Blog 12a -not the happiest of birthdays
Despite having had a goodly number of years under my belt this birthday is one of the saddest.
We organized this fantastic trip to see the magnificent fjords of Norway, with daughters 1 and 4 (England v Aus Ds. 2 and 3) about year to eighteen months ago as a treat for two well deserving adults. Everything was organized by Lyn as you would expect, with all the T’s crossed etc…
Everything went to plan (of course) right up till we had a change to our whole reason for every and anything. Another day perhaps.
The time has passed since then and the holiday was special and we said that we would proceed and after many a hiccup we’re here, cruising to Norway - so faithful followers-select few that you are-here is the story so far.
Day 1 – home to ship.
What a game going on holiday is, everybody has always had far more experience than we ever had but such is life. I have had a few years of being part of a team where organization was paramount – not the movies -a level indicating importance – and when you have two people so in tune everything we did looked simple - practice etc..
Still being the doting or should that be dotty parent you give them head. So much of what they say has never ever passed the lips of common man who has no understanding of what they ae trying to achieve. Love it, being dragged around like an idiot has such potential for laughs. I learnt that whoever is in charge is, but only as far as the nco lets them be.
It was useful being a junior nco, you really learn so much about people just by ‘people watching’ as Lyn called it.
I had six years as a fusilier and jnco, (just a weekend warrior except on exercise) every minute a lecture in man and his ways of problem solving. Not only a dragged around squaddie at weekends but a business owner employing 6 men organizing work throughout the uk – definitely seeing both sides of the coin and learning to appreciate both aspects.
So watching the ‘children’ emulating the old folks is highly amusing. sorry almost a rant!.
Back to the world, I’m learning about having served my threescore and ten it’s lovely being told Dad shouldn’t you be sitting in the car. Dad have you been to the toilet (everybody of a certain age obsesses about that one). So as the ever-loving parent I respond ‘I only went five minutes ago’ - liar knowing that I will ask for the loo 20 minutes down the road (joke lol).
Either way sooner or later we’re away, Dad who has travelled the route we need to take for twenty years before they were even thought of suggests that if we went ‘Don’t worry dad the satnav knows the way’ right up to the next heavy road works, traffic jam, you get the picture. Anyway, we eventually arrive at the docks to be asked by the driver aided by the satnav ‘well which lane do we go in, I’m waiting for some response’. It was all I could do not to give away my just controllable mirth.’ But being the aged parent I offer ‘try following the signs, that might help’ straight face good thing to learn, it gets you loads of laughs.
Once on the dock we’re all being pushed through the system with great courtesy and determination to get onto the ship ,or is it a boat ,I’ll check.
We’re on board the head child is still organizing bless her. She has got to learn to chill.. anyway we’re here and I am just starting to drift into liner world, where people talk to other people, where you wish is someone else’s command and where many machomen become more macho (read stupid) trying to show their dearly beloved how they know what’s happening, with beloved saying ‘yes dear, aren’t you wonderful. You notice the real men do without fuss or bother making sure their beloved IS treated like a queen as is right and proper.
Slowly after much chatter and grunting and groaning the throng dissipates to a mere trickle anticipating their first meal and subsequent entertainment’ usually the evening show. That said I’m off to get sorted catch up later!
Back again!! What an eventful evening (yawn) but if I’m reporting on the night before the next chat should start tomorrow
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