The frost has blackened my chrysanths in the garden and there's a distinct chill in the air. Winter's on the way!
To cheer myself up on this murky Saturday I decided to upload the photos from our cruise in the summer. We were talking about it the other day and decided although we had a grand time we probably won't want to do another.
So what was good about it? Well a great stateroom with a balcony from where we could view a different port each morning. Fantastic food and a restaurant where we were made to feel like royalty by the staff. Had a dining table right by the window and saw dolphins swimming alongside the ship as we ate. Magical! I am still trying to work out how to make the triangular shaped tomato bread bites that they made and served with dinner on the ship. Great flavour. If anybody has any tips for tomato bread - I would be grateful to have them! And I enjoyed my $10 flutter in the Casino which lasted all of 30 seconds I obviously don't have the skill to become a great gambler.
And what was bad about it? Getting booked in and getting on the ship was more stressful and more chaotic than Heathrow Airport in a crisis!! The folks occupying the neighboring balcony to ours - chainsmoked & seemed to live on their balcony . As non-smokers we found that really off putting and had to keep our door shut much of the time. The Bay of Biscay may not have been very rough and YoungNells and hubby never noticed it but it made me queasy. And I was really struck by how much water there is out there in the oceans!! Wine was horrendously expensive. $30 a bottle for wine we'd pay less than £6 bottle for in UK.
Dressing up at night for dinner was fun but being a bit of a sloth it was nice to come home, hang up the posh dresses and take out the comfy clothes and slippers again!
All in all a lovely experience but think we'll holiday in England next year. That way at least we'll be able to afford the wine!!
Hi Nell,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and best wishes to you and yours. Forgot to check back after a hectic autumn visiting friends and family, not forgetting the accountant.
Glad you enjoyed the cruise. It is another world eh, totally different than your typical city or beach holidays; - a floating 5 star hotel. Pleased to see you are contemplating another. If you get the chance [and little Nell's holidays allow it] do think about a winter- Mid February 2014 W.I. cruise to warmer climes. Nothing like a bit of sun out of season to recharge deplenished batteries. Used to sail from Tilbury- just down the road from you when I lived in England. They were for 21 days but believe fly cruises [plane to Florida avoiding the Bay of Biscay] for 8-9 days are possible now.
Re the tomato thingies I am guessing an Italian slant. Chopped tomatoes and onions mixed with a little S&P, oregano [or Herbs du Provence] garlic,teaspoon olive oil on lightly toasted french bread or ordinary slices of bread, dusted with a little chopped basil. Yummy as an entree before the main course allowing you to relax with a glass of wine before the army moves in to devour the rest.
Warm wishes for New Years Eve but especially health, wealth and happiness for the year ahead.