We don’t need any excuse at all to get together with Janet, but if were looking for one, it was to celebrate her retirement a few months back! So, together with Nicki (who stayed over last night), we picked-up Jo and Janet and headed to The George Hotel in Stamford for Lunch. As always, the …
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Tablet Coaching: Setting up eMail (Part 1)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we discussed how to set up eMail on a typical Tablet.
Laptop Coaching: File Management (Part 1)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: We spent the morning learning how to manage ‘USB Sticks’ including moving and copying files in ‘both directions’.
Laptop Coaching: Spotting Suspicious eMails
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: We spent the morning looking at fake emails and developed some ‘rules’ for how to identify them without opening them.
Film: Avengers: Infinity War
The mighty juggernaut that is the Marvel film franchise (or to give it its proper name, the Marvel Cinematic Universe) continues on its unstoppable journey with their nineteenth movie (yes, really!) entitled: Avengers: Infinity War. Shares in the firm Spandex have already risen, as the movie was launched worldwide this weekend – and there’s a lot …
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Tablet Coaching: Amazon Prime Video
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we discussed the features and benefits of Amazon Prime Video.
Laptop Coaching: Staying Safe Online
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we discussed how to spot dangerous eMails and how to stay safe online.
Laptop Coaching: The Perfect Password!
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: In an ideal world, the rules for PC passwords would be: different for every website; long enough not to be easily guessed; and best of all, easy to remember. Sounds impossible, I know, but today we discussed a straightforward way to meet all of these criteria, as part …
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Our Cruise Awards 2018
Queen Mary 2 Interior Photoshttps://photos.app.goo.gl/Q9GQJIaxepBf6Q1N2 Cruise Photoshttps://photos.app.goo.gl/ERuCjh9sqQhZNoxE3 QE2 Tourhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/RhB7Y6ptZXw8rKNl2 Our ‘Awards’ based on experiences over the past few weeks. Some are best read with your tongue firmly in your cheek! Favourite Port AwardWinner: Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of OmanRunner-up: Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka Best Tour Guide AwardAbdullah (Oman)Sri (Sri Lanka) Best on-Board Technology …
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Cruise 2018 Extra – “Ship Ahoy Cap’n”
From a photography point of view, occasionally, an opportunity presents itself that’s truly ‘once in a lifetime’. We were offered one of those opportunities today! It’s Wednesday the 18th, we’re in Dubai and it’s our final day on the Cruise. But first, “turn over your papers”, here’s a bit of ‘O Level’ Cruise history… (stick …
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Cruise Day 12 (17th April): Muscat (Oman)
Morning Reader, this is probably the final Blog of the holiday as we fly home Thursday. Today, we’re on a full-day Tour today entitled: Nakhl & Hot Springs. We’re covering :- Muscat is the capital city of (the Sultanate of) Oman and the seat of Government. It’s just ‘round the corner’ from Dubai, but unknown …
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Cruise Day 10 & 11 (15th and 16th April): Heading for Muscat (Oman)
Dear Reader, it’s another two days at sea for us, this time heading for Muscat in Oman. The clocks went back half-an-hour last night, so, as the end of our holiday approaches, we’re getting closer to UK time. And it’s been another busy period as over the past two days, we’ve crammed in… Sunday …
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Cruise Day 9 (14th April): Cochin (India)
 A lazy start for our Tours so far – a relatively lethargic 9.30 today! Here we go then – our first visit to India in the shape of a six-hour combined Coach & Boat tour entitled: The Best of Cochin. Cochin is in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the west coast of …
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Cruise Day 8 (13th April): At Sea
Another day at sea today… Things to do/see… Looking ahead to tomorrow, We’re docking in India for one day, where we’ve then got a six-hour Tour: The Best of Kochin First, the good news: It’s a late start for our Tour – a relatively ‘lazy’ 9.30. Now the bad news: we’ve been reminded that none …
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Cruise Day 7 (12th April): Colombo (Sri Lanka)
We’ve not been to Sri Lanka before and so this was going to be a real treat. We’re going ashore at Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest city, leading (and very modern-looking) Port and commercial capital – home to some 750 000 locals. A hosted half-day walking tour is probably a good introduction to this country, just …
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Cruise Day 5 and 6 (10th/11th April): At Sea
Tuesday, 10th A formal night tonight – “Black and White Ball”. The clocks went back an hour last night. As we’re at sea for the next couple of days, it’s time to wake up our brains and take advantage of some of the onboard activities! Well, three out of four isn’t bad, I suppose!*Under International …
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Cruise Day 4 (9th April): Phuket (Thailand)
There’s nothing like a Cruise Holiday – long lie-ins, late breakfasts and no need for an alarm clock!And that’s why today was nothing like a Cruise Holiday!We had to set the alarm for 5.30am, breakfast followed at 6.15 and we were on the Tender Service for 7am!In spite of the super-early start, it was means …
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Cruise Day 3 (8th April): Langkawi (Malaysia)
It’s our last full-day in Malaysia today and we’ve docked around the island of Langkawi (1 of 104 in this archipelago, north-west of Malaysia). We’re currently very close to the Thai border. We’ve not been to Langkawi before, so we weren’t sure what to expect. Our original cable-car trip (that took in Machincang Mountain and …
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Cruise Day 2 (7th April): Georgetown, Penang (Malaysia)
Our day began in the laziest of ways – breakfast in our room!The combination of a smaller shoebox Cabin compact Stateroom and the legendary in-room Cunard Breakfast meant that there was hardly room for the brekky AND us… but we managed! The Ship’s connection with the outside world continues to be a problem. Quite apart …
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Embarkation & Cruise Day 1: Arrival in Malaysia (Heading for Kuala Lumpur)
THURSDAY: Embarkation was mostly as smooth as it comes (apart form the queuing). After a S$10 Cab-ride to the Cruise Terminal, we were soon on-board (after only an hour of sitting around waiting to queue and then standing around enjoying the queuing). Did I mention queuing? It’s now just after 2pm, on Thursday and at …
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Day 4: Bye-Bye Singapore, Hello Queen Mary 2
After a few days on dry land in Singapore, we’re now swapping it for extreme amounts of the wet stuff – courtesy of Queen Mary 2. This is the flagship of the Cunard Cruise Line and is the biggest/largest/heaviest/tallest in their fleet. We’ve been lucky enough to do quite a few Cruises over the years, …
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Day 3: Singapore – The Singapore Flyer and Lunch at The Sands SkyPark
Yes, another hot sticky one today – and our last full day here before joining the Ship tomorrow! We’re off to take a ride in The Singapore Flyer and then Lunch at the Sands SkyPark that takes in some spectacular views of the Bay. This is an interesting and newish attraction (opened in 2008), standing …
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Day 2: Singapore – Gardens by the Bay/Afternoon Tea
Ahh, good news for the citizens of Singapore! The removal of the Kevlar from my side of the mattress made all the difference, and unlike yesterday, I slept well. No more ‘Mr Grumpy’! ..and it looks like another hot, sticky one is on the cards today! Today, the main events are: first – the Gardens …
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Day 1: Singapore – Singapore Zoo
One of us slept well, the other is Mr Grumpy (because they didn’t!) It was either the time-zone change, the Kevlar-coated mattress, or a mixture of both! Back to the itinerary! Today, it’s Singapore Zoo for us – luckily, as visitors!! We haven’t been here since our first visit to Singapore, 32 years ago! and …
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Day 0: Arrival in Singapore
We left home just after 10.30 on Easter Saturday, courtesy of Philip, our Driver (all part of the Emirates service!). It’s been a while since we (well, Philip) tackled the M6, and given that it was a bank holiday weekend, the traffic, although busy, moved along at speed without any hitches. We therefore arrived at …
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Lent Boy 2018: How Did I Do?
WARNING! Please read responsibly. This Blog contains large amounts of smugness! So, that’s my ‘Lent thing’ over for 2018. What began in 2010 as a small challenge, has now grown into a much bigger event! Some of you have asked how I got on, so here’s a short summary. Thanks to all my friends and …
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Passport to SOMEWHERE
It was a day-out with a difference today, with our good friends, David and Valerie. The location was known only to them, and all we were told was: “Be ready for 8am, wear outdoor clothes and bring your Wellingtons. Oh.. and your passports”. The reason? To celebrate Ann’s Birthday and mine (well in advance). Lovely …
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Monday & Tuesday Classes
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: We’re taking a break! See below for re-start dates… – Monday Laptop Class: 23rd April 2018 @9.30am– Tuesday Laptop Class: 24th April @9.30am– Tuesday Tablet Class: 24th April @ 1pm
Laptop Coaching: The Action Centre
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Tech Blog: Today, we discussed the information shown in Windows 10 ‘Action Centre’.
Gambles Reunited for Ann’s Birthday Celebrations
Well, I think that’s a first (not sure why though!) – the Gambles family reunited here for Ann’s Birthday!! Denis, Roger, Jane, Oliver and Bev batting for the Gambles, whilst Lee and I were in the other corner! A little like that odd tradition where the person whose birthday it is, provides cakes, Ann provided …
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