Rovos Rail - Pride of Africa. From Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam

"Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class travel experiences. Step aboard the wood panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, when privileged travellers experienced the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. Enjoy this specially for Lernidee Erlebnisreisen (http://www.lernidee.de) alternated itinerary with more stops along the way and relaxed on-board atmosphere.
Director: Michael Altenhenne (http://www.visionloft.de)"

https://tinyurl.com/rmt7xr6

Thanks, Patricia. This is one I will make sure to watch on the Big Screen downstairs when I am all nice and comfy in my recliner.

Oscar is spending a lot of time upstairs lately. He likes it warm and always has. It is warmer up here than downstairs where the best warm spot in the house during the winter is by the radiator in the bathroom. Lucy is downstairs watching the birds on YouTube. She has expanded her TV watching the ship webcams with me as well as other things.

I've been putting off shopping for groceries partly because it is so cold out and partly because I had only two or three items I need. Right now it is only 17^o, but promises to be up in the mid 40s this afternoon. I think I will go out this afternoon and rake a bit and leave the grocery shopping until tomorrow when it is supposed to get up into the 50s.

A quick Hello to everyone, and then I will be out in the rain, buying some last minute items.  It turns out that our oldest granddaughter and her husband and three teenage children, will be joining us for Christmas dinner!   I am thrilled, and Shelley is ecstatic!   Granddaughter and family live in Oregon, and haven't been here for two years.  This is a big surprise for many reasons, so we are all very happy.

Now I must get more food, some gift cards and other goodies that I think the kids might enjoy.  I would like to get this done before Shelley and Claire arrive tomorrow.  I know she would do all of this for me, but I feel charged up and eager to get out and do it myself!   I wish it weren't raining however - I don't like to drive in the rain anymore.  AJ would go with me, but he will be standing in line at the Honey Baked Ham store, getting a HB turkey for Christmas dinner.   I'd rather do ANYTHING than stand in line, so he gets stuck with that tedious chore.     

Patricia,  thanks for the link to the Cape Town luxury train trip.  WOW  !  What a trip that would be to take.  I have sent the link to my son and DIL.  They are in a position where they can afford a trip like that.  He is retired from the Government and has traveled all over the world.  And, his wife was in a position that she could go with him sometime. They just came back from the North Pole where they went to see the Northern Lights.  This South African trip would have been more to my liking.  It was cold and dark while they were there and they really didn't get very good views of the Northern Lights.   At one time,  I would have loved to take that South African trip.  I have always loved traveling by train.  I watched the entire video and each scene was more spectacular than the one before it.  I have it bookmarked and I will go back and watch it again.  Took me to a whole other world for a while.  I so enjoy watching travel videos like that.  Thanks again.

Joy

Marsgal, enjoyed that New Zealand web cam.  I don't think I have ever seen an albatross.  The scenery there is lovely.

Marilyne, I'll be going out in the rain in a while for a last couple of items to go with our Whole Foods dinner.  It rained all night and I'm hoping it will soon clear up!

Patricia, a couple of pounds won't hurt.  At least you didn't eat anything to make you sick.

JeanneP, will you be going to one of your daughters for Christmas or just staying put.  It is no fun traveling during the holidays.

Mary Ann, I think I would be mad at that grinch also.  How is Tom taking this change of plans?

I feel like saying that old chant "Rain, rain go away and come back another day" (after Christmas, please).

Good morning from another COLD minus thirty-two day in the Interior! We are to start warming up little by little today. However, as I've noted, January and February are our colder months. Farrah is very bored, demanding, and vocal these cold days.

Jean, five pounds is a lot when you're earnestly trying to re- lose so that you're once again at the starting gate healthwise. I didn't get sick as these friends had more guests with health issues. Everyone who brought something to the potluck was asked to bring a recipe/ingredient card to go along.

Last night there were firecrackers, events, and sales citywide for the solstice. I'm lucky that I can view both the city and the University displays in my living room. I know many folks will make a night of it, driving around to see the Christmas lights.

Then parking close to see the fireworks at seven to eight for the city and eight to nine for the University. The solstice is important here because it signals the start to regain more daylight. The ratio is more darkness, colder whereas the more light, the less cold

We no longer get the severe minus forty-five, fifty-five or minus sixties and no longer for two weeks or more duration. It might be minuses in the thirties for a day or two but not longer.

Patricia, I've put on a couple of pounds when eating out, but unless I eat out within the next day or two, I usually lose the weight.  I don't think I have ever put on five pounds and I'm not sure I could eat enough to put on five pounds.  I hope you are able to lose that weight soon.

Jean, I hope the rain quits for you.  Tom isn't saying much about the Christmas plans, but he did thank me for telling of his part in preparation for the Grinch.  I am sure James will say nothing and I just hope on Saturday that I can keep my mouth shut!

Patricia, the South Africa trip sounds like a fun trip to see.  I've loved seeing the train trips shown by PBS during their fund raisers.

Dot and I tried to do our usual today but we only got to church.  When we came out of church, Dot could not find her car keys.  She hunted in her pockets and in her purse, even went back into church to see if she had dropped them there.  We called her daughter to go to Dot's house to get her spare key to bring to church.  Dot made one more hunt in her purse and found the keys at the bottom of a pocket.  I've had the same thing happen.  She had several church members help her hunt and all were relieved when she found the keys.

Off we went to Mr Burger/Cholesterol Pit.  We found a parking place but when we went in the building, one of the workers was at the door and told us there would be a long wait.  I could not find a booth so we decided to leave and go to Dot's where she fixed eggs and toast for me and cereal for herself and we solved the world's problems at her house.

I am causing myself a problem for Christmas as I have been planning to spend the day alone (I've done it before under different circumstances) with Tom going to Robin's and Jan inviting me to eat with her family.  Tom would take me to Jan's, but then someone there would have to bring me home.  I know some of her family, but it is a large family with four nephews and spouses and some younger.  I'm cogitating.  Jan is going to the West Coast to have a January Christmas with Geoff and family.

We have a lovely day today and while my thermometer reads 50 degrees, I imagine we are more likely to be in the high 40s - not much difference.

Tom has just left to spend the day with Mary in Holland (funny, I have a friend named Mary Holland).

Mary Ann

Flu is really bad in this area right now. No visitors allowed in both big hospitals other than spouse or parents one at. Time to min. I am not even getting near to crowds. Hospitals are full.

I have a real  sick daughter in Texas right now. She has been going in and out after having a back operation.and now broke her spine. They have sent her home a week ago. I think she is better there.

Glad that I don't get involved with Christmas time once my family grew up and no young ones. All are over a 1000 miles from me.

 :Can't remember if I did this yet or not...;...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

JeanneP - So sorry to hear about your daughter braking her spine!  That sounds very serious.  I hope she will be back home soon, and able to celebrate Christmas with her family.

wJoan - Thank you for the Christmas greetings.  I hope you have a nice Christmas, and will spend it with your son.  Too bad Candy left Washington, but I hope she is happy, wherever she is now!

Son does the cooking the last few years and he is a good cook.  We had hoped that Dan's son would come but he was not able to get time off.  Dand and I get along just fine so it is no touble to spend the day with him. 

Joan, if I haven't written it before, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I am glad Dan will be with you.

I am always so happy to see a post from you.

Mary Ann

Oh my goodness, this has been a day and a half....I am totally shot!

Kurt and family flew in early this morning.  Bob went to the airport to get them as I was on the phone with Diane.  My dad fell (again) three times yesterday. He was disoriented and fell while trying to get in his chair....Diane's son and a neighbor got him picked up and in the chair...then later on he fell into the tub while he was in the bathroom.  He did not hurt himself that time either and Diane's son was there and got him upright and back to his chair.  Last evening about 7 he was going into the kitchen with his walker....felt dizzy and down he went.  He ripped the skin down 3 layers, I was told, on his arm and elbow.  Diane called her son and daughter to come, and they did, but they told her to call 911.  They arrived and got him upright to sit and then the paramedics came and took him to the ER. It took a good hour and a half to sew him up and when you look at the wound, you are shocked that they could even get it sewn up as there were deep cuts in several different directions.  Diane's son called me and told me that the medic that sewed him up was quite the guy as he sat right there and helped hand him the items he needed as the nurses were all so busy.  My dad had to sit out side in a transport chair for quite sometime while they waited for the ambulance to arrive as they were all out on calls.  They did release him to go home as they had no beds available even though he had a temperature.....bad bladder infection and pretty dehydrated.....Diane was not happy with the decision to not keep him in the hospital.  I just talked to him awhile ago and he sounds much better tonight than he did when I talked to him a few times earlier in the day. 

The Boston Grandsons stayed here with us while the parents went to Costco and the grocery store.  We played games and chatted about school and the like.  Dr. Dave and the two boys came by to see them before they headed off to Vail where they will spend the week. Dave and the boys just returned from Vail.  They went up Friday night and skied all day yesterday....the weather was perfect and the6 had a wonderful time. 

Now to Grandaughter Kate and her dance yesterday.  It was wonderful....two and a half hours of dancing plus two intermissions. There are 42 students in her dance school.  There were 50 total dances, and 15 Were solos, Kate's being one of them. I am prejudice, of course, but we think her solo was one of the top ones.  She told us she made one wrong move, but we certainly did not pick up on it. 

MARY ANN, I neglected to comment on the disappointment after the confusion as to where you would be celebrating your Christmas.  I have some hurtful issues going at times also and it is just not right. 

MARILYNE, how exciting the Oregon Family is going to join you for Christmas.  Sorry you had to get out in the rain today, but hopefully it was not too bad. 

PATRICIA, I have not looked at the train trip you shared yet, but I will very soon.  Burrr.  Your temperatures are not much to my liking.  Denver has been in the mid to high sixties today and yesterday and it sure has been enjoyable.  I wish I could share some warmth with you.

W, JOAN.  MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and Dan, and I wish you a healthy and happy 2020.

JEANNE, I am so sorry to read about your Texas Daughter....her condition sounds very serious and I know you are worried and feeling helpless that you are so many miles away.  Hugs to you.

JEAN, i do hope you and your family enjoy the ready cooked meal from Whole Foods.  We purchased a Turkey Dinner a year ago at Thanksgiving to take to our sons condo in Vail and it was very good. 

Kate and Michele went downtown to a live Nutcracker show this afternoon and they sure had a nice time.  Michele is really tired, but she just keeps on trying to do all she can with the kiddos😍

I wish you all a good night of rest.

Jenny

Jenny, I'm so sorry about your dad and I'm glad he didn't hurt himself worse than what he did.  His injury was bad enough without being worse.

You keep so busy what with children flying in or out and you going to grandkids' activities.  I have been to plenty of kids' activities and I'm glad I was able to do so.  But I was a lot younger then.

I have been invited to Jan's for Christmas and I probably will go for a while.  With all of her nephews, spouses and children, they have a large family.  Jan's dad died last summer but her mother is still living; she has dementia but is knowledgeable about many things.  She still knows who Tom and I are.  I think her health is OK.  I am cogitating whether to go or stay home.

Tom has gone down to bed and it is time for Kendrick and me to head for bed.  I have to put out his food first.

Mary Ann

Good morning, all you Bait and Tacklers.  It's a chilly rainy day here in Auburn, Alabama.  I've had breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen, and my trash men have picked up and emptied one of my cans I put out on the street.  I'm hoping they'll get the second one soon.  My son who lives in nearby Opelika usually stops by on Monday a.m. to see if I'm OK.

I plan to spend most of the day inside reading one of the library books I checked out on Friday when my helper Eddie took me to the library and to Kroger for my weekly grocery shopping.  I also checked at the medical desk at Kroger to see when I need my second Shingles shot.  They told me to check back in 3 weeks. This is the first time I was told I needed a second Shingles shot.

I hope every Bait and Tackler is having a good day and not overwhelmed with Christmas coming up!  Have a nice day and a very Merry Christmas, Every One!

Sue

JENNY - I'm hoping that your Dad, is feeling much better this morning.  So sorry that he has had so many falls, and that the last one was so serious.  Three layers of skin on his  arm, is deep, and I can imagine that the stitches are a scary sight.  It's good that Diane is there, and that her son and daughter can come to hep her in such an emergency.  I'm wondering why the ER and the rest of the hospital is so overwhelmed with patients?  The fact that there were no beds available for him, is surprising.  I will definitely be adding your Dad to my prayer list, along with Michele.   In spite of your Dad's fall, it sounds like you've had lots of Christmas happiness with the your sons and the grandkids.   
Oh how I do remember sitting in the audience, while my youngest daughter was performing on stage with her ballet class!  It used to bring tears to my eyes, to see her up there, looking so sincere and so beautiful! 

MARY ANN - Have you decided yet, as to whether you'll be going to Jan's for Christmas?  Sometimes, I just feel like I don't want to make the effort that it takes to go somewhere - especially when there will be lots of people there.  My problem is my hearing.  Although I have hearing aids, when I'm in a room with lots of talking and background noise like music or kitchen sounds, everything becomes jumbled and I can't hear anything clearly.  Then there is just no point in me being there.  Oh well, I try not to complain about those annoying little things, when others have it so much worse. Whatever you decide to do, will be the right thing for you.     
   

Sue, Tom and I have a system with our trash; he takes care of the recycle stuff and I take care of the regular household trash, at least what is upstairs.  Tom does take care of his own regular trash.  He has Bible study Friday morning early so I have learned to gather my trash Thursday night so Tom will take it to the front of the garage when he leaves.  Recycle is every other week and they come about 9:30 am.  Trash pickup is after noon, maybe around 2:30, but by Tom taking it out, I don't have to!

Marilyn, I have not decided and I've got to let Jan know that I am still wavering.  She has a nice family and I've met most of them, but I don't know them.  I know there are several young kids.  It is just that I hate to make someone interrupt things to bring me home and since she broke her fingers, Jan cannot drive for a few weeks.  My new hearing aids are working fine but I don't know how I would fare with young kids and their high piping voices.  One more or less for dinner would not make any difference with them.  I am all for "the more the merrier" but maybe it is better without me being merry. 

I had an e-mail from a second cousin's daughter yesterday, telling me what she is making for Christmas dinner and it is enough to feed an army.  She lives in Stockton CA so I will not be asked to join them.  I know she has family in CA but I don't know how many. 

It is a lovely day today and radar does not show any precip round here for a few days.  It is 45 degrees right now. 

Annie had to rent a car to go north over last weekend for Christmas with her mother because her SO sold the car she used.  I'm not sure he would have let her drive north with it anyway (it was a Mercedes) and she probably had to pay an arm and a leg to lease the car because she's under 25 years. 

I've had my Instant Breakfast and soon I'll look for something to eat for lunch. 

Mary Ann

Thank you, Jean, and a Merry Christmas to you and Larry.  A Happy Hanukah to Bubble if she peeks in and a Happy Holiday to those who might celebrate otherwise.

I told Jan I would let her know tomorrow of my decision.

Mary Ann

Thank you all for your nice comments and prayer for my Dad.  He sounded so much better this morning. He said his arm does not hurt, unless he moves it 😩🤣. He is taking a very strong dose of antibiotics for the UTI daily and if we can just get him to drink water he should be feeling much better very soon. 

We still had some running around to do today and did not get home until after dinner, so the "rechargers" are feeling pretty good tonight. 

MARY ANN, I do hope which ever decision you make for Christmas Day you will be happy.

MARILYNE, my Dad lives in Sun City Arizona and this time of the year the hospitals there are always very full due to all of the elderly that live in the area. I did smile when reading your memories of watching your daughter in ballet performances and tears coming to your eyes.....I know exactly what you were feeling.  Kate does her regular dancing, of which the name she calls it has escaped me as well as ballet and tap.  She was in ten dances with a different outfit and shoes on for each one....

I am going to head off to bed. Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Good morning to everyone on this Christmas Eve.

I still need to get to the grocery store. A minor emergency kept me from doing it yesterday. George managed to rearrange my  last two days by neglecting to tell me that he was traveling up to Mansfield last Thursday. He is supposed to be coming back today. In the meantime, his cats managed to eat most of the dry food he had out for them and the water (which was my main concern) was almost gone in his two water fountains. While I still could have gone to the grocery store, the one I wanted to get to is in the opposite direction from his which makes if awfully inconvenient. In fact none of the grocery stores, Walmart or BJ's are very convenient from his place on the way back from his place. So, guess where I will be a little later this morning.

The shipping on the St. Clair is getting sparse. On reading the comments, it seems that some are already docked for the winter and others were on their last run. I checked the webcam at Quebec port last night and discovered that not only was the little marina icing over, but so is the St. Lawrence River. Still it is light icing, and easy to break through for the time being. I don't know how the locks are faring, but it must be troublesome to get through them now.

The Christmas dinner this year will be courtesy of the Holiday Inn at Grantville. We have not been there for a long while. Sue has discovered the joys of not having to cook (and clean up) for the holidays and now prefers to eat out. George plans on picking my up.  For New Year's I have a pork roast already in the freezer, or, if they haven't been picked over already, I want to get a semi-boneless leg of lamb. The price is right and I haven't had lamb in years.

My typing assistant, who has been neglecting his duty to mess up my typing, has arrived and is purring loudly. So, I guess that means I had better post before I lose the post to exuberant helpfulness. 

Merry Christmas to all.

It is nearly 8:30 am and I'm up for the day.  I will call or e-mail Jan later this morning to tell her I will be with her tomorrow.  Dinner is at 1 pm and Tom will take me there but he will not be able to pick me up.  Jan has four able-bodied nephews, at least one of which will be able to get me back home.  Jan and her mother live about 10-15 miles west of me, just over the border in Ottawa County. 

I have no idea what I will do today, probably more of the same - nothing.  All of my birthday checks have been cashed so I have nothing to wrap.  There are a lot of packages on the dining room table, all from Tom and most for the twins. 

Radar doesn't show any snow or rain, but I don't see any sunlight.  For those traveling, I hope things stay that way.

MarsGal, when I looked at the Soo yesterday, there was a ship in a lock and the water in the nearest lock was running free.  The Soo will close down in mid-January until later March.  As I understand it, the lower lakes (Michigan and Huron) may have some traffic.  I don't know about Lake St Clair but I know Lake Erie sometimes freezes over.  Lake Michigan freezes out from the west shore past the red lighthouse in Grand Haven, but it usually does not freeze over completely.

Sue's idea of eating out on Christmas Day is a good one.  While you don't get any leftovers, you also do not have to do cleanup. 

Kendrick is around some place but not where I have been; he's probably downstairs.  (He just showed up, stopped for a rub and disappeared.)

Mary Ann

       


A very merry Christmas to all of you, friends!   

What a beautiful tree, Bubble, with it flashing different colors.  Thank you for your greeting and a Happy Hanukkah to you.

Mary Ann

Good morning, all you Bait and Tacklers.  I am up, had breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen, but need to shower and dress.  My son in Opelika (next town over) will pick me up tomorrow to go to his house for Christmas dinner.  He is doing the cooking!  His wife is in Ohio with her mother.  They are visiting their relatives in Ohio. 

I hope Every Bait and Tackler has plans for time with family tomorrow.  Merry Christmas!

Sue

Merry Christmas, Baiters and Tacklers.

MARY ANN. thanks........ don't post much these days..

DENVER,  same to you and thanks.

FLAJEAN, thanks.

Callie - I saw your post in SS, that you had a nice birthday dinner at the Holly Jolly Christmas, performance.  So glad that everything worked out so well for you and your family!  Have another nice day tomorrow . . .  Merry Christmas!

Mary Ann - Glad you made the decision to go to Jan's for Christmas Day. That sounds much better than sitting alone in your condo, with just Kendrick for company.  (I'm sure he would have been happy with the decision!)
I Belong to a lot of Facebook Groups, which are groups of people who are interested in a particular subject, hobby, time period, etc.  I belong to several that I really enjoy like America in the 1940's, or Black and White movies from the 40's and 50's. Tons of choices for any interest. Yesterday I joined a group called, The Golden Age of Department Stores!  Beautiful photos posted of all the old department stores, in various cities in the US and Canada, now long gone,  Mostly now, people are posting Christmas photos of the big window displays that used to be so much fun to visit during the season.  Someone mentioned a department store in Grand Rapids, called Herpolshimer's , and posted a lovely photo from the 1940's.  I thought about you, and wonder if you remember that store?

MarsGal - Sounds like a good idea, to enjoy Christmas dinner at a restaurant, with George, and your sister and husband.  I wish we could do that, but always too many people coming a going, so it's never worked out for us.  Hope all four of you have a very Merry Christmas!!

I've written too much (as usual) and must get sbusy in the kitchen!  Brad and Jackie and kids will be here tonight for dinner, and tomorrow will be the five of us, as well as granddaughter and family from Oregon, that we are all looking forward to seeing. 

Christmas greetings to Jenny. Hoping your dad is doing better today, and Michele too!  Merry Christas to Jean and Larry.  I know you will have a good time with your daughter and sil.

Hello to SCFSue, JeanneP, Patricia, and Joan!  Hoping you all have a nice Christmas Eve tonight!     

Just returned to say a special HELLO to Beverly!  We haven't heard from you for a long time, and hope that everything is okay in your family?  Let us know. 

Marilyn, I've spent many a Christmas Day alone in my condo, most without a cat for company.  But I always had been with the family on Christmas Eve, not "shut out" from Christmas activities. 

Friday, we will meet Tom from Indps for breakfast as he is here with friends for two days.  He said he might be able to see us Thursday too, but he wasn't sure about that.

Tom and I just got home from having lunch out at New Beginnings.  I had a roast beef sandwich.  Tom had an omelet.

Tomorrow at Jan's, I expect 12-15 people.  I hope to stay no more than 3-4 hours as being with people I don't know well for that length of time will be tiring.  I've met all of the family and they are nice people.  It's just that I am old!

Marilyn, the groups on Facebook you have joined sound interesting.  I'm not interested in being part of a group now.  I am not on Facebook, either.  Tom is on Facebook, but I think mostly to check on his kids!

Mary Ann