So, where are we then is this journey? Well, the renovations are finished (thank God!). The place is looking quite ... good. In fact, we think we might enjoy it a bit more rather than make a headlong rush to sell and downsize. If it happens, it happens.
We are still travelling. (Stop that groaning down the back!) Why? Because we can — for now. A couple of months ago I had a bit of a shake-up that resulted in an arterial stent. Not really my "fault"; it was some scarring from my previous surgery causing the problem. Apart from a groin and ... wedding tackle ... that were black and blue, no side effects and no angina on exertion. Terrific. But who knows how long I can continue to get away with it that easily? Hence, we will make the best use of the time and money we have.
It really is amazing when you think about it: stress test Friday afternoon; results Monday afternoon; cardiologist Tuesday; angiogram and stent Wednesday; home Thursday; cardiologist "all clear" Monday; fly to the USA Tuesday.
Anyway, as far as cruising, we did 43 days Singapore to Southampton, followed by two weeks driving around Ireland with my in-laws.
Cruises are fascinating material in and of themselves. We were on Sapphire Princess, which we enjoyed immensely. But of course, it's not just the ship, it's the experiences that make up a cruise.
• Our favourite bar for a pre-dinner drink on Princess ships is Crooners' Bar. It's adorned with pictures of Frank Sinatra et al. Crooners. However, when I saw the ages of some of the people sitting around, I promptly dubbed it the Coroner's Bar; honestly, some of the guests there looked like they were just recovering from an autopsy! It stuck — so much so that I now have to forcibly stop to remember it's proper name. Has caused a few giggles, though.
• In a similar vein, we (reportedly) had one couple put off the ship for having sex in one of the pools at 1.00 in the morning. When I heard this, I looked around me. Honestly, I think they deserved a bloody medal! Sex in the pool! At 1.00 am! (Mind you, I guess they might have started about 8.00 pm!)
• Laundromats are a hotbed of conflict on a ship. There are rules and unwritten rules. For example, we reportedly had another couple put off the ship over the laundry. She had left her washing to dry in the dryer, but hadn't returned before it finished its cycle. Another passenger came in, saw the dryer was finished, unloaded the dry clothes onto the table, and put her own wet clothes in to dry. When the first woman returned she was incensed to find someone had touched her washing! So she went back to her cabin, and took a couple of the turndown chocolates they leave on your bed. (See where I'm going with this?) Yep, she unwrapped the chocolates and put them in the dryer with the other woman's clothes! You can imagine the result. What she hadn't thought about — why I don't know — was the CCTV camera in the laundry! Sprung!
• In Cochin, India, the weather was, to say the least, unpleasant — 36° C (97° F) and 95% humidity. Our bus tour was enervating. Being taken to a tourist trap shop after walking down reeking side streets was, I thought, a highlight ... errr, lowlight. Until the last stop, when we disembarked the bus and walked through an open-air fish market. Without refrigeration. At 4.30 in the afternoon. I discovered I could hold my breath for 10 minutes ... until the guide said, "OK, we stop here for a while to take photos"! I tried, but eventually I had to breathe in.
I still wish I hadn't.
Mind you, there were some competing aromas ...
The sign was ... obviously ... heartily ignored.
Anyway, basta! Enough! I may continue this at another time.
