August 28, 2010 Pirates of the Barbary Coast - 11 nights in the Mediterranean

[eva]

When I told Richard that Carthage was potentially an excursion option, he insisted we do it!!! When we first met, we were both studying Virgil's 'Aeneid' in Latin at school. We especially loved the story of 'Dido and Aeneas' in which Dido was Queen of Carthage so it has romantic associations in his mind... Bless!!!

I can tell that I am going to need to brush up on my reading and history before the cruise. I'm not familiar with that story.

Anyway, I MUST get on!!! So much housework to do and then I have to get ready to go and see Fleetwood Mac this evening... "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"... and all that...

Oh, I love Fleetwood Mac! Lucky you!

 

[CustardTart]

I can tell that I am going to need to brush up on my reading and history before the cruise. I'm not familiar with that story.

I've just ordered a copy from Amazon as Richard's wants to re-read it - already translated, as we've both forgotten every scrap of Latin...

I'm going to re-read What Katy Did Next so I can revisit the ports on her European tour. I loved the Katy books when I was a child so looking forward to that...

Fleetwood Mac were amazing - tho' OMG how much cosmetic surgery has Stevie Nix had????!!????!!!!

 

[eva]

Fleetwood Mac were amazing - tho' OMG how much cosmetic surgery has Stevie Nix had????!!????!!!!

I'm thinking a lot! I saw her on a tv concert. I didn't think it was her until she started singing. Wish I had money like that! I have been fighting 25 pounds and a double chin for 4 or 5 years now. But I am going to be at my goal weight when we go on this cruise. Sometimes I wonder if quiting smoking was worth it!

 

[CustardTart]

I'm thinking a lot! I saw her on a tv concert. I didn't think it was her until she started singing. Wish I had money like that! I have been fighting 25 pounds and a double chin for 4 or 5 years now....

Yeah but at least we can move our faces, Eva!!! Honestly, I was worried all the staples keeping her's in place were going to just PING out!!!

But I am going to be at my goal weight when we go on this cruise. Sometimes I wonder if quiting smoking was worth it!

I'm hoping to be too. So very bored of losing, gaining, losing, gaining... I'm in a VERY bad place right now as my access to the gym's completely restricted due to a combination of Uni timetable and project managing our building work. So I've got to make some changes...

 

[eva]

I'm hoping to be too. So very bored of losing, gaining, losing, gaining... I'm in a VERY bad place right now as my access to the gym's completely restricted due to a combination of Uni timetable and project managing our building work. So I've got to make some changes...

Well, I have no excuse. I have a workout room with state of the art treadmill, total gym, numerous weights, Wii Fit, and a lot of exercise tapes with a great step. I do use them 3 or 4 days a week. Not sure why I have so much trouble losing the weight!

 

[CustardTart]

Well, I have no excuse. I have a workout room with state of the art treadmill, total gym, numerous weights, Wii Fit, and a lot of exercise tapes with a great step. I do use them 3 or 4 days a week. Not sure why I have so much trouble losing the weight!

No excuse for me - got the treadmill, pilates machine, Wii Fit etc etc all in house and all dusty with lack of use!!! However, in the spirit of good intention, I have pre-booked two training sessions at the gym this week!!! Haven't been with any conviction since the end of June so enough's enough!!!

 

[eva]

No excuse for me - got the treadmill, pilates machine, Wii Fit etc etc all in house and all dusty with lack of use!!! However, in the spirit of good intention, I have pre-booked two training sessions at the gym this week!!! Haven't been with any conviction since the end of June so enough's enough!!!

I am so hit and miss on working out. I've been pretty good with it since the first of September. But the eating (and alcohol) has been sabotaging me. Football season is a downfall for me. I love to hit the pubs for the games, some wings, and a couple beers. I was hoping to lose more before our trip to Marco Island on Wednesday. But I am only about 10 pounds lighter than I was in August. I have been losing and gaining that same 10 pounds for a couple years. Beyond that I still have another 20-25 to go. I have promised myself that I am getting down to my pre-40 (and pre-quit smoking) weight by the time of the cruise. Right now that means I have another 23 pounds to lose. I really need to lose it a couple months prior to the cruise so I have time to shop for a new wardrobe.

 

[CustardTart]

I am so hit and miss on working out. I've been pretty good with it since the first of September. But the eating (and alcohol) has been sabotaging me. Football season is a downfall for me. I love to hit the pubs for the games, some wings, and a couple beers. I was hoping to lose more before our trip to Marco Island on Wednesday. But I am only about 10 pounds lighter than I was in August. I have been losing and gaining that same 10 pounds for a couple years. Beyond that I still have another 20-25 to go. I have promised myself that I am getting down to my pre-40 (and pre-quit smoking) weight by the time of the cruise. Right now that means I have another 23 pounds to lose. I really need to lose it a couple months prior to the cruise so I have time to shop for a new wardrobe.

Ahhh, the alcohol.... How can something so fab be so evil????????

Oooh it would be sooo nice to drop a dress size (and the rest) before our cruise but now I've got a trip to WDW in June 2010 with a girlfriend and there's LOTSA dining on our menu so can't really see that happening...

 

[eva]

Ahhh, the alcohol.... How can something so fab be so evil????????

Oooh it would be sooo nice to drop a dress size (and the rest) before our cruise but now I've got a trip to WDW in June 2010 with a girlfriend and there's LOTSA dining on our menu so can't really see that happening...

So true! On our trip to WDW in May we are eating at character breakfasts nearly ever morning. How will I ever loose the weight?

 

[CustardTart]

So true! On our trip to WDW in May we are eating at character breakfasts nearly ever morning. How will I ever loose the weight?

Awwww hun, maybe we won't!!! At 46 I'm willing to just settle for enjoying myself...

 

[eva]

Awwww hun, maybe we won't!!! At 46 I'm willing to just settle for enjoying myself...

Well, I am not going to worry about it this week. We leave in the morning for 5 glorious days on the beach. I love these trips with Steve's company. Nothing is spared. The company pays for everything. We carry a card around that charges everything (even drinks by the pool) to the company. They have approved restuarants throughout Marco Island that accept the card too. The restaurant that we are eating at Friday night is picking our group up in a stretch limo for dinner.

My only problem right now is trying to fit everything I need in one suitcase. With these trips you need a lot of clothes and shoes. We are on the beach part of each day. So we need a number of swimsuits. Then we go on excursions like deep sea fishing, golfing, and shopping. So I need clothes for all of those. Then we dress at least business casual for dinner at night. And the final night is a huge bash that is black tie optional. I have been packing and re-packing my suitcase for two days now. Steve finally had pity on me last night and said he would take some of my shoes in his case.

 

[CustardTart]

Well, I am not going to worry about it this week. We leave in the morning for 5 glorious days on the beach. I love these trips with Steve's company. Nothing is spared. The company pays for everything. We carry a card around that charges everything (even drinks by the pool) to the company. They have approved restuarants throughout Marco Island that accept the card too. The restaurant that we are eating at Friday night is picking our group up in a stretch limo for dinner.

My only problem right now is trying to fit everything I need in one suitcase. With these trips you need a lot of clothes and shoes. We are on the beach part of each day. So we need a number of swimsuits. Then we go on excursions like deep sea fishing, golfing, and shopping. So I need clothes for all of those. Then we dress at least business casual for dinner at night. And the final night is a huge bash that is black tie optional. I have been packing and re-packing my suitcase for two days now. Steve finally had pity on me last night and said he would take some of my shoes in his case.

Sounds fantastic, Eva!!! Have a fab time... And just maybe by the time you get back, the excursions will be out!!!!

Richard's company is definitely not that generous but I am popping to Dubai with him again in a couple of weeks - thank goodness for airmiles!!! I should get 3 full days in the sun which will do my skin a lot of good and it'll be a welcome break from all this banging, drilling and especially the jackhammering that's permanently in the background at the moment...

 

[eva]

Sounds fantastic, Eva!!! Have a fab time... And just maybe by the time you get back, the excursions will be out!!!!

Richard's company is definitely not that generous but I am popping to Dubai with him again in a couple of weeks - thank goodness for airmiles!!! I should get 3 full days in the sun which will do my skin a lot of good and it'll be a welcome break from all this banging, drilling and especially the jackhammering that's permanently in the background at the moment...

Steve's company is pretty generous. But it pays off for them. They are an insurance company and the trip is awarded to top agencies for their sales. The agents work very hard to make enough in sales to attend. Steve is not an agent, but staff members and wives are expected to attend as representatives of the company. We host some of the excursions and take agents and their wives to dinner in the evening. It is a lot of fun. They have 2 trips a year. But we only go every two years. The next trip we'll be on is in Puerto Rico.

What's with all the construction around your house? Are you remodeling?

Well, time to hit the salon for a pedicure and have my nails done.

 

[CustardTart]

Steve's company is pretty generous. But it pays off for them. They are an insurance company and the trip is awarded to top agencies for their sales. The agents work very hard to make enough in sales to attend. Steve is not an agent, but staff members and wives are expected to attend as representatives of the company. We host some of the excursions and take agents and their wives to dinner in the evening. It is a lot of fun. They have 2 trips a year. But we only go every two years. The next trip we'll be on is in Puerto Rico.

What's with all the construction around your house? Are you remodeling?

Well, time to hit the salon for a pedicure and have my nails done.

Wow!!! Puerto Rico!!! That will be fantastic...

We've embarked on a LONG overdue renovation/remodelling project. The existing garage and a single-storey addition have now been demolished. Then they're going to build a larger two-storey addition to house a new garage, dining room, en-suite to our bedroom and enlarged fourth bedroom with en-suite... Once they have completed the new structure, the builders will be moving into the house to refurbish the existing interior... I doubt they will finish before Easter...

 

[eva]

We've embarked on a LONG overdue renovation/remodelling project. The existing garage and a single-storey addition have now been demolished. Then they're going to build a larger two-storey addition to house a new garage, dining room, en-suite to our bedroom and enlarged fourth bedroom with en-suite... Once they have completed the new structure, the builders will be moving into the house to refurbish the existing interior... I doubt they will finish before Easter...

That sounds fabulous! We built a new house 5 years ago. So I understand the construction process. But I must say, you have guts. We didn't have to live in the construction. It took 10 months to build our house. I can't imagine living in a house during construction for that long.

Well, back to packing and a bit of supper. Be back in a few days!

 

[CustardTart]

Well, back to packing and a bit of supper. Be back in a few days!

I'll miss you, Eva... Have an amazing time...

 

[CustardTart]

It's time for...

 

[CustardTart]

More *bumps* required...

Hey Eva! Are you back yet..? And did you have a fab time..??

 

[eva]

More *bumps* required...

Hey Eva! Are you back yet..? And did you have a fab time..??

Cute Bump! Got back last night. We had a great time! I ate and drank way too much! The weather was a bit chilly the first couple days. But Friday and Saturday were beautiful, sunny and high around 80. The beach was gorgeous. And the resort had plenty of tropical pools, restaurants, and a lovely spa. I ate seafood until I couldn't eat any more. Now it is back to being good and working out.

 

[CustardTart]

Cute Bump! Got back last night. We had a great time! I ate and drank way too much! The weather was a bit chilly the first couple days. But Friday and Saturday were beautiful, sunny and high around 80. The beach was gorgeous. And the resort had plenty of tropical pools, restaurants, and a lovely spa. I ate seafood until I couldn't eat any more. Now it is back to being good and working out.

Sounds fantastic!!! I shall definitely be eating/drinking too much this weekend. It's the BIG birthday weekend with my in-laws and I am dreading it. In a nutshell (I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before) my MiL is 80 in December, my SiL was 50 in October and Richard's 47 on Saturday SO we're taking everyone away to Oxford for the weekend in a nice hotel to celebrate their joint 177th birthday. Awesome idea in principle but getting less so by the day as I recall how irritating they are! However, Richard is my main concern and I just want the weekend to go well for him, so I'll just sip copious amounts of champale in the corner and behave myself...