Travel Plans update

Thought you'd like to see our new Amaryllis, courtesy

of Jenny, Peter and Anna. Although the day is rainy,

we managed to get our walking down at the gym on the

10th floor. It is a very nice facility with all of the

equipment found in a regular fitness center. We even watch

TV on the treadmills. Since most of the condo tenants

are occupied making a living, we have the entire gym

all to ourselves.

I booked a flight on Southwest for the start of the journey

to England on July 5. We stay at the Marriot near La Guardia that evening then leave on the 6th from Brooklyn

piers where the Queen Mary should be waiting. The

transatlantic crossing takes 7 days and the ship docks at

Southampton on the 13th. Barri, John and the kids will

meet us at the hotel in Queens, NY for the drive to the

ship. We are trying to keep in shape for the adventure

ahead by walking as much as possible as well as lifting

packages to keep our muscles limber. Although I'm trying to arrange for assistance whenever

we move on to the next stage, there is no guarantee that people will be around when needed and luggage gets heavier as one gets older. You may wonder why we are going on such a

strenuous journey. I'll let you in on a little secret. Aside from the thrill of seeing new places

which adds some excitement to your life at an advanced age (Annabelle at 90 and this

blogger at 87) I hate to think of vegetating till the end. I want to drink as much from the cup

of life as I can and keep current on the world around us. We both absorb as much technology

as our tired old brains can absorb even though the Iphone and Ipad keep us twisting in the wind, I can hardly wait to use my Ipad on the ship.

We have booked accommodations in Chelsea, London at The Nell Gwynn House where we

parked before on previous visits to the UK. It's not quite as near to things as when we stayed

with the Minnesota bunch in London ten years ago, however, it was far more difficult to

get reservations this year 2012 due to the scheduled Olympics.

Following our week stay in London, Annabelle and I are heading to Harwich on the east

coast to await a cruise ship for the trip on the Baltic to St. Petersburg. The Royal Caribbean

International Line stops at various ports along the route where we can arrange for tours.

We will spend two days in St. Pete then return to the UK and find our way either to Heathrow

or Gatwick for the flight back. I haven't as yet figured out which route to schedule but I'm

working on that this week.

Barri phoned from her Iphone just as we were driving up to our parking level. She was able

to receive Despicable Tours on her Iphone without even trying. How about that!

I had an appointment with a new doctor this morning. I tried to get one with Lauren's

internist her in Austin only to be told that he doesn't take Medicare which will probably

be a problem for people from now on. However, they scheduled me with a young female

physician, Dr. Liang Wang, who speaks Manderin and English, as well. It was my first

visit to a female doctor, so here goes. I waited in the office for a short spell wondering

what I would say when Dr. Wang entered. A knock on the door and in walked the doctor.

She was tiny, no more than 4' 10''. I must have looked shocked because she quickly said

with a chuckle, "Do I look that intimidating?" " No, Doctor, I just never had an appointment

with a lady doctor in all my 86 years." "Well" she responded, " I promise not to hurt you,

since you are bigger than I am."

So you see, even at my ancient age, there are new things to experience. In conclusion,

when I sat on the examining table, Dr. Wang had to stand on her tip toes to listen to

my chest with a stethoscope. I decided at that point to finish the exam with heart and

lungs and not press my luck. So much for bravery.