Does It Only Happen To Me?

WHAT A WEB WE WEAVE!

A strange happening today. I've come across three spiders, one after the other - small, medium and LARGE! This is what occurred.

In my bathroom this morning I noticed a small black dot just hanging in mid-air near the bath taps. So I picked up the thread it was hanging from and dropped it near the plug hole. But it held on tight, and during the Clash of the Tightens another medium-sized spider hurried along the bath rim. Surprised that the little one had called for its big brother, I encouraged it to visit its relative at the plughole.

Then I remembered that the night before I had been startled by a LARGE spider scuttling along the toilet floor, and had quickly placed an almost empty toilet roll over it, before toddling off to bed. Must be dead now, I thought, so picked up the toilet roll but the LARGE spider scuttled off again until my quick toilet roll reflex brought it to a halt.

Now, I could have flattened it but the thought brought visions of having to clean it off the floor, so instead I slid some cardboard under the roll on the floor, and carried it carefully to the open window, where i released it, and the LARGE spider scuttled happily away, calling to its two relatives to meet him at the other end of the drainpipe.

Do you think seeing three spiders one after another was the sign of a sinister event to come. Or does it mean that Spider-Man might come visiting?

If he does I'm not going to let him scuttle off so easy.

WHAT AN END!

Unfortunately, the pain in my shoulder was so bad that I had to go to Raffles....no, not the famous Raffles who dispense Singapore Slings, but the Raffles Hospital where they were really pleasant and helpful. A blood test showed all to be okay, my vitals were all in order, so the doctor suggested I have an MRI which would then have to be followed through and meant I would have to remain in Singapore. (does this sound familiar? Check out my description of injuring my ankle about four years ago). Of course, I couldnt do that so they gave me more painkillers and another injection and some type of Valium to take at night.

This morning I am much better, but not capable of doing very much exploring etc. so the others have gone out and about while I rest as much as possible until I have to vacate the room. Then we're off to the airport. My 'carers' will be leaving for Auckland first, then I'll be heading for my flight to Manchester via Dubai

What an unfortunate ending to my trip. Just hope I'll manage it without too much drama. More later.

OOPS, WHERE WAS I?

Where on earth did I disappear to, you may be wondering. Well it wasn't in Darwin, though we were out and about there for a few hours . Most of our short excursion landed us in museums and such. Did you know that Darwin was almost flattened by a tornado in ? Well now you do.

This excursion was flattened by our next one a couple days later....in Bali. Our erudite guide, born and bred in this lovely country, filled his job extremely well, and was much appreciated for his easy delivery, informing us of the economics and politics adopted so that every person had the same rights to accommodation and existence. More later.

TWELFTH DAY

Singapore is ready and waiting for our attention, but once again doesn't seem to welcome me. I developed a muscular spasm in my left shoulder that required a quick visit to the medical centre just before we are to disembark. This gave us the opportunity to meet the MD who is a South African, and very pleasant indeed ( especially as he confessed that he suffers with the same problem). After being dripped (!) for about half an hour, Miriam was handed my supply of Valium, anti-inflam, and painkillers for the next three days, after which I shall be on my way home, all on my ownsome. Which now gives me the opportunity to express my thanks to Miriam, my daughter in law, who couldn't have been more helpful. Together with the pain I was experiencing I seemed to lose the ability to make decisions, etc, but she never faltered once. Thanks Minky, you were like a mother to me. More than that, you were the best of friends. Thanks to Dale and Gary too.

Well, we're waiting to disembark, and get a taxi to take the four of us with all our cases to our home for the next few days - the Riverview. Ciao for now!

Sixth day at sea

I get a bit confused by the change of time - but here we are, still sailing along on a calm sea and in hot air. we will reach Darwin tomorrow and join an excursion.

What have we done other than frying in the sun? There are dozens of activities arranged every day so we make a selection, either together or separately. Keeping in touch sometimes becomes a problem - I think they should issue an electronic armband - but we catch up mainly at mealtimes, except with food freely available, that could be anywhere.

The Internet hasn't been available so hopefully I can publish this.

Lotsa luv from this well fried lady.

Sent from my iPad

WEDNESDAY, 3RD APRIL

So much to do and see at sea, that I haven't been posting as I should. I am almost burned to a crisp under beautiful sunny skies; full of fabulous food; and exhausted from trying to keep up with the myriad of activities available to keep passengers happy....and this is only our third day.

We discovered that the ship goes on to Japan after Singapore, and has been travelling for some time. The passengers seem to be people over fifty, or even sixty, mainly well overweight, and some even incapacitated. Hardly any young ones. The older men are complaining that there's nothing worthwhile looking at. Aw hell, and I thought I was doing pretty well.

Tonight is evening attire as we meet the Captain for dinner....well, sort of. But I suppose if you've seen one Captain, you've seen them all. More importantly, the Internet facility seems to be non-operative at present, so I can only post whenever it is fixed.

Nice supper. No captain! I think only the fancy passengers get to meet him.

SO THIS IS OZ!

After a comfortable and short flight to Sydney airport, Miriam's brother, Cecil, was there to meet us, with a large car he had borrowed from one of his family (much needed with four passengers and enough baggage for a 12 day cruise) . So, after a 45 minute drive to his St Ives home, we were safely ensconced in three bedrooms that used to be for the twins, Jonathan and Anthony, and their sister Lisa. So the weekend started.

As it was Friday night, Glynis was busy, busy, busy preparing food, and soon the house was inundated with with people, and we sat down to a lovely dinner. But that was nothing, because their house is constantly inundated with family, especially little people because each of the offspring have produced three. And what a joy they are. The house is like a nursery school when they are all there.

Since it was already the Jewish Passover and our hosts are very observant, just a few cupboards were open to us irreligious lot. Fair enough! They couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful during the three days before we were shuttled to Wharf 5 to board the Sun Princess.

PACK IT UP

Getting ready for the next step on my journey I.e. our trip to Sydney, isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Quite simply because on Emirates luggage allowance is 30 kg, and on our Quantas flight it is only 23 kg. so what am I supposed to do with the rest of my luggage?

After much consideration, Gary paid in advance for my extra bag of luggage as it was cheaper than paying at the airport.

To my surprise all the Tony's family came to see us off, at 7 in the morning!! It was marvellous to have them all there, and Gary got a few good photos.

CHAG SAMEACH

Matzo in the house...so sing the people from Sesame Street a la Les Miserable at this address.sat downsat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpzLKo3diWk&sns=em. What a lovely idea!

And so will we be singing tonight...as the Gary Blackmans (and me) join the Tony Blackmans for the first Seder of Passover.

CHAG SAMEACH! HAPPY HOLIDAY! To people all over the world who will be celebrating the Jewish people escaping from Egypt and tyranny so very long ago.

After this, Gary, Miriam, Dale and I will be getting ready for our cruise to Singapore. More later.

Wot an evening. About 20 people sat down together....and here I have to explain - 9 accounted for family, but tender-hearted Tony and Sharon invited some other new New Zealand families to celebrate the Passover with them. 'Cant leave them on their own' said tiny Sharon as her big husband nodded in agreement. This is how they managed:

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE

Went along to Miriam's dance class....well, the one she teaches...and did a bit of rock n roll (why do I feel that I have lost my bounce? Perhaps it's wearing flat shoes that does it.) anyway, my ankles and feet feel a bit tighter now. I'll have to start lessons when I get home. Best of all, I'm sure a couple of guys were looking at me lasciviously, if you know what I mean. Nice feeling!

Earlier, I spent some time with Mr. Smile - my grandson Mathew. Can u believe it? Instructions - keep granny busy! And he did, with delicious seafood chowder at a St. Heliers restaurant by the beach. In New Zealand, the beaches go on for miles.

Am feeling very relaxed and rested. I love New Zealand! Feel safe here. It reminds me of South Africa in my younger days - wide clean streets, sunshine much of the time. Oh, correction! Every two years you will find non-organic rubbish piled on the pavement outside some houses. Fancy a slightly broken set of drawers, or a damaged suitcase - help yourself, if you're quick enough. Anything that's still on the pavement after about two weeks get collected by the municipality, and dumped. Of course some trucks collect scrap iron, and make a profit, but who cares? So long as they don't fight over it.

Gotta get up and go. Caylie's fetching me later to go to a show...the bioscope....erm...movies. Ciao for now.

BIRTHDAY BLISS

What's better than to share some of my birthday pics. The first one is the magnificent cake granddaughter Caylie made. That's me, Caylie, and the wonderful Miriam, my son Gary's wife for whom nothing is too much trouble.