During the Covid 19 lockdown I am ...

[Jan Rosser]

Like you Maurwen I have a cruise booked for October so balance due at end of June, so that looks like being cancelled.

I was looking at maybe cruising in December but was wondering if anyone had done the bay of biscay early December and what the weather would be like.

Sainsburys delivered yesterday and doe the first time since lockdown had tinned tomatoes, such joy. !!!!!

I love it that a tin of tomatoes can bring such happiness Lindsey - I think I appreciate the little things more since lockdown too. I have a Christmas cruise booked to the Canaries and Madeira - balance due September - no idea what will happen - just wait and see

I’ve crossed the Bay in December- ok but a bit hit and miss really - could be like a duck pond

[Whynd1]

Thanks for the comments,its either then or wait until next April.

Hope everyone is safe and well.
Rang my mums care home at the moment they are fine and shes okay but the situation overall in these homes is very worrying for all concerned.

[cruisin_duo]

Have crossed the bay several times around this time of year, and as a few people have commented it does vary. However, it was just one trip where it was bad, but that was because we were trying to out-run an Atlantic Storm not because of the bay.

Keep safe everyone.

We were so pleased when we managed to get some hot cross buns.

[Manoverboard]

Have you tried Sainsbug's Triple Berry ones ... ?

[cruisin_duo]

No, we haven’t Manoverboard. Our nearest Sainsbury is too far away. M&S do a very good Bramley Apple, or a Blueberry version.

[Manoverboard]

Hope everyone is keeping well.
Maureen x

There's been a BIG rock fall at Shanklin so take care if you walk that way

[Manoverboard]

No, we haven’t Manoverboard. Our nearest Sainsbury is too far away. M&S do a very good Bramley Apple, or a Blueberry version.

Our M&S is too far away and too small anyway, I do miss their frozen large prawns though

[oldbluefox]

I heard the other day that Sainsbury's was now delivering to our area. That was the good news. The bad news was that the earliest you could get a delivery was May 6th and those slots were all full!!!

Apart from seeing family and friends what is it you miss most about the lockdown?
For us it's not being able to shop, to pick and choose what you want
Going out for a walk.
Days out.
How about you?

Stay safe everyone.

[Kenmo1]

There's been a BIG rock fall at Shanklin so take care if you walk that way

Yes MOB, I read about that. The only trouble is people will start going there just to have a look and so it will be a lot busier.

Funnily enough, I have been reading lots of comments recently from people from the mainland who usually come to visit the Island and who are unable to visit at the moment. Being local unfortunately makes you take it all for granted and we probably don't appreciate it as much as we should. Now that the government has slightly relaxed the rules so that you can drive a 'reasonable' distance to take exercise, we really must go round the Island looking with clearer eyes and appreciate how lucky we are.

Best wishes, Maureen.

[Frank Manning]

Hi Maureen, I hope you and Ken can soon get out to enjoy the island. I keep looking on the New Holmwood web cam, the parade, and the Solent are eerily empty. Best wishes to you both.

[Frank Manning]

I heard the other day that Sainsbury's was now delivering to our area. That was the good news. The bad news was that the earliest you could get a delivery was May 6th and those slots were all full!!!

Apart from seeing family and friends what is it you miss most about the lockdown?
For us it's not being able to shop, to pick and choose what you want
Going out for a walk.
Days out.
How about you?

Stay safe everyone.

Much the same as you. I miss a few little luxury purchases from M&S food that Sainsburys dont do. Also have no access to bedding plants. Most of all we miss not seeing our friends. There are a couple of other cruisers who we met on various cruises in the past, living within 6 miles of our home, we haven't seen them for 5 weeks. We phone and still have a laugh, but it's not the same. We have been watching our videos of past cruises. Seen you and Robina twice OBF, once on the station at Soller (2012?),

[JoanneB]

Much the same as you. I miss a few little luxury purchases from M&S food that Sainsburys dont do. Also have no access to bedding plants. Most of all we miss not seeing our friends. There are a couple of other cruisers who we met on various cruises in the past, living within 6 miles of our home, we haven't seen them for 5 weeks. We phone and still have a laugh, but it's not the same. We have been watching our videos of past cruises. Seen you and Robina twice OBF, once on the station at Soller (2012?),

I just found out that M&S have added to their range of food boxes, now do Fruit/Veg/Groceries and meat.

Suttons were still taking orders for bedding a couple of days ago and in the South of England there have been newspaper articles about a number of companies sending out bedding worth trawling the internet. I've found some really good local info on Facebook about local shops etc who are delivering...also a lot of dross admittedly but at least I know where the drug dealers and scrambler bike yobs are!

[Frank Manning]

Much the same as you. I miss a few little luxury purchases from M&S food that Sainsburys dont do. Also have no access to bedding plants. Most of all we miss not seeing our friends. There are a couple of other cruisers who we met on various cruises in the past, living within 6 miles of our home, we haven't seen them for 5 weeks. We phone and still have a laugh, but it's not the same. We have been watching our videos of past cruises. Seen you and Robina twice OBF, once on the station at Soller (2012?),

I just found out that M&S have added to their range of food boxes, now do Fruit/Veg/Groceries and meat.

Suttons were still taking orders for bedding a couple of days ago and in the South of England there have been newspaper articles about a number of companies sending out bedding worth trawling the internet. I've found some really good local info on Facebook about local shops etc who are delivering...also a lot of dross admittedly but at least I know where the drug dealers and scrambler bike yobs are!

Thanks Joanne, very funny and informative. I'll try the online sources of bedding plants. Who knows, if this goes on too long I may need the drug dealèrs.

[Whynd1]

I recommended the m and s food boxes to a friend who hasn't been out because of heart problems.
I may have to do some shopping for her soon.

[Manoverboard]

I recommended the m and s food boxes to a friend who hasn't been out because of heart problems.
I may have to do some shopping for her soon.

Absolutely ... those of us who have slots on a regular basis should deffo be doing some shopping for others

[Mervyn and Trish]

The most exciting thing in our house yesterday was the arrival of the first guest in about 6 weeks. We were so pleased to see him.

He was the emergency locksmith come to fit a new lock to our back door after the old one jammed at the weekend.

But I've decided now is the time to offer a little something for my friends on here. So we're going to hold a party outside our front door from 7pm tonight. Dress casual. We'll be supplying a variety of drinks including wines, beers and spirits and a range of finger buffet food and canapes. Out of politeness we'll be holding back while you all tuck in. Then at around 9pm we'll just finish off any leftovers.

[Manoverboard]

... I've decided now is the time to offer a little something for my friends on here ...

You know we're not allowed to come out ....

[anniec]

I recommended the m and s food boxes to a friend who hasn't been out because of heart problems.
I may have to do some shopping for her soon.

For anyone who is having difficulties getting delivery slots, Sainsbury's in our area (Norwich) has quite a few right now. I realise we don't all live in the same area, but it's worked for a friend in the North West. I've done a test using my user name (I'm not on their priority list) and they are still available.

[Mervyn and Trish]

... I've decided now is the time to offer a little something for my friends on here ...

You know we're not allowed to come out ....

Oh! Did I miss that announcement. Oh well never mind. We'll make sure nothing is wasted.

[david63]

But we can meet up online just as long as we are six feet apart

[Gill W]

Much the same as you. I miss a few little luxury purchases from M&S food that Sainsburys dont do. Also have no access to bedding plants. Most of all we miss not seeing our friends. There are a couple of other cruisers who we met on various cruises in the past, living within 6 miles of our home, we haven't seen them for 5 weeks. We phone and still have a laugh, but it's not the same. We have been watching our videos of past cruises. Seen you and Robina twice OBF, once on the station at Soller (2012?),

I just found out that M&S have added to their range of food boxes, now do Fruit/Veg/Groceries and meat.

Suttons were still taking orders for bedding a couple of days ago and in the South of England there have been newspaper articles about a number of companies sending out bedding worth trawling the internet. I've found some really good local info on Facebook about local shops etc who are delivering...also a lot of dross admittedly but at least I know where the drug dealers and scrambler bike yobs are!

We've ordered the £35 food box from M&S, due to be delievered on Thursday. We've been missing our M&S treats, so we thought the box would be a nice thing to have.

We've ordered some bedding plants from this place

https://www.jparkers.co.uk/

I've noticed they've now stopped taking new orders for the time being, but it might be one to watch out for when they open up again. But we haven't received our plants yet, so I can't vouch for quality.

[GillD46]

Ocado have fortunately offered me a weekly delivery, so we are ok. Normally I alternate Tesco with Ocado, but tEsco slots are much more difficult to come by, although I did get one today for May 15th. Generally, we’re ok, because Ocado have nice things that I’d normally buy in M&S.

[Frank Manning]

I should have been at The Liner hotel in Liverpool for the AGM of the Radio Officers Association. Enjoyable annual event where former seafarers swing the lamp and reminisce. Instead, today I have been washing and drying my heavy winter coats, and clearing out the utility room. Rivettingly interesting stuff.

[Manoverboard]

Sounds more interesting than cutting the lawns

[Jan Rosser]

I cleared out a cupboard in the kitchen yesterday - you know the one where you store all those things you rarely use and shove things into because you don't know where else to put them Had a fun time discovering I had two coffee machines, a steamer and a box of Tupperware plus a George Foreman grill which haven't seen the light of day for over 10 years. Needless to say my bins will be heavier this week but oh the sense of achievement