Sardinia - Bosa and Alghero

We anchored off the coast of Sardinia. It is really pretty and a relaxed sort of place. We had to get Tenders in to the port as the beautiful blue waters are very shallow. I joined a tour to Bosa. It is a pretty little village with a really lovely cathedral. I lit a candle for Betty, Mum and Dad, but I will do that properly when I am in Rome tomorrow.
I met some lovely people, Josie, Molly and Steven (Do you know you look just like Barbra Streisand? Has anyone EVER mentioned that to you?)
I felt like bursting in to song at any moment.
Bosa is a very pretty village. Sardinia's main industry is sheep. They have over 3million sheep and 1.6 million people. Interesting??
I took some pics of the ship from the Tender boat. It was amazing standing in Alghero and looking at the ship from the Island.
All in all a lovely place, but can certainly be done in a day or so.
Felt a little lonely or maybe a bit down when I got back to the ship. Betty's 10th anniversary on 1st May isn't helping and my darling Jorja turns ONE tomorrow. Lots on my mind... SA, UK, Jobs, Homes, relationships.
One thing I will say is that each of you that reads my blog is so very special to me and are the people that I trust and want to have as friends forever!
So, decided to just be with myself this evening. Supper in my room and a good movie.
En route to ROME - The highlight (I hope) of this journey.
xx

At Sea - 28th April en route to Sardinia

A relaxing sea day.
The Sea days are actually great and I am loving not being accountable to anyone at all.... bliss
I lazed around reading and lazing - what a pleasure.
4pm was the Vagina numbing Spinning Class! Don't let anyone tell you that its hard on your bum - that bit is easy. Hee Hee
I ended up buying 1 x disposable camera for 12 Euro's and then gave in and bought a little Nikon. Flipping Sony is vibrating all the time and I just cannot be without a camera.
Lovely supper followed by a really great dance show....
A great day.

Seville (Se vee ya) not Seville

Arrived at the port of Cadiz in Spain at about 6.30am. The arrival was so gentle I did not even notice we were not moving. I had driven through Cadiz some years ago, so I decided to join a group to Seville. It is truly beautiful. Spotlessly clean and obviously a much loved city.
We visitied the Palace of Alcazar and the amazing Cathedral. I would have loved more time to do my own thing, especially in the Cathedral where there were 50 different alters. That's the thing about cruising. 5 star floating hotel and so many different places but with limited time. I am thrilled to be doing it though and imagine doing it (The cruise) with someone special would just make it perfect. Shared the ooach with Mary, a 73 year old with more fabulosity than most 40 year olds. A real inspiration. She thought I was brave and wonderful (and I agree!!)
Had lunch at The Macarana (go on, sing it, I dare you). Flamenco dancers feet made talking impossible. A bit touristy but nice. I bought a lovely Spanish Shawl. Not sure what I will do with it.....
Maybe when I get walls and floors I will be inspired.
Headed back to the ship at 4 as we sailed at 5pm. Cruising is amazing... After a hectic days sightseeing, you head back to your floating hotel and everything you want or need is there for you. Trained for about an hour. Stepping and weights, so feeling so much like my old self.
Dinner was elegant and yummy. Had a few laughs with Christene (Posh Widow) and Margaret (the one with the mother).
xx

Some pics, spinning and the formal evening.

The spining class was amazing.. Fitter than I thought I would be. I suffered but in a good way.
Last night was the formal night and the Captains champagne hello. Had a nice time and a wonderful supper. Had a couple of pics taken just as the photographer was packing up so that was a few laughs. The food on board is truly wonderful, so I just sample a bit of each thing and totally avoid the goodies!
Took out the pic taken by a bored barman as it was gross... what a fat face and big boobs... yuk. The previous comments about how nice the embarkation pic is and some comments from Roly made me remove it!! I thought I was being all real. If you didn't see it, then be glad!
One of the old ladies (the one with the mother issues) was due to meet me for a drink but did not pitch up. Then she didn't come to the formal dinner. I thought maybe she had jumped ship or frekked in the bed! The purser checked and she was just not feeling too well. Thank god for that. Watched an enjoyable show... then off to bed to sail to Cadiz in Spain.

1st Full day at Sea

En route to Cadiz and Seville.
It is surprisingly smooth. The weather is not great so we did roll a little bit and I felt mildly queesy, but that went quickly enough.
This is a picture of The Sanctuary - no smelly kids or teenagers allowed (sorry Roly). Had a really interesting day. It started with the 2 classes I mentioned. God, I was stiff and really felt the 6 months of being a lazy fat slob.
I attended two talks today. One was incredible on Detoxing your body with Alkaline foods. The other was on Fat Burning and whizzing your metabolism. I had thought this cruise would be about me avoiding eating all the yummy food, but it has turned out to be more of a getting back to the fighting fit Sheila I was a year ago.
I am completely educated and motivated. Alkaline bodies do not get sick. Cancer and other yukkies can't live in an alkaline body...... Wanna know more?? Ok, I'll shut up then.
I felt very lonely during my pre dinner drinks. That is when I feel it the most. I mentioned it at dinner to the other Solo's and they all felt the same. Tonight is a Formal evening - dress to kill (each other?). So I am meeting the recently widowed lady (more counseling - This too will pass Madam)... Seriously though, she is only 60 which is quite sad. We get on quite well, so at least we can have a drink together this evening before dinner and not be The Sad Gits.
Having a lazy day today - reading. Doing a Spinning class at 4pm! It hurts already.
xx

The Grand Princess Day 1

We embarked (Think thats the right word) at about 2pm. The check in process was easy. Very strict security, which I suppose is understandable. It is truly enormous. It will take days to find my way around. We had an emergency drill. Whistles blowing and bells ringing (The Titanic came to mind)and if it wasn't so seriously done by the staff, it would have been quite funny. The ship sailed from the same berth as the Titanic after all - The Mayflower.
The staff cannot do enough for you. Welcome messages in your Stateroom (Cabin to us). I have a lovely room with a window . Thought it had an obstructed view, but the lifeboat is actually lower down so I was chuffed with that. It's no different really to a normal hotel room.
I went to the talk at the gym and signed up for classes. There is Food everywhere and I am determined not to indulge. The poms think it FREE and the yanks eat it cos they've paid for it!! ha ahahahahah
Dinner was lovely. A table for 12 people and 8 of us travelling alone. I felt they were all staring at me, but I'm sure they thought I was looking at them. One lady told me the second I sat down that her Mum is 99 and very demanding (Do I have fecking Life Line tatooed on me somewhere??) Another lady - recently widowed seems quite good fun. The rest look a bit desperate, but time will tell.
Then I went to see a show.... It was far too fake jollity for me and lets have a jolly good fun time, but the dancing was very good.

Clocks went forward so I am on SA time.
Went to 2 classes this morning. Stretch and Core conditioning. Then returned to my cabin where a very healthy breakfast was waiting for me (Should I drink the prune juice??) - Scary stuff.
I'm going to a talk now on Detoxification and Fat Burning. Should I run past the 24 hour buffet to burn some of mine????

Bon Voyage - isn't that what they say?

This is the Grand Princess. Last night we went to a wonderful resturant on Kings Road called Blue Bird with Kylie and Ed. The expensive wine flowed and decided to spend a fortune calling Ciara and Keenan! Woke up so early after really weird dreams of being on a ship. I walked around and saw tables full of sun tan lotion. The next thing my friend Marge, her daughter, my cousin Lynda and my friend Julia appeared to holiday with me. Then Kylie and my Dad appeared. Kylie was furious and told them I was supposed to do this journey on my own (??? makes one think). My Dad passed away a year ago... he was a taxi driver. I saw him standing there drinking coffee.. He was fed up that he could have charged them 400 quid, but couldn't because they were friends.
Then I realised it must be a dream because my father was dead.... then I woke up!
Strange but true. Yesterdays dream was that I adopted a down syndrome baby that had the same surname as me.... what's that about?
I am packed... basically it's everything I own. There are formal nights, but the cocktail dresses will have to do. I'm really positive about this cruise. It is a real unknown. I feel that if I can do Turkey alone then I can do a cruise. I'm particularly looking forward to Rome. My good old Catholic guilt will kick in I'm sure. It is very exciting and I am very aware of how lucky I am to be in this position right now. It won't last as I will need to get a job, but for now I am enjoying every minute.
Leaving at 10am for Clapham Junction, then a train to Southampton. We sail at 4pm.
Will try to keep my blog up to date. I know there is an internet cafe on the ship. Wireless is available but it will be expensive...
Hope I don't lose my sea legs! hee hee

Up Up and Away!!

Once I had accepted I was homesick yesterday, I felt so much better! Getting ready today for the Cruise tomorrow. Had to get the girly things out of the way like Nails and Hair (Leo's will never let their mane be in a mess).
A big discussion with the Stylist as to why men don't have to care about Grey hair, any hair at all or even the state of it, it's just not that easy for us girls.
We then got on to the "shoes" issue... How does a girl go on a cruise for 2 weeks and not have every pair of shoes she owns with her????? Oh, the dilema (can't spell Dihlemma).
Did a bit of shopping - I got a really nifty USB head set for Skypeing purposes and some sun tan lotion (I live in hope). The have the wonderful BOGOF's here (Buy one get one free). I think BOGOF's are my favourite thing... hee hee.
Going to a posh resturant with Twirly (Kylie) and T'eddy (Ed) tonight. Think it's called Bluebird/blackbird - or something like that.
Watch this space for the culinary review. How can it possibly compare with Ciao baby (hahahahahha).

PS: Wine consumption is way down due mainly to the price of 23 quid a bottle in a resturant. Can't take the credit for the will power, just keeping an eye on the budget.
Weight - definately dropping at last due to lots of fruit and not enough wine.
Joints - none
Heals - blistered
Heart - happy!
xxx

Off for some Theatre and Sushi

Had a wonderful day. Chilled all morning... a bit of skypeing.
I went off to see Legally Blonde, it wasn't the BIG budget type show, but was very funny and enjoyable. I felt very low when I was on the bus coming back. I really wasn't sure what it was, I had so much to look forward to (The Cruise for one!). So, I just didn't get the feeling at all.
Went out for Sushi and chatted to Kylie and Ed. She hit the nail on the head immediately and said "Mummy!! You are Homesick"!!!! Yes, I was feeling homesick. I was missing my "inner circle" and you all know who you are. I was missing my Golf and especially that I have no Walls, Floors or Doors to call my own right now.
I was even missing Capitec and the people I worked with, the laughter particularly. I spend a lot of time now ALONE, not LONELY!
The Sushi place is yummy and Ed can eat his own body weight in the stuff.... hee hee
Looking at the pictures, I can see my madness in my child......!! Can you???
Kylie asked Ed how he felt about me meeting his Dad. He said "It's like one of my parents meeting the other".... So sweet Ed!! (Kylie said it was a very GAY thing to say!)... love you both so much.

I really did like Wednesday

A day doing what I love most... The Theatre! Ooh, well maybe Golf comes very close to that.



Got the 137 to Oxford Circus. The weather was lovely - very Springy!
Retail therapy - Yeh !! Easy does it.

My spirit soars in the Theatre and the bonus was seeing Lewis from the show "So you want to be Joseph". He was by far my favourite and I kept looking at him during the show and thinking is it? Isn't it? And it was, so I took a piccie for Ciara.
Then off to Gabriels Wharf to meet Gavin (Ed's Dad). I have to admit it was a bit like Meet The Fockers.. very nervewracking but it didn't need to be as he was great and we had a lovely supper.
Might even go to Sussex to see a Polo Match!

I do like Tuesdays!

Didn't walk this morning as my supa dupa new Nikes have given me two blisters on my heels... bummer.
So, had the day off from Clapham Common. Julia invited me out and about today, but I decided that as I'm off in to Central London tomorrow then I would spend today being a domestic goddess! Washing, Ironing, cooking! Started with washing up all of last nights dishes. Julia and I went for a drink at The Bobbin and then went to have the Chilli I had made. Then it was all my washing and ironing and not having a clue what to pack for the cruise... Having said that, I am very excited and happy that I have the opportunity in my life to go on a cruise. Sad on the one hand that I am alone and not with someone I love, but, I also know that it is all part of my journey.
Made a Shephards pie for Kylie and Ed. No doubt they will be home late, knackered and hopefully starving.
No pics today.... off to Central London tomorrow.
x

I don't like Mondays

Had such a wonderful lazy start to the day... all sorts of drivel on UK TV including my poor Dad's favourite show "The Jeremy Kyle" show. A series of the real dregs of humanity go and telly and tear each other apart. A bit like Jerry Springer!
My walk in the park brought me sadness and joy. These 2 little Daxi's broke my heart as I thought of Tiggy, Minki and Dean Dean boy. The weather is pleasant (this was the joy bit). I've watched the season change from Winter to Spring and it's been great. Getting to grips with my new laptop and I now have SKYPE so tried that out this morning.
Cooking supper for Kylie and Ed - Such domestication.
UK at a standstill with the airport closed. So glad I'm going on a cruise!
xxxx

Sunday Braai

Had a lovely day. Started with my walk in Clapham Common. At a bushy spot that I pass daily I saw police and all sorts of activity. It had been cordoned off as a crime scene and forensics were "searching" the area.. A body?, A rape? Drugs? Who knows, but it doesnt only happen in SA obviously!
Kylies friends came round for a Braai. Ed was the Chef (men just love FIRE).
It was a lovely day and Julia popped round for a cuppa.
Relaxed in the evening.... bliss

Doesn't my baby look lovely?... Almost up to date now.

Started the day by running (yes!) running and walking on Clapham Common. Ed went off to a Stag do, so Kylie and I had time together today. Doesn't she look lovely??
We went off to investigate a small laptop as my laptop is giving up it's will to live and weighs a ton! (Don't we all I hear you say).
We had a lovely pub lunch and a walk around the "places to be seen in Clapham". It is incredible that people appear from nowhere once the sun comes out. Everyone was eating Alfresco and smiling - Amazing what the sun can do.
I almost got floored by a Staffy chasing his owner on his bicycle. The owners bike, not the staffies!! haahahaha

So...
Exercise - lots
Joints - none
Wine - NONE !!!!!! hip hip hoorah

Ed is still out at his Stag day and Kylie is all glammed up and going out with her mates, so I have an evening to myself (hence bringing my blog up to date).

Now to my business ....

I invested in a hotel in Hull. The Hotel is called "The Townhouse" and I attended it's Grand Opening on Thursday.
A 3 hour train journey from Kings Cross to Hull. It was a lovely cocktail party with local press and celebs from the local area. It is a boutique hotel and there are 27 rooms and 26 shareholders. So, fingers crossed please. The cocktail party for the press and tourist/business people was great and I met such lovely people. Dizzy Hill was a great laugh. She used to live in SA, so we had lots to chat about. Including how weird yet great it can be being single! The shareholders and their guests then had a wonderful dinner getting to know each other and talking about "our hotel". Only got to bed at 1am which is way past my bed time. Woke with a bit of a thick head due to all the champers, but a Yorkshire Breakfast with lots of black pudding sorted that out.
Got back and we headed of to Lauren and Ryans ( Julia's daughter and my God-daughter ) for a fun filled evening of "Saucy Charades".... say no more!

Girls go shopping

Slept like a log on Kylie and Ed's bed as they were away in Bath.
Unpacked and felt a bit disorientated. Julia and I decided to go to Westfield which is a huge shopping centre about an hour away from Kylies.
We had yummy fish n chips and caught up on our lives. Julia and I have known each other for 27 years so we just sort of slot in where we left off.
It is often hard I think for close friends who no longer share a day to day life to remain as close and loyal as we have, but we do text daily. It was a great girly day with much hilarity and just what I needed.
We bought yummy food from Marks & Spencers (woolies sort of) and brought our spoils home to Kylie and Michael (Julia's hubby and Godfather to my babies) and had a lovely evening.
xxxx

Last day

My final day in Turkey was lovely and relaxing. I finishd another book - This one about a Leper Colony in Greece. It is amazing to me that during the divorce I just couldn't read any more. I would read a line or two and forget what I'd read. I certainly would not have been able to read fiction! I've read about 3 books and am busy with a fourth (Joy!) I am meditating again (only about 15 mins) and I reaffirm every day what it is I WANT ! Positive thoughts, positive energy, positive people.
I paid a final visit to the Hamam for a scrub down. I do not have great experiences with shuttles/taxis, as the one that took me to the airport got lost. Say no more.
Arrived at Gatwick at 2 in the morning. My taxi driver was there as expected, my name on his board. It was chilly, but I was glad to be back. My Turkish adventure over. The driver talked all the way to Kylie's home. We got to know each other well at that time of the night.. no traffic and just a menopausal mad woman to talk to. He thought I was incredibly brave to be doing my Shirley Valentine. He asked me what the best thing of being divorced (which I will now call "single")was. I thought for just a moment and replied "I am no longer accountable"....... Bliss

The Mosque - a highlight

My new friend Patrick came through to Antalya so that we could be tourists together.
The highlight was a visit to the Mosque. When the photos are working again I will add a pic or 2. They gave me a sarong type garment to cover my legs and another to cover my head. It was wonderful inside. The floor is beautifully carpeted. No shoes are permitted. It was peaceful and a few worshippers were praying. A very special moment.
We walked all through the Old Town of Antalya and had a very nice lunch... strange pushy waiter, but the food was yummy.
Bought lots of Turkish delight (too sweet for me) to take home and some divine little Turkish Slippers for Jorja (my friend Kerri's daughter).
A lovely day and poor Patrick had a 2 hour bus journey back to SIDE (pronounced Seeday). So Patrick, it was good to meet you and thank you for making that bus journey to Antalya. I will continue to practice and learn French.
Had a lovely quiet supper (overlooked by the chef!).

Myra, Kekora and St. Nicholas's church and burial place.

With a heart ready to move on, I joined a tour group.
I met Patrick Lechat who is from Switzerland and we tried to communicate with my terrible school girl french and his pretty good English. I met another wonderful German man whose wife had passed away only 4 weeks ago.
The tour was wonderful and we visited Myra a Roman City, we had a great boat trip - this is where I met Patrick as he asked me to take his photo. It is so difficult travelling alone as you can't take pics of yourself!
We had pretty disgusting lunch, but a great day.

St. Nicholas (Father Christmas, Baba Noel, Santa Claus). The church has his Sarcophogus in it. Again I was amazed at how close we could get to everything.

A weird thing has happened a couple of times with people assuming I am Russian! Not sure what that is all about. (Big leather boots and a tall hat?) Apparantly its the shape of my face/eyes and the hair colour???
It was a long day but I have to say that it was just what I needed.... To meet lovely kind people, to enjoy the wonderful history of Antalya and the surrounds.

The low point since my divorce

Woke on Saturday, all full of beans and happy to have another day of leisure as the weather was lovely. Sadly, it was not to be. The horrible texts from my ex-husband began at about lunchtime and continued throughout the afternoon.
Accusations, assumptions that I am in Turkey with my friend Rouen, a terrible low point to say the least.
I am trying to move on, to grow up and to learn to be with myself. I cried for hours with the feeling of injustice and that I will never be able to move forward.
At this point I would like to say to Sandra and John the biggest ever THANK YOU. I came down to have a coffee and they were sitting waiting for their taxi to the airport. They propped me up, listened and showed no judgement. Wonderful people and they really helped me to turn everything around. After they left, I struggled to sleep, but finally nodded off at about 4am only to be up at 6am for my next day tour..... So, when you are low you cannot go any lower and I decided there and then at 6am that I will NEVER look back. I must go forward.... onward and upward.

Friday - A day of leisure

Gosh... how fat I looked at that waterfall! Fortunately the new Nikes have kicked in and I'm not looking too bad now! Hee Hee.
So, Friday I decided to do Nothing - what a pleasure.
I went for walks, tried to find an Internet Cafe.. A guy in a business suit walked for about 10 minutes to take me to one - very kind but then I was totally lost!
The Internet Cafe looked very busy and when I asked for a place the guy said "you can go under the table"???!!! What? He actually meant I could go downstairs!! hahahahahahaa
I spent the day sun bathing and chatting to a wonderful couple John and Sandra. John is a military man and Sandra works at a school. They were hysterical and Sandra and I hit it off straight away.... many glasses of wine and a lot of talking about marriage, men and all of that. So wonderful to meet them both and we are keeping in touch.
Struggling to add pictures today, so I will add it later.
Bought a lovely Pashmina and spices for Ed and Kylie.
One hysterical thing is that the chef at the hotel stands and watches the guests having supper (his creation??) - It's hysterical.

The National Park

This was a beautiful waterfall in the national park and completed a wonderful day of touring and meeting great people.

Next stop - Aspendos

The acoustics in the Aspendos Theatre were amazing. I was at the very top (big climb) and I looked down when I heard the lone voice of one man singing. It was as if he was standing right next to me.