Fred Olsen MS Braemar Part II

Well our second sea day on our way to Leixioes in Portugal went a bit south as we had grey skies and some movement as we made our way across the bay. We did have a "Code Alpha" in one of the lounges we were sitting in today. The speed and number of crew who attended was very impressive.

We had a late night ( for us anyway) as the entertainment was a comedian ( he was billed as starred in the Comedians) but I did not recognise him. Some of his jokes I think came from the original TV Show as they were that old, but he was good entertainment, a quiz ( don't ask ) then a show from the Theater Company called "Happy Days", they do seem to be getting even better.

And so today we arrived in Portugal blue skies and 18C. We had booked a tour of the city, a boat trip, then a tour of a Port Cellar, with of course some tasting.

We did enjoy the tour, even though the city was a tad grid locked at times.

Which was also how the queue was to board Braemar, three coaches arrived back at the same time,full of passengers who had purchased bottles of Port, that had then needed to be stored for safe keeping by Fred, so it took a while.

So after lunch it was time for a beer whilst I posted the previous blog, and wrote this one.

So tomorrow is another day, and another country, namely Spain.

Fred Olsen MS Braemar Part I

And so the day arrived, and it was time for our second cruise with Fred.

One of the main attractions was that it was sailing from Harwich, which is only a 20 minute journey in the car, and it happens to be where I work.

It did seem a tad strange though, it was embarkation day, and we had still not packed, but we soon rectified that, and after an early lunch, our car arrived to take us to the port, and in just over an hour we had boarded, and unpacking the cases we had  packed only 3 hours before.

I still do not understand why Fred's muster needs to take you in single file, hands upon the passengers shoulder in front of you, wearing your life jacket, out onto the prom deck to your lifeboat from your assembly point.

Muster over and we set sail, passing many of the landmarks I know well from the shore, but they look different somehow from a cruise ship.

We even had well wishers on Halfpenny Pier, including our Daughter and Grandson.

We had a table for 6 in the Thistle restaurant overlooking the wake of the ship. The food was of a good standard with plenty of choice, and our fellow guests at the table provided good company for the meal.

The show for the evening was "From the West End to Broadway" a selection of songs performed by the theatre company who had only boarded themselves today, but did not show any first night nerves.

 They did end up in a bit of a battle with some passengers in the lounge who were trying to have a conversation during the show :-(  but I'm glad to report, they won in the end.

This morning, we awoke to blue skies and sunshine, so after breakfast, we found a sunny spot on the prom deck

It's got a tad warm, so we have retreated to the pub for me to type my blog. I might even try a gentle session in the gym.

It's now after lunch 

Gym was OK, but I was a tad warm afterwards so needed a pint :-)

My regular readers will know that Sue and I do like a good quiz whilst on holiday, we did one last night, but did not fair that well. However, this morning it was "Name That Tune". I have to say at this point it was 99% Sue, but we managed a very respectable 15/15 and won the quiz along with a few "prize points" which hopefully will increase as the cruise progresses. 

It's  a formal night tonight, and the Captains welcome party, so time to dress up.

One thing I had forgotten to mention was that when we booked the cruise a while ago, we were offered an all inclusive drinks package at £6.99 pppd, which of course we took.

Well as two glasses of wine are £7.20 I think it was a good deal.

Another sea day tomorrow, before we reach Portugal on Friday, which is when I will post ( hopefully ) this blog.

Team Aylott

As we meander through our lives, events happen that cause us to be sad, grief, divorce, illness, the list can go on and on.

However, nature tries to balance these sad times, by including some good times, now for regular readers of my blog, you will know that I have had a brush with Mr C, and more recently a couple of spells in hospital.
Now I'm sure your thinking how can these be good times ? Well they were not, but the support of my family and friends, is as they say "priceless".

When you are sitting in the Hematology Lounge, as the staff administer the IV Chemo, or laying in a hospital bed, with tubes coming out of most parts of your body. It is the support and love that you get from your family and friends, that get you through the tough times.

It is really difficult to put into words, how much this means, but if you have been there, you will know what I mean.

Over the past few years, "Team Aylott" as I now call them, have helped me raise funds (by various methods) for Leukaemia Care, a small charity that is obviously close to my heart.

This Sunday (11th May) was the Tour de Tendring, and Team Aylott again picked up the baton to raise funds.

L to R

Hayley Lambert, Mike Evans, Matthew Mallett, Zoe Mallett, Kevin Ward, Sarah Roberts, Pete Gerard, Di Gerard, Kirsty Lucas

The weather on Sunday, was not conducive to a cycle ride, as there were strong winds, and rain, but even carrying a few injuries, they made their allotted 20 or 60 mile route, and  I am very proud of them all.

Some of the more foolhardy are even going to take part in the Harwich Tri Sprint late this month, so if you think their efforts yesterday, or what will take place next month, is worth a donation, then you can find us Here.

Now you don't have to ride a bike to raise funds, as was shown by Trevor and Sue Smith, who raised funds at a caravan rally they organised.

Trevor was also the person to introduce me to Social Media years ago, so if you don't like my blogs, its all Trevors fault ;-)

And so finally, a very heart felt "THANK YOU" to all who have supported and helped me over the years, you are all part of Team Aylott, and I feel blessed to know you all.

Women's Cycling Tour

Is taking part in my part of the county, and even came through our village today

Pictures

Easter with the Middleton's

Well OK, slightly misleading, as it should have been Eater IN Middleton (Suffolk).

It was one of those rare occasions, that my rest days lined up with the bank holiday, and I had all four days off, so we booked a cottage (The Granary) in this very pretty village via Suffolk Secrets

Our drive up was via Stowmarket for lunch, so arriving later afternoon, it was time for a quick bite to eat and open the bottle bubbly we had taken with us.













Saturday, saw us up early, and off to RSPB Minsmere (we are both members).

We must have walked 5 miles that day (did get a little bit lost at one stage), but the weather was glorious. lots of birds to see, and so many differing habitats.

So after our five miles, it was the short journey back to the cottage, and there was still sufficient warmth in the sun to sit in the garden, with a glass of chilled white.

We awoke Sunday, to grey skies, and not very pleasant weather, we decide to drive to Dunwich, but due to the weather, it was one of the bleakest places I have been to.

So we then took a drive up the A12 to Southwold

Although the weather was not much brighter in this part of the world, it was very busy, and we spent a couple of hours walking on the front and in the town.
By now it was lunch time, so we headed back to the car to hunt down an eatery.

We found a very nice pub The White Hart on the A12. You can always tell how good the food is, and yes it was packed, but we managed to secure the last table for Sunday lunch, and excellent it was to.

And so back to the cottage, and this is were the weekend took a bit of a nose dive.
I have been suffering an ongoing infection that had raised its head in differing disguises for about a month now, but I had only said to Sue on the Saturday that I was feeling much better, and maybe I had "cracked it" .
Arriving back at the cottage I did not feel at all well and took to my bed at two in the afternoon, and got up 8am the following morning

We arrived back home on bank holiday Monday, after not finding too much traffic, and it was back to work on Tuesday for a day shift.
To cut a long story short, late Tuesday evening, I was being conveyed in an Ambulance to Colchester General Hospital, where its turns out that I have Pneumonia, and staying for a few days On IV drips etc.
But now I'm back at home, and in recovery phase, which I hope will not be too long, as the next cruise bekones.

I really need your help !!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read today's blog, not about cruising today, but something a bit more serious.

But first for those that do not know me, a little bit of history.

On 1st April 2009 I was diagnosed with CLL (it really was not an April fools), and later that year, I started 6 months of Chemo,
Now although not the best 6 months of my life, I did have to count myself lucky, as I suffered minimal side effects.
I have since then, been in remission, but as the "Chronic" part of the title suggests, there is no "cure" for this, so I know Mr C will come back for another bite at some stage.

After the Chemo, I started to ride a cycle again (at work) after more than 40 years, as part of my recovery program to increase my fitness, and in 2012, I was joined by my daughter (Zoe Mallett) on a charity cycle ride, where we raised over £1000 for Leukaemia Care a charity that support peoples with blood disorders.

In 2013, Team Aylott was formed, where family, friends and work colleagues supported me to raise over £2000 for this charity.

And so here we are in 2014, and Team Aylott, on 11th May will ride in the Tour de Tendring

Riding in Tour de Tendring this year are

Zoe Mallett

Matthew Mallett

Kirsty Lucas

Sarah Roberts

Mike Evans

Kevin Ward

Diane Gerard

Peter Gerard

Hayley Lambert

Gary Lambert

Tim Coe

Claire Coe

Kirsty and Sarah are also taking part in Harwich Tri Sprint again raising money for Leukaemia Care

Darren Deex is also taking part in something exhausting, that has yet to be announced.

And Trevor Smith is organising a caravan rally at Easter were fun and games will also raise money.

I feel very privileged to have such good friends, who are willing to help me raise funds. 

And now to your part in all of this, I have set a massive target of £2,500 for us to raise this year, so if you have been wondering what to do with that odd pound coin that is floating about in your purse / wallet ?

well you can make a donation Here, plus, please spread my blog on any social media / forums that you have account for, lets spread the message far and wide..

If you are still with me, then thank you for getting this far.

Normal Service will be resumed after 11th May :-)

Oriana in Search of the Northern Lights - Photos

As promised my photos of my recent trip to the Arctic Circle onboard P&O Cruises Oriana

Bergen

Tromso

Alta

Stavanger