The alternative Route into Dover!!

If all form of transport fails use your feet!

On Saturday  as a company we set off for Dover for our Christmas treat to spend a weekend on the Fred Olsen Balmoral;oblivious of all the mayhem that lay in wait one hundred miles ahead!

We reached the other side of Oxford to be told the tail backs on one motorway were 10 to hours hours wait and the m20 was closed. We managed to get onto the A2 then was told it was grid locked into Dover. Now we had a decision did we sit winge and miss our trip or get up and walk.

We, hats scarves, gloves and suitcases started the long walk the Balmoral. On route we were told it was 7 miles..... hey ho we were on our way so no turning back now.

Walking past the stationary lorries coaches and cars was funny. The looks we had ranged from fools! to astonishment. The best ones were the waves and the horns tooting cheering us on.

Fail I did, as the coach pulled alond side I flagged and got back only to start walking again 30 mins later for the last 5 miles!!!

We got there though all 50 odd of us coming in two's and three's like naughty animals returning to the ark!

Laugh, I'm still giggling to myself but I'm one of the lucky ones no sore feet .

Here is the proof  all smiles and some more foot sore than others. The one thing this adventure of our did do was make us a closer team of colleagueas and friends

How to do a Transatlantic crossing?

In Sept 2006 I was lucky enough to be ' sent' to America for a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic crossing. I did it the 'proper' way I flew to New York and sailed home! Arriving in New York was an eye opener, I loved it. My only sadness was that I wasnt going to be spending any time in the city. I, if I was lucky enough to do it again,  would fly a couple of days earlier and explore the city as I feel I missed out there.

Your chariot awaits....

I am setting sail on Fred Olsen's Balmoral next week on a mini cruise. I have never been on Fred Olsen ship before and wonder what to expect.

How was your first time?

Taking the plunge and choosing your first cruise is a big decision, but once you have done your first cruise, you will be hooked. As a cruise specialist, we often get asked which is the best cruise line for a first cruise, but the answer is that there is no hard and fast rule. The best cruise for your first time will depend on what type of holiday you like to take, where you want to go, your personality, what you like to do etc.

Where there's smoke, there's fire.....

The subject of smoking and policies on smoking always sparks fiery debate, so I thought I would throw another one into the mix.

Pampered Pooches

    FUN FACT: The line's pet-friendly policy dates back to the maiden voyage of the Britannia in 1840, when

three cats were on board.

Size isn't everything!

So what do you think of the new Rci Oasis of the Seas?

My two bosses had the opportunity to spend a few days on her last week and raved about her. The thought of going on her fills me with dread!

Are you a city slicker? #3

If doing a cruise that takes you to Cairo, be brave enough to get off and have a look. There are few travelers who never heard of Egypt and its history that have roots going back to thousands of years before Christ so It reall is worth far more than a passing glance.