Travel Day at last

Early start to our travel morning. After loading our luggage into our Daughters car off we went to George Best City Airport. Check in was what it was, as was the security.  Once through to gate it was an hours wait before we were on our way to Heathrow. Beautiful morning flight and I have to say the cabin crew all had smiles and gave a bit of craic to us. The new celebrity safety briefing video and which the crew interact brought a smile to everyone (I think).

After collecting our cases it was out into the arrival area where we were met but the Royal Caribbean rep. He was up for the job is all I can say. Whisked off to Southampton cruise terminal to join Indy. Our Driver Val from Transmobility Southampton was such a laugh and friendly it felt like a mate was driving us. He was a class act.

On arrival at the cruise terminal Val unloaded the luggage which was swiftly taken from us from where we stood and it was straight to check-in. Ten minutes max and we where onboard and having cocktails.

Our suite was ready for us by 1pm, our luggage was there before us (First time ever). Had planned to get a hour or two shut eye before the Muster Drill, but it wasn’t to happen. It took me that time to get my case open. Had problem with the padlock, I arranged with maintenance to come and just cut it off but as the guy arrived the lock decided to open (Always the way).

By the time Muster was over it was back and sail away time. Had a couple of friends round and we had drinks and chocolate covered strawberries on the balcony and waved bye bye to the UK, Caribbean…. Here we come.

Had a wonderful meal at dinner, and it was bed time. This old Grumpy body told me it was bed time and I wasn’t going to disappoint it. A long day was had by all and it was still only 9pm.

As this is a pre Birthday and Anniversary cruise for my little Swamp Duck there could only been one thing left to organise for turn down.

3 More Sleeps

Only 3 more sleeps until we board the wonderful Independence of the Seas at Southampton and head to the Caribbean.
Cases packed, Documents printed, Camera batteries charged, Travel Insurance, Passports, ESTAs  all sorted.

Should be blogging while away to let you all know how its going (or not going).
Stay tuned as they say

Up and Coming Holiday

Going to Cruise blog this one

20th Century Boyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Went to see the production of 20th Century Boy at the Grand Opera House Belfast. It was about the life of Marc Boland. Being that the 70’s was my era for music I really fancied seeing this, as I’d bopped to many of the hits from T-Rex at hop's all around the globe.

The production itself was great (apart from a late mic fade on one occasion and a no warning flashing of lights. The flashing lights meant nothing to me (but if I’d had  photosensitive epilepsy it may have made a difference). A great 70’s set. The fly’s and slides were bang on cue, and the spots did what it said on the tin. That was down to the fantastic Tech Crew of the GOH

Marc was played brilliantly and I really had the feeling I was at a T-Rex gig when the band was playing. Some great music throughout.

NOW: The two seats behind was another story. The occupants sang to every song played, well the first two word’s in the title and it’s chorus, they were grossly out of tune believe me. They had lovely voices, the type that sells papers (You know what I mean) At one point i was about to turn around and tell them to STFU.. but thought better of it. The funny thing was when we got up for the interval they asked “Is that it over” before I could say yes the brainiac in our party said “Oh no it’s just the interval” my heart sank. Spoke to one of the FOH (Front of House) staff and they suggested WE could move. I said “No thank you, I’ll stick it out” which seemed to freak my party out.

Act 2: Was just the same regarding the melters behind us, but I kept calm. The production on the other hand went up a gear and truly engrossed the audience in what was T-Rex. Bottom line “Fantastic Show” a must see.

Fully Appled

Today I took the final step and totally migrated over to Apple. Over the last few years I started off with the iPhone then progressed and bought an iPad which I love very much. Today because of my poor old laptop"s inability to preform to a standard I need I decided to go Mac Book Pro .... Delighted to say the least.

More Attacks on the Old

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24628064 Yet another attack on an old person. What even makes it worse (as if anything else could) it was carried out in broad daylight.
I wonder where the protectors of the people were. Then again it was only two O'clock in the afternoon. Most are not even out of their scarcher at that time or have even come down from their cloud.
It would have been nice to have spotted the scumbag and seeing it was so close to the Waterworks, he could have enjoyed a spot of sprick spotting.
Lets hope the lady in question is ok after her ordeal and the scum who did it reaps what he sows.

Giving The Blog Another Go

I've decided to start blogging again. I've been forcing my opinion on all my Bakebook friends so I'm thinking of giving Bakebook a rest. The other reason is that I've found my log on detail's again.



Fasten your seatbelts (Click)

These two German guys I met last year on the island of St Maarten. (This is the spot where you can watch the planes landing and taking off on the runway which is yards from a busy beach)The Sunset Bar and Grill, which is close to the end of the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport is the perfect place for that cold soft drink.

Loads of people had their photo taken at this sign.

 

The best fun was watching the people on the beach go for cover when the 747 went full power to start take off.

Fish and Fireworks

Nice day for a ride out on Maud. Went to Dobbies at Lisburn bought some new fish. Got back and introduced them to their new home. Then got changed, got the beer, a torch and my camera ready, then headed up the Cavehill to watch the fireworks. I know you are thinking you don't need beer to watch the fireworks, true... But ... We just fancied a beer (The boys) anyway the photos looked in focus to me.....

Honey I'm Homeeeeeeee

Great flight home with Thomas Cook, 20 minutes early at good old Belfast International. Then the dreaded words were heard. "Lets go to Tescos" ...... AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Last Day

Last day of the holiday arrived with a hangover, so glad the ladies wanted to have a final morning in Bodrum to gather some last minute presses.
Started off with breakfast and the finishing of the packing (My LSD had most of it already done while I was enjoying my last night in the bar). Checked out and then a short walk to the activities area for the airgun tournament. (Wish I’d brought my balaclava)
Us, English, German and an Italian, no not an re-enactment of you know what. I couldn’t hit a cow on the arse with a big stick. Son-in-law did ok but everyone was out gunned by the English lady, I didn’t mind but think the rest had their male pride dented.
The girls came back just in time for lunch, then we all hit the Spa. Swim and Steam room etc. A relaxing evening in the bar after dinner, we got picked up around 22.45 to take us to Bodrum Airport.
On the whole the holiday was fantastic, and the Rixos Bodrum was the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at.

Bodrum & Gumbet

Caught the bus to Bodrum and then Gumbet. It was like stepping back in time. Reminded me of a visit to the Port (Portrush) when I was young. One street of shops, and tac ones at that, but they did have Tescos. Got fed up with the shop owners tring to mimic our accents and trying out the "Aye dead on and "Bout yee" sayings. No doubt some airhead who has been drinking on an empty head has thought it funny to pass on their Belfast sayings. I left them with a gem of a one that they can use next season "Shut the **** up"
Back to Bodrum and decied to get a Turkish shave. I was unaware that I had paid for the services of the Butcher of Bodrum who drew blood, a little scratch but drew my red stuff still the same. Time for a few pints...
Heading back to the bus I saw this little cat with what looked like a broken paw. I sat on the kerb to see it and it jumped up onto my knee. It was lovely and did indeed have a gammy paw but seemed to have it under control and never showed any sign of being in pain. Bless it...

AFD

Alcohol free day today. (Can’t afford to have two red cards in a row) Relaxed again at the Spa while the women went into Bodrum shopping. Had a full body aromatherapy massage this afternoon. 50% of Spa prices. The beautiful girl came around the pool offering this discount, how could one refuse. I waited until it was my turn thinking?.. (Well, maybe it’s better if we don’t go there)...
I lay waiting for my masseur, OMW, the door opened and this person with the body of an Olympic athlete walked into the treatment room. Unfortunately it was a body of a Russian shot-putter. What made even scarier was...... it was a guy. 70 minutes later, after the best ever rub down I’ve had, I felt great.
My little swamp duck tried to get me to take a drink all night but,I stuck to my guns just to make her feel bad.. Reverse physiology... works every time
Bet tomorrow I could have beer for breakfast without as much as a sideward glance.... I’ll give it a go and let you know...lol

Market Day Turkish Style

Headed into Bodrum for the infamous Tuesday market. From the minute we go off the bus we were confronted with great sayings from the many many marketeers. Cheap as chips, cheaper than Matalan, cheaper than Asda, cheaper than Primark, cheap shite and the one that did shock me, Cheaper than your Paki shop. (Honest, I could not believe one of the stall owners said the last remark) Had a laugh around the market as the sellers fleaced some of the unsuspecting tourists.
On into Bodrum after the market for some free internet and a couple of beer. Ladies went around the more pricey shops and spent some cash. Son in law went for a Turkish shave.
On return to the hotel found out our boat trip tomorrow has be cancelled due bad weather coming. The good news is it will brighten up in the afternoon. Got a new T shirt .......

Chillaxing

Up at first light and down to the island for a relaxing read of my Chris Evans book. Passing the pool I noticed ye old beach towels already on four of the sun loungers. (The master race up before me)
A little overcast at first but never the less, a fantastic start to the day. Lazed about the hotel complex and took some photos while my LSD went to the Spa
Snorkelling after lunch (Old wives tale about swimming after food) great fun and more fish to see than the time I was in the Caribbean. Then I decided to cross another item off my bucket list. JET SKIING, son-in-law and I got two JS’s for fifteen minutes. Only rules were to stay at least 300 meters from anything. Done and dusted, and at 60 knots felt like my arse was sucking the jet ski up. GREAT FUN.
Tomorrow is market day in Bodrum so heading in so my LSD can play her skill of getting bargains. Me, beer and internet will be order of the trip.

Bath Time

Got to spent a little longer than normal in bed this morning. Up at around 08:30 and out for a stroll before breakfast. Had decided today I’d try and be partly good with regards to food, it lasted until breakfast. So much food here, the mind was strong but the body weak so I ate as if there is no tomorrow.
Picked up by minibus, to take us to our Turkish bath at Rayola Turkish Bath Complex about 20 minutes from our hotel. All I can say is WOW. On arrival we were taken to a room to be welcomed and told about other services that were available.(lol, yeah I thought that too)Anyway, I went for the extra massage and Turkish shave which was at least 50 Tlr (£25) cheaper than the spa at the hotel. AMAZING, it was fantastic. Felt like a new person (But, that wasn’t included in the price.. boom boom..lol)Got the minibus driver to drop us off in Bodrum so we could do a recce for the up and coming visit to the market on Tuesday.
Found a cafe with Wi-Fi (And Kebabs) to check out Facebook and update the blog. A few pints later I didn’t care about the WWW.Caught the #2 bus (Mini) which is the one for the Rixos. Onboard were other people including a few Jocks and this clampet from the Antrim Road who would only talk about the Old Firm game. (Shit I just didn’t need while on holiday) Soon sorted with a few sarcastic lines, by the time they got off, I felt I’d done a great job. (Much to the anger of my widdle swamp duck) I didn’t start the crap, but I did finish it in true Grumpyhead style...lol.
Back to the hotel to have a couple of beer, freshen up and go for dinner...

The Rixos, Bodrum

Arrived Bodrum Airport and a quick exit to our transport to the Rixos.

I know it’s the early hours, but have to have a dander. Mic and I went to the bar had a couple then down to check the beach out. Even at 4am and in the dark, it still was stunning.

Back to my room and got the loaf down. This is such a fantastic place.
So far today alls I’ve done is swim, eat, drink, sleep, eat, drink, drink, drink, play pool, swim in the pool and take photos, oh yes and eat.

Tomorrow we go for a Turkish bath.... can’t wait..........

Turkey Here We Come

Started off with waking at 05.10. I tried to get back to sleep but not possible as the thought of the travel to Turkey tonight was so exciting. Got out of bed leaving my little swamp duck sleeping her widdle head off. Bless her.After checking my fish (Two passed away this week) I made myself a cuppa and checked Facebook out. (Yep sad I know) but chatted to my mate Jay. The early bird catches the worm.. but then again, the second mouse gets the cheese.

After a WS&S I got ready for my walk into town to get a haircut. Stopped off at Harlem cafe for yet another cuppa. Head cut (Yes I know) met the Son-In Law then off for breakfast to the Avoca. After my breakfast bap it was back home to finish off packing.
Been years since I’ve had to do a school run but today was the day. Picked my teacher daughter up at her East Belfast School then back to ours to break open the Cava before the taxi arrived to take us to the Belfast (Sort-of) International Airport. Steve the driver was a man after my own heart, he hated every other driver on the road. (My type of guy).

Had checked in online so was just a case (Ha ha Case) of dropping the cases off at the desk and getting to departures. Yeah right, the women before us had to open their cases and cross load stuff so there was no surcharge for overweight luggage.
So that plan never worked.I’m all in favour of top level security BUT, took the shoes off etc etc and forgot about my belt. The red light flashed and I then got everything bar the total strip search. I didn’t mind, only the guy said “Don’t be embarrassed sir, an erection is normal after a search like this” I said “WHAT, I don’t have one of those”. He replied “Who said anything about you” (Only joking BTW)
Anyway straight to the bar for a drink, £19 +, at least Dick Turpin wore a mask. Bought some chocolates for the flight. Waited on the tarmac for an hour for a driver topush the plane back off it's stand. (Well it is Belfast)
On the flight now just over and passing the IOM (Isle Of Man). Champagne delivered (3 bottles) and the ladies are happy. Brownie Points earned (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED)
Roll on Turkey, Grumpyhead is on his way.

Facebook

Almost everyone I know has a Facebook account. I've had one for years but have recently binned it. Social networking is fantastic, but what I found with Facebook it is getting more like unsocial networking. NO I don't want to be part of your Mafia wars family, and as sure as hell I don't want to give you a brick to build a barn in Farmville and I really don't care if you have loads of chickens. Ok Ok I know there is the hide function, but by the time you hide one thing another one appears. It's fun I know (For those with with little else to do) but on the more serious side of things, we have seen Facebook come under a lot of criticism over certain pages, one very recently created to praise and remember a cold blooded killer.

Increasingly more and more people seem to be using Facebook as a diary... posting comments what can only be described as very personal information. I've seen it range from bitching about their employer, their work colleagues and even worse their family. All sorts of private stuff that has no business outside a family home. In my opinion, choose your friends wisely, don't just accept all requests... there are really some head melter's out there.... believe me..

Ardoyne Riot Suspects July 2010

PSNI (Police Service Nearly Interested) need the help of the public (Why does that not surprise me) to identify 14 people they want to speak to in connection with rioting in Ardoyne earlier this month.
Officers came under sustained attack from people throwing bricks and wielding metal bars and planks on the evening of 12 July. The trouble in Ardoyne continued for another two evenings.

DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THESE FACES ?

Is it just my opinion that they should have arrested these guys the first night and taken them off the streets so they wouldn't have been available for rioting the following nights ?????

Soft Justice

Once again, scum have gotten off lightly. Oh dear, they had a rough upbringing.... What about the poor man who died in front of his granddaughter......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10737347

Drink Anyone?

I don't fancy this as a tipple of me.... What about you

So That's How It's Done

Don't you just always wonder how tricks are done, sorry, magic. Well watch these two guys, Penn & Teller, they are magic....


Want to see more?

A Mid-Week Laugh

We all need laughter to get by. Laughter is an instance vacation.
NEED LAUGH CLICK HERE

Gis-A-Job

Read this in the Mail online, wouldn't mind offering my services as a volunteer for this sort of factfinding if I thought it would save the tax-payer some money. Total discrace how these councils get away with such wastage of funds.

Oh Dear I'm Dead

Two emails in the one day regarding money. This one say's I died last week... read on:

From Mr.Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, IMFInternational Montary Fund Office.Telephone #: +44-702-406-2839Email:andrewtweedieimf@aol.com
Greetings,
Your name appeared among the list of unpaid (Contractors, Inheritance next of kin and lottery payment/ATM beneficiaries that was originated from American, Europe, Asia plus Middle east and Africans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid Inheritance/Contract sum has been approved and you will receive a part-payment of US$12.5 million, You are requested to get back to me for more direction and instruction on how to receive your Inheritance fund.
However, we received an email from one Dr.Saipul Bahri who told us that he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last week
Dr. Saipul Bahri, account his co-ordinate as follows:Bank of IndonesiaA/c no: 890458984589Routing No: bl 275-79665Aba no: BL-ANAJFG-FLBeneficiary: Dr Saipul Bahri
Note that we are bound to recognize Dr. Saipul Bahri claim, if you fail to promptly respond to this email we sent to you following the Deed of Assignment he submitted and his account co-ordinate authorizing him to claim this payment.
He has also submitted his International Passport,Photo Id with his birth certificate with his account details for us to transfer the fund to him.But We want to hear from you before we can make the transfer to confirm if you are dead or not and make sure that you are aware of this developments so reply us with your email contact address and your direct cell phone number for easy communication and more details.
Once again, I apologize to you on behalf Of IMF (International Monetary Fund) http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/memdir/officers.htm failure to receive your funds in time, which according to records in the system had been long overdue. Pls reply through Director Finance Department Email:andrewtweedieimf@aol.comPlease call immediately on #: +44-702-406-2839 Or provide us with your email address for further details.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Andrew TweedieDirector Finance DepartmentOn behalf of Mr.Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, IMF

(I wonder if this is genuine?... My arse)