Christmas and we didnt have to work ......

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wow this xmas was different. Normally really depressing as we have to work so much! This year was great. Xmas eve we went for dinner with our team, then had a few drinks and sung xmas carols with all the guests in the centrum (same place as the thanks giving day celebrations). We started a tradition this year as well. Normally xmas is such a build up then its over in a day. We decided this year that on xmas eve and boxing day we would open a present as well (make it a three day thing) It was nice as well, Claire got me some great things and it kept things going. Actual xmas day dinner was very disapointing though. Turkey was crap and there was no carrot and turnip, no roast potoatoes and no PRAWN COCKTAIL. The yanks have no idea! How can you have xmas with out Prawns in a spicy pink goo on a bed of lettice with a slice of lemon!! As always I miss my home cooked meals but what can you do.

Xmas day was spent down town in St Thomas Virgin Islands. Very hot! We phoned home and in the space of 30 mins standing on the phone i think I burnt to a crisp. We then went for a bit of lunch, which wasnt very christmasy but was very tasty.

So New years eve tonight and for all the luck we had with the cruise over xmas, we have none for New years eve. New years day is auction day. Which means I have a seminar in the morning and then an auciton in the afternoon. There is no way I can be anyway tired or hungover so we cant really go out and drink. If we do the money we earn will be affected and we cant afford that. So it sucks. But to be honest, New years celebrations have never been great for me on ships anyway so im not really too fused. I know Claire will be disapointed though.

Anyway we will make the best of it and the money we earn the better our holiday will be.

All the best for 2010 ..... only 6 weeks to go ;)

Thanksgiving Day Celebrations

So Thanksgiving roles around again and this year we actually sampled some of it. With it being a sea day we decided not to run an auction as so much was going on that day So we sampled the food and went out for the toast. As you can see most of the ship came out for it. Held in the Centrum, and some of the officers came out and gave thanks and then we had a baloon drop. We were standing up on deck 8 looking down into the centrum. They even had someone dress up as a turkey and almost got the chop..... but the Captain pardoned him! Nice to see some of the festivities anyway. Best thing, is xmas is almost here. The tree is up, the music is playing and were starting to get in the holly, jolly mood

St Maarten; another great port. Get off walk for 10 mins down to a nice beach, bucket of beer and a little swim. Plus if your in the market for any new gadgets then eletronics wise this is a good spot

So we were back in the good old Nassau during the jazz charter (first time I have had chance to put photos on since then. As you can see we were not alone. Always good to be back there.

Going to Nassau means going to the cricket club. This means real bacon and sausage! It also use to mean Stella on draught but thats now gone (which was a huge upset).

Long cruise

Well, I have always wanted to do longer cruises and they dont get much longer than this. 14 days as we move from Baltimore through to Tampa, we have just had our overnight in Bermuda and now we are off down to the Carib and some places I have never been to before; Tortola and Curacao.

Not that we have the money for anything to do in the ports but still, nice to be somewhere new. Its also the thanksgiving day cruise this week as well. This coming thursday which to us just means a big slap up meal (and a whole load of turkey)

Hopefully we might be able to enjoy a little bit of the whole vibe this year as we are not doing an aution on the day.

we will post again soon.........

Claire's Back

Thank God! Things just go easier with her around. Its a lot to do on your own and its a lot less stressful when somneone else is around to back you up. This week should be good. We finally get our first pay as auctioneers. And although our first month as auctioneers was not amazing. It does mean that we are strting down the right path. (xmas ay should be much better)

Gotta say something about Football. So annoyed today. ESPN advertise the Liverpool V's Birmingham game. I think I might finally see my first live game of the season and the tv goes black and stays that way the entire game. Not the season for us I know but still........ We could be about to be relegated and I would still want to watch. I miss football more than I miss bacon! and thats alot

We put in our vacation requests this week. Feb 15th if all goes to plan, back to Scotland, for a few, flyt out to Switzaland for a week and then back to sunny southport for a couple of weeks. We wont be on vaction long but after a week in switzaland and staying in hotesl for a couple of weeks in southport we wont have any choice. Cant believe its another 3 months away. Feel like I have been out here for such a long time already.

Glad to hear my little neice is on the mend, she sent me and Claire and email (well Neil wrote it but the idea was there) freaked me out when I heared she had the H1N1 stuff. You hear all this shit on the news but never think its gonna get anyone you know.

Anyway, filling really cos dont have much to say but wanted to put something in here cos its been a while and I know some people (thank you) are actually reading this.

Tired, hungover but happy

Well, that's the wedding weekend over now and hopefully some time for me to rest. Back in another hotel by Gatwick airport for our flight up north tomorrow morning. The wedding was fantastic. Both Colin and Michelle looked wonderful and blissfully happy. It was tough not having Paul at my side and I lost count of the number of times I cried........my little brother is all grown up. Brought back memories of our own day which was only 7 months ago.

Next up is the high school reunion on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing some old faces from school and catching up with some good friends. Maybe a halloween party on Friday night with mum and sis too - we'll see.

Hhhmmmm......too tired to think what else to write so I'll just finish here. I see Paul is keeping everyone updated from his side. Hope there is someone out there reading and following us? 

Cowley on his own at Sea :(

So Claire left me! Well for two weeks only but still feels very weired and not so good. Dont think I would fancy doing this job with out her. You need someone to keep you up on the bad days (like today) Other than that not much too tell. Been working hard since Claire left so had no time to myself (very tired after back to back then back to back auctions (four in five days is too much). So tonight gonna get a six pack of Coronea, some pringles and im gonna hit the playstation hard. I see beating Tiger woods, winning the cup with England, the league with Liverpool and posesseing some local tribes people in the process! Lucky I have a day off tommrow!

Were arriving in San Juan tomrow for a late arrival around three my time. However ive been there so many times and if you have nothing specific to do then its not the best of places to get off. Plus im broke which never helps!

So ive no idea if anyone is even reading this, would be interesting to know. Im keeping an eye on Neils and Marks, and Norma's. Hope your all keeping an eye on mine too. Otherwise im just talking tomyself. Not the first time though im sure!

Heading Home

Finally, I am on my way back home for Colin's wedding and my high school reunion. Sitting right now in Charlotte airport.....quite nice.....they've started boarding so I will be going very soon. It's been a long day but the excitment of seeing my family tomorrow will keep me going. Was sad to say goodbye to Paul this morning. Wish he was coming with me :o(

We got through the last cruise just fine with our boss on board. Actually was our best cruise ever and he was pleased with our program so things are looking good.

Anyway, my zone has just been called so I am off to take my seat for the 8 hour flight ahead. I'm sure Paul will be on here soon with his updates xx

And all that Jazz.....

So we have just finished a 7 day jazz charter. It was kinda nice, and relaxed. No seminars, only two auctions and they were what we call rapid fire auctions (done in an hour). We also had 500 guests less than normal. We were expected to tank but things went good. So happy days., We also got to see Coco Cay which was beautiful (see that sunset) and we returned to Nassau.

Nassau is a funny port, ive been there so many times that I hate the place. However going there once in a blue moon is great. We went to the cricket club and had an english breakfast and a pint of Stella......... Well actually they no longer have stella on the island (to my serious dismay) so I had to settle for a pint of heiniken (i miss pints!!)

Next day we went to Keywest were we went to Hardrock for lunch and there I did find my pint of Stella (not cheap though!). Then we had two sea days back home and now were in freezing cold Baltimore again. This cruise were off to Bermuda and one of my bosses is cruising! It shoudl be a fun week!

13th October 2009

No pictures to go with this update.....that's Paul's thing and I think you would all agree he's getting pretty damn good at taking them with his fancy camera and new lens :o)
Today we were back in Nassau, Bahamas......it was kind of like coming home. We've been there so many times now and kind of missed it. It was straight off the ship today and right over to the cricket club for a full english breakfast and a pint. Sadly though for Paul they stopped doing Stella on draught and he had to settle for something else. But it was well worth the walk in the blistering sun (much to my enjoyment......tanning whilst walking) just for the bacon, sausage and eggs.....yummy!!

So yes, I'm counting down the days until my return back to the UK. Will be sad that Paul won't be at the wedding with me but is it cruel to say I'm looking forward to some "me time"....... looking forward to catching up with the family and having a good girls catch up with my mates. Only 2 weeks though so will have to make sure to enjoy every minute.....and the cold & rain won't even bother me.

Ok, so I've babbled on enough. Like I said Paul's covered everything else. Arriving in Key West in the morning so no doubt, we'll have some new pictures to post from there. Until then........Ciao x

As you can see, the sunset on this little privite island was bloody amazing! Then the bugs swooped in and we rand for cover!! Work wize things are gooing preety good this cruise so all happy there

So the Grandeur is on a Jazz charter this week. That measn were going to different ports than normal. This one was Royal Carib's privite island called Coco Cay (behama's) Very nice! As you can see Claire was getting comfortable. Got to say, we didnt have much time there but it seemed really nice

For those of you thinking it..... Yes this is the stargate in the Bemuda. For the rest of you, after a day out we took a few pictures on the way back to our lovely ship you can see in the background.

TV Star

Well today I had my 15 mins of fame. I will now be shown on TV over and over and over again in each of the staterooms as I talk about the art program on royals tv channel. Claire didnt want her 15 minutes so it was just me. Funny everyone on ship that did it with me was expecting it to be soo easy for the art auctioneer (cos its my job to get up in front of guests and talk all day) However I get just as nervous each time I do something like that. I think thats ok though, if I didnt get nervous then Ive been doing it too long and not putting in any effort any more!

Second auction tomorrow. Hoping for a good one. Here goes!

So Fantastic! Ive just found out I can use this from my work computer and its not locked out. Dont know why it allows this nad not face book but who cares. Life as an auctioneer for Claire and I is going well. The money has not been the amazing amount we had origanlly hoped for but things will get better. Its certainlly not as stressful as our last jobs so we are deffinalty happier.

Im really bummed at the moment as Claire is going home on a work break for two weeks and Im getting left behind. Which means a number of things. Firstly im missing Colin's and Michelle's wedding (which really, really sucks) im also missing being at home for my dad's 70th (which also really sucks) and of course im missing all the usual like bacon, football, freinds and family (notice how I put Bacon first!)

So while Claire is back getting drunk and enjoying weddings and reunions; I am left to keep doing the auctions and trying to pay for all the booze she will be drinking ;)

Got to say though, although the money has not been as great as hoped; this ship has been good. All the different cruises we have been on or will be going on his much better than previous contracts on Carnival. With Carnival a ship only changes itinary every two to three years. On here I have seen Canada, New England, Bermuda, Nassau, Mexico, and a whole load more. Weve done 5 day, 7 day, 9 day and still to do 10 day and 14 day (god help me if thats a bad cruise to start it will feel like it will be going on forever)

And its a really nice ship too. We have a nice cabin, the team are nice and although not the socail butterflys that Claire would like, we still get on very well with a lot of people. All in all, life aint too bad

This is the stage were I do my thing..... Or try to anyway

Sunset sail away from Boston. ONly found out as we were too far away. Will get a better shot this week!

When in Canada do as the ......... Well we were board and very wet already

Claire ditches me for her new man in Canada

Boston is one of the nicest cities I have been to in America

The perfect end to a great day! Life is good

Speed Demon!! She didnt drive though, im not crazy!!

Sunset in paradise. And im not exaggerating

Another cool little place we found while hurtling around the island at 30 miles an hour!!

Our day trip around bermuda on a scooter found some little cool quite places

My new ship sailing in to meet us in Bermuda the day we signed on

Not quite the Liver Birds of Liverpool but still preety nice

Bermuda is Beuitful, expensive but Beauitful

The world has finally come to accept what I have been telling it for years. All we need is Sony. How cool is a sony electronics vending machine

The sail away from San Juan. A beautiful fort you can see as you sail away. However the view is nicer here than the actual port itself

Diving in Cozumel, very nice day and great life to see underwater. Turtles, baricuders, eels and huge lobsters. All in All a very good trip