Nashville time

Wednesday February 7
Back from our little trip into warm weather but not much left of the day.

Thursday
Unpacking. Washing. Stocking up the fridge. Back to cooking after a week of just showing up at mealtimes.

Friday
I went to Helen's because she said I could help her with something. I enjoyed working with her. She kept telling me that I made a difference. What a nice feeling. In a break she showed me the two rabbits which had shown up in their backyard under the shed one day. Sometimes she feeds them.

After school William came with us to spend two nights. We watched a lot of the Olympic winter games. After all, it only happens every four years.

But he wasn't just sitting still. He participated. VIDEO!

Saturday 

The forecast was that nice. Rain all day. When I picked William up I asked Helen whether he had a raincoat. She said that it was in the school backpack but he didn't like it.

It had rained heavily in the night and continued. We could do white water rafting in our little creek. So much water everywhere when there is usually none.

William wants to go with Papa to the used-book-store. I talk him into wearing his rain coat. Ha-ha, we found out why he doesn't like it. See where the sleeves end?

We shop for her new one. None at Kohl's. Season already over? But Target has one. William likes it because he likes the zipper. Helen likes it because she thinks the color makes him easier to track.

Here he is in it.

They found 8, 9 and 10 of the series of the "Diary of the wimpy kid" he is reading right nowas he was "addicted" to it and Papa bought them for him. When they came back from the store he started reading 8. But he told Papa he was upset because somebody had scribbled in the book and you don't write in books. When Papa looked at it at the townhouse he could tell William that he had something very special. It was the signature of the author.

What do you do on a rainy day? How about stopping at Panera for a little refreshment? 

I think William is so cute.

He loves playing games. Lots of different ones but right now his favorite is "Connect 4". He managed even to beat Papa when Papa was careless or too fast.

Oh yes, the giant rabbit is still around and had to watch Olympic games too.

The townhouse is close to the Nashville Airport and quite often we pass it. There is this bridge where planes go over and every so often we see one but are too early or too late to take a photo. This time ... perfect. Got it. Fun.

Monday morning. Actually, the alarm clock rang at 5:30 am and in less than one hour we were on the road. It took us 1 hour longer than usual because of traffic. We came to a stop at one point just after we had passed an exit. But I accomplished something. Working on Easter eggs. Tatting.

And ... we are a couple who talks with each other. So, being cooped up in the car we talked about this latest experience. Of course our mini-vacation and first time on a Holland America ship (which was great) but how grateful we are of having time with our children. Happy about family times, some times made by FaceTime. William facetimed with Caleb and Aunt Sarah. The two cousins are so cute with each other. How different was it 30/40 years ago when James and I tried to stay in contact with our families in Europe. It has become so easy. 

Day 8 - End of the Cruise

Wednesday February 7
The alarm clock rang early and we got ready. Of course there was no "When & Where" but there was a "Voyage Log". Some information on it:

Captain: Colm Ryan

Cruise Director: Jario Lobo

Officers & Crew: 574

Nationalities of Crew: 38

Miles traveled: 2039

Fuel Used: 110,950 Gallons

Eggs Consumed: 15,000

We had the option to select to be transported to the airport from the ship for a few dollars offered by Holland America Cruise Line. And as everything else it worked like a charm. We had to tell them when our flight was going and were told to disembark shortly after 8 am.
Our luggage was taken care of too.

We had a very long time at the airport. But whether we wasted time at the ship or at the airport didn't really make any difference. After we could check our suitcases we went for a walk outside.

Something in the airport floor I thought was cute. Quilt pattern? Lace pattern?

Later James scouted around and found a lunch place for us. It was not cheap but very good. I only mind if it is expensive and horrible tasting.

Finally we boarded. It was on-time and all was well. Since we had no internet on the ship we could not check in early so we were among the last to board and didn't sit together. But for 2 hours ....

I set next to a lady with a service dog. She told me that she was hearing impaired and the dog was helping her. He didn't say a peep (oh, I mean "woof") the whole flight. But he decided to cuddle up a little next to my thigh. No big deal.

Ben and William picked us up from the airport in Nashville and brought us to the townhouse. We landed earlier then scheduled but they had to circle around twice until we had our luggage.

Thank you, Ben and William!!!

Day 7 - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Tuesday February 6

The "When & Where" told us that we would reach the private island of Half Moon Cay and anchor at 8 am and we did. You could set your watch by it. There was no pier and they had to let the boats out to tender us. When the boats are lifeboats they take 150 people. When they are tenders they take 90 passengers. Everything was very well organized and was no bother.

We had no tour or plans. Just looking for the beach!

Past a little chapel.

The beach was lovely but the sky not so much. At least it was still warm.

Of course, James is going for a swim. Since it's only people from our ship and another Holland America we think everything is safe to leave on the chairs and I prefer to go for a walk along the water.
VIDEO!

Bummer. It starts to rain. Not buckets but a fine mist. James in the water doesn't mind. I find a shelter. When it stops again I walk back to the chairs but James comes toward me and asks what I had done with the towels and our stuff. Nothing! His hat with t-shirt and his glasses were still there but two bags were gone. And our sandals. Bummer!

Luckily I had at the last minute decided to take his telephone (with attached cards) into my pocket as well. What a blessings.

So, we found a place where we can report this in case it will be found. We did walk again forth and back  on the beach to make sure we didn't overlook it (since we like walking anyway). Their first reaction had been that we didn't know where we had left it but since we could tell them that James' hat etc had still been there that was not the case. 

We had been told to wait a little close by and sat for a beer.

Then we decided it was time to get back to the ship. We could have had BBQ on the island (compliments to the cruise line) but were not so keen on it. So, a lady supervisor went to both tender stations with us to make sure our stuff wasn't turned in and wants to make the people aware of it. I wanted a picture in front of the sign and she took it for us. Nice lady.

We went back to the ship with a different boat. I felt awkward to be barefoot but so what.

Big bowl of salad for lunch again. Love that salad with the seared tuna and balsamic vinaigrette. Rewarding myself with dessert. Why not?

"When & Where" had announced: last tender at 2:30 pm and promptly at 3 the anchor was lifted. Well, they tried. Somehow we noticed that there might have been a problem that it was stuck. The ship maneuvered to give it a different angle or so and finally it worked. Interesting.
VIDEO!

A miracle! We got a call to the cabin to came down to where we had entered the ship again. They had found our stuff. No idea what had happened. Nothing had been critical but it was nice to get it back anyway especially my shorts and sandals since I hate shopping.

It deserved celebrating (as if we needed a reason)  and we went to another Martini sampling.

I can't find where we had written down some notes but the first one was made with cucumber. Can't remember the other two. But they were definitely different than the tasting the day before. And, to be honest, more juice-drinks then anything else. No harm done.

Again, a little waiting time before dinner. The piano/violin music was delightful.

Dinner with two other couples. A table for 6 is almost best for conversation. Very nice people. 

And later it's time to pack. The week went fast!