on the "frozen tundra" or in the northern reaches, 50s are pretty chilly for us.

 

We can always use a good laugh, and I'll definitely celebrate certified nurses.  Who knew there was a national poultry day.  We do eat quite a bit of poultry, but it's not on the menu for today.

 

I like the quote, and @0106  thank you for putting it in context.

 

I think we'll pass on the meal since I have half a chuck roast thawing for either pot roast or beef stew tonight.  I have a recipe for Florentine roll-ups, but so far I haven't made it.  I like frozen strawberry daiquiris, but I'm not sure about a peach daiquiri.  The wine sounds nice, but it's a little more than I want to pay for a bottle.

 

We have not been to Kangaroo Island, but have been to Sandi's alternate port.  The day we were in Cairns, we rented a car and drove to Port Douglas.  I'll repost my pictures from when Cairns was the port.

 

@grapau27  Graham, how nice of Father David to give Pauline a daffodil and the Mothering Day prayer.

@ottahand7  Safe travels home beginning tomorrow, Nancy.  Enjoy your visit with your friends.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm still learning more about vegetarian meals and younger DD stopped eating meat her freshman year in college some 27 years ago.  We didn't learn about that until Thanksgiving.  She called just as I put the turkey in the oven to tell us she was leaving Austin then, and added "By the way, I don't eat meat.  Bye", and hung up.  Fortunately, she found enough side dishes to eat that day.

@Rowsby  Sue, that is weird all the texts came in so late.  We have our phones set for do not disturb between 10 pm and 8:30 am.  

@marshhawk  Annie, I'm glad you had a good day off.  Enjoy the races today.

@Mtn2Sea  Thanks for the pictures from Kangaroo Island.

@seagarsmoker  Sorry the weather messed up the day at Half Moon Cay.

@lindaler  Welcome home, Linda.  Glad you had a good cruise.

 

Lenda

 

[RedneckBob]

52 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info!

 

It’s Poultry Day and Let’s Laugh Day. Let try to combine these days.

 

RedneckBob has a mobile home so he must have a mobile chicken coup!

 

Ok. No laughs, I guess I laid an egg on my post 😀 !

 

Or should I ask, what kind of eggs did the evil chicken lay. Deviled eggs !

Should I continue if I still can’t get a laugh.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We were in Cairns once in 2002 on the Asia Pacific Explorer Cruise (APEC) on the Volendam.  As per our usual habit, we rented a car.  We drove north to Kuranda and then further north to Port Douglas.  Many of my pictures are of the rainforest and streams, but there are a few from each stop.  I will omit my very few pictures of Cairns.

 

These are from our drive to Kuranda through the rainforest.  Barron Falls was dry in 2002, so they must not have had much rain.

 

Kuranda

 

A couple of the older train engines

 

The only picture from Port Douglas is overlooking Four Mile Beach, but it is a nice town.

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I looked up the rail road you mentioned.  It is the Kuranda Scenic Railway which runs from Cairns to Kuranda.  The trip is 1 hour 55 minutes one way.   One of the older engines on display in Kuranda was the Bally Hooley.

 

Lenda

[summer slope]

@marshhawkwe live next to the Sebring racetrack. Heard the whole 12hours. 

[Overhead Fred]

23 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Should I continue if I still can’t get a laugh.

 

I am giving you a 😄 in self defense!

[ottahand7]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Hi Nancy,  it's good to hear you were able to get off the ship early and get your truck at the Hyatt Place.  I didn't know you parked it there the whole time you were gone.  That's where we stayed and parked our car for 8 nights while we took a quick cruise in February.  I can imagine how dirty and dusty it was after all that time!  We only had a week of debris on the car.  The car wash was a practical idea.  I understand about the traffic on the turnpike but I bet yours was even worse than we had in February.  Enjoy your time with your friends in the Villages, and I wish you a safe drive home starting tomorrow.

 

DH asks if your truck battery was dead.  You didn't say anything about it so I told him you probably disconnected it.  Am I right or wrong?😉

We just left it attached.  We bought a new battery last September for our 2017 Silverado.  It turned right over.  We have another one in the garage at home, I hope that  one starts.  

[aliaschief]

Good Morning. I guess I’ll have to start using the alarm clock. Woke up a few minutes ago. Can’t do that tomorrow as I have an 8:20 appointment at the auto dealer to get the Lexus serviced.

Another cool and windy morning here and it will only get to the mid fifties.

I will need to go to the grocery store as I need a few thing then will watch the NASCAR race from Atlanta.

Just received a text from DW. She’s really enjoying the cabana and wants me to call and reserve one for our Eurodam cruise. I guess? 
Debbie and Carol hope your surgeries go well with no complications.

Sandi thanks for jumpstarting and hosting the early edition morning show.

Have a great day and week everyone.

Let’s see if I can find something that will bring out a smile.

Bruce

 

Edited March 19, 2023 by aliaschief

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

I'll join @RedneckBob in providing some laughs today.

 

This first one could also apply to mini-dachshunds who love to sleep under the cover.

 

For those of us still working on our taxes.

 

No explanation needed

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info!

 

It’s Poultry Day and Let’s Laugh Day. Let try to combine these days.

 

RedneckBob has a mobile home so he must have a mobile chicken coup!

 

I finally got a laugh. Maybe next time I will show you my double wide chicken coop.

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

Today will be our last "warm" day, up to 63!  Then cooler again and rain.  So I'll be getting outside to enjoy this while it lasts, maybe go to a nursery to buy some plants. 🙂  

 

DH and I laugh every day, and cheers for certified nurses and poultry.  I'd try the drink, pass on the red wine, and the meal sounds yummy.  We had spaghetti and meatballs last night, so too much like this meal.  No idea yet what will be our dinner tonight.  

 

DH has a meeting today with the Mariners, and will begin working the season.  I plan to have fun in the garden.

 

@seagarsmokerEnjoy the NS and your cruise!

Nancy @ottahand7and Linda @lindalerWelcome home!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

16 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

I finally got a laugh. Maybe next time I will show you my double wide chicken coop.

 

Now, that's a Redneck chicken coop!  🤣

 

Lenda

[marshhawk]

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser thanks for your photos taken from your Cairns visit.  The Four Mile Beach looks great from that scenic view point. 

 

However, the Bally Hooley Scenic Railway is a different one from the Kuranda Scenic Railway.  The passenger cars are totally different.  The Port Douglas train only went from the Marina to St. Crispins Lake and Mossman not a long distance like the Kuranda Scenic Railway does. I rode on the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Kuranda and back to the Freshwater station on the outskirts of Cairns. 

 

I have read that two of the steam locomotives in Port Douglas have recently undergone renovation to be used as a restaurant.  I'm not sure why one of the Bally Hooley engines was on dispay at the Kuranda Railway site but like you said, that was in 2002. This recent Tripadvisor review explains a bit about what's going on there.

 

Nov 2022

I was curious about the two old steam engines parked adjacent the marina. It seems that the engines, Nelson and Speedy and their carriages have arrived at their final destination. In their heyday, both engines transported freight and passengers from the sugar-cane mills before becoming a tourist ride between Mossman and Port Douglas and later, St Crispins and the Marina. Like many other businesses across the country, Covid interfered and now the carriages have been repurposed as dining carriages at Choo Choo's. Still worth a look if nostalgic for the age of steam.

[RedneckBob]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

I'll join @RedneckBob in providing some laughs today.

 

This first one could also apply to mini-dachshunds who love to sleep under the cover.

 

For those of us still working on our taxes.

 

No explanation needed

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

The suspense novel the dog is reading should be titled, “The Master Who Left for a Cruise.” And as far as the tree being 5 km away, that’s what I look for. 😀

Edited March 19, 2023 by RedneckBob

[RMLincoln]

@grapau27 Thank you Graham for Fr David’s sermon and the beautiful pictures of the beach with Pauline’s flower and blessing. And the reminders about our mams, mums and moms. 
 

Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort or hope. 
Congrats to all celebrating milestones of life. Cheers!  You uplift us and remind us Life us Good!  
Smooth sailing to all cruising. Enjoy it all!  
 

Thanks to all who build this thread and contribute to it, giving it and us heart!  
 

Today is a good day to be happy!  No matter the temp, the winds, the snow or ice, the situation. It’s not an easy time for me or for many here, but together we remember there is a horizon out there. 
Many thanks, and Blessings all, Maureen