What are you all up to

Ooh the Greenland cruise sounds interesting CY more details please 

The itinerary was Stornoway, Reykyavik, transit Prinz Kristiansund fjord( first time for a P&O ship for twenty years and weather dependant) - a seven hour trip, Qaqortoq, Nuuk, Isafjordur, Akeyuri, Torshavn and finally Greenock.

We had some people from ORCA, the whale conservation group, on board who provided insight on the wildlife. There was a total tally of over 800 whales, dolphins, seals and porpoises including a couple of fin whales and one blue whale. Leaving Akeyuri we had a humpback breaching about eight times behind the ship but unfortunately I only managed a shot of the splash.

For those who want something completely different, Oriana is doing her final cruise to Svalbard, another stunning destination, next July unless it's already full.

Christmas has just dropped onto the doormat. Our annual card from Bethlehem has arrived, (from New Zealand not the Middle East ). An old work colleague of Yvonne's lives there. I still get a buzz when I see the postmark.🎄🎄.

Just been loading the car / caravan with everything we will need for an overnight stop in our new Knaus Starclass which we are picking up tomorrow.  Keeping an eye on the weather, though.  The forecast could be better!

CY, thanks for the info. it must have been a great sight. Will look into it a bit deeper now I've got more details.

Another grey day here,  more painting upstairs done, just got to let it dry to see if it needs another coat. 

I'm off out shopping on my own in awhile, the OH is helping  out at the Christmas dinner at the lunch club in the village.

Went to see nurse this morning for a host of blood tests, nothing wrong with me just an mot the Dr asked for the other day. When she reviewed my notes, she noticed I'd never had a cholesterol one done. So this morning I had that done, along with glucose, kidney and liver function.  I feel great (apart from sore knees) so here's hoping the test come back ok.

CY, thanks for the info. it must have been a great sight. Will look into it a bit deeper now I've got more details.

Another grey day here,  more painting upstairs done, just got to let it dry to see if it needs another coat. 

I'm off out shopping on my own in awhile, the OH is helping  out at the Christmas dinner at the lunch club in the village.

Went to see nurse this morning for a host of blood tests, nothing wrong with me just an mot the Dr asked for the other day. When she reviewed my notes, she noticed I'd never had a cholesterol one done. So this morning I had that done, along with glucose, kidney and liver function.  I feel great (apart from sore knees) so here's hoping the test come back ok.

Good luck Richard with your new van. We were tempted by a Knauss Star a little while ago. Seem like well made vans.

Off to Bury today for Mrs.WNs aunts funeral. Travel was quite good on motorways and service was the best we've been to this year (unfortunately too many).

We adjourned to a local hostelry where a buffet was laid on. They had been asked to provide me wih some GF food. When it arrived I had to ask them why there was a Pork Pie and a Sausage roll nestling next to the half frozen GF sandwiches. They actually did not understand that pastry was made with wheat flour as a general rule! I didn't want to make too much of a fuss as it was a stressful time for the relatives. Fortunately I always take a sandwich, made before leaving, as a "break glass in case of emergency" so had that instead back in the car. I did explain to the Manageress before leaving and only hope they learn a bit more before something serious happens.

I gave a lift to a school friend of MIL and was delighted to see that she lived just around the corner from the street where we bought our first house and spent 4 happy years there. Of course I had to drive past and it looked in very good condition and well cared for. A bit of nostalgia.

Think I might just open a bottle of red.🍷

Wherenext I despair at the catering industry 😯😯. Luckily you took your own and I dont know too much about GF condition but I dont think it's that rare or life threatening just very uncomfortable if you do get it wrong? You would think after the allergy cases hitting the news and the courts very recently they might have done some basic research 😉. I'm curious as to why the sandwiches were half frozen??

Glad the journey and the service went well. Happy coincidence that you were able to pass your first house. Funny how you talk about your mums school friend my mum still has 2 that she regularly catches up with. Mum is 88.  I'm still in touch, at Christmas, with one senior school friend but despite being about 20 miles apart we dont meet physically.

Chilly but bright day here, few more bits purchased in town then met friend for lunch and catch up. After dark when we left the tearooms so got to see the city light up. Seems a much better effort this year! Lively clear night and visible moon.

Hi Bakers.

Pub was asked to provide refreshments 2 weeks ago when date of funeral was known. MILs brother called in yesterday to pay a deposit and they had the day down as Thursday (tomorrow). Most places providing GF bread will have it in the freezer as too much waste if not used so it looks like they didn't defrost it in time. GF bread is generally awful so would probably have been inedible anyway. I was hoping for a basic soup or baked potato but as I was only on the periphery I can't make a fuss, hence the emergency sarnie.

Actually Mother In Laws friend, who was in the same class as her departed sister. The friend was also MiLs Maid of Honour. She hasn't seen her for about 20 years but speaks to her about twice a year. Bit difficult as friend is deaf and has one of those adapted phones.

Oh my it goes from bad to worse! I guess the GF bread would be frozen for storage but thawed to make the sandwich 😂😂. I know the taste is questionable! By the sound of the debacle they wont be used again!