Anyone Else Up Yet ......... Vol. 2

Yes I'm back.Had a fabulous time.jeni is planning to write a book 'Travels with a Maniac'
Our table was the jolliest,noisiest in Princess Grill.The waiters enjoyed taking turns riding on jeni's scooter.The judge aforementioned had a fund of jokes and stories- upset jeni by describing her as a 'formidable lady'.
Guests on our table agreed we'd like tickets to see jeni and the judge in the same court tribunal.
jeni can appear formidable,bossy with a zany humour but she's really caring,generous and a brilliant organiser . I reckon she deserves 'Gran of the Year' award for keeping me together on my first cruise and could well run tours for the disabled or other gransnet events.She organised wheel chair assistance for both of us at airports. -'Such fun' and made the the airport transfers so much easier.
More about our exploits and maybe some photos later.
I'm being interviewed,filmed by a BBC West crew tomorrow for a programme in the autumn about Grandparents Denied Contact -so I need to come down to earth and compose myself.

Welcome back maniac you both seem to have had a ball. Good luck for your interview tomorrow.

jeni I wouldnt say you were formidable your too sweet.

Don't worry, jeni, someone once called me formidable and I hadn't even started then....

Have fun Soop

ps did you ever get the postcard from Kelvingrove?

baubles No. Oh dear, I'm so sorry, but the card must have gone on walkabout. I'm sure I would have loved it. Was it of 'Windows in the West' by any chance? If so, thank you for being so thoughtful.

I'm about to log off. Wish that I had a lap-top. Never mind, will share experiences on my return. I'm about to help Mr soop load the car with lots of "stuff". His expression will be a mixture of and and

Have a lovely time, Soop.

Welcome back safe and sound, Jeni and Maniac. Your tales make me begin to fancy a cruise after all! And, Jeni, you are both sweet and formidable - they are not mutually exclusive.

Welcome back jeni and Maniac, it sounds as though you had a wonderful time!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, jeni and maniac - I haven't been around to hear what was going on!

You REALLY DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!

That maniac is well named!

I had great difficulty keeping her under control!

Flirting! Swimming! Wandering round in her underwear!

We had to resort to cold showers!

So pleased you are back jeni & maniac sounds like you kept the other guests on their toes and enjoyed yourselves.

Welcome back Jeni and Maniac, hoping to hear the unexpurgated (?) version in B/ham.
Good luck with the filming Maniac, will look out for the prog.
Soop, Bon voyage et joyeaux temps ('O' level french..... failed!)

Good morning all!

Woke up early but refreshed, and am listening to the rain pouring down. But I don't have to go anywhere today! We have made lots of trips to places like B&Q etc. as the work on new house finishes, and I have been driving around finding routes to important places like the hairdressers and nice little shops.

So today I can do some overdue work on the next project in KwazuluNatal; assembling a volunteer training team to do some work in a township primary school, with early years. More later.

One of the very, very best things is that DD, and/or DGD and DGS can pop in after school, because they are all at the same one (DD teaches there) This is something we've never known, and I like it a lot. They always text first, though.

I am ready for my furniture now, especially "my" settee, as I think I may have mentioned several times. A brand new bed arrives today too!

Morning, ariadne, and anyone else who's up.

Jupiter said goodnight to me last night and Venus said good morning, along with a bright moon, Ursae Major and Minor, Orion, Cassiopaea, and Polaris. I love it that the "heavenly bodies" talk to me during the dark hours.

Yes, they do, don't they? The skies are much clearer here in Devon (when it's not raining...) and I am enjoying seeing the stars.

A very good morning to you all. Can you see what I've done this morning?
Off to get ready for work now. I actually slept really well last night, my yoga class last night was the perfect relaxation after quite a noisy afternoon (see Edinburgh Meet Up),

Oh Ariadne that must be lovely to be a round the corner gran!
Well done baubles - we too have a clear sky with the sun rising. I am looking forward to the Midlands meet up on Saturday. I have a bit of space at the moment - having had a bit of work on the go all summer. Decluttering - throwing out books, doing the filing etc etc
I too slept better and did not wake at 5. Which is a bit on the early side this time of year.

Bags . I've got a cousin called Cassiopaea!!

bagsi can give you the name of a very good psychiatrist
Morning all. Goodbye I'm off to Wales again today. Catch up this evening.

jeni, .

baubles, yes to your question. You're becoming an expert like jings and me!

Bags - have you always been an early riser, or does pain keep you awake? It always seem worse at night, like anxiety.
I find I wake at about 6 a.m. no matter what time I go to sleep, but then I nod off during the day - one of the benefits of retirement and living alone.
I like to go out on my balcony on clear nights and just look up at the sky - like those of you in other remote areas, we have no light pollution and the stars are wonderful.
When I woke this morning, it took me a moment to realise why I felt so happy - then I remembered that my grandson was finally starting on a career. For many months, I woke with a feeling of doom and started to think about my daughter - that doesn't happen so often now. I guess you can get used to anything - it doesn't hurt less, but you put it to the back of your mind and get on with your life.

jeni and maniac - I wish we could get an unbiased report of your antics from some other traveller - or even better, a member of the crew!

Ariadne - how lovely to have your gc dropping in on you. I don't know about other people, but when I move I can't rest until I have unpacked everything and found a place for it all. I know people, however, who still had tea chests unemptied after two years!

What a nice way for you to wake up G, feeling happy for your grandkids who have been having a tough time .

In answer to your question, I am a lark, but on days when I wake up before it is light, I think I would fall asleep again if I could get comfortable, but since I can't, I just get up. It's easier to 'do stuff' than lie about in pain.

Bags

BBC breakfast TV. Mum and small daughter being interviewed about dental hygiene. While Mum was having earnest discussion with presenters and the Head of Dental Services, kid was enjoying herself pulling faces at the camera. Priceless!