I'll Never Make A Pirate


I'm making a list!
" Things to do next week"
I've already written fifteen entries on it as I try to dry off after being caught in a rainstorm with the dogs.
Mary as you can see is steaming nicely in the sunny window
From Friday The Prof will be sailing around the slightly stormy waters of Croatia and I shall be at home.
Now before you all reach for your comment boxes to complain of his selfishness, The Prof wanted 
me to go along on this mini adventure in a thirty foot catamaran with all mod cons! But I said no! An
emphatic and resounding NO!
I don't DO sailing! I don't DO boats smaller than the HMS QUEEN MARY and I DON'T DO adventure holidays.
Water.....deep water scares me!
Now if you want to comment about what I am missing by staying home, don't bother!
Being on a small boat in the open sea with a group of sailors is not my thing plain and simple.

Now I am glad that The Prof is going and as I told Mrs Trellis this morning -The break from email and academia will do him the world of good.
I suspect that Mrs Trellis thought I was a tad disloyal not going, that was until I told her that I was 42 years old before I could just about swim a width of a swimming pool without sinking
" what shall you do with yourself?" she asked somewhat incredulously
I told her that I would find a few things to do

I shall miss him but as my list will testify to, I shall not be bored!
I have planned to see a few foreign movies at Theatre Clwyd  and at the Storyhouse in Chester. I have the Flower Show review meeting to sort, a crochet class to attend ( don't laugh) Friends to have lunch with as well as my work leaving bash to go to!
I have a Samaritans shift, workmen to supervise who will give me some quotes on bits and bats and James, a very helpful kitchen designer from Ikea, will be popping in on Wednesday to discuss whether my fantasy kitchen can become a reality. He is bringing his junior colleague Debbie with him and both have been warned that Winnie will be expecting multiple kisses and a fuss!
She does so love visitors!

Luxury catamarans? Who needs em?


97 comments:

  1. We all have our limits John ... I don't do scuba diving... although hubby would like me to... nope nope nope... I'am happiest strolling along the beach in about ankle deep water looking for seashells... Enjoy your 'me' time ... Hugs! deb

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  2. Anonymous2:10 pm

    How's William?

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    1. Brighter today! I am taking him back to the vets tomorrow for a review!
      He had chicken for breakfast and ate it all

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    2. Chicken the magic elixir !
      Happy to hear he is better.

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  3. I don't do deep water, myself. I wouldn't go either. I see you have plenty of things to keep you from worrying about it. A new kitchen? How lovely!

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  4. I would only have gone on the condition I was guaranteed calm waters. I'd still rather be on a boat than a 'plane.

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  5. I love being on the water...on a pontoon boat on calm water with seven other friends....or the world's largest cruise ship with 1500 crew members. But a catamaran? Never! Besides, planning a new kitchen sounds like heaven to me.

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  6. Let the Prof do his own thing. You stay put where you're most wanted - with your 'family'!

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  7. I know, I'm being picky but in the case of the Queen Mary (or the QM2 as we have now) that would be RMS, not HMS.

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    1. I was thinking of the original

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    2. Even the original was an RMS. Only Navy ships are called HMS.

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  8. Croatia, yes. But on land, not on a boat. I'm with you.

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  9. Ah, sometimes some alone-time is the very best time of all, knowing that your love will be back soon.

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  10. John How's about you and me going off on a very large luxury cruise liner somewhere? I am like you - anything less fills me with terror. A tiny wave and I am seasick and I would be awake all night worry about shipwrecks. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Well, Weaver, there was the Titanic. Safety is not necessarily found in bulk.

      U

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    2. A current warning eh Ursula?

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  11. I stand beside you on the deep water phobia. Ever since Jaws (and before) I have been terrified of any water in which I cannot see the bottom. It sounds as if you have your hands and days full - isn't retirement relaxing?

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  13. I don't think I've ever been on anything bigger a small motor boat. I don't care to be.

    Generally, I have so many interests that keep me around the house, and I don't care to be far from them.

    It's wonderful that you can both pursue what makes you happy.

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    1. We are both adults we should do different things

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  14. And todauy is my retirement day. From now on everyday is saturday. Enjoy you time to yourself. I do love sailing though..speeding through the water is so exhilerating. I do not like motor boats or cruise ships however. Every trip resulted in some member of the party coming home sick. Too many people.

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  15. Anonymous3:18 pm

    Hi John: you're right, the Prof needs to break out from academia every once in a while. You mentioned another crewing holiday he was on, a year or so ago. Was he born in the Broadstairs-area? If so, that makes him a Man of Kent, so not surprising he has a love of ⛵️! Been reading you for eons and just now noticed I can comment. MaggieB

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  16. That's funny. I assumed that all gay men like sailors and sailing - hence the widespread gay greeting, "Hello sailor!"

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  17. Time apart is invigorating for couples. Enjoy your rather busy home 'alone' time! (Hardly alone with the pack at your feet!)

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  18. My 51 year old son just completed a 32 mile open ocean paddle board race from Catalina island off the coast of California to Manhattan Beach on the mainland in the worst conditions they've had for the race since the 50's. It took him over 7 hours to complete it and he finished 52nd out of over 100 racers. I'm with you, John. I can't imagine being out there, but he loves it. The Prof doesn't happen to be a Pisces by any chance does he? My son is one and HAS to be near the ocean.

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  19. John, there is an old saying, "you get married for better or worse, not lunch!" I take a short holiday with my oldest friend every year. We go without spouses. We go where we want, do what want.

    I do go on holidays with the spousal unit but enjoy my pal time so much.

    I've even heard separate holidays make marriages better. My story and I'm sticking to it.

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  20. Husband is a yacht skipper but I avoid long distances on boats, do like little trips though. Our daughter went on a trans Atlantic crossing with him when she was 18. I totally admire her for doing it as know I couldn't.

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  21. Crochet class sounds fun! I'm a knitter and crocheter (aka 'hooker') myself! I hope you enjoy it. :)

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    1. hello fellow knitter! I don't crochet; could never master the hook and yarn. yet give me two needles and yarn and my fingers fly!

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  22. Enjoy your week, a week apart can be good for the soul.

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  23. You would have had to board the dogs again. It's great that they get to stay home with you.

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    1. Yes, i wouldnt have done that to william again

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  24. As much as I love my other half, I love being home alone, enjoy your time, it will go too quickly.

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  25. sounds like you have much planned.
    sailing? YUCK!
    puppies need their daddy.
    crochet class? HOW COOL IS THAT!?!

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    1. I aim to learn something ecery week!

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  26. Your week will be plenty busy...I'm with you ... not getting on a small boat in a big body of water. Hope you enjoy the crochet class. I knit/crochet/sew/quilt/stitch... keeps me off the streets at night. As for IKEA...oh you will get a wonderful kitchen. I had mine redone 4 years ago by IKEA and I LOVE it. Get as many of the built in storage goodies that you can. You won't regret it. They can pack a lot into a small space.

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  27. Farewell bash: Great. Movies: Great. Small boat in rough water: Not great at all. Missing him: Not so great either. The critters will keep you busy tho.

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    1. Mage, he works away alot, i am used to my own company

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  28. Sounds to me like you got the better deal. I too like solid ground under my feet. Looks like you'll have plenty to do. The Prof can have a wonderful adventure and look forward to coming home to a wonderful partner.

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  29. I think it great that the Prof and you are able to do things separately without begrudging each other your individual pleasures. I believe it the secret ingredient of a successful marriage. If there is one thing that makes me run in the opposite direction of wedding bells it's the still common idea that once you are hitched you come as a package, joint at the hip. Now you know, dear John, why I detest the expression "my other half". NO. I am whole, you are whole, we are whole. Come to think of it, regardless of what you think of the content of the book, a marvellous title "The Desire and Pursuit of the Whole", a memoir of Edwardian Venice, by Frederic Rolfe aka Corvo (comment by Grahame Green: "Written from the Devil's side"). It was recommended to me by the so very civilized GG (Gay Guy) - no surprises there.

    Enjoy ticking your list as you go along.

    U

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  30. And you doesn't speaks in the present tense either.

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  31. Just as I can feel the air beneath my feet when I am in an aeroplane: I can also feel the depth of the water when I am in a boat/ship. With you all the way, stay at home and enjoy your plans. I might also add that I am always sick when on a boat. Love Andie xxx

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    1. I get terrible motion sickness. Once on a first date, i was so sick in in a guys car, i had to lie down on a grass verge unconscious

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  32. Ok, I'm jealous!! First, that you have ALONE time...second, that your spouse will actually GO without you. I love my husband, but if I'm not going, then he's not going, then I feel guilty...blah blah blah. I keep encouraging him to go visit his sister in NY and give me some peace!!! Enjoy your time, it sounds like you have lots to keep you busy. I'm sure you both will have a grand week.

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  33. If you dont do separate things and follow seperate interests what on earth do you talk about?! Our evening meals are a high spot!

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  34. Hah - I don't like deep OR shallow water, so I'm with you all the way on your decision to stay home. Have fun with your list and especially with your kitchen planning!

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  35. Crochet???!!Welcome to my world!!need any advice, gimme a shout.

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  36. Very wise; I loathe deep water, my earliest memory at 3 was carelessly falling in to a well, obviously I was rescued, but 'no thanks' I can swim but never in the sea and get very sea-sick. Enjoy the time on your 'own' doing what you want.

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  37. I get dreadfully seasick .. imagine me as a small child, traveling from Hawaii where we had been living to California then driving from there to North Carolina ...I also get carsick ...

    Airplanes are lovely lol
    and I don't swim. But I love to do other cool things so I have no problem with myself :)

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    1. I get motion and car sick a great deal so i suspect i would get sea sick dreadfully

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  38. Workmen in overalls - and Winnie? She'll be in seventh heaven !
    So much for a quiet time after your retirement, John.

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    1. Ive already warned james about winnie

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  39. I don't even like to read any book that has too much ocean in it.

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  40. Guess that means you won't be coming with me on my second Antarctic expedition John!
    The ship is small with all mod-cons, good food, and exciting trips ashore via little rubber Zodiacs through rather large icebergs, breaching whales and sea lions, to enjoy the 500,000+ King penguins. Honestly, you'd love it and be kept so busy pulling on rubber boots, extra socks, many layers of clothing, lifejacket etc. you wouldn't have time to be nervous or sick! Really interesting people with be sailing with you from all over the world, and the crew and expedition team will treat you so well. Will be truthful though, crossing the Drake Passage (roughest water on the planet) is somewhat difficult, but it's over in a day and a night!
    Think of the stories you'd have to share with the entire village.
    Sadly, I don't have a second trip actually planned yet - but if I win the lottery I'll be going back asap. . . . . and I'll let you know.
    Enjoy your time on terra firma - and wish the Prof a fun sail.
    Mary -

    P.S. There were several British nurses who were passengers on my first trip - they were a lively bunch and really into expedition holidays.

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    1. I'll stick to terra firma. The firmer the better x

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  41. If you kitchen isnt very big can I suggest as many draws as you can get. pans, cups under where the kettle will go. I have all my coffee, tea bags etc straight under the kettle and then the cups etc under that. the bottom draw is cereal etc. You can get 4 times as much in as you can in a cupboard. if we had their kitchen again I would not have their dish washer, it is not very large and I dont think it is very good. I would have a bosch like we had at the last 3 houses before. Quiet, massive load capacity.

    And the wire baskets that pull out are excellent for veg. The extractor cooker hood is quite good also. I didnt think it would be but it does a good job.

    I love the kitchen. Shame we are moving in 5 days time.

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  42. I would never go on that sailing trip, sounds like Hell! Well done to stay home and plan your kitchen, now that sounds like a good time. I do wish the Prof safe sailing though.

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  43. My partner and I discovered decades ago that we want different things from a holiday. So mostly we holiday separately.
    Enjoy your me-time as the Prof enjoys the water.

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    1. We have been to sitges and Broadstairs together this year and will be going to new york in november!

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  44. Nice to be here again, to see you are all well and safe!! Let the Prof go to sea ( well, almost ) and stay ashore, I would have done that. There are safer ways to get wet, plenty of reasons not to be seasick, and besides, you can't put that many dogs and cats in a boat bunk, can you?? He will have a splendid trip and tell you about it everyday for weeks?

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    1. Yes, his adventure should recharge his depleated batteries

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    2. All is well, then?! Not a dull minute!!

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  45. I'd rather clean toilets than get on a boat of any kind.

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  46. I wasn't going to argue with any of this, "Being on a small boat in the open sea..." until you completed the sentence "...with a group of sailors is not my thing plain and simple." Oh, come on! Think about it.

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  47. I like a good list with the best of them, but visiting a friend between her retirement jaunts in her tiny tiny caravan with two golden retrievers and a cat...five A4 lists before her next launch into Scotland on Wednesdaynext week.....(phew)

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  48. Don't blame you John..I prefer a large ship or solid ground, too! Enjoy your time at home, getting things done!

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  49. I'd do exactly the same if Alan decided to go off on a boat ... not that he would...he was in the Royal Navy for 24 years, 23.5 of them under water in a submarine thanks to excessive and non-stop sea sickness 😉

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  50. i'm with you! i am a good swimmer but i hate water when i can't see what's beneath me. there is a reason why man is no aquatic!

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  51. I m a good swimmer and can even sail a small boat but your week sounds nicer, really. [and William needs you home!] You said you never have had a nice kitchen! So this will be a wonderful project for you. Do remember that the chaos is upsetting and messy but the end result will be beautiful. Don't cut corners with quality! BTW, IKEA drawer bottoms fall out, in my experience.

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    1. PS It's very cool that you're learning to crochet! All the doggies can have matching little sweaters this winter!

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  52. I get sea sick on boats and ships, but I'm becoming aware of the fact that swimming and sailing is in our future (see Houston, Texas), so I shall have to do something about enjoying the waters.

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  53. I remember when my dad took us to the Isle of Man from Liverpool, I was so sea sick, it took the remainder of the week's holiday to recover. Deep water wouldn't be my choice of relaxation either.
    Hope William is feeling better, bless him.
    Jo

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  54. Good on you both! You have the list of things that will make you satisfied, and Chris gets what he needs too. How sensible you are. I'm not sure if I've said it before, but when we recently did our very small kitchen I created acres more space by getting 'kick drawers' built in under every set of drawers (except the dishwasher - coz of the pipes) and that was equivalent to a whole extra bank of cupboards. They're shallow, but deep enough to store oven trays, tinware, a complete dinner set that we use infrequently, all the flat platters and the tinned produce. Actually I'm amazed as I list it all! It meant I could do away with a floor-to-ceiling cupboard and have continuous bench along one side. Worth the extra cost a million times.

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  55. Your crochet comment reminded me of the first gay chap I ever worked with ..he was lovely...total gentleman who took me out to his works dinner dance and would show me knitting and crochet stitches, while there was a fag hanging out of the corner of his mouth ...he was a big guy built like a brick shithouse but had the heart of a prince.......

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  56. I don't blame you at all. The thought of sailing scares me to death - don't like water - unless it is on a canal boat where I can see both sides. I'd much rather stay at home and like you, I'd never be bored (always so much to do).

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  57. I'm with you ...terrified of water. Sounds as tho you will be quite busy. And happily so!

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  59. My dad took up cross stitch when he retired. He's done one for every member of the family. I don't usually like cross stitch but his are a work of art. The one he did for me is a sampler of tiny French patisserie. I really want to get back into sewing or crochet. I need something to do with my hands that doesn't involve eating cake !

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