Well at least the snowbirds
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Should have listened
I should have listened to my back on Sunday when it got bad. Monday am it felt a little better so I did some more yard work. Planted some flowers. By Monday night I could not move again. I have been out of work for 2 days now. I am going in today. Will see how it goes. I think the worst part will be the drive in. I should have asked Chris to pull my car on the street last night so I don't have to back up out of the driveway.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial day
I hope everyone has a great memorial day!
More yard work to do here, even if my back is kinda sore.
The garden is really coming along nicely.
I posted some pictures from our spring 2003 Trip to Tn. This included the pictures of Tori's first experience with a bear out in the wild.
More yard work to do here, even if my back is kinda sore.
The garden is really coming along nicely.
I posted some pictures from our spring 2003 Trip to Tn. This included the pictures of Tori's first experience with a bear out in the wild.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday
Will this week ever END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Got and email today that my second batch of negatives are being scanned. They are in India. Can't wait to see how they turn out.
Got and email today that my second batch of negatives are being scanned. They are in India. Can't wait to see how they turn out.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Long Week
Will the weekend ever get here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I booked my ticket to Hawaii in Oct. Got an incredible price. $440.oo including all taxes and fees. I almost wonder if it was a mistake, but my E-ticket is in hand. Aloha!!!!
I booked my ticket to Hawaii in Oct. Got an incredible price. $440.oo including all taxes and fees. I almost wonder if it was a mistake, but my E-ticket is in hand. Aloha!!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Cruise PIctures posted
The cruise pictures are now posted. Check them out.
Today Is Emma's 13th birthday.
Today Is Emma's 13th birthday.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Cruise Pictures progress
I am now just verifying the links and proofing the site. I hope to have it live by Sunday evening. I will finish up the Barcelona part at a later time
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Still working on them
I am hard at work trying to get the pictures posted!!!! really. There are just so many of them to sort though this year. I like so many of them, that it is hard to eliminate any.
The weather is finally starting to cooperate too. Nice eve out. Sitting on the deck working on the pics and smelling the lilacs. Even the hardy geraniums have a few flowers on them now. The pool is open but need to get the filter going.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Cruise pictures
I am trying to work on the cruise pictures so that I can get them posted as soon as possible. There are quite a few pictures to go through. I am really hoping to have then done by the end of the week. I did add a video (above) to the web site. It takes a while to load. I may have to put it on you tube and see if it runs faster that way.
I am also trying to get yard work and laundry done in between everything else as well. All the animals are getting back into their regular routines. The cats really missed us this time. Even Josie has been overly affectionate.
I am also trying to get yard work and laundry done in between everything else as well. All the animals are getting back into their regular routines. The cats really missed us this time. Even Josie has been overly affectionate.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Barcelona Spain May 3-4.
Barcelona Spain May 3-4.
Sunday we had a final breakfast on board with our new friends from California. We picked up our luggage and headed to the taxi line. It was quite long. We headed to our hotel right off the upper part of Les Rambles. The Silken Les Rambles.
It turned out to be a very nice hotel for the amount of money I paid for it. The entire bathroom was made of marble. There was a phone and sound system in the bath.
We headed out and started exploring the city. We bought tickets for the hope on and off bus. We got to see a great deal of the city. We only had time to do one of the three lines. We first did the entire circuit to see the city. We stopped at the sagrada familia took some outside pics. We then had very unimpressive paella for lunch.
We then traveled up to the parc Guell and explored that for a while. The park was totally designed by the architect Gaudi. From there we took the metro to the bottom of Les Rambles and walked back up to the hotel as we enjoyed the sights.
It was then time to clean up, and get ready for the Flamenco show. It was right on Les Rambles so we walked down to it.
The show itself was out of this world. The sangria was pretty good too. After the show we walked around the gothic quarter for a bit looking for a place for dinner. Finally about midnight we returned to the hotel.
We got up early Monday for our flight home. We were delayed about 3 hours in Newark but other than that the trip was uneventful.
Sunday we had a final breakfast on board with our new friends from California. We picked up our luggage and headed to the taxi line. It was quite long. We headed to our hotel right off the upper part of Les Rambles. The Silken Les Rambles.
It turned out to be a very nice hotel for the amount of money I paid for it. The entire bathroom was made of marble. There was a phone and sound system in the bath.
We headed out and started exploring the city. We bought tickets for the hope on and off bus. We got to see a great deal of the city. We only had time to do one of the three lines. We first did the entire circuit to see the city. We stopped at the sagrada familia took some outside pics. We then had very unimpressive paella for lunch.
We then traveled up to the parc Guell and explored that for a while. The park was totally designed by the architect Gaudi. From there we took the metro to the bottom of Les Rambles and walked back up to the hotel as we enjoyed the sights.
It was then time to clean up, and get ready for the Flamenco show. It was right on Les Rambles so we walked down to it.
The show itself was out of this world. The sangria was pretty good too. After the show we walked around the gothic quarter for a bit looking for a place for dinner. Finally about midnight we returned to the hotel.
We got up early Monday for our flight home. We were delayed about 3 hours in Newark but other than that the trip was uneventful.
Cannes France. May 2 2009
Cannes France. May 2 2009
Neither of us was particularly impressed with this port. There was not much of interest there. We walked among the Gucci and Prada stores, looked in a few of the souvenier shops and walked to the beaches. The beaches were not that impressive either. The water was a bit dirty compared to all the other med ports we had been in.
We took the tender back to the ship. WE spent time at the pool. For lunch we had bbq ribs. The ship had large grills going near the pools.
Speaking of French food!!! We spoke with some people from Canada who informed us that horse is a popular meat in southern France. So I guess I was correct and Chris did have a horse meat sandwich for lunch the other day.
Spent some time in the spa in the early eve. For diner we went to Le Bistro. We had the fish soup again. This time Durry the Matride made sure we had lots of extra seafood in it.
We stopped a few places and said goodbye to some of our friends and headed to the room to pack. We started having gale force winds and the ship was very rocky. So packing was kind of tough.
Neither of us was particularly impressed with this port. There was not much of interest there. We walked among the Gucci and Prada stores, looked in a few of the souvenier shops and walked to the beaches. The beaches were not that impressive either. The water was a bit dirty compared to all the other med ports we had been in.
We took the tender back to the ship. WE spent time at the pool. For lunch we had bbq ribs. The ship had large grills going near the pools.
Speaking of French food!!! We spoke with some people from Canada who informed us that horse is a popular meat in southern France. So I guess I was correct and Chris did have a horse meat sandwich for lunch the other day.
Spent some time in the spa in the early eve. For diner we went to Le Bistro. We had the fish soup again. This time Durry the Matride made sure we had lots of extra seafood in it.
We stopped a few places and said goodbye to some of our friends and headed to the room to pack. We started having gale force winds and the ship was very rocky. So packing was kind of tough.
Cinque Terra Italy May 1 2009
Cinque Terra Italy.
I hate the fact that I have to write this after some time has passed. I am sure that I have already forgotten some or the things I wanted to write about this incredible place.
The tour left the ship at about 705am. The bus ride to La Spezia where we caught our first ferry, was interesting as well. We had an excellent tour guide. She was very concerned that being a national holiday that it would be very hard to keep everyone together. She gave us her cell phone number and the train we had to catch to get back to the La Spezia should we get separated. Everyone made it!!! The crowds were bad however because it, was a holiday, and the first day without rain in over 2 weeks. She had said since last November the weather has been terrible.
On the hour and a half bus ride she told us interesting stories about some local customs superstitions and how one towns people looked at another’s. We got to drive past Pisa and see the tower from a distance. We also drove past mountains made of marble. This is where all the ancient sculptors got there marble. Pieces would fall and they would be put on barges and shipped to Rome and Florence via specially built canals.
Once we arrived in La Spezia we bordered out boat. Which had way too many people, and started on our Journey to the Cinque Terra. Once we arrived in Riomaggiore we got off the boat and toured the town. We then walked on the street of love to the next town Manarola. Again we visited the town, and the boarded the next boat. We sailed past Corniglia, we stopped briefly in Vernazza and sailed on to Monterosso.
We left the tour and explored the town on our own. We found this little restaurant for lunch. We found a table and it started to fill up a bit. They must have thought enough people!!!! Because at that point they locked the doors.
We had an amazing lunch of pasta with pesto and fried calamari. We then walked around the town some more. We found some lemon chello and snuck it onto the ship. We later joined our group and hopped on the train to La Spezia to catch our bus back to the ship.
Once on board (about 630) we spent some time in the spa. We had a very late diner in La cucina to continue with the Italian theme.
I hate the fact that I have to write this after some time has passed. I am sure that I have already forgotten some or the things I wanted to write about this incredible place.
The tour left the ship at about 705am. The bus ride to La Spezia where we caught our first ferry, was interesting as well. We had an excellent tour guide. She was very concerned that being a national holiday that it would be very hard to keep everyone together. She gave us her cell phone number and the train we had to catch to get back to the La Spezia should we get separated. Everyone made it!!! The crowds were bad however because it, was a holiday, and the first day without rain in over 2 weeks. She had said since last November the weather has been terrible.
On the hour and a half bus ride she told us interesting stories about some local customs superstitions and how one towns people looked at another’s. We got to drive past Pisa and see the tower from a distance. We also drove past mountains made of marble. This is where all the ancient sculptors got there marble. Pieces would fall and they would be put on barges and shipped to Rome and Florence via specially built canals.
Once we arrived in La Spezia we bordered out boat. Which had way too many people, and started on our Journey to the Cinque Terra. Once we arrived in Riomaggiore we got off the boat and toured the town. We then walked on the street of love to the next town Manarola. Again we visited the town, and the boarded the next boat. We sailed past Corniglia, we stopped briefly in Vernazza and sailed on to Monterosso.
We left the tour and explored the town on our own. We found this little restaurant for lunch. We found a table and it started to fill up a bit. They must have thought enough people!!!! Because at that point they locked the doors.
We had an amazing lunch of pasta with pesto and fried calamari. We then walked around the town some more. We found some lemon chello and snuck it onto the ship. We later joined our group and hopped on the train to La Spezia to catch our bus back to the ship.
Once on board (about 630) we spent some time in the spa. We had a very late diner in La cucina to continue with the Italian theme.
Home safe
made it home safe and sound. will Post the last few days of vacation blog soon. Then I need to start working on the pictures
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Last few days
Cinque terra italy was out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannes.... not so great. Villefranche was much nicer last year.
Have to get off the ship in a few min.
Day in Barcelona today
Home tomorrow. Will do full updates then.
Chow chow.
Cannes.... not so great. Villefranche was much nicer last year.
Have to get off the ship in a few min.
Day in Barcelona today
Home tomorrow. Will do full updates then.
Chow chow.
Friday, May 1, 2009
ROME
Rome Italy, April 30th
So we gave Rome another chance. I am glad we did. The visit was much more pleasant this time. I guess not being among the screaming crowds and protests of Labor Day helped.
We caught the 730 train and got to Rome in no time. Our first stop was the Vatican. We did a quick walk through because we had 10am tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. We arrived at the museum entrance a little before 10. I am glad I pre bought the tickets because the ticket line was already 3 hours long. We say some of the highlights of the museum and then off to the Sistine Chapel. It truly is an amazing site to say the least. No photography is allowed so I had to buy the book.
It was perfect day weather wise. The first day it did not rain in Rome for weeks. I am not sure how much walking we actually did but it was a lot. (Slight blister). After leaving the Vatican we headed toward the Castle St. Angelo to get some outside photos. Then it was time for some awesome gelato. That was all I really had on my list to do after last year’s time there. We next walked to the Plaza Navona. Not wall to wall people like last year. The fountain of the 4 rivers is still under repair.
We then wound out way through the narrow streets, getting lost a few times to the campo di firore and explored the markets there. They really did have a little of everything. Chris then stopped at this bakery for a canoli for later on.
We had lunch at this café on the corner. It was very good and inexpensive compared to what we paid in the past. We started with a large plate of prosciutto. I had pasta carbonara and Chris had pasta with egg plant.
We then walked up to the Roman forum and coliseum. We once again subjected ourselves to the Roman subway system to the train terminal. We did have not have much of a wait and were back on board by about 545 pm.
Once back on board the ship we went to the spa and soaked our tired feet.
Dinner was at the Magenta dinning room. It was surf and more surf night, it was seafood served over pasta. I picked over that and had a lamb chop. Chris had a steak.
So we gave Rome another chance. I am glad we did. The visit was much more pleasant this time. I guess not being among the screaming crowds and protests of Labor Day helped.
We caught the 730 train and got to Rome in no time. Our first stop was the Vatican. We did a quick walk through because we had 10am tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. We arrived at the museum entrance a little before 10. I am glad I pre bought the tickets because the ticket line was already 3 hours long. We say some of the highlights of the museum and then off to the Sistine Chapel. It truly is an amazing site to say the least. No photography is allowed so I had to buy the book.
It was perfect day weather wise. The first day it did not rain in Rome for weeks. I am not sure how much walking we actually did but it was a lot. (Slight blister). After leaving the Vatican we headed toward the Castle St. Angelo to get some outside photos. Then it was time for some awesome gelato. That was all I really had on my list to do after last year’s time there. We next walked to the Plaza Navona. Not wall to wall people like last year. The fountain of the 4 rivers is still under repair.
We then wound out way through the narrow streets, getting lost a few times to the campo di firore and explored the markets there. They really did have a little of everything. Chris then stopped at this bakery for a canoli for later on.
We had lunch at this café on the corner. It was very good and inexpensive compared to what we paid in the past. We started with a large plate of prosciutto. I had pasta carbonara and Chris had pasta with egg plant.
We then walked up to the Roman forum and coliseum. We once again subjected ourselves to the Roman subway system to the train terminal. We did have not have much of a wait and were back on board by about 545 pm.
Once back on board the ship we went to the spa and soaked our tired feet.
Dinner was at the Magenta dinning room. It was surf and more surf night, it was seafood served over pasta. I picked over that and had a lamb chop. Chris had a steak.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)