General Chat

I had to have my floaties on to float past customs. Sue's rowing was not much chop.

Oops, I hadn't been drinking and I did think I had read it through before posting

Dinner was very nice, I am sure you will like the food Persie,

It is 8am and already hot, we have a lovely sea view and there are a couple of people in the water for a pre breakfast swim, unless they are Sue and Persie evading customs of course

How funny!!

I only noticed one of those mistakes when I read Linda's post earlier ................ "they" do say that you see what you expect to be there :-D


it's a lovely sunny day here, chilly at night but the days are getting up to 15 or 16.

Tonight is the Blood Moon ............ it's expected here at about 7 pm this evening. It gets dark at about 7:25 pm, so we should see some of it :-)

Linda has not been drinking, it is just what she types on that has made her post look that way.

Hi Carole.. xx good to hear that your family are doing well. How are you and your job? <3

It is lovely to see you Carole, I am glad that your foamy are all doing well

I hope Tec was watching the rugby, I don't even mind listing if it aide him happy

We have arrived and it is suitably five star, so gets the seal of approval. We got her about 3.30 UK time, but they are two hours ahead. We have had a wander around and unpacked and are now resting before dinner. We didn't have to get up until 7am, so shouldn't be tired, but we are

I shall expect Sue and Persie later as get have further to come, you are most welcome to join us as well Carole
:-D :-D :-D

He would have enjoyed seeing that Persey :-D

I am very sad to read our Tec is not doing to well at the moment, gutted to read he's had a bit of a stroke.
Please, when someone has contact with him can you please pass on my love to him and the Duchess.
I miss his posts enormously, as I'm sure we all do. I know I haven't posted on here for a while, but I still read when I can.

I hope everyone is keeping well <3

My three children are all doing well, daughter is in her final year at uni and will do her masters next year. Oldest son has announced he is finally seeing a young lady, he met in his job - He has never had a serious girlfriend, so this is new for us. Youngest son is still unemployed - Although, he went to an interview last week and this week has been asked back for a second interview, which we hope he will be successful - fingers crossed :-)

Carole xx

I do hope Tec got to see Wales beat England...

we're going out this evening .................

so, in case I miss you


safe trip, Linda and Mr Linda, and have a great time xxx

strewth!

That's no service!!


Several of the stations we use across Canada are either below or above the main Concourse. All have escalators to them, and also an elevator tucked away in a corner for use by the disabled.

I can order a wheelchair up until the last train has left or arrived, and have been taken to the platform in the freight elevator before now :-D

I can even ask for assistance if I need just an arm to hold onto, or help carrying my luggage.

In June last year, we took the train to Montreal and back, and I ordered a wheelchair for Montreal and Toronto ............... The Canadian from Toronto turned out to be so long that the last cars were even beyond the platform. That was, of course, where our carriage was (and there were several others further out). The poor porter pushed the wheelchair along the tarmacked platform, down a slight ramp onto a section of gravel, then we were onto bare ground, and out from underneath the station canopy!! He was a very jovial guy, and kept singing to me :-D

That's what you get for travelling in high tourism season :-(


The really nice thing is that I tip the porter for doing this ......... and they are always very appreciative, not so much as if they don't usually get a tip, but almost as if they don't want it


I have to say that Canada seems to be ahead of many countries in the quality of access provided for disabled people .......... and that also provides good for those pushing strollers.

My local station is a nightmare for disabled people the only way to the platforms is via an extremely long and steep flight of steps. The booking office is on the southbound platform, so if you need to go there, then north, you have to go back up the steps and down the other side, there is no lift. You can request assistance during the day and they open a gate in the car park and escort you over the rails and up a ramp onto the platform..That has to be booked in advance and the office closes at teatime, so if you are arriving on an evening train, there is no way off the platform if you can't climb the steps. The official advice on the train websites is that those who cannot climb the steps do not get off here when the office is closed, they are to continue to the next station along the line, then get a bus back. Unfortunately the last bus back leaves before 6pm and it is a good ten minutes walk from the station to where that bus leaves from

I'm OK on slopes, and will take a slope or ramp as an alternative to stairs.

There are stairs in the Park car on The Canadian .......... up to the Dome Car, where we spend most of our time.

That same car also has 2 or 3 steps down and then up along the corridor to allow room for the service area or bar under the Dome

There are also 3 or 4 steps up from the platform at most stations into the carriages. The exception is they have some means of wheelchair access to all the newly renovated Park Cars which now have the one and only truly disabled compartment. That is a fantastic compartment, with its own bathroom, shower, and accommodation for a carer.

Only the day train from Toronto to Montreal is completely flat entrance.


I've just been talking to an agent for the train, and have arranged for "need assistance at stations" added to my file. That's a "Popemobile" (aka golf cart) at some stations, wheelchair at others, depending on the width of the platform. I had to assure her that I weighed less than 300 lbs :-)

Are you sure that's not the alcohol :-D :-D

I do the mini steps on a downward slope as well.

When my foot was okay and all was well (only had asthma to contend with) went up the steps and then climbed up hanging rock and opted to come down the sloping path. One fall off a doormat a few years back and I have never been the same, that foot still has a swelling and I wobble off kerbs when looking around to see if a car is coming. Cannot seem to co-ordinate my brain, head movement and my legs at the same time. :-S :-S

That is a nuisance Sylvia, luckily trains don't have stairs :-)

Downward slopes are worst for me. Going down a ramp, helpfully supplied is worse than the steps. I feel like I am going to fall over, so take tiny little steps and grip onto the handrail.

I take a lift or escalator wherever possible rather than go down the stairs.. I take ages, one step at a time... am okay going up.

I got the look once when I got in the lift to go down one floor.. so I hobbled out of the lift and did a drama queen act. :-)

my knee is acting up again :-(

That's the 3rd time before leaving on a train trip that it has acted up ............ it'll be one step at a time up any stairs once again :-(

Of course we will have your share of the wine Sylvia,we wouldn't let it go to waste :-D

I will have to leave the Zorba dancing to Sue and Persie, my knee isn't up to it

I thought our holidays overlapped :-(


Persie .... that's great, as long as you don't aim the ladle in my direction :-)


I love Greek food, but not ouzo ...... so have a couple of glasses of a wine for me

Yes ouzo is the drink of choice Sue. Personally I think it tastes like paint stripper, so you can have it all. Throwing soup tureens and ladles is a bit of an odd custom Persie

I have had a busy morning, I took a 95 year old chap with dementia for a 9 am hospital appointment. He had been leading his poor wife a merry dance all morning, but was like a pussy cat for me, he even sat in the wheelchair when I told him to, normally he refuses. They have to go back again in a few weeks, so have requested me again. I bet it was just beginners luck and he won't behave next time.

As soon as I got back, I had to go out for meals on wheels, so it is good to get home for some lunch myself.

Do we do the Zorba dance on the beach at my party as well. I will throw a soup tureen in your honour Sylvia... complete with ladle.