Temperatures have dropped, the sun is shining and we have a glorious summer day here.
Bess, our Bichon/Terrier, is depressed because suitcases are strewn across our bedroom floor and that saddens me. I do hate to leave her...she'd be such an asset to the Explorer...think how the students would love her, and she them!
The news is so depressing too isn't it? What devastating happenings in Norway of all places, I've always thought of Scandinavia as being well out of the "war on terrorism" not realising they too have troops in Afghanistan. However it seems this is not a terrorist (in the present sense of the word) but one who is home-grown and anti Islamist??! What a tragedy...all those young lives lost in a senseless shooting..and the giganatic bomb explosion too. Really? One man? I wonder...
Made a ridiculous mistake booking our flight to Columbo on Kingfisher Airline. Made it for September instead of October! Had to have a half hour conversation with Travelocity in India to correct it. I was told there would be a Rupee500.00 penalty and blanked on the exchange rate...oh God! how much is that? I thought, am I breaking the bank? As soon as I hung up clicked on the Universal Converter...it's $10.00....relief!
Went to the Shaw Festival at Niagara on the Lake yesterday and saw old friend Jay Turvey's musical play Maria Severa and loved it! Great energy and amazingly talented cast. Jay has done so very well as an actor and playwright but is still the sweet man I knew all those years ago. He came to meet us, about 12 of us, and it was good to see him again. Then we sat on the lawn under the trees at Darryl and Brian's beautiful house on the river, drinking wine and nibbling on delicious stuff.
When the others drove home four of us, Lisbie, Anne, George and myself, drove back into Niagara on the Lake for dinner at the Epicure. What a beautiful day! A great play, good company and conversation and lots of laughter....who could ask for anything more?! Wish we could take all our friends with us on Semester at Sea....what fun that would be!
Heard of the sad death of my friend Morag Fleming in Edinburgh last week. Morag and I trained together at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and then after we had qualified as SRNs (RGNs in Scotland...just to be different from the English!)shared a bed-sitter up in Marchmont. So many happy, and funny, memories we all have of those days. It was good to have Sheila in Toronto to talk to...she too was in our PTS (preliminary training school) at The Royal. We shall miss Morag at our Edinburgh get togethers with 'les girls' when next we visit....hopefully next year. So glad I saw Morag last year when I was over but of course never guessed it would be the last time.
Must do a test packing day....poor Bess!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Heat Wave
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Perhaps because we have experienced Ghana, India and Vietnam heat we are a little less worried about reaching temperatures nearing 40 degrees here today. There is an "extreme heat alert". We are fortunate to be living in an air conditioned apartment but I do feel guilty about what this is doing to the environment.
Went to see "Sustainability" the other day at the Hamilton Fringe Festival: it's a lecture on climate change set to some music and would have been a great addition to Global Studies on our first voyage in 2009 with SAS when the theme was just that, 'Sustainability". The 'play' was not receiving rapturous reviews because most of the audience were there to be entertained and this, as you know, is scary stuff. As Warner Granade said on FB yesterday...we must care for our Grandchildren and act now. Trouble is North American life is built around cars and surviving in a hostile climate much of the time. We use our A/C very little as we both love fresh air but today we are also looking after our grandson and my daughter and husband who live in a lovely old 150 year old house, which is cooler than most but has heated up drastically since yesterday.
George picked up our China visas in Toronto yesterday and now there just remains the Indian one. Unfortunately we still don't know which day he has an FDP in Chennai so we have to delay booking our flight to Sri Lanka and, because we consequently need a multi-entry visa we have to supply details and dates before it can be issued. We received all the excursion information on Monday afternoon from SAS but this vital information was missing....wouldn't you know?!
Our suitcases are now in our respective packing rooms: G's office and our bedroom. We are flying on Porter Airlines for the first time from Toronto Island to Boston and when Fiona came to shower here this morning (their hot water system has broken down) she was making it sound like the only way to go! I look forward to this: she is driving us right to the airport by ferry. I'm hoping my grandson, 7 year old Bryn will come to see us off too...he will love the process...but Grandma will HATE saying goodbye!
Am now chatting with my Grandaughter Katie (11) in Sudbury on Facebook. Isn't the social media amazing? This will make keeping in touch with my families so much easier while we are away. 2011 is my first year on FB. Fiona told me that she too had been chatting with her niece last night and that Katie was talking to a friend too so juggling all three of us at the same tme! No wonder the students are such great multi-taskers on the ship!
I'm off now into the 'furnace' outside....wish me luck!
Posted by maggie thomas
Perhaps because we have experienced Ghana, India and Vietnam heat we are a little less worried about reaching temperatures nearing 40 degrees here today. There is an "extreme heat alert". We are fortunate to be living in an air conditioned apartment but I do feel guilty about what this is doing to the environment.
Went to see "Sustainability" the other day at the Hamilton Fringe Festival: it's a lecture on climate change set to some music and would have been a great addition to Global Studies on our first voyage in 2009 with SAS when the theme was just that, 'Sustainability". The 'play' was not receiving rapturous reviews because most of the audience were there to be entertained and this, as you know, is scary stuff. As Warner Granade said on FB yesterday...we must care for our Grandchildren and act now. Trouble is North American life is built around cars and surviving in a hostile climate much of the time. We use our A/C very little as we both love fresh air but today we are also looking after our grandson and my daughter and husband who live in a lovely old 150 year old house, which is cooler than most but has heated up drastically since yesterday.
George picked up our China visas in Toronto yesterday and now there just remains the Indian one. Unfortunately we still don't know which day he has an FDP in Chennai so we have to delay booking our flight to Sri Lanka and, because we consequently need a multi-entry visa we have to supply details and dates before it can be issued. We received all the excursion information on Monday afternoon from SAS but this vital information was missing....wouldn't you know?!
Our suitcases are now in our respective packing rooms: G's office and our bedroom. We are flying on Porter Airlines for the first time from Toronto Island to Boston and when Fiona came to shower here this morning (their hot water system has broken down) she was making it sound like the only way to go! I look forward to this: she is driving us right to the airport by ferry. I'm hoping my grandson, 7 year old Bryn will come to see us off too...he will love the process...but Grandma will HATE saying goodbye!
Am now chatting with my Grandaughter Katie (11) in Sudbury on Facebook. Isn't the social media amazing? This will make keeping in touch with my families so much easier while we are away. 2011 is my first year on FB. Fiona told me that she too had been chatting with her niece last night and that Katie was talking to a friend too so juggling all three of us at the same tme! No wonder the students are such great multi-taskers on the ship!
I'm off now into the 'furnace' outside....wish me luck!
Posted by maggie thomas
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday 17th July
Our bedroom which is my packing area, George uses his office, looks as though it has been hit by a hurricane. I throw clothes out of the wardrobe as I decide they will be necessary on the trip...however looking at the pile now I realise that there is no way they will all fit in my suitcase. We are flying Porter Airlines on my daughter Fiona's recommendation and their free baggage allowance is pretty tight so we shall have to be careful. Also to get to Toronto Island Airport we have to cross on a ferry and I for one don't relish lugging alot of heavy baggage. BUT we are away for three and a half months in varying climates so we have to be creative.
The reason for choosing Porter is that by all accounts they are extremely comfortable, to Business Class level, and the service is fantastic. Fiona flies to conferences in the States often and loves flying on these much smaller planes. Also the whole boarding procedure is more relaxed and alot less crowded. I'll report on the validity of these claims later!
This morning is our 'French' breakfast morning: Croissants and freshly ground,(by George)dark roast coffee from Columbia, delicious! We shall sit out on the balcony listening and staring into the tree tops, watching the birds. Our balcony makes you feel you are sitting high up in a jungle or a tree house and it gives Bess a vantage point from which to growl and bark at any intruder as she peers down and challenges innocent dog walkers on the trails below. I shall miss this, and her, so much!
We are hoping to receive all the information about excursions and FDPs today because until we do we can't get our multiple entry Indian Visa. This has been a great frrustration for Jeannie in Naivasha, Kenya and ourselves. We have to find out which day we should depart India and on which to return to the ship. Jeannie has to be sure of her Emirate flight home from Columbo. I know.. I should be grateful to have such exciting problems! It will be interesting to read the possibilities too in Morocco. We hope to visit Fez but have heard that the SAS excursion is very short so may have to book independently...time is running out.
I am happy to know that we shall be seeing school friends of mine in South Africa. Ali and Geoff Kaufmann and Joan and Trevor Teeton. The latter definitely in Calitzdorp and the Kaufmanns possibly in Cape Town. Amazing and wonderful to have sustained our friendship over many, many years. Would love to see Jean, Sally and Phillida too (if you're reading this) even if just for a brief coffee at the V&A Waterfront. And I have just given this blog address to Luzuko so perhaps we could meet you too Luzuko? Michael Williams, Artistic Director of Opera Cape Town will be the Theatre Professor on board. A dynamic and delightful man whom George and I have met twice before. I shall be his student for sure if he has room in his class, the prof's permission must be obtained.
Enough for now, back to dog walking, breakfast making and possibly the Hamilton Frings Festival during the day.
The reason for choosing Porter is that by all accounts they are extremely comfortable, to Business Class level, and the service is fantastic. Fiona flies to conferences in the States often and loves flying on these much smaller planes. Also the whole boarding procedure is more relaxed and alot less crowded. I'll report on the validity of these claims later!
This morning is our 'French' breakfast morning: Croissants and freshly ground,(by George)dark roast coffee from Columbia, delicious! We shall sit out on the balcony listening and staring into the tree tops, watching the birds. Our balcony makes you feel you are sitting high up in a jungle or a tree house and it gives Bess a vantage point from which to growl and bark at any intruder as she peers down and challenges innocent dog walkers on the trails below. I shall miss this, and her, so much!
We are hoping to receive all the information about excursions and FDPs today because until we do we can't get our multiple entry Indian Visa. This has been a great frrustration for Jeannie in Naivasha, Kenya and ourselves. We have to find out which day we should depart India and on which to return to the ship. Jeannie has to be sure of her Emirate flight home from Columbo. I know.. I should be grateful to have such exciting problems! It will be interesting to read the possibilities too in Morocco. We hope to visit Fez but have heard that the SAS excursion is very short so may have to book independently...time is running out.
I am happy to know that we shall be seeing school friends of mine in South Africa. Ali and Geoff Kaufmann and Joan and Trevor Teeton. The latter definitely in Calitzdorp and the Kaufmanns possibly in Cape Town. Amazing and wonderful to have sustained our friendship over many, many years. Would love to see Jean, Sally and Phillida too (if you're reading this) even if just for a brief coffee at the V&A Waterfront. And I have just given this blog address to Luzuko so perhaps we could meet you too Luzuko? Michael Williams, Artistic Director of Opera Cape Town will be the Theatre Professor on board. A dynamic and delightful man whom George and I have met twice before. I shall be his student for sure if he has room in his class, the prof's permission must be obtained.
Enough for now, back to dog walking, breakfast making and possibly the Hamilton Frings Festival during the day.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thoughts of a lucky woman...
George is off to Toronto to hand in the applications for our China Visas...another 'car' day for me. Time was alittle short and as we drove up to the University for him to catch the bus, Rossini's music (not sure what) was playing on the car radio. It was appropriate to our frantic mood and George turned to me and said "Oh I love this!" Although he can't play any instrument George is so knowledgeable about music and gets more obvious pleasure from listening to what he loves than almost anyone I know. Favourites as diverse as Mozart operas and John Coltrane send him into paroxisms of pure joy!
When I know I can drive anywhere the wanderlust bug attacks and I think Manitoulin and Halifax, Vancouver and Nelson BC! However one glance at the gas guage tells me I must pull in my boundaries. I shall venture up to Waterdown and come back to Dundas by the Sydenham Hill, the view from which spreads our town, the escarpment and Hamilton in the distance all before me.I shall park at the top of the hill and gaze in wonder at our own little bit of the world and count myself so fortunate to live in this place and in this country.
The weather is sunny and hot but I know we shall be in much hotter places before the year ends: Accra, Chennai, Columbo and Galle in Sri Lanka, Penang, Saigon and Na Trang. Then the colder weather will set in for a bit: Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan before warming up for the last time in Costa Rica, Panama and Fort Lauderdale. The last time before the icy joys of a Canadian winter. You can understand what I mean by the necessity of 'layering'!
Sadly it is too hot for Bess to accompany me in the car. I feel so guilty going out of the door when she's sitting looking at me as if to say 'Oh no not again? What about me?' I shall have my usual difficulty glancing at her when we leave for our flight to Boston.
When I know I can drive anywhere the wanderlust bug attacks and I think Manitoulin and Halifax, Vancouver and Nelson BC! However one glance at the gas guage tells me I must pull in my boundaries. I shall venture up to Waterdown and come back to Dundas by the Sydenham Hill, the view from which spreads our town, the escarpment and Hamilton in the distance all before me.I shall park at the top of the hill and gaze in wonder at our own little bit of the world and count myself so fortunate to live in this place and in this country.
The weather is sunny and hot but I know we shall be in much hotter places before the year ends: Accra, Chennai, Columbo and Galle in Sri Lanka, Penang, Saigon and Na Trang. Then the colder weather will set in for a bit: Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taiwan before warming up for the last time in Costa Rica, Panama and Fort Lauderdale. The last time before the icy joys of a Canadian winter. You can understand what I mean by the necessity of 'layering'!
Sadly it is too hot for Bess to accompany me in the car. I feel so guilty going out of the door when she's sitting looking at me as if to say 'Oh no not again? What about me?' I shall have my usual difficulty glancing at her when we leave for our flight to Boston.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Mostly about Bess...
Another glorious morning....what an amazing summer! I do love Dundas and our balcony where we look into the deep green of trees, see and hear a variety of birds and from where Bess guards her territory with diligence. We hear little deep throated growls if anyone dares to walk on the trails below...queen of all she surveys.
We have been adding up Bess's vocabulary and it is quite extensive. Obvious words like sit and stay but other sentences in which she pricks up her ears and reacts. It is not possible for one of us to spell out 'a w.a.l.k.?' or 't.r.e.a.t.' any longer because she simply gets up and runs to the front door or kitchen. She understands 'this way' at the fork of a path and will change direction, 'we're going back now Bess' and she turns in her tracks, 'are you coming in the car avec moi?' (I have no idea why I use French here!) and she runs around wildly picking up her squeaky toys to denote approval. She will either take herself off to her bed when she thinks we're staying up too late or will lie at my feet as I sit at my computer long after George is asleep. As soon as I say 'Let's go to bed Bess' she runs ahead of me and is there waiting for her final tummy rub when I (finally) get there. You can imagine that she is not going to be the only one who misses all this interaction while we are gone!
Today is a 'car' day for me and so the world opens up. What errands do I have? What chores? George cycles to the university and I'm on the loose. What is Tammy up to? Where is Liz? Is Nora 'busy' as usual? Jo will be working and rehearsing as her opening night on Thursday draws near. Had 5 tubes of blood taken yesterday at Family Practice so that's done....fingers crossed for those results! Dr Stevenson told me in a phone message that he doesn't anticipate that I shall not be able to go on the trip....that's a great relief....but how does he know?! Butterflies!
Enoug waffling from Dundas when you're all waiting for exotic stories of sea storms and Morocco or Africa. Time is flying by....departure date will come all too soon.
We have been adding up Bess's vocabulary and it is quite extensive. Obvious words like sit and stay but other sentences in which she pricks up her ears and reacts. It is not possible for one of us to spell out 'a w.a.l.k.?' or 't.r.e.a.t.' any longer because she simply gets up and runs to the front door or kitchen. She understands 'this way' at the fork of a path and will change direction, 'we're going back now Bess' and she turns in her tracks, 'are you coming in the car avec moi?' (I have no idea why I use French here!) and she runs around wildly picking up her squeaky toys to denote approval. She will either take herself off to her bed when she thinks we're staying up too late or will lie at my feet as I sit at my computer long after George is asleep. As soon as I say 'Let's go to bed Bess' she runs ahead of me and is there waiting for her final tummy rub when I (finally) get there. You can imagine that she is not going to be the only one who misses all this interaction while we are gone!
Today is a 'car' day for me and so the world opens up. What errands do I have? What chores? George cycles to the university and I'm on the loose. What is Tammy up to? Where is Liz? Is Nora 'busy' as usual? Jo will be working and rehearsing as her opening night on Thursday draws near. Had 5 tubes of blood taken yesterday at Family Practice so that's done....fingers crossed for those results! Dr Stevenson told me in a phone message that he doesn't anticipate that I shall not be able to go on the trip....that's a great relief....but how does he know?! Butterflies!
Enoug waffling from Dundas when you're all waiting for exotic stories of sea storms and Morocco or Africa. Time is flying by....departure date will come all too soon.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Leading up to departure
Hi everyone!
Before getting my blood test results, which are supposed to be ruling out hemochromatosis, I am being optmistic enough to begin my blog. This gives everyone a chance to 'follow' should they wish to and gets me back into the habit of blog writing. I truly did not expect to be doing it again so soon!
At this time we are short of two visas for the voyage, for India and China. George goes up to Toronto to do this and usually takes in a visit to the Jazz festival at the same time so enjoys himself. At home we have strted to decide what to take to wear for the voyage....warm at first and getting colder in China and Taiwan or Japan ( if the US travel advisory is lifted...I rather hope not as would love to visit Taiwan). Layering is the only answer. As we have decoded to fly Porter Airlines out of Toronto our baggage allowance is limited and we shall have to be awfully restrained in our packing....something I am not known for! Well, three and a half months is a long time to have limited changes of clothes...
I am excited that Brenda (Ewing) will be on board from Montreal until Cape Town (so will be visiting Morocco, Ghana and South Africa with us) and then Jeannie Rodger my great friend who lives in Kenya will embark in Cape Town and be with us until India. The three of us are visiting my cousins Jeff, Janneke and Findlay Tattersall in Sri Lanka instead of staying in India on this occasion. Jeannie will fly back to Nairobi on Emirates from Columbo. All four of us< Brenda included are travelling to the Karoo (Calitzdorp) for a few days in South Africa and then a night (with wine tasting!) in Stellenbosch before returning to the ship. Brenda will fly back to Canada the day we sail ...on to the Indian Ocean and Mauritius.
The hardest part of being away so long is leaving family and friends and Bess our Bichon/Terrier. She is lying happily at my feet as I write. I am also sad to miss the glorious Ontario Fall this year...missing winter is a much better idea!
I might add a few words as time goes on up to our departure date...so stay tuned.
Before getting my blood test results, which are supposed to be ruling out hemochromatosis, I am being optmistic enough to begin my blog. This gives everyone a chance to 'follow' should they wish to and gets me back into the habit of blog writing. I truly did not expect to be doing it again so soon!
At this time we are short of two visas for the voyage, for India and China. George goes up to Toronto to do this and usually takes in a visit to the Jazz festival at the same time so enjoys himself. At home we have strted to decide what to take to wear for the voyage....warm at first and getting colder in China and Taiwan or Japan ( if the US travel advisory is lifted...I rather hope not as would love to visit Taiwan). Layering is the only answer. As we have decoded to fly Porter Airlines out of Toronto our baggage allowance is limited and we shall have to be awfully restrained in our packing....something I am not known for! Well, three and a half months is a long time to have limited changes of clothes...
I am excited that Brenda (Ewing) will be on board from Montreal until Cape Town (so will be visiting Morocco, Ghana and South Africa with us) and then Jeannie Rodger my great friend who lives in Kenya will embark in Cape Town and be with us until India. The three of us are visiting my cousins Jeff, Janneke and Findlay Tattersall in Sri Lanka instead of staying in India on this occasion. Jeannie will fly back to Nairobi on Emirates from Columbo. All four of us< Brenda included are travelling to the Karoo (Calitzdorp) for a few days in South Africa and then a night (with wine tasting!) in Stellenbosch before returning to the ship. Brenda will fly back to Canada the day we sail ...on to the Indian Ocean and Mauritius.
The hardest part of being away so long is leaving family and friends and Bess our Bichon/Terrier. She is lying happily at my feet as I write. I am also sad to miss the glorious Ontario Fall this year...missing winter is a much better idea!
I might add a few words as time goes on up to our departure date...so stay tuned.
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