Two Drifters

We’ve basically been away all month. First in Rye for Easter then on an incredible cruise from Singapore to Mumbai. First, Easter. We had almost a week in Rye and all the kids (plus Baby granddaughter of course) came to stay which was lovely. The weather held out and we were able to host the extended family for lunch on Easter Sunday. Just after Easter, we flew to Singapore to board Crystal Serenity, our first ocean cruise in Asia and our first cruise with Crystal. I am writing a story about the cruise for MiNDFOOD magazine and Andrew is recording a couple of long-form YouTube episodes. When we’re invited on a cruise, we’re still trying to work out the balance between working and holidaying but it’s a good conundrum to have!! We loved the cruise. In no particular order, the ship, our Suite, the rockstar dining, the free-flowing drinks, the destinations/Ports. All of it! We didn’t realise until we boarded that this cruise was the last segment of a World Cruise which had started in Los A...

We started the month by meeting our newest granddog, Kevin. Adorable! (and a bit scared of our two Golden Retrievers who are giant by comparison). Kevin is a groodle and his nickname is “Big Kev” so he’ll catch up fast! Go doggie zoo at family get-togethers! I headed into town one day for the Australian Society of Travel Writers’ Victorian Christmas lunch. It was held at the brand new Hotel Indigo on Bourke Street (adjacent to the brand new Holiday Inn) and neighbours with the brand new flagship MECCA and Rodd & Gunn stores. With the equally brand new Metro Tunnel, I am hoping that Melbourne is on the way back after the awful Covid lockdowns that snuffed Melbourne’s light. The ASTW lunch was actually only the second Victorian event I have been able to go to, the first being in early June last year. I didn’t know a soul last year and found it very hard but I now know a few people and met a few more that day and really enjoyed it. Writing is a solitary profession and I am beginning t...

Another year has started and, with it, we kicked off our first trip – a cruise on the Viking Orion from Sydney to Auckland. My Dad had booked this cruise but was not well enough to go and asked us to go in his place. We didn’t need to be asked twice! We missed our eldest’s birthday (he turned 28) but he and his fiancée were holidaying in Singapore anyway so I didn’t need to feel badly about that! Their wedding is at the end of the year so I will have a married child this time next year. Wow – when did I get that old??! The cruise was fun. The timing wasn’t great as it coincided with the other 3 kids and partners being on holidays. We ordinarily would have had lots of family time at Rye but, instead, we were sailing the High Seas! Also, we would not have chosen to cruise so soon after the cruise to Antarctica. Having said all that, we enjoyed it. We flew to Sydney (an adventure in itself as wild storms closed Melbourne airport twice whilst we were there!) By the time we arrived at the V...