Mayotte

Thanks to Carol and Mike for the blog,-- when they return that is. Chris, thank you re Aloe Vera and keeping an eye on the house. I do hope that you enjoy your trip at half term. I can not put photos on my blog, I asked Alan last year. Pity about the Kart, but as you say, ' Weebers' have to find things out by themselves. Steve, I thought it said 'new series' in Jan maybe it said in the new year, Ncis I mean. Please keep checking for me. My tour in Mayotte was informative if uncomfortable. It was in the afternoon and I have never felt heat like it. I know it was 86f in the morning so it must have been pushing 100f in the sun early afternoon. The bus did not have air conditioning so there was little relief from the humidity. We walked down a twisting hilly path to see a place where Ylang Ylang is distilled for use in the perfume industry. I got some soap but the walk back up the hill was nearly too much for me. Was I glad to get back on the bus. People have been saying that it was the hottest they have ever known and these are people who have done the World Tour. Later on we went to a beach which was really nice. There were some French people bathing and sitting in the shade. Mayotte is a French Territory so I guess that is why they go there. Julie, M.Guerlain has his own plantation of Ylang Ylang, I wonder if there is any in our favourite perfumes. By the way Jules, did you see my question re. the embroidery that I am doing? We have a sea day today so it is crafts and art. In crafts we are making a necklace by threading tiny beads, I had just got the correct length when the big bead at the end came off. Chaos, beads all over the floor, every single one came off. Maureen helped me to pick them up and I started again, flipping beads. Well its bed time now, XXXXXXXXXXXX

Mayotte

Hello again ,this is where we are ,12 D 47.18 S , 45 D 14.71 E . Mayotte , Comoros Islands and from the deck it looks pretty good. I go on a tour this aft . Have I mentioned that Lord Michael Jopling joined us to give a series of talks and to do 'An audience With ' along with Lord David Steel ? Anyway it was very interesting and Lord Jopling's talk re. the last 50 years of change in Southern Africa was brilliant . Culture and Crafts , can't beat it .I have told Maureen that she is the ' kiss of death ' to my planned tours .When I told her that I had booked for Reunion -- she booked ,I told her I had booked for Nosi Be --she booked -- both cancelled !!! We have both booked seperately for Tsavo National Park from Mombassa so that should be O.K. I have booked for Cairo' the Pyramids and the Nile ,Mau has not but she will ! If there is a riot in Cairo and I can not go , I am going to throw her overboard . Kidding , she is my new best friend ,from last year's cruise . I now go for an early lunch ready to jump in the 'tender , and give Mayotte the once over . Byeeeeeeeeee .

Somewhere.

Well what a to do. We could not go to Reunion or Mauritious re. Cyclone Gael in that area. Today the Captain says we can not go to Nose Be in Madagascar re. the people killed there a couple of days ago. Apparently the F and C Office has made it a no go area so we 'no go'. Saga head office have said that their insurers have informed them that if we do go they will not insure us. Instead, Saga have found us another island. One of the French D.O.M.--T.O.Ms as is Reunion. It is Mayotte, a T.O.M. I believe ie. Terretoir Outre Manche which I learned about in a french class some time ago, that is arranged for tomorrow. Julie, the embroidery that I am doing is Bargello or Florentine stitch, have you heard of it? I am working up to stitching a tapestry which I have wanted to do for a while. Today 4 of us made 2 bracelets from gift wrap, safety pins and a few beads. Fascinating, they are to sell at a Charity Fair. Saga does all sorts of charity things, usually for children in underpriveledged countries, so we are doing our bit. I knew quite a few people here before craft and painting classes ----I know a lot more now. I have been reading on our newsletter about all the snow in England, it is amazing, I can hardly believe it.

Steve , have you remembered that you are going to record NCIS onto DVD for me please ? From FX. I have got 1 to 4. Chris, how are my Aloe Vera plants? It is nearly bed time so bee bye all. XXXXXXXXXXXX

Gael

Steve, thanks for your heartening message re. C. Gael , I read it Thurs night. Cap'n did not tell us until yesterday night ,did not want to worry us unduly I guess .It seems that we are deviating our path to keep away from Reunion , I am shocked and apalled and devastated too .I really ,really want to go to Reunion and have a super tour booked .Have you any more news about Gael ? I am praying that it will veer away .The sea is rough with quite a swell but I have taken my pills so no problems . I wonder if I would be OK without but if I try and am sea sick I shall be sorry.I think that Saga are very good in giving free pills out .When I left the South Cape Bar last night after a drink with Mau ,I went through the dining room to my cabin .All the little round bowls with a flower in were under the tables instead of being in the centre of the tables . Always a good sign that ,'Take your pills '.At the moment the Captain is in contact with the ' High Ups 'in Saga to try to find somewhere else to take us if Reunion and Mauritious are not possible,swear swear swear. Will tell about Maputo later haven't time now , very busy today ,have I said that I joined the 'Crafts 'group ?No , well I have and with painting group and drawing group I hardly have time to call my own . G.T.G. love .XXXX Could not send ,try again .The Captain says that the sea temp is 30deg cent and it is trying to make Ruby 30 deg . Our cooling system is having a hard time of it and we have noticed that it is warmer than normal .Fancy that ! I would like to have a swim in that sea . Bye again.XXXX