How do I cope with this?

Unread post by **Gill W** » 31 May 2016, 16:16

Hi Colin, it must have been a huge step to go by yourself - you are very brave. I'm not sure I'd be able to do it, to be honest.

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 31 May 2016, 16:22

daib GC wrote:
oldbluefox wrote:
I would say the first one would be the hardest and takes a lot of courage to venture out. Now that you have broken the ice, as it were, you will have a clearer idea of what to try next.
Nice to see you back again.
Btw I do like P&O bread and butter pudding and was always happy to have it if the 'fine dining' options weren't to my fancy.

The bread and butter pudding is on every night as it is one of the always available items like the tomato soup and steak.

I like the tomato soup as well so I am easily catered for!!!

Unread post by **gfwgfw** » 31 May 2016, 16:25

Colin

Glad you have broken the ice and took the plunge to take yourself on the fine ship Oriano

Well done

I have been on my own for almost three years, and my solace is to do things that was not shared with Betty

I have joined three local Luncheon Clubs plus other related events which have opened up various new interests

Lubbooo

Graham

Unread post by **gfwgfw** » 31 May 2016, 18:59

Stop Press . . .

Yet another talk to a not so lonely ole farts ensemble - this time about rural Darzet

Subject . . . Watercress and how it puts lead in your pencil

Lubbooo all

The not so lonely Cerne Giant

Unread post by **Silver_Shiney** » 31 May 2016, 19:04

Good for you, Graham

Unread post by **colin parry** » 08 Sep 2016, 12:29

Dear friends
It's now a little over a year since I lost my dear wife Eileen. It has not been an easy time as I'm sure some of you know, however I have to move on and Consequently I have booked a couple more cruises. They are Aurora on 1st November and Oriana on 23rd -April next year. I am also looking at a music cruise in November 2017.
I have received an e mail today informing me that the Aurora cruise will not be calling in a Turkish port(Kusadasi) which I don't mind as I have been there before. They have substituted Sarande which I have not been to before. I would welcome any info on this port if available.
Once again thanks for all your good wishes during a difficult year.
Colin

Unread post by **qbman1** » 08 Sep 2016, 12:44

Good for you chap - it will obviously be sad to start with but hope it all goes well. Do let us know how you get on

Unread post by **Silver_Shiney** » 08 Sep 2016, 13:18

All good wishes to you, Colin

Unread post by **Jan Rosser** » 08 Sep 2016, 14:44

Hello Colin - so glad to hear you are taking the plunge again and have booked another two cruises. I know from my own experience how difficult it can be and you are indeed a brave man to do it again but as I told you it does get a little bit easier because now you know what to expect and people are genuinely so friendly - I have met some lovely people - take care.

Unread post by **qbman1** » 08 Sep 2016, 14:49

Jan Rosser wrote:
Hello Colin - so glad to hear you are taking the plunge again and have booked another two cruises. I know from my own experience how difficult it can be and you are indeed a brave man to do it again but as I told you it does get a little bit easier because now you know what to expect and people are genuinely so friendly - I have met some lovely people - take care.

...and you have also nearly met some even lovelier ones !!

Unread post by **Jan Rosser** » 08 Sep 2016, 15:21

qbman1 wrote:
Jan Rosser wrote:
Hello Colin - so glad to hear you are taking the plunge again and have booked another two cruises. I know from my own experience how difficult it can be and you are indeed a brave man to do it again but as I told you it does get a little bit easier because now you know what to expect and people are genuinely so friendly - I have met some lovely people - take care.
...and you have also nearly met some even lovelier ones !!

Well who knows we may still meet but I still think of you as a "friend" Cubie albeit a virtual one - I'm sure you must be "lovely" too - your Blod

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 08 Sep 2016, 15:41

Best not to meet and spoil the illusion!

Unread post by **qbman1** » 08 Sep 2016, 16:05

True - I'm better off with my fantasies !

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 08 Sep 2016, 16:37

I did meet you Colin on a cruise I think it was 2010, but a few years ago.
Colin, if it helps, I also met a very nice cricket fan from Yorkshire on an Artemis cruise back in 2009, and his good lady had passed away just four weeks before their booked cruise. She had exhorted him to go ahead with cruising, after she had gone, and he said it had helped because such were the happy memories they had shared, that he felt her near him every time he sailed.

As you know we lost our son at sea, and for weeks I thought I would never again be able to even look at the sea or a ship. It did pass. I think you have been marvellous to have dealt with things the way you have, and take my hat off to you.

Unread post by **wolfie** » 10 Sep 2016, 00:03

colin parry wrote:
Dear friends
It's now a little over a year since I lost my dear wife Eileen. It has not been an easy time as I'm sure some of you know, however I have to move on and Consequently I have booked a couple more cruises. They are Aurora on 1st November and Oriana on 23rd -April next year. I am also looking at a music cruise in November 2017.
I have received an e mail today informing me that the Aurora cruise will not be calling in a Turkish port(Kusadasi) which I don't mind as I have been there before. They have substituted Sarande which I have not been to before. I would welcome any info on this port if available.
Once again thanks for all your good wishes during a difficult year.
Colin

We called, or rather tendered, at Sarande in July this year. As none of the tours interested us, except for the fact that we would step foot in another country to add to our list, and, as one of us was feeling a little under the weather on the day, we did not go ashore. Those that did go ashore told us that we hadn't missed very much.

Unread post by **GillD46** » 11 Sep 2016, 20:07

We called at Sarande last week on Queen Victoria. Yes it is very poor - consequently prices were amazingly cheap - and it has many 60s communist style buildings, but it is also a delightful sea front resort, with numerous cafes and bars, wonderfully crystal clear sea perfect for swimming in once you negotiate the pebble beach, and we thought it a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. There is also a castle high up on top of the hill, recently turned into a restaurant, although this can only be reached by car.

There is a lot of building work going on and I suspect with a little time and some investment, it will become a big player in the Adriatic.

Unread post by **colin parry** » 11 Sep 2016, 20:11

Thanks for that Gill. It will be nice to visit somewhere I Havn't been before.

Unread post by **GillD46** » 11 Sep 2016, 20:22

colin parry wrote:
Thanks for that Gill. It will be nice to visit somewhere I Havn't been before.

We were unsure, but were glad we made the effort - and not many people have visited Albania as yet. Go without much expectation and you may be surprised.

Have a great time.

Unread post by **colin parry** » 24 Nov 2016, 20:02

I returned from my second cruise on my own last Sunday. It was 19 nights on Aurora to the Med. As Jan has told me, it does get easier. It was an excellent cruise with superb weather throughout although we did hit a few potholes after leaving Lisbon on the way home. Aurora has always been one of my favourites having been on her more than a dozen times and she certainly didn't disappoint this time. I had a balcony cabin on C deck and was extremely well looked after by Jose. I had been to all the ports before except for Sarande which we unfortunately visited on a Sunday. As Gill said, it has potential.The food was ok but not exceptional. Entertainment was very good with the usual assortment of comediens and singers but I would single out The Opera Boys and Manuel Martinez, a magician come comedian who were outstanding. I also commend Leon de St Croix who I have cruised with a few times and rate him as one of the best ent managers in the fleet.
I managed to join a syndicate quiz team and we managed to win on four occasions. Another team which consisted of only two people,won 12 times, once when thy started at minus three! They were brilliant and on at least half of their wins they gave the wine away to other teams who had not had a victory. Very magnanimous.
I now have to wait until next April for my next cruise on Oriana. I was going to book another for later in the year whilst on board but now hearing that Adonia is to return, I'm glad that I resisted the temptation.
The Captain was aware of storm Angus and got into Southampton late on Saturday night to avoid any problems -a good move.
The only other rather strange happening was at the Peninsular cocktail party when the Captain decided to call a gentleman who he felt had said something about large ships when the Captain was giving his news updates make the draw. The man drew his own wife's invite out of the raffle drum!

Unread post by **GillD46** » 24 Nov 2016, 20:41

I am really pleased you feel able to continue cruising Colin, and continue to take some enjoyment from it.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Unread post by **Jan Rosser** » 24 Nov 2016, 21:55

Colin I am so glad your cruise went well and you enjoyed it so much and thanks for letting us know how it went. Sounds as if you met some really friendly people and you obviously enjoyed the quizzes and the cruise as a whole and what a bonus having such good weather too. Well done you - so pleased for you.

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