The World is your Oyster!Good Day,
Happy St David's Day to all my Welsh friends. I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are! Our Executive Chef Trevor Connolly has a special menu on for Dinner this evening in honour of the day.
I have fond memories of Wales as I lived in Llandudno for two years while attending Llandrillo College which is situated between Llandudno and Colwyn bay - I always like to be beside the sea! I was awarded Student of the Year at Llandrillo in 1981, however I could not go to the Awards Dinner as my Father passed away suddenly. I was always sorry that I was not able to attend that dinner. Alexander Cusick's advice to me was to see the whole world before deciding that I wanted to settle in one place - I was working in London at the time and he never knew that I went to sea. He would have loved to hear all the tales of my travels and I think he would have approved!! He was a great story teller and had a great sense of humour. He was a Grocer by trade so my family has always been involved in food production. Like all good sons I took his advice, and what is more I have never regretted it. While in Llandudo I used to work weekends at the Empire Hotel at the top of Moystn Avenue - it was owned and run by the Maddocks Family and I have happy memories of these times.
I have yet to tour South Wales. I went to Cardiff once to attend a court case at the County Court - near to the Daily Echo building. I stayed at the St David's Hotel on the Bay - very nice it was!
I am told that the whole Bay area is now built up and better than ever. The last time I was there was the year 2000. I have many friends in this area. Hello to Norma and Peris thanks for your recent message! See you at Christmas if not before.
Sunday at sea today and Staff Captain Kevin Oprey took the service this morning. Gary our Cruise Director had the choir trained up - 60 plus members and I played the piano. We had a good congregation - 500+. The singing was great and we did St David proud! We sang an introit also!
At 1400 hours today King Neptune appeared once again for the 'Crossing of the line' Ceremony as is traditional on P&O Cruise Ships! Much fun was had by all who took part and for the spectators they could not stop laughing........... Lots going on here on board Arcadia and we sail north to Guam. There was great interest in our port talks for Nagasaki in Japan today - The Palladium Theatre was packed to capacity. Graham Howell was in his element!
Here is a poem that the Staff Captain read today - I have not heard it before - thought it was a good one.
SHIP SHAPE
The sea of life presents us
With some currents that confuse
And many “ships” are needed
On this memorable cruise
Apprentice-ship and Workman-ship
Can form a worthy crew
Leader-ship and Statesman-ship
Can help steer us safely through
Wor-ship is a Flag-ship
That is carefully designed
And proper navigation
Can leave Hard-ship far behind
Though the sea of life’s uncharted
At times it must be said –
The finest craft is Friend-ship
When it steams – Full Speed Ahead!
Thanks for all your comments - it is always good to hear from you. At least I have been to New South Wales recently!
Best wishes meantime for all us Arcadians......
James.
'We'll keep a welcome in the hillside..............until I come home once again to Wales'
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4 comments:
Thank you for the St David's Day wishes - as someone originally from Swansea, but now living in Wiltshire, I still like to celebrate the land of my fathers! It's good to hear the Chefs mark the occasion too.
I remember the Crossing the Line ceremony on the old Arcadia, on a Buenos Aires to Manaus cruise in 2003. We watched King Neptune and his followers with great enjoyment and I have many photograhs of the event.
You're well and truly on your journey home now. We shall have left for Coral Princess just before you arrive back in Southampton, so will miss your return. Six weeks to go!
Gill
James,
Thank you for the blog, I had forgotton all about St Davids day here in foggy (yes foggy) Italy! I am now picturing daffodils (and leeks) and am feeling much brighter!
My log fire is burning away as I try to keep warm here today - what is that saying about March coming in like a lamb or was that a lion? I cannot quite remembr.Whatever it can only get better here before it finally goes out!
I am so looking forward to the next ports of call even though I am not on board and we have heard from our friends The Fleckneys who, thanks to the miracle of the blog (and Ross I believe), got my greeting. Amazingly you were quite restrained and very diplomatic about passengers who are late back to the ship but from their comments I think that there were some scary moments on their part after the excusion to see the koalas!!
Congratulations again on your blog (and professionalism with those unruly passengers!). Its great getting both sides of the story!
To absent friends,
Love from Louise & Tony. xx
Hi James
Well today I have been noticing all the lovely bulbs springing to life! Snowdrops, crocus and daffodils are all coming to life! I can't believe it's the 1st March already.
Reading the way you have fond memories of your father is very touching. I'm sorry he hasn't been around to see you travel the world. But I'm sure he'd be really proud of you.
Anyway, I'm just listening to Mr B practising his piano. On our xmas cruise in 2006 we went to the seafood buffet lunch in the restaurant where we were seated with the classical pianist onboard. A delightful young lady (can't remember her name, but I bet I could find the paperwork and find it)! Mr B said he'd always wanted to play the piano and here he is doing it after she pointed him in the right direction. Never too old to start something new. He's playing "thing you'd better leave right now" by Will Young. I can actually recognise the tune ;-)
Well I still wish I was there with you guys doing the worldie's than being stuck here at home! What with your blog, the you tube blog of Oriana's world cruise and watching the webcam's I'm green with envy!
Elaine (aurorabore)
Thank you for mentioning St David's Day...we feel it's a bit neglected outside of Wales when you look at how everyone celebrates March 17th for St Patrick!
As someone who was born in North Wales, I spend many a holiday in Llandudno!
Keep up the good work. The weather here is starting to feel a bit more like spring, although it's forecast to go colder again this week. What a long winter. It least it's now March and I can say "NEXT MONTH I'M ON A CRUISE!!!!!"
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