Hello folk - here I am back in the old sand pit. Its ok to be back really - I am as busy as ever already really.
Had a wonderful time in the UK (and on the Oriana), although it was a bit of a rushed trip once again....
We arrived back in the UK on Thurs 16th April. Spent the afternoon in Nottingham - I did some shopping - managed to buy out most of Boots in 10 minutes too!! then went over to Mansfield, to Dad's. Spent the evening with Kelly and George and Kat later - George is growing up fast and is fine. Sisters are good too.
Friday we all went out to the garden centre with Dad also and then out for a meal later.
Off to Southampton on Saturday morning - to the Oriana - we parked next to Bobby Davro which was pretty cool - then boarded - quite a long process but once on board I was like a kid in a sweet shop, running around the place. It was nice to be back and better as a passenger! Caught up with Jackie Boot, whom I worked with briefly and checked out the other officers on board. Just really knew the Staff Captain - Steve Howarth - whom I met the next night at the cocktail party... Had sail away - how nice it was to enjoy that and not be stuck on the front desk! Then we got changed and went out for the Canberra reunion. There were around 60 of us I think that were there - only knew Dan, the plumber and his partner Julie. Dot Cotton was
on board tho - alias June Brown, from Eastenders. She was with her partner, who had apparently worked in the Entertainments Dept on the Canberra at some point. We banged into her quite a few times and she always seemed like she had had a few too many vinos!! Caught up with Jackie Bott, also, who is Passenger Services Manager and chatted to her for a while. Then we had dinner - all 7 courses of them and then went to see Bobby Davro do stand up - he was really funny.
Next day we docked in Bruges, Belgium. Had a trip on the canal then just mooched around the little streets really and drank coffee with Dan and Julie. It was pretty relaxing and we had good weather.
We went back to the ship, got spruced up for the Captain's cocktail party and then headed up to the Crow's Nest. Got chatting to a ga
dget up there (trainee deck cadet) which was nice and then went for huge amounts of food again at dinner.
Later we went out for drinks again with Dan and Julie and ended up back in the Crow's Nest...
Docked early Monday and had a farewell breakfast with Dan and Julie. Quite sad at having to leave and it was over too fast, so will be making plans to return to the ship at some point soon!!!
Drove up to Barrow on the Monday to see Darron's family. Caught up with them and his kid's too and he also had a mini reunion with some of his old school mates.
Then on Thursday, back to Mansfield to see Dad and sisters and George. I had a few appointments in Nottingham on Friday and also a training session with my fitness guru Jon and some update on my bad back and the cause of it - apparently I am not using my backside enough! Had a BBQ with sisters and George on the Thursday - it was a lovely evening and went out with Dad on Friday - well I think I cooked - Darron helped him put the patio heater up! Saturday went to the pub to meet as many of my friends as possible - it was great to catch up with them all and nice too see them... and the new arrival of baby Adam of course - my friend Emma's little boy.
Sunday we met up with Caroline and Graham at The Lambley and had a nice Sunday lunch with them and catch up and also went to see their new house which they have bought, and then back off to London to stay overnight, before our flight on Monday!
Life has been busy since coming back. I was in a bit of a daze Tuesday and Wednesday really. We had a happy hour Weds night which was a good place to catch up with some friends over here, then Thursday I was helping the PAWS girls sort out some boxes of decorations which we have stored. Sounds easy, but not in 43 degrees heat! It has got rather warm lately! Sorted out the re-homing of a kitten later and met up with Ayon for lunch and then had friends round for drinks, then off to Casino Night! That was pretty good too - didnt win anything but it was a good night afterall! Friday down at the beach to do my dive refresher with Sheryl. I was a bit nervous, but once I got down under the sea I was fine. We go to the red sea in 2 weeks so I just needed a recap...
Work is fairly busy still - I have a new temporary boss as Ali B has been moved on assignment for 6 months, so thats been unsettling really - Brian is nice, but retires in 2 months so then there will be someone else here!
It seems classes will be busy too. I had 11 today. As its hotter outside now, more folk are doing exercise inside.
I bought a new sofa too - have to get that up 2 flights of stairs on Tuesday and also I am now after a car too! Decided its time I had my own wheels.
Anyway, enjoy the blog - here are the rest of the photos from my trip home - http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/TripToUKApril2009?feat=directlink
Speak to you soon and hope to see you in August when I will be home for a week again..
Jillx
on board tho - alias June Brown, from Eastenders. She was with her partner, who had apparently worked in the Entertainments Dept on the Canberra at some point. We banged into her quite a few times and she always seemed like she had had a few too many vinos!! Caught up with Jackie Bott, also, who is Passenger Services Manager and chatted to her for a while. Then we had dinner - all 7 courses of them and then went to see Bobby Davro do stand up - he was really funny.
dget up there (trainee deck cadet) which was nice and then went for huge amounts of food again at dinner. 
No comments:
Post a Comment