Author: Angela

Birthday celebrations

It was my birthday today! I think I can safely say that I’ve never celebrated my birthday on a boat before, let alone one coming back from Alaska. I was surrounded by beautiful scenery all day. I read my birthday messages from family and friends, and opened my cards early. I was sad too that I was not in Whitby with the rest of my family, but they have shared lots of photos, and even had a birthday takeaway for me as usual so I was almost in two places at once!!

Sam and Martha went to all the Club Hal sessions they could- they have really enjoyed this kids club all week and didn’t want to miss a moment there. Mike and I went to one of the many events on board – this one was ‘Meet the Captain’, where we learnt more about how everything works and the history of our captain.

We had games and lunch together with Sam and Martha following this and then they went back to kids club in the afternoon whilst I went to the gym (I know, on my birthday??) – it is situated on Floor 9 right at the front of the boat, and the treadmills are right at the front window, so I actually enjoyed spending time there, whale spotting sometimes or just taking in the views.

Mike sent me to get indulged at the spa so I got my toenails painted – don’t think I’ve had something like that done since we went to Centreparcs when I was pregnant with Martha. They have lasted well, I’m writing this entry a few weeks late and they are as shiny as ever!!

We picked the kids up early from Club Hal as it was their chance to see the illusionist again – Leon Etienne was going to reveal some of his secrets! They learnt how to do a card trick and a mind reading trick and spent the rest of the day practising on everyone, including our lovely waiter Awal at the restaurant.

I received a surprise at teatime – a gorgeous mini birthday cake and a happy birthday song from the waiters. Then 5 minutes later they were serenading someone else, never did see who was my birthday twin on board!

It was the last evening Club Hal pyjama party so we let Sam and Martha go to party and to say goodbye to all their friends there. Mike and I went for a last walk around the boat, lovely scenery all around.

It was a very different birthday to usual, and one that I enjoyed tremendously!

  • Captain Bas Van Dreumel
  • Shiny toes
  • Leon, Martha and Romy
  • Learning a card trick
  • Entranced at Leon on stage
  • Awal, our waiter
  • Happy Birthday!
  • Club Hal friends
  • Beautiful scenery
  • More beautiful scenery
  • Evening stroll

News from home!

  • Auntie Manda & cousins Hattie & Emily
  • Cousins Alice and Emily
  • Mud galore!

Congratulations to my amazing sister Manda on graduating with a 2:1 from the University of Hull, all done whilst working full time, looking after all my fabulous nieces and becoming a grandma for the first time!!

Happy 18th Birthdays to Sam and Martha’s cousins Alice and Emily!

Well done to Jenny, Kaito, Josh and Max on completing the Race for Life – lots of fun and for a good cause!

Festival of South Asia

When we woke up today we found that at the end of our road there was a festival so we went to have a look. [Note from Mum – we were staying in Little India] There was lots of food and drink, music, bouncy castles, hula hooping and clothes. We ended up staying all day it was so good. In the afternoon there was so much rain, but it was warm so we ran around in it.

  • Martha’s new dress
  • Sam on inflatable slide
  • Gerrard Street

Martha – I really wanted to buy a dress and found one for $10. I really enjoyed the hoola hooping and playing with the other children on the bouncy slide. I loved playing in the rain.

Martha hula hooping
Martha leg hula hooping

Sam – I paid $5 to slide as many times as I wanted. Also there was a racing one, and I raced against some other boys and girls, it was great fun. I loved playing in the rain.

Angela – the food was so delicious, we had veggie samosas and chana. When the kids were in bed I went back out to visit the Riverdale hub – www.riverdalehub.ca – a eco friendly community cafe initiative, giving women from various backgrounds (e.g. other countries, abusive relationships) a chance to gain experience in working in a cafe to then help them get other jobs . They have a rooftop garden where they grow food for their cafe, and they were giving tours as part of the festival. From the roof I could see CN Tower in the distance, and look down over Lahore Tikka House where we had our lovely curry with Sally and Brent yesterday. It was one of those days that you don’t plan but turn out really well!

Mike – I was on the next street when the rain came down and it was so hard that the street had turned into a river. Fortunately I had shelter in a shop.

Martha and Sam in the rain