It’s a Mystery???

So there I was idly surfing the cruise holiday sites when I saw something that really made me think “I wonder if ‘Herself’ would go for this.” You see I had seen something that stirred my imagination. A cheeky little cruise of 9 days (or 8 nights, if you prefer) where to? Well, at the time the answer was “I don’t know” It was a mystery cruise with Fred Olsen – another adventure as we had never been on a smaller ship nor with Fred. So lots to think about.

I mentioned it to Maggie and after considerable deliberation (about 30 seconds) I was phoning our travel agent and making the booking. Then I had to arrange a ferry to the UK and also accommodation in Rosslare, Burnham on Sea, and also at our Daughter and Son in Law’s (good chance to see everyone over there)

The cruise was in March and some weeks before the off we received a brochure of excursions. Well, we studied this book lots of “Googling” and still we had no clue of the destinations to which we were headed.

We booked two. The Tour “A” which was described as “A panoramic coach tour through the surprise destination. Admire the many points of interest, some of which date back from the 13^th Century”

The other Tour was at the 4^th destination Tour “J” “Enjoy a relaxing visit to a well renowned event. Explore at leisure your alluring surroundings – don’t forget to bring your camera”

We had an easy trip to Rosslare and to Fishguard on a very flat sea followed by an overnight stop in Burnham to arrive at Tilly and Martin’s house

We saw all of their families and another surprise was our other daughter Louise and her daughter Lily also called in from Hastings.

Saturday 23^rd March 2019

After a relaxing couple of days we made our way to Dover to the secure parking which we had previously booked. A very painless exercise. Our paperwork was checked key handed over and the man said “I will put your luggage into the coach just get on board, we are just about to go”. In we got and soon we were being taken to the cruise dock at Dover.

When we arrived the cases were picked up by a porter and we went into the embarkation lounge. Very smart with refreshments available but not needed as we were straight to one of the desks where passports were checked, tickets checked, card checked (no actual money changes hands on board) and identity photographs taken and all information encoded onto our cabin key card. Within 10 minutes of entering the embarkation lounge we were boarding the good ship Boudicca.

We went for a light lunch and then found our cabin on deck 5. Our cases had arrived so we decided to unpack there and then so that job was out-of-the-way.

Our stewardess Dora was near and said “hello”. She is from the Philippines, Manila and is on a 9 month contract. They do work very hard, every day without a break for 9 months, followed by 3 months home leave to see her family. It is the same for the waiting staff.

The compulsory “lifeboat drill” was a simple matter when we heard the alarm and had to go to our muster point. We were shown how to put on a lifejacket and where our lifeboat was. A simple procedure, but compulsory for every passenger regardless of how many cruises you have been on. In fact, refusal to attend is one of the reasons that you can be put ashore and your holiday lost.

The ship left Dover and turned left. We were told to advance our watches by 1 hour,so it was obvious that we were not going to be in British waters.

Went to dinner and met our table mates Liz and James. James was a .Policeman who became a Vicar. Throughout the cruise we got on very well.

The entertainment in the Neptune Bar was excellent “Swing Show” Pity the venue is not tiered as sometimes at the back it is difficult to see.

We have been informed that the crew will be told of our first destination the day after tomorrow when all information about the port will be published.

And so to bed.

From Ships log

Dover UK

Weather Cloudy skies

Air Temperature 12°C

Sea Temperature 12°C

Wind Force 5 Fresh Breeze

(17-21 knots)

 

Sunday 24^th March 2019

Awoke after a restless night (“different bed syndrome” nothing to worry about) Decided on a relaxing day so after breakfast went to the Observation Lounge to relax and read. At midday the Captain made his noon announcement “Hello ladies and gentlemen, today we are travelling in a easterly direction or is it westerly? Or south-westerly or anyway somewhere or other” All that was definite was that we would be coming alongside at 11am.

We had an enjoyable lunch and decided to watch a film “Bohemian Rhapsody” excellent!

Posh night so dress suit, bow tie and good frock. Another excellent meal

Gave the show a miss so watched another film “Biryani Blues”

And so to bed

En route to First Mystery Port

Weather: Partly cloudy skies

Air Temperature 10°C

Sea Temperature 10°C

Wind Force 6 Strong Breeze

(22-27 knots)

 Monday 25^th March 2019

A good night’s sleep, I think it’s a combination of being tired, an extra pillow (Thank you Dora), and the gentle rocking all helped.

We awoke to bright sunshine and land in sight. After breakfast we went to the observatory Lounge to let the morning go by.

It was soon pretty obvious that we were entering Norway. The flags and the many islands were a giveaway. Exactly where were we are going is still a mystery. We are due in at 11am and our excursion (another mystery) is at 1pm.

The scenery as we cruise in is stunning and my guess is Oslo (and it is)

The excursion was a scenic trip around Oslo (Spoiled a little by the incessant chatter of two women which made it difficult to hear the courier). An interesting point was the Olympic ski jump

Ski Jump 1954 Winter Olympics

The houses and the flats were beautiful, especially in the trees and snow

We were told of the open air pre-school nursery which began in Norway and now two of our great-grandchildren go to a pre-school run on similar lines.

Maggie Pulled in Oslo

As we had missed lunch we decided (for the first time on any cruise for us) to have afternoon tea. Wow! It was wonderful I decided on having a cream tea complete with fresh (still warm) scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Wonderful.

After dinner we went to the show based on musicals of the cinema, then back to the cabin to another film Grace and Goliath then bed.

Mystery port 1 – Oslo, Norway

Weather partly cloudy skies

Air Temperature 6°C

Sea Temperature 6°C

Wind force 4 – Moderate Breeze

(11-16 knots)

 Tuesday 26^th March 2019

Woke up in Gothenburg, Sweden

After breakfast we caught the shuttle bus into the city. Really, there was not much to write home about. It was a city with the usual shops etc. We did, however, visit a rather nice Cathedral. An unusual point was a children’s altar which was child size complete with small chairs. There was a cupboard with some toys (of a religious type) for the children to play with.

In the main church was a suspended crown of thorns and a “Book of thorns”  A record of lives and people who stand for something important and therefore also risked a lot. One has borne life, others have been imprisoned, subjected to murder attempts, driven away from their country and living in vulnerability and exclusion

Crown of Thorns

Book of Thorns

Children’s Chapel

Took it easy for the rest of the day and saw a film “Mr. Church” before bed Due to arrive somewhere at 8am

Mystery port 2 Gothenburg, Sweden

Weather Clear Skies

Air Temperature 11ºC

Sea Temperature 8ºC

Wind Force 3 Gentle Breeze

(7-10 knots)

Wednesday 27^th March 2019

Woke up docking in Copenhagen, Denmark.

So we had a good breakfast and bought our tickets for the “Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus around the sights of the city.

First of all I wanted to go to the statue of the Little Mermaid so that Maggie could see it as she had missed it a few years before because she was ill. They tried to tell everyone that it was a 10 minute walk to the statue, but I said to Maggie that it was more like 20 minutes but for her a good 25. I had walked it before. So off we went.

Maggie and the Mermaid – At Last

Took a few photos and went round to watch a HOHO pull away so we caught the next one which was 5 minutes later. There was some confusion with the tickets as no one had told the driver that the tickets issued on the ship were valid. The driver said that as he was going near to the ship we could have a lift. At the ship there was a rep waiting who explained everything to the driver and so all was well and we then took a seat on the upper deck.

I do like the HOHO busses as they take an interesting route and there is a commentary in several languages you simply have to tune in to the one you want.

Hans Christian Anderson

We enjoyed the trip so much that we moved to the other side of the bus and went round again so we saw everything.

Went to the Observatory Lounge after a light lunch to let the world go by.

The evening theme was British Night. Oh dear! What a disappointment. The show was poor and as for the flag-waving etc. …

Mystery port 3 Copenhagen, Denmark

Weather Cloudy Skies

Air Temperature 11ºC

Sea Temperature 8ºC

Wind Force3 Gentle Breeze

(7 – 10 knots)

Thursday 28^th March 2019

Awoke and we were in luck about to enter the Kiel Canal so at present we are in Germany. Now we are hoping for the Netherlands but we will see.

The journey through the German countryside is very peaceful and relaxing. The countryside is beautiful.

Cruising the Keil Cana

The show tonight was the Crew Show put on by the ship’s crew, including the engine room, waiters, hospitality staff, etc. Singing and dancing Filipino and Thai mostly

Great show, made up for that British fiasco of last night.

Kiel Canal

Weather Cloudy Skies

Air Temperature 16ºC

Sea Temperature 9ºC

Wind Force 1 Light Air

(1 – 3 knots)

 

Friday 29^th March 2019

Amsterdam

Arrived and cleared at 1pm and leaving tomorrow at 1pm

Our excursion left at 1.30pm and to the delight of Maggie we were given maps of the Keukenhof Gardens. We last visited it about 15 – 20 years ago. It was even better now than our memories remembered.

 

 

 

 

Missed our sitting for dinner as we were held up by a traffic accident in the city. So we went to the Secret Garden for a buffet meal. Far better than expected.

Was a lovely evening in the Observatory Lounge looking out at the lights of the harbour, reading, talking and listening to the piano music.

Mystery port 4 Amsterdam

Weather Clear Skies

Air Temperature 16ºC

Sea Temperature 11ºC

Wind Force 3 Gentle Breeze

(7 – 10 knots)

 Saturday 30^th March 2019

Lovely day. We got most of the packing done by lunchtime.

The crew had several drills this morning.

Having trouble phoning from the Netherlands just won’t happen.

Set sail at 1pm

Back to Dover in the morning.

Overnight in the Dock Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Weather Partly Cloudy Skies

Air Temperature 11ºC

Sea Temperature 12ºC

Wind Force 1 Light Air

(1-3 knots)

Sunday 31^st March 2019

Arrived at Dover at 6am had breakfast at 7am then left the ship at 8 am. Straight off and on to the coach picked up the car and off to Tills with a head full of happy memories.

Well would I do a mystery cruise again? Definitely YES! but perhaps a little later in the year

Would I use Fred Olsen again? Well, maybe. The entertainment could have been better and would have been helped if the theatre had been tiered. Cannot fault the food.

Total Distance Travelled – 1,782  N.M.,  3300  Km, 2051. M

Boudicca Facts

Cabins                       462

Guests                       880

Crew                          372

Refitted                     2011

Tonnage                   28,388 grt

Length                       205.47 m

Beam                         25.20 m

Max Speed               18.5 Knots

Engines                    4 Main

The Quiz (the hard one)

Well here it is

It’s back

Bern’s Christmas quiz

Good luck

1 Which countries men use the most deodorant?   Japan

2 Who played Billy the Kid in The Left Handed Gun?    Paul Newman

3 What was the first credit card?    Diners Club

4 What links Humphry Davie, Michael Faraday, Madam Curie?    Poisoned by chemicals at work

5 Hippophagic society members support what Eating?    horsemeat

6 What did Britain swap Havana for with Spain in 1763?    Florida

7 What is the crime of embracery?     Jury Bribing

8 Which country made the worlds first feature film in  1906?  Australia Story of

Kelly gang

9 Who wrote Gentlemen Prefer Blonds?   Anita Loos

10 What was Norman Bates hobby in Psycho?   Stuffing birds

11 What was Casanovas day job?   Librarian

12 Where is the worlds largest gold depository?   Federal reserve bank

Manhattan

13 Why did the state of Indiana ban Robin Hood in 1953?   Communist – rob rich

14 Angelo Scicilano better known as who?  Charles Atlas

15 How did George II die?  Fell off toilet

16 What did Marlon Brando and George C Scott refuse? Oscars

17 Why was convict 2599 unusual in Pen State prison 1924?  Dog doing life for

killing cat

18 What is 6 inches bigger in Summer? Eiffel tower

19 What two ingredients make the dish angels on horseback? Oysters – wrapped in

Bacon

20 What was Charles Dickens last (unfinished) novel? Mystery of Edwin

Drood

21 Which sea on Earth has no beaches? Sargasso sea

22 Reuben Tice died trying to invent a machine to do what? Dewrinkle prunes

23 De Witt Wallace founded what? Readers Digest

24 Who is the Patron Saint of thieves? St Nicholas

25 According to his business card what job did Al Capone do? Sell second hand

furniture

26 Humans are 10,000 times more sexually active that what animal? Rabbits

27 Shirley Schrift became famous as which actress? Shelly Winters

28 In Kansas what can a waiter not do in a teacup (legally)? Serve wine

29 Which country has the smallest birth rate? Vatican

30 Which 1956 film caused riots in cinemas? Rock around the clock

31 Who did the USA buy the Virgin islands from? Denmark

32 Who played the scarecrow in the Wiz (all black wiz of oz)? Michael Jackson

33 What was or is a Waltzing Mathilda? Swagman’s Knapsack

34 Which country was the first to introduce old age pensions?  Germany

35 Which hats became popular with children in 1956?  Davy Crocket

36 Malden Serkiovitch famous as which actor? Karl Malden

37 What is it illegal to pawn in New York? American flag

38 What hospital did Dr Kildare work at?   Blaire General

39 Collective nouns – a smuck of what? Jellyfish

40 Who was Cleopatra’s first husband? Ptolemy Dionysus –

her brother

41 Who was John Dawkins better known as? Artful Dodger

42 Which film star has his statue in Leicester Square? Charlie Chaplin

43 Virginia McMath became famous as which actress? Ginger Rodgers

44 What is the name of Captain Ahab’s ship? Peaquod

45 Roosevelt won the 1932 election – who lost it? Herbert Hoover

46 Who wrote The History of Mr Polly? H G Wells

47 What is the first day of Lent? Ash Wednesday

48 Mr Chips said goodbye – from which fictional school? Brookfield

49 Who buried the treasure on Treasure Island? Captain Flint

50 Which TV series was narrated by Walter Winchell? The Untouchables

‘Ear we go again

Well it’s Tuesday and I am all of a jitter. You see I’ve been given a possible date for a bit of surgery over at Galway General Hospital. I’ve had a few dates over the last 12 months but circumstances have made it so that it wasn’t to be. (Things like Snow, multi injuries from Croagh Patrick, Norovirus, Auzzie flu etc.) Thankfully I am not in any real pain just a little discomfort and also some frustration with being limited with some of the things I can eat but all this will be cleared up by Thursday night if all goes well.

The radio show has now improved because I no longer spend the entire 2 hours alone as a young News presenter has joined the show and spends the last hour with me so the format has (In my opinion and that of some listeners) improved. I now play lots of music in the first hour then it’s the news and the remainder of the show it music with chat about anything. All this is thanks to the Lady Eleanor

There is much work going on in St Joseph Total redecoration renewal of the smoke detectors and the CO detector. (If the weather would permit the exterior will be repainted and some new flower troughs constructed, planted and positioned. The flowers are at the seedling stage at the moment. Having said all that we have decided to take a year off next year to do the things that retired people do.

Well I’ll call it a day for now and hopefully I’ll add another blog after my visit to Galway

Till then Keep smiling and spread a little sunshine.

BAC

Christmas 2017 THE ANSWERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Carl and the Passions changed band name to what Beach Boys

2 How many rings on the Olympic flag Five

3 What colour is vermilion a shade of Red

4 King Zog ruled which country Albania

5 What colour is Spock’s blood Green

6 Where in your body is your patella Knee ( it’s the kneecap )

7 Where can you find London bridge today USA ( Arizona )

8 What spirit is mixed with ginger beer in a Moscow mule Vodka

9 Who was the first man in space Yuri Gagarin

10 What would you do with a Yashmak Wear it – it’s an Arab veil

11 Who betrayed Jesus to the Romans Judas Escariot

12 Which animal lays eggs Duck billed platypus

13 On television what was Flipper Dolphin

14 Who’s band was The Quarrymen John Lenon

15 Which was the most successful Grand National horse Red Rum

16 Who starred as the Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors

17 In the song Waltzing Matilda – What is a Jumbuck Sheep

18 Who was Dan Dare’s greatest enemy in the Eagle Mekon

19 What is Dick Grayson better known as Robin (Batman and Robin)

20 What was given on the fourth day of Christmas Calling birds

21 What was Skippy ( on TV ) The bush kangaroo

22 What does a funambulist do Tightrope walker

23 What is the name of Dennis the Menace’s dog Gnasher

24 What are bactrians and dromedaries Camels (one hump or two)

25 Who played The Fugitive David Jason

26 Who was the King of Swing Benny Goodman

27 Who was the first man to fly across the channel Louis Bleriot

28 Who starred as Rocky Balboa Sylvester Stallone

29 In which war was the charge of the Light Brigade Crimean

30 Who invented the television John Logie Baird

31 Who would use a mashie niblick Golfer

32 In the song who killed Cock Robin Sparrow

33 What do deciduous trees do Lose their leaves in winter

34 In golf what name is given to the No 3 wood Spoon

35 If you has caries who would you consult Dentist – its tooth decay

36 What other name is Mellor’s famously known by Lady Chatterlys Lover

37 What did Jack Horner pull from his pie Plum

38 How many feet in a fathom Six

39 which film had song Springtime for Hitler The Producers

40 Name the legless fighter pilot of ww2 Douglas Bader

41 What was the name of inn in Treasure Island Admiral Benbow

42 What was Erich Weiss better known as Harry Houdini

43 Who sailed in the Nina – Pinta and Santa Maria Christopher Columbus

44 Which leader died in St Helena Napoleon Bonaparte

45 Who wrote Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell

46 What does ring a ring a roses refer to The Black Death

47 Whose nose grew when he told a lie Pinocchio

48 Who has won the most Oscars Walt Disney

49 What would a Scotsman do with a spurtle Eat porridge (it’s a spoon)

50 Which award has the words for valour on it Victoria Cross

Christmas Quiz 2017

This is it the 2017 Christmas quiz Usual rules

Good luck

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

1 Carl and the Passions changed band name to what Beach Boys

2 How many rings on the Olympic flag Five

3 What colour is vermilion a shade of Red

4 King Zog ruled which country Albania

5 What colour is Spock’s blood Green

6 Where in your body is your patella Knee ( it’s the kneecap )

7 Where can you find London bridge today USA ( Arizona )

8 What spirit is mixed with ginger beer in a Moscow mule Vodka

9 Who was the first man in space Yuri Gagarin

10 What would you do with a Yashmak Wear it – it’s an Arab veil

11 Who betrayed Jesus to the Romans Judas Escariot

12 Which animal lays eggs Duck billed platypus

13 On television what was Flipper Dolphin

14 Who’s band was The Quarrymen John Lenon

15 Which was the most successful Grand National horse Red Rum

16 Who starred as the Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors

17 In the song Waltzing Matilda – What is a Jumbuck Sheep

18 Who was Dan Dare’s greatest enemy in the Eagle Mekon

19 What is Dick Grayson better known as Robin (Batman and Robin)

20 What was given on the fourth day of Christmas Calling birds

21 What was Skippy ( on TV ) The bush kangaroo

22 What does a funambulist do Tightrope walker

23 What is the name of Dennis the Menace’s dog Gnasher

24 What are bactrians and dromedaries Camels (one hump or two)

25 Who played The Fugitive David Jason

26 Who was the King of Swing Benny Goodman

27 Who was the first man to fly across the channel Louis Bleriot

28 Who starred as Rocky Balboa Sylvester Stallone

29 In which war was the charge of the Light Brigade Crimean

30 Who invented the television John Logie Baird

31 Who would use a mashie niblick Golfer

32 In the song who killed Cock Robin Sparrow

33 What do deciduous trees do Lose their leaves in winter

34 In golf what name is given to the No 3 wood Spoon

35 If you has caries who would you consult Dentist – its tooth decay

36 What other name is Mellor’s famously known by Lady Chatterlys Lover

37 What did Jack Horner pull from his pie Plum

38 How many feet in a fathom Six

39 which film had song Springtime for Hitler The Producers

40 Name the legless fighter pilot of ww2 Douglas Bader

41 What was the name of inn in Treasure Island Admiral Benbow

42 What was Erich Weiss better known as Harry Houdini

43 Who sailed in the Nina – Pinta and Santa Maria Christopher Columbus

44 Which leader died in St Helena Napoleon Bonaparte

45 Who wrote Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell

46 What does ring a ring a roses refer to The Black Death

47 Whose nose grew when he told a lie Pinocchio

48 Who has won the most Oscars Walt Disney

49 What would a Scotsman do with a spurtle Eat porridge (it’s a spoon)

50 Which award has the words for valour on it Victoria Cross

 

Still Rambling

There’s an election in the offing and there has just been one in the U.K. I am a little confused but wasn’t the last one for local Councillors? You know the people who represent the population on the Local Council. Those who run the refuse collection, street lighting, parks and gardens, etc. etc.. So just what did that election have to do with Theresa May, Jeremy Corben and the others in Parliament? To see the TV and the subsequent propaganda you could expect to see Boris Johnson humping dustbins and Amber Rudd digging the gardens and cutting the grass verges on the roadside. But no really it’s got next to nothing to do with them.

The latest election (one which, believe it or not, I still have a vote in) appears to be of the usual conflicting views however I ask should I be voting for the person to represent me or for the Prime Minister that I would like to really mess me up? Surely once again I should be voting for the best person to represent me in the Palace of Westminster. Let us not forget that there are 650 MPs and I should be voting for one of them. Theresa May is only one of them and she represents Maidenhead and Jeremy Corben represents Islington, So I urge people to think carefully before you cast your “X” The leader of the successful party can be sorted out later.

……………………………………..

For a few months now I have been presenting a local radio show aided and abetted by my friend and cousin Peter. It is usually good fun and it does give a good reason to get up on a Monday morning. We have a simple format – the ramblings of two old blokes interspaced with some music. Some people enjoy it so feel free to listen in. We are there from 9 -11 am each Monday on Claremorris Community Radio 96.4 FM or WWW.ccr946.ie/live. There’s nothing heavy and we often follow a theme for each show.

……………………………………..

We have been down to the bog and the turf has been cut so now we need some good weather so that it can be turned then footed (piled into stacks to finish drying) and brought home for the winter. We have been told that this is the last year for this bog for a number of years so the search is now on for next year supplier. Hopefully we will be lucky.

………………………………………..

I quite often say this but I promise I will try harder to write on here more often but for now bye.

 

Christmas Quiz 2016

Well here it is – the big one

same as ever some easy some not so easy and some……

to get the answers simply run the cursor over the space after the question

but only after you have tried the question

Happy Christmas

1. In what country, the world’s seventh largest by geographical area, is Christmas known as Bada Din (the big day)? India
2. Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, is a territory of which country? Australia
3. ‘Three Kings Day’ is known by what numerical name (that’s ‘name’, not ‘date’) in Britain?Twelfth Night
4. The North Pole, said to be Santa’s home, is located in which ocean? Arctic Ocean
5. ‘And all the bells on earth shall ring, on Christmas day in the morning…’ is from which Christmas carol? I Saw Three Ships
6. Marzipan is made (conventionally in the western world) mainly from sugar and the flour or meal of which nut? Almond
7. What is the technical name of Mistletoe plant genus, and also Latin for glutinous? Viscum(hence the words viscous and viscosity, referring to semi-solid/semi-liquid and thick sticky substances – derived from the sticky quality of mistletoe berries, and also an early word for birdlime, a sticky substance made from the berries, used to trap birds)
8. Peter Auty sang Walking In The Air in what film? The Snowman
9. Which Christmas condiment is made from fruit sometimes referred to as marshworts? Cranberry sauce
10. Which American-born English poet, having first names Thomas Stearns, wrote the poem The Cultivation Of Christmas Trees? T S Eliot
11. Which Christmas slogan was introduced by Clarissa Baldwin of Dogs Trust in 1978? A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas
12. Which British monarch (born 1865, died 1936) introduced the custom of giving thousands of Christmas puddings to staff? King George V
13. In the UK it is traditionally believed that eating a what each day of the twelve days of Christmas brings happiness the following year: Sausage; Mince pie; Carrot; or Turkey drumstick? Mince pie
14. The fortified wine drink Sherry is named after what town? Jerez (Spain – in Spanish, sherry is called Vino de Jerez)
15. In Coldplay’s 2010 Christmas single video, the Latin phrase Credo Elvem Etiam Vivere (seen above the stage) loosely means what (combining an ironic rock’n’roll myth, with a seasonal sentiment popularised by Greg Lakes’s 1975 Christmas hit – and for two bonus points: name the Greg Lake song, and the Coldplay 2010 Christmas single)? I Believe Elvis Lives (Greg Lake’s song – I Believe In Father Christmas; Coldplay’s 2010 Xmas single – Christmas Lights)
16. What is the surname of the family in the 1989 film ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’? Griswold
17. Who composed the music known as The Nutcracker Suite, for the Christmas themed ballet The Nutcracker, premiered in St Petersburg, 1892? Tchaikovsky
18. Which southern central US state, whose capital city has the same name, was the last to recognize Christmas as an official holiday? Oklahoma
19. In which country, the largest of its continent, is it said that finding a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck, and so Christmas trees are decorated with artificial spider webs? Ukraine
20. What day of the week was Christmas day in the year 2000 (in the conventional western calendar)? Monday
21. Charles Dickens is said to have considered the names Little Larry and Puny Pete for which character? (Bonus point: in which Dickens novel did the character appear?) Tiny Tim – A Christmas Carol
22. Under which Puritan leader did the English parliament pass a law banning Christmas in 1647? Oliver Cromwell
23. Name the two administrative and ex-colonial regions of China for whom Christmas day (as at 2010) remains a legal public holiday, whereas in the main country it is not? Hong Kong and Macau
24. In which European country is it said that malicious goblins called Kallikantzoroi (or Kallikantzari – singular Kallikantzoros) play troublesome pranks at Christmas? Greece (the name is thought to derive from kalos-kentauros, meaning ‘beautiful centaur’)
25. Very loosely related to Christmas, the predatory animal ‘uncia uncia’ is better known by what name? Snow Leopard
26. Which traditional Christmas plant was once so revered by early Britons that it had to be cut with a golden sickle? Mistletoe
27. In the song ‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’, how many swans were a-swimming? Seven
28. What former Egyptian president was born on Christmas day in 1918? Anwar Sadat
29. Driving Home For Christmas was a 1988 hit single for which singer? Chris Rea
30. Who composed the Lieutenant Kijé orchestral suite, for a 1934 film of the same name, including the Troika movement, commonly used as Christmas theme music, usually with prominent sleigh bells? Prokofiev (Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev)
31. In Mexico, it is said that wearing what colour underwear on New Year’s Eve ensures finding new love the following year? Red
32. The Latin word meaning ‘coming’ gave us what term which still refers to the coming Christmas period, and also to a particular tradition popular with children? Advent (as in advent calendars – the ‘coming’ basically refers to the birth of Christ)
33. In which country does Santa have his own personal postcode HOH OHO? Canada
34. In 2004, the post office of which country (international dialling code 49) gave away twenty million free scented stickers, to make Christmas cards smell like fir trees, cinammon, gingerbread or honey wax? Germany
35. ‘Nadolig Llawen’ means Merry Christmas in which western European language? Welsh
36. ‘Olive the Other… (what?)’, is a Christmas book by Vivian Walsh and J Otto Seibold? Reindeer
37. In which country, an archipelago of 6,852 islands, is it considered inappropriate to send red Christmas cards? Japan (because funeral notices are customarily printed in red)
38. The early pagan religious winter festival celebrated by archaic Scandinavian and Germanic people, later absorbed into Christmas celebrations, is still referred to in what alternative word for the Christmas season? Yule (or Yule-tide)
39. What is the chemical formula of snow? H₂O
40. Which charity in 1949 was the first to produce a Christmas card? UNICEF (originally the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, now called United Nations Children’s Fund)
41. What red-blooming Christmas plant came originally from Mexico? Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)
42. Brandy is made from distilling what? Wine
43. What was Girls Aloud’s 2002 UK Christmas number one single? Sound of the Underground
44. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year’s Day, 1985? Ernie Wise
45. White Christmas, a cake made of coconut, crisped rice and dried fruit, is popular in which country? Australia
46. Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday is a 25th December celebration in which country? Pakistan (also known as Muhammad Ali Jinnah he is considered the country’s founder)
47. Who is the narrator in the 2000 film The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? Anthony Hopkins
48. What was the cyclone named that hit Darwin, Australia, in Christmas 1974? Tracy
49. Pine needles are said to be a good source of which vitamin? C
50. What drink invented by Francis Showering has a fawn mascot? Babycham
51. What creature, noted for feeding on its berries, is linked by name to the mistletoe plant? Mistle thrush
52. In which Christmas carol does this line feature: “Bring me flesh, and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither”? Good King Wenceslas
53. What is the birth sign of people born on 25 December? Capricorn
54. The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on or around 1 January celebrates specifically what happening to the baby Jesus? Circumcision
55. Complete the famous rhyming line which follows: “At Christmas play and make good cheer, … ? For Christmas comes but once a year (from Thomas Tusser’s instructional poem A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, The Farmer’s Daily Diet, written in 1557 – also the source of ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’)
56. ‘Full of Eastern Promise’ is an advertising slogan of what exotically positioned chocolate product? Fry’s Turkish Delight
57. Which poem written by Clement Moore was originally titled A Visit from Saint Nicholas? The Night Before Christmas
58. What was the title of the first Christmas TV special Peanuts cartoon? A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
59. What celebratory receptacle is falsely claimed to have been modeled on the breast of Marie Antoinette? Champage coupe (or champagne saucer, more loosely, champagne glass – the flat saucery one, not the long thin pointy one)
60. Which author and creator of Jekyll and Hyde, gave his birthday by formal deed to Anne Ide because she disliked her own birthday of December 25th? Robert Louis Stevenson
61. What animal is the Scandinavian Christmas Julbock symbol? Goat (precisely a Yule Goat)
62. Christmas Crackers was the first Christmas edition of which popular UK comedy series? Only Fools and Horses
63. What song topped the UK charts at Christmas in 1957 and in a medley version in 1978? Mary’s Boy Child (Harry Belafonte and Boney M, respectively)
64. Which hugely popular actor was born on Christmas day 1899? Humphrey Bogart
65. What British spacecraft was lost on Mars at Christmas 2003? Beagle 2
66. What was Queen’s 1984 Christmas single called? Thank God it’s Christmas
67. American cartoonist Thomas Nast is credited with creating the traditional image of which popular Christmas character? Santa Claus (Father Christmas)
68. Jackie Wilson’s re-issued song Reet Petite became the 1986 UK Christmas number one after helping to advertise what brand? Levi’s (Levi Strauss & Co)
69. What is the name of Dorothy Gale’s dog in The Wizard of Oz? Toto
70. Born Christmas day 1908, by what name was gay icon author of The Naked Civil Servant popularly known? Quentin Crisp (born Denis Charles Pratt)
71. What is a baby Turkey more correctly called, other than a chick? Poult
72. La Befana is the legendary character who delivers Christmas presents to children in which country? Italy (Befana loosely means a witch)
73. Who is the central businessman character in the film It’s a Wonderful Life? George Bailey(played by James Stewart)
74. In technical astronomical terms what is the duration of the winter solstice; an instant, a day, three months, or six months? An instant (in the northern hemisphere between 21-22 Dec each year; in the southern hemisphere between 21-22 June)
75. What Christmas-time song did James Pierpont compose in 1857? Jingle Bells (or, One Horse Open Sleigh)
76. What is the title of biggest selling Christmas single, globally? White Christmas (by Bing Crosby)
77. Gwyl San Steffan is the name for 26th December (St Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day) in which country? Wales
78. Which actress singer who charted with Santa Baby and starred as Catwoman died on Christmas day 2008? Eartha Kitt
79. What Christmas item takes its name from the old French word estincelle, meaning spark? Tinsel
80. Who is regarded as the first Christian martyr? St Stephen
81. Kiritimati, the first inhabited place to experience each New Year, is more commonly known as what? Christmas Island
82. What Paul McCartney hit song video featured the First World War Christmas Truce meeting of German and British soldiers in no-man’s land between the front line trenches? Pipes of Peace
83. Who was said to have presented the baby Jesus with Frankincense? Balthazar
84. In which city was the Salvation Army founded? London (1865, orginally the Christian Mission, by William Booth)
85. When the Julian calendar was switched to the Gregorian calendar how many days were dropped? Eleven
86. What drink advert launched the slogan ‘The Right One’ in 1970? Martini
87. What is Virgil Hilts’ nickname in the film The Great Escape? The Cooler King
88. Before the tradition of hanging stockings up at Christmas what did Dutch children hang by the fireside? Shoes
89. In which country is it a tradition to hide all brooms in the house on Christmas Eve? Norway(according to legend, witches would steal them otherwise
90. Who wrote the songs for the 1954 film White Christmas? Irving Berlin
91. Which US President banned Christmas trees from the White House? Theodore Roosevelt
92. How many courses are there traditionally in a Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper? Twelve (each one is dedicated to an apostle)
93. In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, how many pipers are there? Eleven
94. From what does the month of December take its name? Ten (Latin, decem – it was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar)
95. What did Scottish students take from Westminster Abbey on Christmas day 1950? The Coronation Stone (or Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny)
96. The surname Chandler derives from the making or selling of what? Candles
97. Who are the four ghosts in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Yet to Come, and Jacob Marley (one point for each correctly named ghost, and a bonus point for all four)
98. What liqueur goes into making a ‘snowball’ cocktail? Advocaat (or advokatt, pronounced ‘advocar’ – normally a blend of brandy, egg yolks, vanilla and sometimes other ingredients – award yourself a bonus point if you dare order one next time you go to the bar.)
99. What is the English title of the carol written in 1818 by Austrian priest Josef Mohr originally called Stille Nacht? Silent Night
100. In Victorian England what people were popularly called robins because of their red uniforms? Postmen

Christmas quiz 2015

Well here it is this year’s quiz

You may cheat -if you want to

You may Google – if you wish

Or you may just look at the answers by highlighting over the square brackets

So ready – here we go

 

1. How many packs of cards are needed for a game of Canasta? [Two]
2. Which soap has one of the pub “The Malt Shovel?” [Emmerdale]
3. What is the lowest weight in boxing? [Light featherweight]
4. Who was Sonny’s singing partner? [Cher]
5. Where would you find the Mount of the Moon and the Girdle of Venus? [Palm of your hand]
6. What was Al Capone’s first name? [Alphonse]
7. Where would you most likely to use the inventions of Kenneth Wood? [Kitchen]
8. In darts what is the lowest score from three different trebles? [18]
9. Who wrote “A Brief History of Time”? [Stephen Hawking]
10. Smee was the boson who was the Pirate? [Captain Hook]
11. What is dried in an Oast House? [Hops]
12. Which Pub sells Newton & Ridley? [Rovers Return]
13. What is a group of porpoises called? [School]
14. What colour did all lupins used to be? [Blue]
15. What is a young badger called? [Cub]
16. Which city was built on seven hills? [Rome]
17. What is a painted lady? [Butterfly]
18. What is “mal de mer”? [Sea sickness]
19. Who is Bruce Wayne? [Batman]
20. What is Ozzy Ozbourne’s first name? [John]
21. What do the letters RAM stand for? [Random Access Memory]
22. What does a man do on two legs a woman do sitting down and a dog on three legs (keep it clean) [shake hands]
23. When was the first appendix operation performed? [1885]
24. What was Elvis’s first film? [Love me Tender]
25. What does an Arab Horse have less of than any other horse? [One vertebra less]
26. Who was the only English pope? [Nicholas Breakspear Pope Adrian IV]
27. What colour is the ribbon of the Victoria Cross [Purple]
28. Which days did the Boomtown Rats not like? [Mondays]
29. What does beer contain which ale traditionally did not? [Hops]
30. Name three African countries beginning with Z [Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zaire]

Well we’ve been hammered with all the Poppy day propaganda (although not much from the Poppy day organisation [wasn’t it once the Haige Fund?]) wonderful pictures which could be called “Click Bait” (a method of gaining thousands of “Likes” and “Shares” so the site is more appealing to advertisers therefore a money spinner and not always for the benefit of others) They say it is in aid of the British service personnel but what about the millions of civilians killed, maimed, made homeless because of war? Looking at the news it would appear that we have no time for them at all. We make up stories about the grand houses and cars the refugees are given the vast amount of money they are given and all the jobs they are taking. In our heart of hearts we know that this is all poppycock and not true. However the old saying is coming to pass “give a dog a bad name – then kick him”

And so next is Christmas the second most important season of the Christian calendar. All will be self-righteous and pontificating about how Christmas is for the kids, how much they spend on presents, how drunk they plan to get, some will even to calling it “Winterville” or “Wintertide” in order to be “politically correct” what tosh! Christmas has become the time for businesses to make a mint and to fleece the citizens of every last penny. Over Christmas I wonder how many will even step inside a church and say – even quietly under their breath – Happy Birthday Jesus.

         Christmas

The bells of waiting Advent ring,

The tortoise stove is lit again

And lamp-oil light across the night

Has caught the streaks of winter rain

In many a stained glass window sheen

From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green

The holly in the windy hedge

And round the Manor House the yew

Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge

The altar, font and arch and pew

So that villagers can say

“The church looks nice” on Christmas Day

Provincial public houses blaze

And Corporation tramcars clang,

On lighted tenements I gaze

Where paper decorations hang,

And bunting in the red Town Hall

Says “Merry Christmas to You All”

And girls in slacks remember Dad

And Oafish louts remember Mum,

And sleepless children’s hearts are glad

And Christmas-Morning bells say “Come”

Even to shining ones who dwell

Safe in the Dorchester Hotel

And is it true? And is it true

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue

A Baby in an ox’s stall?

The maker of the stars and sea

Became a Child on earth for me?

And is it true? For if it is,

No loving fingers tying strings

Around the tissued fripperies

The sweet and silly Christmas things,

Bath salts and inexpensive scent

And hideous tie so kindly meant

No love that in a family dwells,

No carolling in frosty air,

Nor all the steeple shaking bells

Can with this simple truth compare —

That God was Man in Palestine

And lives today in Bread and Wine

John Betjeman.

Happy Christmas everyone

Our Cruise around the Med

Saturday 12th September 2015

Southamption  At Sea

The Azura

 The beginning of our adventure ⚓

After a rather disappointing breakfast at the Southampton Holiday Inn we made our way to the Mayflower Terminal to be told that the ship had arrived late and the luggage would not be loaded until 11:00.

So we waited in the pay and display car park (£3 for 2 hours minimum) for 3/4 hour when suddenly we moved and the luggage was unloaded the car was driven away and we went for the boarding routine.

Check in, photos taken, cards issued, through security and on to the ship.

The cabin is very nice and comfortable.

Our Cabin

Our Cabin (the other way)

We had lunch in the self service restaurant (Venezia) and the choice available was surprising and very good. I had a small fish salad and Margaret had a ham and egg salad.

Later we were treated to a display by the Red Arrows (they were really there for the Boat Show.)

That was followed by the boat drill when we all had to assemble at our assembly point with our life jackets and we were taught how to put them on.

We went to the same restaurant for our dinner and again I had a salad with smoked salmon and potted shrimps (very good) and I followed that with some cheese and biscuits. I also enjoyed a glass of Merlot. Maggie had roast beef and when she saw that I had the shrimps she also had to have them.

Later we went to the welcome aboard show and I must say that it was far better than I expected it to be.

Sunday 13th September 2015

At Sea

Big Screen

Nice lazy day Sea a little lumpy but it is the Bay of Biscay so what can we expect?

Met some interesting people at breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast was very good with a wide variety of eggs bacon sausage etc. plus the contential breakfast.

Lunch was again a very mixed menu of fish, salads, meat etc. all to a high standard.

Saw the film “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, booked some trips and generally slobbed.

The weather was very bad with the rough seas making walking difficult, sleeping wasn’t easy either.

We went to see an Elton John lookalike but he wasn’t available so there was a comedian “Lloyd Davies” instead. He was quite good.

The Atrium

Dance in the Atrium

Elsie and Fred at bedtime

Monday 14th September 2105

Vigo – Spain

Arrive morning Depart afternoon

Spain’s busiest fishing port, Vigo sits on the rugged west coast of the province of Galicia. Over the centuries, this charming town and its resilient residents have been the target for many naval attacks including a couple from Sir Francis Drake.

In these more peaceful days, you will still find the best view of Vigo is from the fort (Castillo del Castro) built to defend it from the hill overlooking the harbour. From here, your Vigo cruise tour will lead you through the steep, narrow streets of the atmospheric old town (Barrio del Berbes) to see (and smell…) the daily fish market.

Try one of the oysters which are fresh from beds in Vigos ‘ria’ – one of the sunken sea-filled valleys for which Galicias coastline is renowned. And our Vigo cruises are also a chance to visit nearby Santiago de Compostela, the subject of pilgrimages since the Middle Ages.

Rain at the start of the day and because of the atrocious weather we docked 1/2 hour late.

We had our usual breakfast (then I discovered the kippers!!) And off we went for our trip “Leisurely Vigo Views“ which started in rain but this soon left leaving glorious sunshine all around. The trip was very relaxed and took in a panoramic view of the harbour a visit to a large mansion with beautiful gardens. The trip ended at a large hotel providing a light lunch and wine and tea or coffee.

“LEISURELY VIGO VIEWS”

Winding your way through the city the coach took us up to LA Guia Hill with panoramic views over the Galician countryside and down by the bay with its many mussel farms.

We continued through the city by Plaza de Espana and Plaza de America with their statues including the fishermen and the statue of the Wild Horses

Went to the 17th century Castrelos Park and the French style gardens

We stopped at the 19th Century Pazo Los Escudos for refreshments of Spanish Tapas and 2ine and coffee and tea.

We returned to the ship and did a little more exploring around the ship to slob around for the afternoon

Went to the Manhattan Bar in the evening to see a Neil Diamond lookalike he was very good after he settled down

Wild Horses

French Garden

Church on the top of the Hill

Looking over the Bay

Pazo Los Escudos

Pazo Los Escudos

Maggie on the dock of the Bay

Tuesday 15th September 2015

Lisbon – Portugal

Some of the best views of the Portuguese capital come as your ship cruises along the Tagus River. You pass the Belem Tower and the impressive Monument to the Discoveries with its statue of Henry the Navigator before arriving at the Lisbon cruise terminal.

Although small for a European capital, this city does sprawl a little so you would do best to concentrate on three districts – Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama, each with its own distinctive style, making Lisbon cruises a must see.

Baixa has busy streets of inviting shops, cafés and restaurants while Alfama is the atmospheric old town with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and Moorish-style buildings, wrought-iron balconies with trailing flowers and a mix of small shops and bars.  Bairro Alto is another historic district with narrow streets and is a steep climb from Baixa so look out for the 100-year-old lift (Elevador do Carmo) near Rossio Square. With such a variety of destinations to explore, cruises to Lisbon bring to your holiday a balance of both modern and historical grounds.

Arrive early morning Depart afternoon

Overcast start to the day with a little drizzle at first.

After a good breakfast we went ashore ( that’s ship talk for getting of the ship there’s another one “disembark” means the same thing) and joined our coach No 5 for our “Leisurely Coach and River Trip”

“LISBON BY LAND AND RIVER”

Coach guide pointed out landmarks such as Pombai Square, Liberty Avenue, Black Horse Square Nd Rossio but because of the traffic we couldn’t see much.

Not really impressed with the trip as the coach couldn’t stop much for the photographs because of the busy traffic although we did get some nice ones through the coach windows.

Maggie wanted to see Doulphins

We were advised to avoid the bar area because we would not be able to hear the commentary so we avoided that deck altogether. Still couldn’t hear it! There were some nice views and photographs taken which we can ‘Google’ when we get home.

Belem Tower

Saw the show “When Swing Was King” in the main theatre and really enjoyed it.

Flowers everywhere

Wednesday 16th September2015

Gibraltar – Gibraltar

Britons love cruising to ‘home from home’ Mediterranean cruise port Gibraltar – and not just because it has some excellent pubs and tax free shops (good buys include glassware, china, leather goods, alcohol, perfume, silk and cashmere garments).

Gibraltar also offers wonderful views of the Bay of Gibraltar and the Moroccan mountains from the Rock Restaurant, served by cable car from the Grand Parade.

Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails you can follow to discover the country’s flora and fauna.

The most famous ‘fauna’ of course, are Gibraltar’s Barbary apes – get off the cable car at the halfway station to see these, then proceed to the top and hire an audio tape charting the Rock’s fascinating history.

Alternatively spend a day at the beach – Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with its colourful fishing boats and excellent seafood restaurants.

Arrive morning Depart early afternoon

Arrived safely in Gibraltar but decided not to go ashore after our experience before. So we sat and let the world go by.

The other side of the Rock

Letting the world go by

Well the Military are still working

Spent the day onboard the ship simply relaxing

We saw the film “The theory of everything” before lunch

They had a great “sail away “party as we left Gibraltar with everyone given a flag to wave songs and dancing

In the evening we went to the Playhouse and saw Ben Makisi an opera singer. He was brilliant and his version of “Bring him home” was far superior to Alfie Boe.

Thursday 17th September 2015

At Sea

Going for a haircut at the spa. I need it.

Film in the playhouse “A Royal Night Out” Very good funny film – if only it was true.

Had dinner in the Meridian Restaurant with my best bib and bow very, very good had prawn cocktail followed by lamb shank with the cheeseboard to follow.

Jolly good day.

Lovely day

Friday 18th September 2015

Villefranche – France

The steeply terraced streets of this pretty centuries-old fishing village set against a densely wooded backdrop create a delightfully timeless picture. Despite its increasing popularity with tourists, Villefranche remains a small, relatively uncrowded resort with plenty of Gallic charm.

The centre is just behind Villefranche cruise terminal, across the road and up a series of steps.  Along a maze of narrow cobbled streets, you will find chic boutiques and a choice of both cheap and expensive cafés and restaurants. Alternatively, walk along the seafront to a long narrow beach which curls around the bay. Up some steps is the way to the neighbouring, almost Victorian-style resort of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Villefranche is a convenient base from which to explore the French Riviera and Cote dAzur and the medieval villages of Eze and St Paul-de-Vence.

Quite an experience – to get on land we had to use the lifeboats.  Margaret didn’t’ t enjoy it much as it did rock a bit but the trip (Riviera Panorama) was very enjoyable and the scenery was breath-taking. We had a couple of stops to have a quick look around.

More Flowers

View from a Bridge

Beach at Monti

In a Garden

Unusual Flowers

Relaxing Day

We returned to the ship at about 14:00 and had some lunch and slept most of the remainder of the afternoon. All this gallivanting is so tiring.

Hawaiian Themed Dinner

Decided to have dinner in the Meridian Restaurant as we didn’t fancy dining outside in “smoker’s alley” pleased we did as I had duck and Maggie had chicken

Thinking about trying the Peninsula Restaurant tomorrow for breakfast I wonder if there is Eggs Royal or Eggs Benedict?

Saturday 19th September 2015

La Spezia – Italy

Tucked into the Ligurian coastline between Genoa and Pisa, is the pretty town of La Spezia – one of Italy’s most important military and commercial harbours. But it’s not this that attracts so many. La Spezia is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Cinque Terre – a collection of five coastal villages perched on the coastline. Monterosso al Marc is famous for its beaches. Vernazza is a charming fishing port decorated with colourful buildings. Cornigilia is perched high above sea level with painted houses clinging to the cliff face. Peaceful Manarolais is modern in comparison and boasts a rocky cove. While Riomaggiore is a pretty town with attractive tall houses marching up the hillside.

Back in La Spezia itself you’ll find a number of churches and museums. There’s the 13th century Our Lady of Assumption church, housing a surprising collection of art, and the civic museum in the Castle of San Giorgio is just one of seven museums in the town.

Arrive early morning Depart early evening

We had breakfast in the Peninsula Restaurant where I had poached eggs on toast while Maggie had scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage cooked to order so not been hanging about for ages. Really good

Well we didn’t go to La Spezia but instead we went to Livorno Not a pretty port but a short shuttle bus ride of 15 minutes took us to the town. Very Italian town. We saw a Cathedral dedicated to St Catherine and then on to a small church dedicated to Our Lady.

Crib in the Cathedral

Afterwards we stumbled upon a huge market with very good and cheap fruit and vegetables and also other goods. We spent a little time at a cafe people watching

Tonight we intend to eat in the Meridian Restaurant and later see what entertainment there is.

Saw the “Flyrights” a close harmony group

Sunday 20th September 2015

19 May 2015

18:27

Civitavecchia – Italy

Arrive early morning Depart early evening

Standing in the Colosseum, visiting Vatican City and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain are all unique experiences of a lifetime to be had in the Eternal City of Rome, reached from your Italian cruise port Civitavecchia.

Rome’s breath-taking monuments, palaces, churches and classical features are quite unlike anything you will find in any other European city. They will always leave you wanting to come back for more – hence the coin-tossing, which is said to guarantee your return.

The city’s other must-sees include the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon (probably the most complete ancient Roman building in the city) and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

While steeped in history, Rome is also a modern, bustling city with designer shops and chic boutiques at every turn. Reasonably priced department stores selling all the latest fashions can be found in the many pedestrianised shopping streets, while restaurants and cafés spill out onto piazzas offering authentic Italian dishes and sensational ice cream.

Because the majority of things we wanted to see in Rome were closed

We cancelled our trip and instead we took the shuttle bus into the town.

Visited the cathedral and walked to the seafront enjoying a coffee on the way. Nice relaxed 3 hour visit

Maggie enjoying her paddle

In the evening we saw “Byron Johnston” a guitarist Brilliant and exceeded the performance levels of the shows so far.

Monday 21st September 2015

Ajaccio – Corsica

Arrive morning Depart afternoon

Napoleon was born here and, if you did not know that before, it would only take a few minutes after cruising into Ajaccio to cotton on as ‘Boneys’ name and likeness is everywhere.

The main shopping street is called

and the wide tree-lined boulevards, parks and large squares in this newer part of town feature many statues of the great man, notably in the main square (ironically called General de Gaulle). The Old Town between the port and the imposing citadel on the cliff above boasts Napoleons House and the cathedral where he was baptised

The main marketplace is right by the port and here you’ll find lots of local craft goods and endless Napoleonic souvenirs. Nestling in the Bay of Ajaccio, halfway down the islands west coast, Ajaccio is an excellent base from which to explore Corsica and discover why it is called the ‘Scented Isle’ (because of the sweet aromas from the mountainside marquis vegetation).

I had my Eggs Benedict for breakfast really good.

We decided to stay onboard as the powers that be decreed that we couldn’t tie up alongside the harbour so to get ashore we would have to use the tender which Maggie is a bit nervous about. So we had a relaxing day on the ship and attended the Sail Away Party which was fun.

Tonight we are going to see the show featuring the songs from the musicals.

The Bay

Sail Away Party

Tuesday 22nd September 2015

At Sea

Slobbing about, relaxing all day before the formal evening

Wednesday 23rd September 2015

Cadiz – Spain

Sunrise over Cadiz

You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. From there, it is easy to find your own way around this compact city. Behind is the 18th century cathedral (El Nueva) and the view from the top is worth the long climb up its internal stairs.

The narrow streets of the old town below are lined by tall Moorish-style houses with flower-decked balconies mixed in amongst some small shops and tapas bars. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour.

La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Sevilles historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city.

 Arrive morning Depart early evening

“ANDALUSIA DRIVE”

We went by coach through Medina Sidonia saw loads of bulls bread for fighting, olive groves and vineyards

We had a stop for refreshments and free time in Went on a trip “Andalusia Drive” not bad. A chance to see some of the scenery around Cadiz however it turned out to be a bit of a history lesson and I wouldn’t recommend it. If I return to Cadiz I think I would be inclined to taking the “Hop on Hop off Bus. Followed by a mooch around Conil de LA Frontera. Maggie had an ice cream strawberry and mango and it fell off but she didn’t cry

Went up on the deck 15 to the final“ Sail Away Party” which was very good

After dinner went to the Playhouse to see Byron Johnstone again but with a different show. This time instead of classical it was guitar rock and roll legends. Excellent!!⚓

Thursday 24th September 2015

 

Arrangements made for disembarkation (getting off the ship) on Saturday – cases outside the cabin the night before, vacate the cabin by 0800 and leave the ship at 10:30.

Filled in questionnaire about cruise for what it’s worth

Had to have breakfast at the smash and grab (Venezia) because we were too late for the Peninsula Restaurant who finish breakfast at 0900.

We will have lunch at the smash and grab with a formal dinner at the Meridian Restaurant this evening followed by the Headliners show “Reel to Reel”

Packing tomorrow 😦

Black tie again tonight

Friday 25th September 2015

At sea

Lazy day today we ate at the smash and grab as the rich food of yesterday was starting to play me up a little so I ate simply.

The bags are packed and collected clocks put back

Alarm set for 6:00

We leave the cabin by 0800 have breakfast and leave the ship about 10 30

Wonderful experience I really hope to do it again

Saturday 26th September 2015

Back

Sunrise over Southamption

Back to Southampton safe and sound after an excellent holiday seeing new sights and meeting new people some nice some not so nice but then that’s people.

Our luggage was taken last night and we have had an early breakfast so now we are waiting for our 10:30 call to disembark the Azura. Then, all being well, it’s off to Burnham on sea and with a bit of luck I will complete this diary and be able to publish this as a blog.

Very efficient disembarkment

News and Journalism

So a 23 year old girl takes off her top in a “holy” mountain and gets a £850.00 fine and a short jail sentence. Major news which lasts for days on radio and TV discussed endlessly on radio. Obviously there’s not much wrong in the world for this to warrant so much publicity. I suppose the lady in question will now achieve the status of celebrity with all the trappings associated with it. Thoughts of Erica Rowe come to mind) TV interviews, Big Brother, shop openings, fete openings etc. all for becoming a public nuisance. Stupid child should grow up and learn respect for others especially when in other countries where believe it or not she is representing the English just as other countries are judged by us when their citizens visit us.

I was on a weekend break to Paris some years ago and we decided to visit the Notre Dame cathedral where we were amazed to see a large number of “oriental” tourists climbing over the barriers and pews shouting to each other disturbing the peace and tranquillity of that beautiful place just to get a better photograph of each other in front of the main altar. My opinion of any “oriental” tourist with a camera was very low for a very long time. It was sheer disrespect. BUT did it make the news for days on end? No those were the days of proper reporting not of finding an insignificant “story” blowing it up out of all proportion and then milking it dry then repeating it over and over again.

I used to frequent a pub which was also used by a number of reporters, some freelance some committed to one newspaper or other. Two of them made a good living by taking a short story and investigating it properly then selling it back to the same paper for a large fee. I was also in the pub one evening when another reporter said to me as he ordered me a pint “what do you think of this tale about … I then gave him my opinion. The following morning that story was written with a sentence at the end “A spokesman said…” and there were the very words had said in the pub the night before. All for a pint oh! I do sell my words cheaply!

My opinion – LAZY JOURNALISM!!

Old man rambling

Not So Difficult Christmas Quiz

O.K.so the first one was a little too difficult try this one

Some are easy and others are easier.

1. In which city did Roger Bannister run the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954? Oxford
2. Which large animal kills more people than any other animal in Africa? Hippopotamus
3. Which country do swallows migrate to when they leave Britain for the winter? South Africa
4. In fashion, what do the initials DKNY stand for? Donna Karan New York
5. Occurring twice yearly, what name is given to a day consisting of twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness? Equinox
6. How many X chromosomes do women have? Two
7. Which city is the largest port in Germany? Hamburg
8. Which country is the natural habitat of the emu? Australia
9. Where in the world does the Up Helly Aa Fire Festival take place, which culminates in the burning of a Viking long ship? Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland
10. Which American film and television actress is best known for her role as Jennifer Hart in the 1980s television series Hart to Hart Stefanie Powers
11. In 1872, which country played England in the first ever international game of football? Scotland
12. Who married comedian Les Dennis in 1995? Amanda Holden
13. Claire Richards was the lead singer in which dance-pop group? Steps
14. Who became First Minister of Scotland after Alex Salmond’s resignation? Nicola Sturgeon
15. Which Irish novelist was personal assistant of actor Henry Irving and business manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London? Bram Stoker
16. Which singer starred in the televison documentary From Riches to Rags? Lily Allen (now Cooper)
17. Who said: “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.”? Thomas Carlyle
18. How many hurdles are there in a 400 metres hurdles race? Ten
19. In 1811, nearly a quarter of all the women in Britain were called what name? Mary
20. Which Portuguese-born navigator was the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean? Ferdinand Magellan
21. Which historical figure is widely regarded as the greatest of all the Anglo-Saxon scholars? The Venerable Bede
22. What disease killed thousands of people in Glasgow in 1832? Cholera
23. Which killer was also known as ‘The Whitechapel Murderer’? Jack the Ripper
24. In which year was the Wall Street Crash? 1929
25. The Battle of Balaclava is a famous battle in which war? The Crimean
26. In which French city was Joan of Arc put to death? Rouen
27. Who was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover? Queen Victoria
28. In which century was The Black Death? Fourteenth
29. Which American outlaw was the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang? Jesse James
30. In which country was Boxing Day renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994? South Africa
31. Who served up figgy pudding in Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’? Mrs Cratchit
32. Father Christmas is known as Pai Natal in which European country? Portugal
33. Mummer’s Day is an ancient midwinter celebration in which English county? Cornwall
34. Which band had a Christmas number one in 2009 with ‘Killing in the Name’? Rage Against The Machine
35. Who is the servant of Cinderella’s father and also Cinderella’s friend? Buttons
36. Which mathematician was born on Boxing Day in 1791? Charles Babbage
37. Which country traditionally gives London’s Trafalgar Square Christmas tree? Norway
38. Who had a Christmas hit with the song ‘Skyscraper’ in 2013? Sam Bailey
39. In literature, which fictional character said it is ‘always Winter, but never Christmas’? Mr. Tumnus (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
40. The Christmas favourite of ‘Piggies in Blankets’ is chipolata sausages wrapped in what? Bacon
41. Which of Santa’s reindeer shares its name with a mythical god of love? Cupid
42. In the Christmas carol, which town is known as Royal David’s City? Bethlehem
43. At which of her homes does the Queen traditionally spend Christmas? Sandringham
44. Which alcoholic ingredient is used in a Snowball cocktail? Advocaat
45. In the rhyme Christmas is coming, who is getting fat? The goose
46. Feliz Navidad is Happy Christmas in which language? Spanish
47. How many Lords-a-leaping are there in ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’? 10
48. In cockney rhyming slang what are ‘eyes’ called? Mince pies
49. What was Mr Bean searching for when he got his head stuck in a turkey? His wrist watch
50. Which monarch was crowned on Christmas Day in Westminster Abbey? William I

Bern’s Christmas Quiz 2014

 

Here it is chaps are you ready get set GO

 

1. Which American state is nearest to the former Soviet Union? Alaska
2. What state does Sarah Palin represent as its governor? Alaska
3. What U.S. state did Barack Obama become senator of in 2005? Illinois
4. If eating Cambridge No 5s, Wellands or Bedford Winter Harvests what would you be eating? Brussel Sprouts
5. In which year did Royal Mail introduce self adhesive stamps? 2001
6. In a standard set of playing cards which is the only king without a moustache?
   The king of hearts
7. What is the speed limit on a German motorway? There is no limit
8. Which fruit contains the most calories? Avocado
9. What does a somnambulist do? Sleepwalks
10. How old was the title character in the novel Lolita? 12
11. What numeric term describes perfect eyesight and a form of cricket? 20/20
12. What does the word `pop` refer to in Pop Goes the Weasel?
    To pawn (weasel was a shoemakers tool)
13. In heraldry, what colour is gules? Red
14. How many lions are depicted on the royal standard?
    Seven (one represents Scotland)
15. On what occasions would the royal standard be flown at half mast?
    Never, because on the passing of a monarch, his or her descendant immediately accedes to the throne.
16. Energy firm British Gas is owned by which company? Centrica
17. In the game Cluedo, which room can be accessed via the secret passageway from the Study? The kitchen
18. Which three fruits are combined to make the drink Vimto?
    Grape, blackcurrant and raspberry
19. According the Bible how many of each type of animal did Moses take on the Ark?
    None (Noah did)
20. In the Wild West, how was Henry McCarty better known? Billy The Kid
21. Who did Ted Turner, the media tycoon, marry in 1991? Jane Fonda
22. Which ‘Artist’ had the first UK number one in the UK in the year 2000? Bob the Builder, “Can We Fix It?”
23. Which Holiday movie favourite featured a character called Kevin McCallister? Home Alone
24. Robert L May created which popular Christmas character in 1939? Rudolph 
25. On Christmas day in 2000, which country officially established a new National Anthem? Russia (Vladimir Putin signed the treaty which uses parts of the Soviet Union anthem)
26. Who wrote the poem ‘Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1822? Clement Clarke Moore
27. Which saint’s day is also known as Boxing Day? St Stephen.
28. True or False? The German’s made the first artificial Christmas tree out of Goose feathers? True
29. True or False? The word mistletoe comes from the Gaelic words for kissing girl plant? False (It comes from the Anglo Saxon word for little Dung twig)
30. Which comedy star plays the title character in the film Elf? Will Ferrel
31. Which ancient relic was stolen by Scottish Activists from Westminster Abbey and returned to Scotland on Christmas day in 1950? Stone of Scone (Aka the Stone of Destiny of Coronation Stone)
32. Who wrote the poem ‘If’? Rudyard Kipling
33. At the end of the novel ‘The Day of the Triffids’, on what island do the two sighted protagonists Bill Masen and Josella Payton eventually find refuge? Isle of Wight
34. Which region in the Pacific Ocean is also the name of a character in the ‘Dr. Doolittle’ stories? Polynesia (the parrot)
35. Which French artist, born in 1834 was best known for his paintings of ballet dancers? Edgar Degas
36. Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ was the Prince of which country? Denmark
37. Which artist is famous for his statue ‘The Thinker’? Auguste Rodin
38. Which British artist achieved notoriety in 1976 after confessing to faking old masters? Tom Keating
39. Who was the author of ‘Pygmalion’? George Bernard Shaw
40. Franz Hals painted his most famous work in 1624; what was it called? The Laughing Cavalier
41. Who was the pilot hero of Captain W.E. Johns stories? Biggles
42. Which Scottish golfer (aka Mrs Doubtfire) has won a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, including a streak of seven consecutively from 1993 to 1999? Colin Montgomerie
43. Who was the third President of the USA, following on from George Washington and John Adams was also famed for his numerous inventions? Thomas Jefferson
44. In which town is the cartoon series ‘The Simpsons’ based around? Springfield (Oregon)
45. Since 1934, the annual Golf Masters tournament is the only major played each year at the same course. Name the course? Augusta National Golf Club
46. What is the often used name of the political protest of throwing a beverage into a harbour in December 1773? The Boston Tea Party
47. Name of the world’s busiest passenger sea port? Dover
48. Which American actor, who sadly passed on October 31st 1993 at the age of 23, was the older brother of Rain, Joaquin, Summer & Liberty? River Phoenix
49. What was the name of the German Chancellor, the primary force behind the unification of Germany 1871, who also had a famous battleship named after him? Otto von Bismarck
50. A Stephen King 1975 horror fiction novel which involves a writer (named Ben Mears) who returns to the town where he lived as a boy, to discover that the residents are all becoming vampires? Salem’s Lot
51. What country produces Efes beer? Turkey
52. What are the two main colours of Blackburn Rovers home football kit? Blue and white
53. Who played detective Peter Boyd in the BBC drama series Waking The Dead? Trevor Eve
54. What does a dendrologist study? Trees
55. Which TV show featured DS Jane Penhaligon? Cracker
56. What was Ellie Goulding’s debut album called? Lights
57. What is Germany’s blutwurst known as in the UK?Black pudding
58. What was the last James Bond film to star Pierce Brosnan? Die Another Day
59. Name the four British prime minister who where bachelors while in office. Spencer Compton, Pitt the Younger, Arthur Balfour, Edward Heath
60. Name the four Pevensie children in the Chronicles of Narnia books. Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy
61. In which four films did Humphrey Bogart and Lauran Bacall co-star? To have and have not, The big sleep, dark passage, Key largo
62. What are the legendary four rivers in the Garden of Eden? Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates.
63. What are the first four elements on the periodic table? Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Berylium
64. Which four US Presidents died of natural causes while in office? William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Warren G Harding, FD Roosevelt
65. As of 2013 who are the only four women nominated for a Best Director Oscar? Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion, Sophia Coppola, Kathleen Bigelow.
66. Which four events make up tennis’ Grand Slam? Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open
67. Apart from London, which four other British town or cities have hosted the Eurovision Song Contest? Edinburgh (1972), Brighton (1974), Harrogate (1982), Birmingham (1998).
68. Which four historical figures have appeared on the back of the English £20 note? William Shakespeare, Michael Faraday, Edward Elgar, Adam Smith
69. A UK Number 1 for Diana Ross in March 1986 written by the Bee Gees? Chain Reaction
70. Who won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for “The Fighter”? Christian Bale
71. An idiom meaning” a no win situation” came from which novel by Joseph Heller? Catch 22
72. What is the most southerly tip of Britain called? Lizard Point
73. What is London’s oldest gentleman’s club founded in 1693? Whites
74. Tufted, Ruddy and Mandarin are types of which bird species? Duck
75. Lapsong souchong is a type of what? Tea
76. Who created the character of Bridget Jones? Helen Fielding
77. Which 1949 British film featured the character of Harry Lime? The Third Man
78. In which fictional county would you have found DCI Tom Barnaby? Midsomer
79. What is the name of the drummer with Showaddywaddy? Romeo Challenger
80. The body of which monarch has been found beneath a car park in Leicester City Centre? King Richard III
81. Which board game is also known as “Reversi”? Othello
82. Which David Essex hit was co-written by Mike Batt & Tim Rice? Winter’s Tale
83. Which mammal does the term “Soricidae” refer to? Shrew
84. Pound, cup and foot are all types of what? Measure
85. Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F Kennedy, but who shot him? Jack Ruby
86. In which year was John Lennon assassinated? 1980
87. Who stabbed Jean-Paul Marat in his bath in 1793, an act which has later been seen as patriotic? Charlotte Corday
88. Which guerilla leader during the Irish War of Independence was assassinated in 1922? Micheal Collins
89. Which Roman Emperor was allegedy killed by his wife, Aggripina, in AD54? Claudius
90. Which is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated? Spencer Perceval
91. Politician Airey Neave was assassinated in Westminster in 1979 – how was the killing carried out? Car Bomb
92. Which British jounalist was shot outside her home in Fulham 1999? Jill Dando
93. Whose last words were “Et Tu Brute” according to Shakespeare? Julius Ceasar
94. Which Gerry Anderson TV character is modelled upon James Garner? Troy Tempest
95. Mel Gibson (1990) and Kenneth Branagh (1996) have both played which character in movies? Hamlet
96. Which president was shot whilst reviewing a military parade in October 1981? Anwar Sadat
97. Which Latin term, usually applied to legal evidence, means ‘at first sight’? PRIMA FACIE
98. What was the character name of TV’s ‘The Saint’? SIMON TEMPLAR
99. In literature, who was the best known pupil of Greyfriar’s School? BILLY BUNTER
100. What is the alternative common name for a Black Leopard? PANTHER
101. O.K.SO WHERE ARE THE ANSWERS??? try highlighting

Bigotry!

It seems to me that all this mass hysteria about the followers of the Muslim faith (whipped up by One newspaper in particular and also a political [?] party claiming to be putting Britain first) is now getting out of hand. I think history is repeating itself.

Between the world wars there was, in Germany, a huge anti Jew movement with Synagogues being daubed with paint and being burnt. Followers of the religion were ridiculed, beaten up and murdered. They were made second, no, third class citizens. Their lives were made a misery and the perpetrators marched, shouted and bullied and held their mass meetings until they went home to their families and children with a self-centred smile on their faces. They felt good, stating that God was on their side, and they were doing good work.

Then war broke out and the anti-Jew movement strengthened

They made up stories about the Jews and towards the end the Jews were not allowed to own anything nor even to live where they wanted to. They were moved into ghettoes and eventually to various camps “for a better life”

entrance to Auschwitz
(To work is to live)

I visited one of those camps recently and I saw for myself the appalling conditions that those people had to endure. Everything was based on humiliation beginning with the mode of transport to the camp (cattle truck, vastly overcrowded), to all hair being shaved to all possessions being confiscated

Even those who were murdered had their prostheses and gold fillings taken (14kg gold extracted per month)

I saw the punishment cells and the gallows. I saw the crematoria and the gas chambers. I saw the execution wall and the mass of murdered children’s clothes. I felt the tears in my eyes at the thought of all this going on at the hands of other human beings who went home to their wives and children at the end of their duties

The execution Wall

Gallows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entrance to the “Showers” (gas chamber)

Baby’s Clothes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards I was talking to a fellow visitor and expressed my fears about history repeating itself to be faced with the reply “So what’s wrong with that?” Words fail me! What hope has the human race?

Auschwitz-Birkenau

So we went on an excursion whilst we were on our Eastern Europe holiday an excursion which was different to the normal type of excursion. This was a trip to see the place of one of the biggest mass murder sites of all – Auschwitz-Birkenau. Over 1,300,000 men women children and babies were routinely gassed, hanged, shot or worked to death. That’s not just one of those anonymous numbers that are so difficult to comprehend Just about the entire population of the county of Kent U.K.

The visit started as usual by being introduced to our guide and we were issued with our radio receivers and headphones and we had a little talk about the history then off we went through the infamous gate into the camp

The Infamous Gate (Work will set you free)

Then we went to some of the accommodation blocks. After just 5 minutes the feeling of doom and horror came over me that this was not just a tourist attraction but this was real! Human beings did actually live 3 to each level of the triple bunks they were humiliated in every way from having all the hair from their bodies shaved, only allowed to use the communal “Toilet” twice per day and then for only 10 seconds at a time with no privacy nor toilet paper (There was the tale of a prisoner whose friend managed to find one sheet of toilet paper and gave it to her as a present, It was never used she kept it to remind herself that life was not always as bad as the camp)

Communal Toilets (10 seconds only and maximum of twice per day)

We saw some of the official photographs of prisoners. There were Jews, Poles, Catholics, Gypsies, Homosexuals, and Criminals They were tailors, goldsmiths’, farmers and every trade and profession even priests and monks. Musicians managed to have a slightly better life as their duties were to play music when new prisoners arrived (to keep up the pretence of everything being normal) and also to entertain the guards.

We saw the punishment areas and cells. These gave so much injury that often the punished prisoner was unable to work so was of no use to the camp and therefore they were gassed.

We saw the wall where prisoners were shot, the gallows, and we went into the gas chamber. We also saw the crematoria where the bodies were disposed of.

The execution Wall

Gallows

There were the display cases of hundreds of shoes, suitcases, clothes, brushes, pots and pans, prayer shawls and 7½ tons of human hair.

Luggage

Shoes

Baby’s Clothes

This was one of the most harrowing visits I have ever made BUT I feel that I must go again I can’t explain why but I just feel that I must.