Huge thanks to all of you who sent me lovely messages when I announced at the beginning of the month that I was going on a cruise round Italy, Turkey, Crete and Greece.
Went with Celebrity Cruises for 10 nights with my best friend. Superb without exception. Weather, food, crew, food, ports, food, fabulous ship, er, food. I could go on and on but suffice to say I really, really needed the holiday and it didn’t disappoint!
Came back yesterday evening from 32 degrees - today it’s pouring with rain and the heating’s on……..hey, ho, back to reality! Hope nothing horrid has happened to anyone and you’re all doing as well as you can be. X
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Amnesiac3637
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That’s not easy and I definitely think it’s much more fun if you’ve got someone to compare experiences with. I’m so sorry about your husband - my mother (not the same I know) had dementia and was in a care home and then died and my dad had to cope on his own. They had been big holiday goers so it was really hard for him. He did have a male friend who was also a widower and they went on trips abroad after a while and really enjoyed themselves whilst both being in their 80’s! Have you a friend you could go away with just for a break? I do hope so.
My friends are all married, and had plans to go on a Rhine river cruise with one of my sisters-in-law, but she’s taken a turn for the worst, health wise and won’t be cruising again.
Hi Amnesiac. Wow. You did all those countries in 10 days??? You did well. I have RA & i find it shattering. (I’m 52, i’ve had it for 31 yrs). All that travelling i would find too much. I’ve been with my partner for about a yr. He knows about my medical stuff & is trying to encourage me to go on holiday. (He’s 56). Has no medical problems. He was widowed 2 yrs ago & they were quite adventurous. Went up mountains & things. I keep telling him i’m not up to it. That he should find a ‘younger model’. I sometimes feel i’m like a clapped out mini. If i was a car. I do wonder if i’d pass my MOT. Anyway. Maybe i’ll ‘let him’ talk me into a long weekend somewhere. But i’m not going snorkelling. I don’t ‘do’ flippers! 🤣
Well we were on a floating hotel so the effort was considerably less………😄Worth going on a cruise for the sheer lack of having to do anything much if you can’t but seeing wonderful scenery and eating fab food ( did I mention that?…..) and relaxing. I nowadays can’t do anything much more strenuous as I’ve also had RA for over 30 years and am 71 and sometimes I just haven’t the energy or enthusiasm to do anything!
Hey Amnesiac. I’ve noticed you had the energy to eat!!!!! I love my food too. I bore people when i rave about the ‘healing properties of soup’. After i’ve had my Infliximab infusion i’m always knackered. When i’m being hooked up, i fantasize about getting home. Flicking the kettle switch. Getting the soup ready, (buttered bread soldiers!!) Getting everything onto a tray. Plumping up my pillows (sounds rude). Pulling back my duvet. Getting my tablet ready. As soon as i get under that duvet with my tray of goodies & choosing something funny on my tablet, i let out a sigh of relief. Seeing the steam rising from the bowl is so relaxing. Then knowing i can have a long, deep sleep is so fantastic. (I live alone. So no screaming kids to annoy me). Just my funny, chunky little hamster called Sidney! Enjoy EATING!!! X
That all sounds about right to me. I live on my own and the blissful peace of doing what I want to when is soooo satisfying! However, the healing properties of food cooked by chefs on board is something I would definitely advocate! T’was fabulous!
I agree about living alone. (Apart from my Sidney!) If i can’t sleep. I can put my tablet on late at night. Or get my Sidney out. (Sounded rude. Sorry!) He loves a run around my hall. I put a load of boxes out. He loves to run in & out of them. I sit on my poufe & listen to music with my phone & headphones. I’ve told my partner i like us having our own space. He stays at my place a couple of nights & i stay at his. I’ve lived alone for 20yrs. Not sure i could live with someone full time again! Althogh it’s lovely when someone else cooks. He’s a great cook too. He spoils me. Which is lovely. Especially if you’re in pain or downright knackered!!!
Oh Vixen , a cruise is definitely the answer …. You just pack once and let the ship carry you round the world. There’s no energy required to find somewhere lovely to eat or for a night out as there’s so much choice onboard. And all the planning is done in advance so you’re prepared and well rested for that special adventure day. I cycled down a mountain in the Norwegian fjords and it was wonderful. No chance I’d have the energy for that any other way . A long weekend requires all the packing and the travelling squashed into four days … no recovery time . I say .. go for that cruise! xx
Thanks LinaM. The cycle ride sounded lovely. SO FREE!!!! You have a nice way of writing too! I lost my lovely mum 6 yrs ago. Miss her every day. She would have encouraged me to go. She was very independant. Loved living alone. Was a great cook. Went on quite a few college courses & still drove her own car until she died when she was 82. (She loved jazz & had been a good singer). Her anniversary’s coming up on the 28th. I love to sing jazz & soul. I’ve been on quite a few jazz singing college courses over the yrs. It helps take my mind off my health crap. My partner’s very complimentary & supportive. Which encourages me. So i’ve started having refresher lessons from a guy that runs a jazz band. I’ve sung with his band a couple of times in a lovely old boozer in King’s Cross. The audience was lovely too. It’s these little things that make life worth it! X
Your Mum sounds like an amazing lady … and if you know what she’d say … go for it and book that cruise . Sounds like you’ve found a great partner too … make memories together ( that’s what my lovely Nana who I miss every day always said ) x
Wonderful, it’s so lovely to get away, sounds like you had a fabulous time & enjoyed every minute, I’m delighted for you & good old English weather to welcome you home.
Looks like you had a great time. I love cruising and would love to go again, but being on ambulatory oxygen stymies that, as, to my knowledge Cruise lines no longer allow oxygen on board. I have also found the cost of health insurance prohibiting so glad you enjoyed it and, as you say the food is amazing.
I have tried all of these and even had a POC on trial, but it didn’t work out. as I need a continuous flow .
I have a continuous flow oxygen cylinder when I’m walking ( I’m fine resting )
The cruise lines changed their policy on Oxygen during the Covid outbreak. I’m hoping that they will return to the old policy were you were allowed to take oxygen on board and it could be stored either in your stateroom or their storage area . I live in hope.
so glad you have a wonderful trip . Wish you could’ve brought the sun home with you though! I usually managed to bring an extra half a stone with me too after a cruise hehe
We were v lucky - no storms, flat calm and 33 degrees every day. Not guaranteed I know but pretty much anything better than the weather we’ve come back home to! Can’t believe I’ve swapped a sundress for complete polar outfit. Am planning next cruise as we speak! 😄
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