The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday August 4th, 2024

[kazu]

Bon voyage @MISTER 67

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a clear day in central Texas.  It is 74F and feels like 74F with 92% humidity and a dew point of 72F.  We have a 3mph wind from the ENE that hasn't reached the neighbor's flag yet.  Since I'll be out as early as possible to mow and trim, I hope the wind picks up and, humidity will continue to drop as the day warms up.  Our predicted high will be 97F.  For some reason the grass and especially the crabgrass really grew last week. 

 

Clouded leopards deserve a day and our help in keeping them safe.  Naturally, as a chocoholic, I'll celebrate chocolate chip day, and white wine deserves a day even though I much prefer red wines.  I will happily celebrate the birthday of the U. S. Coast Guard and all who serve or have served.

 

A good quote from Dan Millman.

 

The grilled steak kebabs and spinach salad sound good, especially if I leave out the blue cheese.  We'll pass on the drink, but the wine sounds nice if someone is buying.

 

I've lost count on how many times we've been to Naples where we've seen the city and many of the surrounding sites.

 

This day in 1944 was indeed a sad day with the betrayal of Anne Frank and her family.

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I hope your DGD has a wonderful bridal shower today, and I'm sorry you will have to miss it.

@kazu  Jacqui, I'm glad you have pictures of your beloved antiques, and I hope the new owners will love them as much as you did.

@Crazy For Cats  Jake, thanks for the pictures and the great memories of Sitka.

@cat shepard  Ann, I hope you get rain but not the wind from the storm.  And I hope all the Dailyites in the path of the storm stay safe and damage free.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm glad the two incidents last night were easily handled, and you were able to get back to sleep.  It's amazing how our dogs know when someone needs our help.  Thank you for the kind words about my pictures and memes.  Since 2020, I'm doing a lot of traveling through our pictures and those others share.  Here's to a calm and boring day for your household.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I'm sorry you are now having cable, internet and phone problems.  I hope they can get them fixed tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Hopefully, these are some different pictures of Naples.  In 2019, on the Veendam, we were in Naples three times, and the fourth we had to dock in Salerno.  The second time we were in Naples, we took the Ho-Ho as we'd never really spent time in Naples.  That year, the streets were crowded but not littered with trash.  I think in the past 20 years or so, Italy has cleaned up its act so to speak.

 

These pictures are of the area in the next little bay to the left of the Castel Nuovo as you're looking at it from the dock.  It is more of a residential area and not as crowded with people, but the  buildings are densely packed together..  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I have more pictures from Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Capri that I've never posted.  I'll look for them after I finish the yard work, and share some if no one else has added pictures like those I have.

 

Lenda

Edited August 4 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[kochleffel]

I approve of all three days, but especially the white wine. Dan Millman was briefly the gymnastics coach at my college, before he became a guru.

 

OK on steak kebabs but without cheese in the salad. Also OK on a Moscow Mule but I'd rather have a Dark 'n Stormy. The wine is a blend that includes Sangiovese; only two or three Finger Lakes wineries grow that at all, and none uses it in a red blend, so I'll counter with Saggio XII from Ventosa Vineyards, $39.95. "Our take on a Bordeaux blend featuring a fruit-forward nose enhanced by caramel and supple leather. The palate is refined and focused with hints of black cherry and strawberry, finishing with warm, silk tannins. Final product was created after our wine club input. Pair with: venison, parmesan cheese, chocolate mousse, duck, & roasted chicken."

 

I visited Naples in 2018, my first cruise, and I think I've posted the photos before.

 

I started to feel ill yesterday before noon, and this morning my temperature was 100.2°. A covid test was negative; I'll retest tomorrow.

 

 

 

Edited August 4 by kochleffel

[aliaschief]

Good morning. @MISTER 67 Bon Voyage!🛳🍾

After a quiet day around the house we went out to dinner in downtown Pittsburgh at Papa J’s Italian restaurant. Great service and food. Upon our return Pittsburgh was hit with a real gully washer but Venetia didn’t get any to speak of. They have been pretty much in a drought and the huge lawns in this area are browning in spots.

Upon returning home we played Dominos which was the first time for me and Sue. I did pretty good for a first timer and came in second.

Today more of the same. A few games of backgammon, some Olympics and I hear it’s a flank steak dinner tonight along with wine.

Our flight home tomorrow is kind of weird. Leave Pittsburgh and fly to Minneapolis then a direct flight home without having to go through Atlanta. Should be home by 5:30 tomorrow afternoon. The hurricane models present course should not have much effect on our area.

So thanks for the reports and all of your daily postings. Bruce

 

 

[travelingbums]

Thank you everyone for sharing.

Have a great day.

[Denise T]

Happy Sunday. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports.

We have been having rain for the last several days. Expecting some more today. It is so humid though. Counting down to fall next month. 

No real plans today. Going to cook chicken in the slow cooker today. Planning on going to the gym as well. 

Bon voyage to @MISTER 67!

 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating, 

Have a safe and healthy day.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Today the port is Naples, Italy.  That is a great stopping point to head to so many interesting places on the Italian coast.  Below is my report on one of our stops in Naples when we headed via a ferry to nearby Capri.

 

In October 2013 we took a maiden transatlantic cruise on the lovely Royal Princess.  We flew to Venice and stayed a night in an old monastery before we boarded the recently launched ship.  A few days later we arrived in Naples where we decided to take a tour of Capri.  We were led out to the marina to board a hydrofoil.  That was a very rough ride to the island of Capri!  I’m so glad I took my meclizine well in advance just in case!  One woman was so sick I offered her some meclizine for her ride back to Naples later on.  It was already too late for the ride over.  Here’s the vessel in question.

 

 

A slightly blurry photo in Capri of the mountain top site we would visit later - Anacapri

 

First we were led around the shopping area near the marina area.  It’s called Capri Town.

 

Then they took us by minibus up to Anacapri.  There they showed us the shops including a place that sold very expensive inlaid marquetry tables.  Not buying!

 

 

 

 

Then we went to see the beautiful Villa San Michele.  From up there you could see views of Naples, Capri Town, Sorrento and even Mt. Vesuvius.

 

 

 

 

 

After wandering through the gardens and given some shopping time, we walked to our lunch restaurant.

 

 

 

Finally!  Lunch was at the Hotel Laresidenza

 

 

The patio overlooking the beautiful scenery around Capri

 

After our lunch inside, we were free to wander around the Gardens of Augustus for some amazing views of the cliffs, seas and gardens

 

 

 

 

 

The famous viewpoint showing the rock formations named Faraglioni

 

Time to head back to Naples

 

In 2014 we did a Holy Land cruise on the Prinsendam.  I had set up a private tour of the Amalfi coast so we set out with our driver and had a wonderful day there.  Our driver actually took our picture for us and did a fine job.  I keep a copy of this photo which is in a frame and sitting in our family room.

 

I'm either standing in a hole or DH is standing on a rock - he is only 1 inch taller than me!😄

 

Fantastic collection of Capri photos Sandi.

Nice photo of you and Dennis.

[Nickelpenny]

Thanks for the daily and fleet report.  I will raise a glass to the days but it won't be filled with white wine (I mostly use white wine to cook with). A truer quote was never said.  Kebabs would be wonderful but I would replace the blue cheese with something else and then have some of the wine.  Never liked ginger beer so I will pass on the drink and unfortunately, I have never made it to southern Italy.  Happy Birthday to the US Coast Guard!!  A very sad day in history.

 

 

Monsoon action continues here but it has been bypassing me.  Presently it is 79F with 55% humidity on the way up to a projected 106F.  My door stays open until mid-afternoon when the sun shines on the front of my apartment.  Yesterday, I had the Olympics on all day and would pop in occasionally and see sports I had never really seen before.  Fencing and the 25m pistol competition were 2 of them.  Very interesting!

 

 

My incision looked good and I think I am heading in the right direction.  I will still be a tad cautious so not yet going to the gym but I will start testing the strength of the closure by doing lots of bending, twisting, lifting - normal stuff.  🤞

 

 

I really need to clean up my patio so I may start to tackle it today.  But it will be an early night as I have to leave here tomorrow morning by at least 0400, as my appt in San Diego is at 1145.  I love driving as I find it so peaceful and relaxing, IMHO.  Strange, I know.

 

 

Bon Voyage @MISTER 67!

 

Thoughts for all needed extra support and cheers for those celebrating.  Have a great Sunday everyone!

[marshhawk]

@MISTER 67  Bon Voyage!  Hope you have a great time!

 

[RMLincoln]

Storms blew through here last evening and will likely again today. More Olympics and quick visits to the fitness center today.
 

Thinking of all in the path of Debby, especially our Dailyites and my family. My sister and her family in the lower FL Keys seem to have missed most of it.  Hoping my nephew closer to Cedar Key can make adequate preparations. I’m very concerned for @Cruzin Terri and Jim… they might be long delayed in getting internet repair to come, and they might have to go inland because that area might be in the storm surge zone. 🙏 for good decisions!  
 

@kazu Jacqui, you are for sure impacted emotionally as well as physically and mentally- SO many decisions! As we had to pare down, I’d ask myself if a thing would enhance my next chapter…. otherwise, would it help someone else enjoy life?  Earlier in my life there were phases when I struggled, had very little and was greatly helped and uplifted by treasures from others. Your sharing will help improve many people’s lives, warm their lives, give them hope!  And your life and living environment will be much simpler, much easier, so you’ll have more energy to focus on what makes you happy in the new now. Hugs to you as you move forward! 
 

Blessings to all in need of healing, hope, strength, protection and a safe path though the storms of life- outward and inward!  For all our Care list and the issues shared and held in our hearts. 

Cheers to all celebrating. Life is Good🌈. I’m celebrating that DH can see and I can walk!  It’s a great day! 

 

Smooth travels to all away, especially our cruisers. 

Thanks all for being here, sharing the journey and great pictures!   Enjoy something special today! Maureen

[GTVCRUISER]

National White Wine Day 🙂 

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  Clouded leopards are beautiful creatures, but I'll enjoy them from afar.  Yes to chocolate chips!!  I'll let others enjoy my share of the white wine today.  A great quote, and a very sad day in history for Ann Frank.

 

What a surprise, we had some rain overnight - got up this morning to see the streets all wet and realized DH accidentally left his vehicle windows open.  Will be interesting later to see how wet the seats are, but I'll leave that to him when he gets up.  It's quite nice right now and we're expecting a high of 25 (77) which will be very comfortable.

 

@MISTER 67Bon Voyage!

@smitty34877glad you had help; isn't it interesting the dogs came to get you when they felt you were needed.

 

We had a lovely evening with our friends last night, enjoying food, a couple of bottles of wine, and some great conversation and laughs.  At one point, Wayne convinced Maurice to take out his accordion, so he played a few pieces for us, even though he hadn't touched it for a number of years.  We laughed and said he should take it on our next cruise, labeling the case as a "medical device".  Much laughter and chatter ensued over that one!

 

A quiet Sunday for us with really nothing on the agenda.  We've been invited over to Wayne's for cocktails and a barbecue late this afternoon so I'll bring over a salad and we'll enjoy them and a few other folks we haven't seen in a while.  I'm sure there will be lively conversation and good food to be had.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief, in turmoil and in wars not of their making.  Also prayers for those in the paths of destructive storms and fires.  Cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

[Cruzin Terri]

I am checking in from Bluffton SC with the little bit of bandwidth I have. It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

Terri

 

[Overhead Fred]

@MISTER 67 

 

[kazu]

12 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I am checking in from Bluffton SC with the little bit of bandwidth I have. It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

Terri

 

oh dear, Terri. 😞 

 

pravtehrs for you indeed, 🙏. Please stay safe.

[marshhawk]

Good Sunday Morning Dailyites!  Once asleep last night I slept OK, but after 2 Vietnamese iced coffees it took a while.  

My friend came by last night and took away Jersey.  Jersey's mom, Momma Munchkin has been looking all over the house for her favorite look a like child.

 

I did turn the oven on today, as I was hungry and the best thing I could make was quiche, sausage, onion and swiss. I also realized the DH needs to eat something when he takes his meds. He is still sleeping.  This will cover us for 3 days.  After that I will have to cook again...LOL.

 

I do need to make a grocery list, as it stands right now, we have no dr's appointments this week, but when the hospital released DH they told me to make an appointment this week with his pain doc, and the oncologist.  So that is the first thing to do post walking the dog tomorrow.  Being his pharmacist is a terrible thankless job.  So far those appointments will only affect lunch time, and these days most lunches come out of a can, tuna, corned beef, so all I have to shop for is dinner, and since I work at night this week, all week, looks like TV dinners.

 

The meal today looks wonderful.  Can someone come over and make it for me?  I vacuumed yesterday, I tossed out a cat's worth of fur, so the house is clean.😸

 

Regardless of how DH feels It is a get to the store day.!  I may have to call in a sitter for him, but I have to get litter.!  And cat food. 

 

I did get to Pompeii last year, but I was so ill, we did not go far.  Most of the time I was just trying the next bench to sit on.  But I do remember that we ran into a couple that was on a HAL cruise.  Since we had been told by the staff on the Carnival ship we were on, was that all the beef served was bad because of something going on in Europe, I asked how the food was on their ship.  Wonderful they said.  Even the beef dishes?  Fantastic they said.  Well, that really was the end of me cruising Carnival.  Here are some pictures from Pompeii - I think we made it as far as the stables, long walk to get into the site. I should have taken pictures of benches.

 

 

 

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

Clouded Leopards are beautiful animals, you can always find a bag of chocolate chips in my pantry, and white wine is the only wine I drink.  Good quote, will pass on the drink (ginger beer) and red wine.  I would like the meal, but I think I would substitute Feta Cheese for the Blue Cheese. 

I've lost count how many times we've been to Naples (and will be there again on the '26 World).  We've been to Pompeii twice (and will go again hoping to see some of the newer excavation), Herculaneum, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and went to the top of Vesuvius.  Too many photos to post them all, but will share a few, hoping they will be different from those already posted.

 

Yesterday I didn't finish the apricot jam, I need more pectin.  So that's on the agenda today.  It will be another beautiful day, sunny and low 80's.  We certainly are having a great summer here in the PNW.

 

The latest news about John my DBIL is that he's home now.  He's the family "odd-ball" to put it mildly -- we love him and he's a wonderful person, but he does what he wants and nobody can tell him otherwise.  Years back he had a blood clot, and came dangerously close to having a stroke then.  He refused to take blood thinners.  And he flies frequently, spending most of the year in Europe going to operas...before she passed in 2010 my DD Sister worried about him.  She was the only one who could "handle" him and convince him to watch his health.  

 

So it's hard to get information, since his son and daughter are both traveling in Europe now, we're relying on John to let us know what is going on. They have talked to him on the phone, so I think if there were any speech problems they would know.   He tends to joke about everything and gloss over the severity.  He said he's refused all physical and speech therapy, but has agreed to take the blood thinners now.  I think the 2 strokes did scare him, and I hope it was a wake-up call.  I am wondering though why the speech therapist recommended therapy...time will tell and I'll know more.

 

We have been to Naples many times, but never spent any time in the city. Instead we went to Pompeii twice, Herculaneum once, spent a few days on the Amalfi Coast, and climbed the last mile up to the top of Vesuvius.  Once we went to a buffalo cheese farm. 😂  We'll be in Naples again in '26 and plan to go back to Pompeii for a 3rd time.  New discoveries are being made all the time.

 

Here are some photos from some of our visits to Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius.

 

Sunset over Naples

 

Naples and Vesuvius at night from our ship

 

At the top of Vesuvius looking down into the steaming crater

 

 

View of Naples from the top of Vesuvius

 

Victim in Pompeii.....tragic

 

Cinque Terre

 

The boat houses in Herculaneum

 

People killed at the marina during the eruption

 

Next 3 photos are scenes of Herculaneum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[happywandering]

1 hour ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I am checking in from Bluffton SC with the little bit of bandwidth I have. It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

Terri

 

Prayers and salutations from Florida

[marshhawk]

@Cruzin Terri and to all in Debby's wet path, be safe.  And Terri, get everything plugged in that needs to store power, like lanterns and phone.  and flash lights!

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

We have just got home after 4 wonderful nights in a hotel in the English Lake District.

[GeorgeCharlie]

 

We visited Naples in 2012 while onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. It was our first cruise with HAL and also our introduction to Cruise Critic.

It was pouring rain when we toured the Pompeii ruins.

[lindaler]

Just dropped in to say good morning to all. Looked at the pictures and now I must rush out and mow the front yard and trim the hedge before it gets too hot out.  Thanks everyone.

[grapau27]

31 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

Clouded Leopards are beautiful animals, you can always find a bag of chocolate chips in my pantry, and white wine is the only wine I drink.  Good quote, will pass on the drink (ginger beer) and red wine.  I would like the meal, but I think I would substitute Feta Cheese for the Blue Cheese. 

I've lost count how many times we've been to Naples (and will be there again on the '26 World).  We've been to Pompeii twice (and will go again hoping to see some of the newer excavation), Herculaneum, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and went to the top of Vesuvius.  Too many photos to post them all, but will share a few, hoping they will be different from those already posted.

 

Yesterday I didn't finish the apricot jam, I need more pectin.  So that's on the agenda today.  It will be another beautiful day, sunny and low 80's.  We certainly are having a great summer here in the PNW.

 

The latest news about John my DBIL is that he's home now.  He's the family "odd-ball" to put it mildly -- we love him and he's a wonderful person, but he does what he wants and nobody can tell him otherwise.  Years back he had a blood clot, and came dangerously close to having a stroke then.  He refused to take blood thinners.  And he flies frequently, spending most of the year in Europe going to operas...before she passed in 2010 my DD Sister worried about him.  She was the only one who could "handle" him and convince him to watch his health.  

 

So it's hard to get information, since his son and daughter are both traveling in Europe now, we're relying on John to let us know what is going on. They have talked to him on the phone, so I think if there were any speech problems they would know.   He tends to joke about everything and gloss over the severity.  He said he's refused all physical and speech therapy, but has agreed to take the blood thinners now.  I think the 2 strokes did scare him, and I hope it was a wake-up call.  I am wondering though why the speech therapist recommended therapy...time will tell and I'll know more.

 

We have been to Naples many times, but never spent any time in the city. Instead we went to Pompeii twice, Herculaneum once, spent a few days on the Amalfi Coast, and climbed the last mile up to the top of Vesuvius.  Once we went to a buffalo cheese farm. 😂  We'll be in Naples again in '26 and plan to go back to Pompeii for a 3rd time.  New discoveries are being made all the time.

 

Here are some photos from some of our visits to Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius.

 

Sunset over Naples

 

Naples and Vesuvius at night from our ship

 

At the top of Vesuvius looking down into the steaming crater

 

 

View of Naples from the top of Vesuvius

 

Victim in Pompeii.....tragic

 

Cinque Terre

 

The boat houses in Herculaneum

 

People killed at the marina during the eruption

 

Next 3 photos are scenes of Herculaneum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome photos.

[luvteaching]

Good morning, 

We have another nice and fairly warm day (for us) coming up. I'm all for chocolate chips, clouded leopards, and white wine. I'm bummed because the big box store is no longer carrying their brand of chocolate chips and, in my opinion, they are far superior to Toll House. Now to look for a substitute. 

Yesterday was very productive. I baked a batch of chocolate snickerdoodles and a batch of white chocolate macadamia cookies so my freezer is full of cookies. I did 3 loads of laundry including cleaning the bathroom and doing the towel, bathmat etc. I also stripped the bed and did the linens and remade it. I even put the pillows in the dryer to fluff. 

 

Today should be more relaxing but I do have a cruise to get ready for. Many of you have your "grand dogs" and "grand cats" but I may be the only one with a "grand tortoise". My DS and DDIL are hoping to come by this afternoon to do the "son-do" jobs and introduce me to their new tortoise "Alexander son of Phillip".  Should be an interesting visit. 

 

Have a lovely Sunday!

Karen