Blazing BListers

This Grail Springs is certainly a place of mindful activities. As Gail and I do not fit in with the "spa" mentality or physicality, we decided to have some fun shaking up the other patrons a little. Everyday we pick a different table to sit at for our meals. When people come in expecting to sit at the same table meal after meal, day after day, you can see the looks of confusion and a bit of discomfort. We are bad, aren't we?? This place is a mecca for people from Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal who are in high powered jobs and are looking for a reprieve...although I don't know how much of a retreat or reprieve one can have carrying around a Blackberry. We have not had the TV on or read a newspaper since ... read more

Gail and I have had some short trips since the end of February but as we near the end of 2010, we find ourselves pooped out from the trials and tribulations of oh, so ordinary lives!! You can see how the year affected our appearance. The Zombie Walk at the end of October was where we belonged. At that point, my poor BLister was describing herself as having a "fruit fly brain"...since her son Chris left for university in London ON in August, I have been her designated driver for any out-of-town excursions and believe me, she could not have described it better. So as Gail let her fingers do the walking on her laptop, she came across the website for a wonderful spa in Bancroft ON. Take a look!! We are still packing right now. ... read more

Thanks to all of you who helped me with my decision re my new boots. Don't worry Catherine, I won't do any heels. It was more the design I was looking for. I am so confused. A few nights ago I woke up out of a deep sleep and could not figure out where I was. It was pitch black and there weren't any noises...it took a few moments to determine I was at Jacob and Barb's house. Really, it was quite funny. But I am still asking myself, "Which way am I going?" So I thought I would add some more pictures of the trip...... read more

We are now about 300 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale and having to pack our bags...how very sad!! Last night, we celebrated Sister Lizzie's birthday. Liz is such a good sport and allowed us to decorate the room, wore the crown I brought from home and was so gracious when James the Cruise Director surprised her at the table. We have so many good pictures and memories. Carole had Liz's stateroom decorated and we had champagne when we met before dinner then again at dinner again. I had brought a few things from home for the party, a crown from the dollar store, a badge that said, "Birthday Girl", that sort of stuff then I did do a scavenger hunt on the ship for other things to add to her loot bag. There was the wonderful ... read more

Saint Martin is a tropical island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (186 miles) east of Puerto Rico. This small island (37 square miles) is divided roughly 60/40 between France and the Netherlands Antilles. it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations, a division dating to 1648. The southern Dutch half comprises the Eilandgebied Sint Maarten (Island area of St. Martin) and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. The northern French half comprises the Collectivité de Saint-Martin (Collectivity of St. Martin) and is an overseas collectivity of France. The population of the entire island is avout 75,000 (about 5000 more than Sault Ste. Marie), with the Dutch having a slightly higher population. (Those prolific Dutch people, you know!!) The main towns are Philipsburg (Dutch side) where we are docked and Marigot (French ... read more