jackieandchris2011

Everything went as planned - apart from getting absolutely drenched in Wales on the 21stFeb on the way to the airport!! Caught the end of the carnival in Mijas on the Sunday ( I always thought they finished 40 days before Easter?!) and did a few walks, including going up to the Castle at Alora and lunch at Kens with all the dogs (Six of them!!) We were leading a walk up the Alhaurin mountain so that was reccyd and then enjoyed by about 20 people and we also went to a few of the European Cricket matches as well where the Scottish Team and supporters all turned up dresses as ‘Vinny’ – the cricket commentator who dresses very flamboyantly!! Unfortunately we are not here for the finals ☹ My sister also came over for a ... read more

SPAIN Nov 15th – Dec 2nd This trip will be remembered, by me anyway, for ‘The Time that the Parrots Came’!! They have been on the coast for quite a few years (noisy horrible things but quite pretty to look at!!) and I always hoped that they wouldn’t move inland. We have had one or two over the years but now there seems to be a small flock of about twenty parrots that have moved into a large tree the Plaza de la Legion. One can only hope that they disappear, as quickly as they have appeared, otherwise it will be a sad goodbye to all the small native birds, as the parrots have no predators. Parrots excepted, it was a quiet, if not busy couple of weeks. We rented Howards car again and was duly ... read more

Saturday-Thursday 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,11th, 12thOctober 2023 Cobh, S.Ireland We were informed that someone needed to be dropped at hospital so we went northward from Corner Brook to the Straight of Belle Isle between Newfoundland and Labrador, and a rib boat came to collect them at St Anthonys. Wild place – not much there…except a few dolphins playing around the headland!! Miles from anywhere ….or so it seemed!! Anyway, after 5 days at sea, we were going a bit stir crazy!! There is only so much reading, gazing at the fog, ice carving, fashion shows, towel folding, vegetable carving, shows, jigsaws and lectures you can do!! There is a full programme of activities but a lot of them are Mind, Body, Soul exercises, quizzes , choir or learn to play the ukelele!! We arrived at Cobh ... read more

Thursday 5thOctober 2023 Corner Brook, Newfoundland Went up the fjord to Corner Brook that seemed to be quite a large town. Off the ship by 11.00am (it didn’t dock until 10.30am!) and after asking at Information if there were any hidden gems, She thought awhile and then said ‘Not really’!!). On to a shuttle into the town! It was quite a large town, very well organised, and we were greeted at the other end of the five-minute shuttle, by more people with information!! Overheard a conversation that said that the City Hall behind them was open, and we could go to the rooftop garden for free wifi and views over the city! Then went to the British Legion to get tickets for Screeching at 1.00pm (I’de never heard of it!!) walked to the wooden Church and ... read more

Tuesday 3rdOctober 2023 Baie-Comeau Went whale watching last night at 10.30pm as we passed the Saguenay River but saw no Beluga Whales this time!! Also had a quick look on deck this morning but apart from seeing loads of ducks and birds we saw nothing!! Well….unless you count tuna fish!! Got the shuttle bus into town, actually had a commentary on the bus, explaining that Baie Comeau used to have the Worlds shortest railway and that the town used to be just trees with no-way in or out except by plane or boats!! Passed aa empty marina – the people had taken out the boats, ready for winter!! Really cut off!! The town consisted of one street with shops either side and a guy singing at the other end of the street. We set off to ... read more