Taking A Break

I have decided not to update the Blog any more until we get home. We have HUNDREDS of photos to go through and not enough time on our hands to keep this up to date. Check back in late July if interested and hopefully it will be done by then.

The Cruise - Settling In

We flew into Genoa (Italy) to be taken to our cruise ship The MSC Spendida. Absolutely blown away with the size of the ship and it was MAGNIFICENT!

We sailed at 5pm and spent the first night at sea. Our cabin was BRILLIANT with a private balcony. Obviously we had to take advantage of the drink package we had purchased and set off to see just how many cocktails we could consume!

Cinque Terre & Tuscany

So whilst I was in Amsterdam, Chris & Caroline were in Italy and visited Cinque Terre & Tuscany.

Cinque Terre

Tuscany

Sienna

Amsterdam

Having been to Amsterdam several times before (last time was 2013) I sort on knew what to expect.

We (that is my nephew Mark, his mate Barnsy & myself) took a stupidly early flight from Gatwick and arrived in Amsterdam about 9am! We booked into the hotel (Nothing flash, 3 in a room) and the boys naturally wanted a beer! So, about 10am the drinking started. Actually, come to think of it that's about all we did for all the time we were there. (Although I admit I couldn't hack the pace and had to retire early from the game several times).

One day we did manage to get to Utrecht which is about half an hour from Amsterdam and spent our time there drinking in bars (surprise surprise surprise).

One night I met up with an internet friend of mine Jort. Such a really nice guy and he told us of some of the things to look out for in Holland.

Anyway, I'm not going to go on and on, just show you a few photos from Amsterdam and Utrecht.

 

Barnsy

 Mark & a couple of beers!

 Breakfast in the Cheese Factory

Jort & Me!

Utrecht

Utrecht

Watching the beach volleyball in Amsterdam Square.

How big Mark?

Mark & his Troll Barnsy

This pic says it all really! (Barnsy is just smoking tobacco in case you were wondering!)

The Wedding

Well what a wedding this turned out to be. The ceremony was really nice (and not too long) and the bride looked stunning.

The reception was like something out of a movie, the best of everything from start to finish. (Including an 18 piece band!)

Really glad we didn't miss this, it was an experience of a lifetime. Here are a few pics.

Relatives & Friends

 On Monday night I went out for a drink with my nephew Robert (and his daughter Lola was also with us). Christopher had decided to go on a Jack the Ripper walk and Robert was disappointed he wouldn't get to see him. HOWEVER, as fate would have it, Christoper had changed his mind about the Jack the Ripper thing and was drinking in the bar next door! As Robert & I left the bar and were crossing the road, Christopher's friend Simon spotted us and Christopher surprised the life out of Robert by appearing from nowhere. Obviously we had to go back in the bar again to celebrate this happy chance meeting. Here's a pic of Christopher & Robert.

We decided to spend this week visiting relatives and friends. Starting on Tuesday 3 June the first visit on our list was to see my 94 year old Uncle John and his delightful family. We went by train to Orpington. David, my cousin Pauline's husband, met us at the station and took us to his house.

It was amazing to see Pauline again, as it must have been 50 years since I had seen her last. Even more amazing though was Uncle John. He is sprightly and in good health and bright as a button, and could converse on any subject without skipping a beat.

We had a very nice meal and got to meet Pauline & David's three lovely daughters. Pictures of the visit are below.

The next day (Wednesday) we struck out for Romford to visit my cousin June & her husband Dave. We had hired a car but getting to pick it up was another story! There had been a major accident in London the night before and london was in gridlock. It took us 90 minutes to get to the car hire place by taxi and then another 5 hours to get to Romford (which normally would have been about 40 minutes. Anyway, we did have a great afternoon with June & Dave and as an extra bonus we got to meet their kids (now all grown up) Paula (and her husband) and little David.

After leaving June & Dave we headed for a pub where I had arranged to meet a good internet friend of mine Natalie. I had only met her once previously in New York but that meeting was very brief, so it was good to spend a bit f time with her getting to know her better. Here's a pic!

Next day (Thursday) we had a long drive down to the Hastings area where we met up with my cousin Eileen & her husband Fred. Fred is a bit poorly but he seemed a lot better than what I thought. It was only when we were about half way home that we realised that we hadn't taken any pictures. :-[

Friday was a day spent preparing for the wedding, so not much to report there.

Out & About in London

So we finally managed to get out on Sunday. In the afternoon Chris, Caroline & myself went to Fortnum & Mason for High Tea. On the way there we stopped off at the Burlington Arcade to check out the exclusive shops.

Burlington Arcade first, then it was time for a scoff!

 Chris managed to make a nice mess of her cakes!

That night Caroline & Joe, Christopher & his mate Simon and Chris & myself made our way to a great little Italian place in Battersea and everybody really enjoyed our meals.

Caroline, Christopher, Chris & me!

Simon, Joe, Caroline & Christopher