21 September 2008

Birthday Celebrations. Trying To Escape To The Country and blog break!

Thank you to all,who sent me birthday wishes, cards and flowers. I did get an ECard but I could not open it...dammm PC! so whoever it was from Thank You so much, please let me know by email who you are!
A Birthday Treat

Many many months ago a dear friend booked a mini cruise on the Ventura (second largest cruise liner in the world) to Bruges. A weekend treat for my birthday she said. Well it was so much more than a treat. I loved every moment. Now I have the bug!
Once on board, we met up with our friends Loraine and David. Dumping the bags in our cabins,we set off to explore. As you can see, I did not have the camera on the correct setting, silly me for not checking, far too excited for that - almost all the photos were blurred !
Shame they were blurred, I did want to show you more of this new super cruise liner- she is big and beautiful.
This is moi and Mr N. just about to enter one of the many bars on board.One of the many pools, four in total. Nobody is here yet as people are still embarking - we were one of the first on board as you can see!!! and even though the sky was grey, it was warm. This pool soon filled with happy children.
Marco Pierre White and Frankie Detorri have a retro style fast food bar by this pool. Shame they were not working a shift on this particular afternoon. Perhaps they were still unpacking!

Our cabin, with en-suite and balcony....what more can a girl want.
Mr N. checking out the view as we set sail from Southampton.
The Gala night...we all dressed up in our best frocks and DJ's and drank copious amount of Champagne. Sorry the picture of me in my dress was too blurred but the sunset shot was OK!
Anyway I must cut this story short.........it was something I have always wanted to try. It was better than I imagined. Bruges is a very beautiful place and I cannot recommend this mini break highly enough to anyone who is thinking of taking a cruise. This little sampler of life at sea was enchanting. We dined on our first night in Marco Pierre Whites - The White Room - I really did wish he would appear, he scares me, but I would have loved to have met him for real.
And why am I cutting this story short.....because I have too much going on....my head is in a whirl. I guess I should not mention this and tempt fate, but hey !
The cottage is Under Offer......and whilst all this was going on, packing for holiday, speaking to Estate Agents.....Escape To The Country called me and wanted to film the cottage, oh no, I cannot cope with all this at once. Filming went ahead...as planned.
The little cottage I want to buy have not accepted my offer...negotiations continue.....
I have been whizzing from the south coast to London, to the Cotswold's and back to London, like a loon and in between...taking my little boys out. This is Freddie, only two years old...he is a big boy and a big softee too.

And this is Rocco who is one year old, looks like an angel...but he is not !
Mr N. and Freddie. Our fun day out was in Rye East Sussex. I did not get to do any shopping on this trip as the buggy could not fit in any of the shops, much to Mr N's delight. He hates shopping for more clutter.

Jude is doing well, now 5 months old and looking so much like his Mummy now.


I have to take a break for now. Only for two weeks. Deep breath. I am off to Greece with friends who have built a villa in Stoupa. The Estate Agents can get on without me.




32 comments:

Janet said...

Love your blog! What a fabulous trip! Can't wait to see and hear about Greece:)

Janet said...

Love your blog! What a fabulous trip! Can't wait to see and hear about Greece:)

Sandi McBride said...

I am so glad ;you enjoyed your birthday cruise, Carol...and those are some fine looking young men! Hope you get your cottage settled soon.
hugs
Sandi

Pondside said...

I'm with you on the joy of cruising! It's my new favorite way to holiday.
Your boys are gorgeous - aren't grandchildren a treat?
Good luck with the real estate biz and enjoy your preparations for Greece.

Amanda and Tim said...

Oooh belated birthday wishes - I'm so glad to see you had such a lovely birthday! As for the cottage being under offer and Escape to the Country filming - well WOW!! You must let us all know when your cottage is going to be on tv!! Have a lovely break to Greece and see you soon xx

LiLi M. said...

Enjoy your holiday in Greece and the fact that your cottage is under offer!

Sal said...

There's no stopping you now!! When I got back from Shropshire,I felt the same..like I wanted to travel a lot more than I do!;-)

Pipany said...

Wow, a blog and a half! So much has happened - TV shows, cruises, Greece; makes my life sound incredibly dull!!! Great read xx

P. said...

You are a lucky girl.

Alfazema

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a whirlwind time! The mini cuise looks fabulous. And how amazing to have your house on the tele.
Margaret and Noreen

julia said...

Have a rest in Greece! Great news about the cottage, exciting times ahead!
Julia xx

Cassie said...

A cruise! How exciting. I'm glad you had a good time. Your sunset picture is great. Have fun in Greece and eat a lot of food for me!

Unknown said...

Have a fabulous time Carol, so sorry I missed your birthday -stupid internet was having a tantrum. The cruise looked amazing.
Oh wow, escape to the country, I love that programme, do you know when it will be aired?
Rosie x

MelMel said...

How lovely spending your birthday like this! wow!

I adore charity shops!! xxxx

Pop in again soon!!xxx

Tilly said...

What a lovely birthday treat. Enjoy your break in Greece and good luck with the house buying!

Anonymous said...

wow, wow and wow, I'm not surprised your head is in a whirl..You will definately have to let us all know when the programme will be on. Your mini cruise looked fantastic, all your boys are adorable and have a super duper holiday in Greece.
Lisa x

Things Hand Made said...

Have a good trip.

Summer by the sea said...

Have a great time in Greece, the cruise looked great - I went to Bruge once about ten years ago and I really enjoyed it - Natalie x

Tinyholder said...

Hi Carole, I'm so sorry your offer wasn't accepted! How silly that they didn't take it given the house market problems!

I did see lots of lovely cottages when I was looking early this year but I can't remember where half of them were. Most of them were a little too far for us but would probably be perfect for you!. I remember seeing a lovely one in Blackboys and there's this one, not sure if it's your cup of tea but I thought it looked nice and has real character: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7020477.rsp?pa_n=2&tr_t=buy

Miss sew n sew said...

Your birthday treat looks fabulous I've been to Bruge it is so beautiful. Glad everythings happening for you with the cottage and really hope you get the cottage you dream of I have everything crossed for you. You must tell us when it's on Escape to the country I love that programe. Have a nice break in Greece hope you have your boys are just too cute!
Sarahx

Petticoat Lane said...

My goodness, you're feet haven't touched the ground!! What a fabulous cruise. Looks like you had an amazing time, what a birthday treat.
We had 'Escape to the Country' film the cottage almost opposite us a few years back and they were there for 2 days!! There's so much involved isn't there?
Fingers crossed with the offer and have a wonderful time in Greece.
Jane. xx

Garden Girl said...

Congrats Carol, on the offer on the cottage- how exciting for you! Best of luck to you with it. The cruise looks amazing, what a fabulous birthday pressie. Have a great time in Greece.x

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol,
As i walked in Moonlight Serenade was playing......it went along perfectly with your cruise,looked just gorgeous by the way.
Good news about the cottage and my fingers and toes are crossed for you,i can't wait to see pics of the new one.
Those darling little boys are just adorable!
Keep Smiling love Kristina XxX

Pretty Practicals said...

Hope you've had a fab time and caught a little late summer sunshine,
chat soon, Liz

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

have a lovely time in Greece ! Have just returned from Dorset and now must have a holiday house by the sea (we live in the countryside anyway) so good luck with the new abode!!
Lesley x

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

thank you for taking time out of yoru holiday to leave me a comment - hope you having a marvellous time!! the daughters party is over and was quite hard work but will blog about it soon :-)
have fun
Lesley x

Claire said...

Happy Belated birthday to you! Your cruise sounded fab! And what a lucky girl to have your beautiful cottage featured in one of my fave programmes, hubby gets v jealous watching some of the houses....lol....so I know he will be once he see's yours! Hope you find one by the sea v soon! Have a fantastic time in Greece....Claire x

Grand Life said...

It's great to browse through your past months posts. I've been slow this summer due to dial-up at the cabin. You make me want to take my second cruise.
Have a great fall
Judy

Racheal Miles said...

Yet again, I want, I want, I want.

The cruise ship looks beautiful and such a treat.

You are going to be on escape to the county.

The boys look like lovely little devils.

And as for Jude, if I had him on one knee and Guy on the other, it would be pure bliss.

Such busy times ahead of you.

Racheal x

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
But, I think you should have gone to PORTUGAL instead...
My country.(lol)
Just joking!
Make the most of the sunny weather!
Kisses
Debbie Moss

OhSoVintage said...

Gosh what a lot going on! What a kind friend! I've never been on a cruise (I feel seasick on the mezzanine floor in M & S!) but some friends have just come back from one and can't praise it enough. Congrats on the sale of your house and how exciting for it to be featured on Escape to the Country. Hope it's Alistair who shows the people round (he's my next door neighbours' son and the best I think). You must fill us in on all the details etc. and when it will be broadcast.
Ruth x

Sandi McBride said...

Carol, be home soon!
Sandi