Wednesday, March 24, 2021

 

Well, big news today. Yesterday – was it only then? – I wrote to the Majestic Line expressing sorrow that our cruise had been cancelled, re-booking for May 2022, but asking to be kept in mind if there were any cancellations for this year (as seemed to me not unlikely, in these uncertain times). And sure enough, they wrote back yesterday evening to say that there’s a place on the Wilderness Cruise leaving May 29. And we’ve booked it.

 

Both C. and I feel that this one is it. At that most glorious moment in the year. I have gone back to the Toast website (although haven’t yet spent any money). And why? Nobody’s going to go away from that cruise to tell all their friends that there was an old woman from Edinburgh with nice clothes. But…

 

It’s a good date, too. We’ll be here for the election – that could be done by post, but by now I’m all fired up and want to be here in person to walk into a polling station. And C. will be here for her grandson Hamish’s first birthday. And then we can sail away over the horizon. I must familiarize myself with the geography. Where, exactly, is Inverewe?

 

There’s not much else to report. I’ve finished the first sleeve of the Polliwog, but not yet done the sewn bind-off. I’ve walked 2102 steps. Jane, I’m sure you’re right, that Archie is softer on me than my other walkers. He came again today, but I was fired up with enthusiasm for the new cruise and didn't need other prodding. One thing I will have to be able to do, is walk up and down stairs (onto the boat, off it, and probably up and down from the main deck to our room). So today I set off on our walk by going down the six steps to the pavement, and then up again, and then down for the walk. I mean to go on doing that.

 

When my husband and I were moving to Edinburgh, in what now seems our young-and-vigorous late middle age, we liked this flat (amongst many other reasons) because it was all on one level, and we thought that would be a good thing as we became older and feebler. And so it has been. But now I must practise.

 

I google’d. There doesn’t seem to be any unusual activity on Vesuvius.

14 comments:

  1. Oh, Jean! what wonderful news! How lovely to have this thing to look forward to for a couple of months and then to know that you will enjoy it because you know the ropes and have your niece with you to smooth the way.

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  2. What a wonderful bit of luck! You now have motivation to keep going up and down the steps several times per day. And get Helen's trainer in!

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  3. Huzzah huzzah! I am so pleased that you and C. will have your cruise, after all.

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  4. So glad to hear your cruise news, Jean. It’s almost as though it was meant to be. You will soon be zipping around the garden and up and down your front steps!
    (BTW, the knitwear designer who you took a class with and name you couldn’t recall is, I think, Kristin Nicholas, at least she has a daughter named Julia, so that part fit! She is a “neighbor” here in Western Massachusetts - a few hills north of me and only about 30 minutes from Northampton, MA which was once your home)
    Lynda

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  5. So very happy you have the cruise to look forward to (and practice for). It is heartening to hear happy news!

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  6. I say if a couple of new outfits from Toast would delight you, go for it! How delicious these next couple of months will be as you anticipate your adventure.

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  7. Anonymous10:02 PM

    That itinerary looks so lovely. I can hardly wait for the photos.
    Lisa RR

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  8. Anonymous10:24 PM

    Yay!! How nice that the cruise came about after all. And late May should be a great time to travel as far as the weather goes. Keep up the stair work as part of your walking regimen as it will probably help with your balance and overall strengthening. I look forward to hearing about the trip and seeing pictures. Joe-inWyoming

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  9. MARILYN NANCE10:44 PM

    Great news on the cruise (really didn't mean it to rhyme). And, PLEASE buy the clothes!!!! Why not have some nice things?

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  10. Congratulations! Well done, and great motivation.

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  11. =Tamar12:48 PM

    Late May sounds like ideal timing, weather and otherwise. Congratulations on adding the steps to your routine.

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  12. Wonderful news! Late May will be here before you know it, and you have the time to plan and buy new clothes. This is like a reward at the end of a long hard year.

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  13. Wonderful! So happy about your cruise, and clever you to get in touch with the cruise line and inquire. If I could afford Toast, I'd buy. Their clothes look lovely and elegant yet practical. After such a year, do celebrate and get yourself something!

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  14. So glad to hear that you've got a cruise booked this year. Inverewe gardens have a famous microclimate as it is where the gulf stream hits the west coast of Scotland and so its much warmer than other places of the same latitude. And late May in north Scotland is lovely - before the midges really start!

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