Off Topic -thank you!

[Amnesiac3637]

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

[springcross]

I'm glad to hear you had such a good time and that everything, including the "food", was good! 😄

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to springcross]

😄

[helenlw7]

I’m so glad you had such a good time. I’ve always wanted to go on cruise but my husband was never keen and now has dementia and is in a care home.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to helenlw7]

Thanks so much. So sorry you haven’t managed to go - one day perhaps and I’m pretty sure you’ll have a really good time.

[helenlw7 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I’m sure I will. It’s just having the confidence to go on my own.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to helenlw7]

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.

[helenlw7 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

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.

[Intheend]

So pleased your holiday was such a success!

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Intheend]

Thanks!

[Vixen2]

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! 🤣

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Vixen2]

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!

[Vixen2 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

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

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Vixen2]

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!

[Vixen2 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

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!!!

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Vixen2]

Stick with Sydney and independence and be cooked for when ill or knackered! Perfect!

[Vixen2 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thanks Amnesiac. Sounds like a plan to me too!!!

[LinaM in reply to Vixen2]

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

[Vixen2 in reply to LinaM]

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

[LinaM in reply to Vixen2]

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

[Vixen2 in reply to LinaM]

Thanks LinaM. I’ll defo think about it. Especially as the weather’s getting a bit crap!

[Sheila_G]

I'm pleased that you had a good time. It sounds like it from your list of happiness but I think you forgot to mention 'food.'😄

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Sheila_G]

hmmm 😄

[Durrell]

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.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Durrell]

Now donned Winter clothing……..🥲

[Stills]

yes, but what was the food like ….. 😜glad it was fabulous

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Stills]

😅

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Stills]

😅

[Brikel]

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.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Brikel]

Oh so sorry you can’t go again. It is such an easy holiday but insurance v expensive apart from other restrictions.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Brikel]

the following might be possible for you Brikel…

oxygenconcentratorstore.com › ...

Helpful Tips For Taking A Portable Oxygen Concentrator on a Cruise

[Brikel in reply to CallMeSunny]

Thanks for your reply and the link

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.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Brikel]

Fingers crossed for you Brikel…x

[Plumcrumble]

So glad you had a great time 🛳💕

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Plumcrumble]

Thank you 😄

[stbernhard]

So happy for you. It sounds as if you had a fabulous time. Good on you 👍😊. Enjoy them whilst you can. X

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to stbernhard]

Thanks. Planning next one already! 😄

[LinaM]

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

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to LinaM]

So easy to be the size of a small caravan after all that yumminess!

[Vixen2 in reply to LinaM]

🤣🤣

[Green230461]

Well done for being so brave and getting out there again 😁

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Green230461]

Thank you.

[wilbertjellyfish]

Brilliant, so glad it all went well.

[Amnesiac3637]

Thanks!

[Jackie1947]

I love to cruise and it actually relaxes me and my joints. That's unless you hit a storm 😀 start planning your next.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Jackie1947]

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! 😄