*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 4

[RubyBlue]

DH and I are big fans of Dr. Who as well. DH has watched since Tom Baker was the doctor. My first doctor episode was the empty child with Eccleston. Tennant was my favorite. Best episode ever was Blink. Catherine Tate was great as the doctor donna. Sorry to those of you who have absolutely no idea what I am talking about.

Love DH. Have tiny TARDIS and DALEK cell phone charms amidst my Disney keychains. What a jumble! Both Disney and DH fire my imagination-- probably why I enjoy both so much.

 

[karentan]

Dennis. He's one of those strange people who loves to iron.

i thought people like that only existed in fairytales?!

 

[Namsupak]

And yes, Dennis is retired Air Force. Guess some of that training stuck with him. He likes to put on his Roy Rogers DVDs and his cowboy hat and do the ironing. Quite a sight, really.

Pat that is freakin hilarious!!! I can only imagine... you should you tube it LOL

 

[auntlynne]

My husband is retired Air Force, too. Two peas from the same squad

Love a good pun

...Dessert is often the best part of the meal for me. I am a sugar addict. ...

And yet you are so petite.

...I'm just too excited to see London

...
What are your plans in London?

I figured this young lad just out of school needed to see London. If this TA turns him into a cruiser, he might become well acquainted with Barcelona, like you.

...Definitely want to hit either parliament or Buckingham Palace. Other than that, just enjoy London Town.

You'll be there when the Queen is in Scotland, so the State Rooms are open to the public. You can get tickets for various combinations of the State Rooms, The Royal Mews (horses & such), and the Queen's Gallery. This seems to be the main vendor:

Royal Collection

I did the open top double-decker tour on my first visit (1987) and again in 2008. Gives a wonderful overview of the city above ground while getting you from place to place.

For a quick bite to eat, I stop in at Pret a Manger or EAT for soups and sandwiches. Any grocery will also have pre-made sandwiches that are great - nothing like those sold in the States at gas stations. Marks & Spencer (M&S) Simply Food also has grab-and-go selections.

If flying into/out of Heathrow, the Heathrow Express for 16.50 GBP/32 round-trip (return) is so easy to use, arriving at Paddington. Gatwick is a bit farther out; its express train ends at Victoria Station. The stations in and of themselves are quite the adventure.

The Underground system has a card, the Oyster Card, which is refillable and has a daily cap on fares. It is also good on the Light Rail systems.

Tower of London with our tour guide was great. The guides are all former military men.

and of course, Tower Bridge:

Fifty days and I will be in London!

 

[auntlynne]

These are some of the best Palo photos I've seen. This is the trip report LindaBabe mentioned earlier.

DAY 5 - May 18th, 2011 - Day At Sea #3 (Part 4)

By 7:15, the show had ended, and we were heading back to the room so I could drop off my zoom lens before our Palo dinner! We got to Palo at about 7:30 even though our reservations were for 8:00. James and I would be dining together and my parents would be dining together. They got us both seated within 5 minutes of our arrival.

James and I were seated right near the entrance against the window.

Mom and Dad were seated on the other side of the restaurant in the middle (not against a window).

Our server was Mirko from Croatia. Though he wasn’t my favorite, he was far from awful. We had a lovely meal as a matter of fact! We absolutely love Palo and this experience lived up to the reasons as to why we enjoy it so much. You know what’s coming next...FOOD PICTURES!

The starter...they now bring the cart to your table and make it in front of you (like on the Dream):

Quattro Formaggi pizza:

Prosciutto pizza:

Lobster ravioli:

Palate cleanser:

Palo beef tenderloin (I always, always, always, get and LOVE this dish):

Chocolate souffle (YUM!):

After dinner digestif:

We devoured the calamari before I could take a picture, but know that we got that as well. Yes, we order A LOT of food at Palo, but surprisingly, we eat it all! It was about 9:30 when we were finishing up (Mom and Dad were done before us). Also, at 9:00, the sun was STILL setting...it was so weird to us!...

The after dinner digestif is a limoncello drink; they also have a non-alcoholic one (you might need to ask - they offered to my under-age niece, but I have never been offered it).

 

[Pinky166]

Well, I'm back from Maryland. Very fun weekend w/ friends and the happy soon-to -be mommy of twins. Mom & babies are very healthy and though mom is huge at 30 weeks, she has a great attitude

Glad you had a lovely weekend Liz.

I haven't seen it over here sorry. I bought it over there and it had done a few long cruises now. It is nearly done now but should get me through the cruise.

Never mind no worries. I'll add it to my Walmart shopping list.

Can you add Hazel to scrapbook coffee meet please as she is a keen scrapper and always looking for new ideas.

Annemarie

Will do.

Please add me

I tried some wrinkle release about 6-7 years ago and it didn't do much, maybe it's time to try it again! If you like I'll pick you some up while I'm at Target Claire

I'll add you too.

Thanks for the offer but don't worry, i'll survive.....I'll get Lee to do it.

And don't worry, everyone, they're not those hideous toilet paper covers from the 70's. I like to do things that are a bit more useful and fun!


Oh and I have an excellent solution to wrinkled clothes. It's called...

Dennis. He's one of those strange people who loves to iron.

Too funny! My nan used to have one of those toilet roll covers.

I was looking forward to getting something like this from you Pat....

Pat,

I nearly spat out my Mountain Dew reading this! I'm afraid I now have a mental image of him in cowboy boots, boxer shorts, white t-shirt and the cowboy hat ironing. I think I saw that in a movie one time....maybe it was a Burt Reynolds flick?

Keri

I have that same image.

Plans are still up in the air. I'm obsessed with Dr. Who and Catherine Tate among other BBC shows... so just walking around the city is going to be enough. I'm going to keep my eye on free showings of BBC shows, see if i can sit in the audience to anything. Definitely want to hit either parliament or Buckingham Palace. Other than that, just enjoy London Town.

Sounds like you have some great plans. Did you know about the Doctor Who exhibition which is on in London through to October......

http://www.doctorwhoexperience.com/

I haven't been but know someone who has & they loved it.

 

[Pinky166]

Tower of London with our tour guide was great. The guides are all former military men.

Thanks for the Tower of London pics, I haven't been for years but it brings back so many memories as when I was about 5 or 6 I was a Bridesmaid there.

The after dinner digestif is a limoncello drink; they also have a non-alcoholic one (you might need to ask - they offered to my under-age niece, but I have never been offered it).

That after dinner drink is worth the $20 alone!!!!! I love it!!! If my memory serves I think it has Vodka in it.

 

[Tod&Copper]

Based on that I've just checked mine and nothing! Then again I'm sure I'll hear about room assignments as soon as they happen on here!
Still hasn't sunken in though that we're only 60 days from sail date though!

My DSIL was GTY on last year's WBTA and it was 45 days out that she got her assignment.

Dennis. He's one of those strange people who loves to iron.

My husband is retired Air Force, too. Two peas from the same squad

Funny that, my retired Air Force DH loves to iron too

That after dinner drink is worth the $20 alone!!!!! I love it!!! If my memory serves I think it has Vodka in it.

OMG I forgot about the after dinner drink, we didn't get that last time I'm going to ask for 2 this time to make up for it

I'm adding that wrinkle release to my walmart shopping list too DH has some shorts that you can't iron

 

[jsassy]

My husband is retired Air Force, too. Two peas from the same squad

Wife and I are both retired Air Force.

 

[auntlynne]

...That after dinner drink is worth the $20 alone!!!!! I love it!!! If my memory serves I think it has Vodka in it.

This is the drink, although not the recipe for the Palo one:

"Sgroppino recipe

Italian drink, particular to the Veneto region. There are as many versions of this drink as there are people who drink it!

Scale ingredients to servings
2 cupslemon gelato softened
1 tbsp vodka
1 tbsp limoncello lemon liqueur
1/3 cupchilled Prosecco® sparkling wine
zest of one lemons

Chill 4 champagne flutes. Shake gelato, limoncello and vodka in a shaker. Add Prosecco and whisk through. Serve immediately in chilled champagne flutes. Sprinkle lemon zest on top. Makes 4."

 

[granmaz]

Good morning. Looks lovely out here, but it is still behaving like April daily.

Our local agricultural show (http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/html/home/) starts today for three days so traffic is a problem and Sainsbury's (supermarket) has to close as it is next to the showground and people can't get there to shop because of traffic. Major roads coming in are already blocked up with hour long delays which will only get worse. Fun!!!

 

[Pinky166]

This is the drink, although not the recipe for the Palo one:

"Sgroppino recipe

Italian drink, particular to the Veneto region. There are as many versions of this drink as there are people who drink it!

Scale ingredients to servings
2 cupslemon gelato softened
1 tbsp vodka
1 tbsp limoncello lemon liqueur
1/3 cupchilled Prosecco® sparkling wine
zest of one lemons

Chill 4 champagne flutes. Shake gelato, limoncello and vodka in a shaker. Add Prosecco and whisk through. Serve immediately in chilled champagne flutes. Sprinkle lemon zest on top. Makes 4."

I think I may have to have a go at making these.

Good morning. Looks lovely out here, but it is still behaving like April daily.

Our local agricultural show (http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/html/home/) starts today for three days so traffic is a problem and Sainsbury's (supermarket) has to close as it is next to the showground and people can't get there to shop because of traffic. Major roads coming in are already blocked up with hour long delays which will only get worse. Fun!!!

Not fun!!! We had the same problem with traffic here at the weekend, although ours was due to a heavy metal festival.

 

[Pinky166]

OMG I forgot about the after dinner drink, we didn't get that last time I'm going to ask for 2 this time to make up for it

I'm adding that wrinkle release to my walmart shopping list too DH has some shorts that you can't iron

I'm going to ask for two....just because!

 

[Tod&Copper]

I'm going to ask for two....just because!

Quite right we'll be there at the same time, I'll be glancing over to see how many you have

 

[Pinky166]

Quite right we'll be there at the same time, I'll be glancing over to see how many you have

I'll hide the empties.

 

[Tod&Copper]

I'm going to ask for two....just because!

I'll hide the empties.

I think that may be happening down in our hallway too Our room host won't know what's hit him

 

[squitty]

I have just received an email from DCL saying I now owe 4p on my cruise balance. I've just rang them and they say it's because the goverment fees & taxes have gone up 4p.

Has anyone else had one of these?

 

[Tod&Copper]

I have just received an email from DCL saying I now owe 4p on my cruise balance. I've just rang them and they say it's because the goverment fees & taxes have gone up 4p.

Has anyone else had one of these?

Yes, just logged into my home email account and found it. Did you pay the 4p or did they write it off?

 

[squitty]

Yes, just logged into my home email account and found it. Did you pay the 4p or did they write it off?

I have to call back as there were no supervisors in till later on.

 

[squitty]

looks like the boards are going silly again....my reply is coming up before yours.