TRAVELS AND TRIBULATIONS # 320

May 2, 2022

I begin my part of the blog today with (music please, maestro) “The Return of Captain Fluffy.”  For those of you unfamiliar with Captain Fluffy, he is me.  I am him.  We are one.

Captain Fluffy is a name given to me by one of my children some years ago when I was letting my hair (such as I have) get a little long.  In more recent times I have taken to cutting what is left by myself with a ½" (13 mm, # 4) attachment on my Wahl electric hair clippers.  I did not bring them on this trip because of weight – the clippers and the charger – believing I could get a haircut onboard, since I have in the before time. 

After breakfast Bonnie showed me where the Spa is located (she passes it on her morning walks, while I am doing my morning rehearsals).  I popped in this morning to inquire as to the proposed expenditure for tonsorial engagement.  I am using those big words because for $45, it ain’t a haircut.  And that is plus an 18% non-voluntary gratuity.  Rose, my onboard CPA (cruise program administrator) gave me a 20% discount card which in this case would cover the tip and lower the price by 2%, but I decided to pass.  If I had as much hair as my sons or grandsons I might consider it, but to cut around the shiny empty space in the middle – nah!  Hopefully I can find a barber of Venice (I know there is one in Seville, but as close as we will get is Malaga and Cartagena.  Oh well.

We noticed at supper tonight a couple at the table across from us taking pictures of their food.  We’ve seen that before.  Sat with one lady who photographed every dish and said she would show them to the family when she got home.  Well tonight for your blog eating pleasure, please enjoy our supper selections.

Crispy Crab Cake

Puff Pastry Mushroom Ragout

Chilled Strawberry Bisque

Spaghetti Bolognese

Chicken Parmigiana

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake

Black coffee and ice water

Okay, I’m going to read a while – no rehearsal tonight, so She Who Must Be Obeyed will now blog.  As soon as she kills one more Angry Bird.

TTFN

Love,

Dad/Pappy/David

* * * * *

Here I come to save the day!!! Mighty Mouse is on the way!!!

We got up at 8 after losing another hour last night. We showered, dressed and headed for breakfast. This time we sat on Leezamet side of the Windjammer. We had sat there every morning except for two days when Melanie , our dinner assistant waiter, who wanted us to sit on her side. Leezamet missed us and came looking for us and said we had to come sit on her side again. WOW we are so popular. Your dad talks to them about their work, home etc and it makes them feel good. They are both so nice. Melanie is going on vacation the day we leave the ship. She has been gone eight months. She lives in the Philippines. Leezamet is from India and just got back on the ship for her 4th contract when we did. 

Well, after breakfast of a bowl of baked beans and a piece of butter bread, I headed out for my walk. It was cold and windy but I had on a sweater and jacket. I did 3 times around. I have walked more than 20 flights of stairs today. I have over 3.5 miles. After walking I sat on deck 14 and watched the movie “Raya and the dragons”(?). I think that is what it is called. I got a towel from the towel station ( if you don’t return the towel it is $25, they have your cabin number) and used it as a shawl and watched the movie. No crocheting today. I liked it.

Walked down to the 270 after going to the room to use the bathroom. Dropped off some stuff then went to met your Dad for lunch. Reuben sandwich, cantaloupe, and a lemon meringue dessert. I decided to go back to the cabin to wait for his talk. On the way back I went to deck 4 and the coke machine to refill my cup. It told me I had to wait 3 hours before I could have a refill. WHAT!! For what the coke package cost I want a drink whenever I want one. So I stopped in the pub and got a refill of gingerale. I told the person what the machine said. She asked when I had last filled my cup and I told her about 4 hours ago. I was not happy!!!

I got a short cat nap while I waited for dad to practice. We were just walking out the door to the Music theater when the phone rang. It was Rose wanting to know if we were coming to the theater. Really! His talk doesn’t start till 2 and it was still quarter of. I think she was worried because when we got to the theater there were already no seats. WOW!! It was slap full. Good talk and everyone enjoyed it. He has 2 days off before his last talk. 

The show was touted as a variety show. It took one of the lead character, the Librarian, from “The Book” and he played a guitar and played and sang 3 songs. Two I had never heard of and Eidelvise from “Sound of Music” in which he had played the captain in over 500 performances. It was his best song. The, yawn, my favorite the magician came out and did some tricks. The final act was the cast from “Tap Factory” who did some more of their tap dancing. Dad took a video of them for Maggie. We will have to show you when we get home it was long.  These were impromptu performances. The show was made just for us.

We are now back in our room. We have made a bag of laundry to send out tomorrow of socks, underwear, t-shirts and pj’s. That is stuff a bag for $39 plus probably 18% gratuities. We got our  tickets for our tour tomorrow. We have to be in the theater at 8 am. So we will up at 6, off for a quick bite and them off we will go. It is a 4 hour tour with at least 2 hours of bus riding and an hour of walking and then some time on our own. 

We will let you know how it goes. Hey Mac has a birthday tomorrow. He will 13!!! Go Mac!!!

Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie