come sail away

We are taking a break from the hub-bub in our cabin, soon the safety briefing will commence and we'll take our lifevests to our muster station: the stinky casino.

It was another long day of hurry up and wait. We both woke up just after 7am (well, I had hardly slept), showered and went down for breakfast. There was a neat pancake making machine - I gotta get me one of those! Carm left me to finish my coffee while he ran across the street to pick up some more toothpaste and some wine. We got our bags repacked and sat down to wait.

Then we hurried downstairs to check out and then wait for the shuttle. Rush to get on the bus, wait. Get off the bus, wait for suitcase, rush to end of line, wait as the line snaked through all the check points. Hurry up and into the ship. We made it! We quickly found our room, unpacked, then went for a quick lunch - yes, the eating festival has begun. Oh boy.

I made it sound all bad but in fact it was a lovely time and we met some lovely people. First there was the young couple Natalie and Shawn that we met on the shuttle last night. Then there was the couple where he had biked around Europe extensively. Then the couple from Texas whose house had been just a few miles from the flood. Then on the bus a delightful couple (Dainette and Scott). She had a smile that would light up any room. Finally, at lunch we sat with Linda and Tony, a lovely couple from Edmonton.

At the muster we sat with two sisters and a husband who were from North but they grew up in New York City. They were from Italian descent so there was much in common. Linda, Diane, and Skip were delightful.

I don't know if it is because this is the first day or it if will always be like that but no matter where we turn we are meeting new people. It is fun but honestly it will get to be tiring. There is something to be said for travelling with friends!

My head is spinning from all this socializing! We took a few minutes to relax down on the mezzanee where we watched a few couples ballroom dance. We kicked oursleves that we hadn't practiced our moves - bad bad oversight.

We took a short rest in the stateroom after we cast off, but not long as we were planning for the blue plate special 5:15 supper in the dining room. Early I know, but we wanted to catch the early show (which we did and more of that later). In the line up we started talking with Lana and Peter, a couple from Kingston and joined up with them for supper.

After supper we all went to the theatre for the show: some dancers and a comedian (not together). We had some pretty good laughs.

It's now past 8pm and we are in our room. My head is spinning from the eventful day. I'll get this posted then chill with a glass of wine before lights out.

on our way

It's 9:30 am and we are sitting at the gate, hours and hours before our departure time. Why so early? Well, "they" say to get to the airport 3 hours ahead of time. Not to mention, I get antsy and restless until I'm actually sitting at the gate.

I'm starting to get over the upset of leaving home. Spike was a mess, shaking and hiding, until I said something that sounded (to him) like he was coming with us. That perked him up plenty. My heart broke seeing his sad face as we shut the door behind us. Poor wee thing. He's smart and knows we are going away for a while, but not smart enough to figure out that we'll be back.

Pat, the pet sitter, came over last night to join us for supper and give the dogs a chance to get comfortable with her again. Plus I could show her where all the food is.

We dropped the car off at Mom's and she was good enough to drive us to the airport. A quick visit with my parents was a great way to start the day off.

Mad dash through the airport... scarf is missing, did I leave it at security? It turns out no, but I'd dropped it on the floor and a shop keeper picked it up. Lucky save! This scarf has accompanied me around the world.

Two thirty and we've been  here in Montreal for a few hours. The flight from YOW to YUL was quick and easy. We flew over our house! We bumbled through security and customs and arrived at the gate with time to spare. Lots of time to spare. We must have been travelling in a 'hole' as there have been no lineups anywhere. We hardly needed the convenience of NEXUS.

I got lots of steps on my fitbit getting from one gate to the other - gosh it was far. Luckily we had lots of time and didn't have to run. Nothing like running in the airport for your flight.

We are here! Let me tell you when we got on the plane and found out they'd changed our window seat for the middle my spirits sunk... the middle... YUCK. The plane was packed with people squeezing all manner of luggage into the overhead bins leaving little space for ours. With a shoehorn and a bit of luck we got it stowed.

Sat down (me in the middle of the middle) and the guy on my right is hanging all over the armrest leaving me little space. And he was a heavy smoker. I almost choked. I reminded myself that it was just 3 1/2 hours and that I'd survive, and after all wouldn't it make for a funny story.

As it turns out, we started chatting, discovering many common interests, the time went by quickly. Bob is a businessman in his late 60s travelling with his son (across the aisle) for business. He is divorced after 44 years, lonely, and not sure where to take his life.

Maybe I was just charmed cause he said how good I looked for my age and that Carm and I are lucky to have each other. He's right. About the lucky  part. But our trip went quickly and before we knew it we had touched down safely.

Carm has just run out for some big macs and then it is time for bed. We've been on the road for 13 1/2 hours and I'm beat!

Christmas Train

My nose turned bright red with the wind whipping at my face. I had worn the wrong coat too - a fleece jacket just doesn't stop the wind, Carm was better off in his leather jacket. Brrrr... I tried with not much luck to snuggle into my coat. Luckily I had my crazy faux-fur hat to keep my head warm.

Chooo whoooo! Clackity clack, clackity clack. Slowly she approached us. Decked out in christmas lights (that would be wonderful in the dark), the train passed us and pulled to a stop. The Christmas Train was here!

We admired her restored passenger cars and then headed back to our car, with its heated seats and windproof windows. We were back home before we knew it.

Did you watch the Grey Cup game last night? I was cheering for Calgary and was on the edge of the seat for much of the last half. (I just may have stood up a few times). Too bad for the Stampeders but darn it was a good game. Years ago we would have had a big celebration with lots of tasty treats to fuel us. We haven't done anything like that for ages - this year would have been a good one to reinstate that tradition as the game was played in Ottawa, complete with snow.

Two more sleeps till the 12 hour marathon day of hurry up and wait.


"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” 
~Laura Ingalls Wilder