January 2004

Thursday 1st January

Well, Christmas and New Year  are over for another year. Had a good time, with the emphasis more on family stuff rather than wild partying but that suited me fine! Broke a record on Christmas Day and managed to fall asleep before Christmas dinner instead of my traditional after lunch nap! (pic below).

On Boxing Day we went over to Southampton to see the new Queen Mary 2 sail in for the first time. It was an impressive sight - although it was absolutely freezing - especially after the fire boat doing is traditional fountain of water in front of the ship passed by. We got drenched in a downpour of salt water - I guess that's the price you pay for being lucky enough to be away from the crowds and right on the quayside!!

Saturday 10th January Queen Mary 2

We got to go on board the Queen Mary 2 today for a look round... oh the perks we get!! She really is a beautiful ship, but definitely built for the American market. Things are just a little "over the top" in places and some things, in my view are just tacky! I also got the impression that a lot of it was fake. Having said all that, the cabins are generally bigger than on P&O and some of the public rooms, particularly the main restaurant are spectacular. The restaurant has a big double sweeping staircase and an illuminated glass roof... very elegant... I probably shouldn't say it, but it's a bit reminiscent of Titanic!! One of the bars, which is supposed to be like a British pub is just TOO much like a British Pub! Ill matching chairs and tables and wooden floors... just not what you would expect on a ship like this! Overall though, I wouldn't say no to a trip to New York on her!!

Monday 26th January Rome

Spent the last two days in Rome... lucky us!! The weekend got off to a fantastic start cos Paul and I had a huge row when we couldn't find our way to the hotel at Heathrow! I have decided I am never flying form Heathrow again - it's a bloody nightmare compared to Gatwick.

Anyway, the next morning, once we were talking after another row cos we got lost again on the way to the car park, we took off for Rome. I got myself so stressed out that I came over all weird and thought I was gonna throw up about 10 minutes after we took off... did a bit of heaving, didn't throw up and then Paul said "There, that did you the WORLD of good!".

The weekend in Rome was good - weather sunny but freezing. We were with six of his work colleagues. We did the usual sights, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Ruins, The Coliseum, St Peter's and the Vatican. One of the highlights for me was climbing to the top of the Dome of St Peter's - the view was amazing. One thing that struck me as a bit strange was the amount of wealth that was evident in the Vatican... it just didn't seem to sit right with the church extolling the virtues of helping others yet sitting on all these priceless treasures.

Friday 30th January Ciao!

I have recently joined a new web site called Ciao. It's an on-line "community" of people who write reviews of all sorts of consumer products and services. You can write reviews and rate and comment on the reviews other people have written. You also get invited to join in with on-line surveys. The best bit, though, is that you can earn money for doing it!! It is relatively small amounts (up to 2p each time someone reads your review) but you get up to £3 for the surveys you complete. I have written four reviews and earnt the grand sum of £2.88 so far!! It is actually quite good fun... have a look at join up by following this link... Ciao.