Wonderful lunch with locals…Pauline and Cameron…What a fantastic coincidence!…

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What a lovely couple…Cameron and Pauline.

On Wednesday, we met Pauline and Cameron for lunch at the Neptune Grand Hotel Bistro, a place that felt instantly welcoming the moment we stepped inside, after our many visits in the five weeks we’ve been in Penguin. The staff have come to know us and warmly greet us each time. They have also learned how I like meals to be prepared, specific to my way of eating, which makes it easy to go there.

We arrived a little early, as we often do, giving ourselves a few quiet minutes to settle into our reserved table and take in the atmosphere. Something is calming about those in-between moments, just before new introductions, when anything is possible, and expectations are still unwritten.

Once again, I savored this delicious nacho bowl with chips on the side, then offered it to my tablemates.

A short time later, Pauline and Cameron arrived, smiling and easygoing, immediately putting us at ease. They are another couple we’ve never met before, living in a small town beyond Ulverstone, and as is often the case with these kinds of meetups, we had no idea what to expect. Over the years, we’ve learned that these spontaneous connections can go either way, but more often than not, they turn into something memorable.

They are about twenty years younger than we are, but as we quickly discovered, age has little bearing when shared interests come into play. Their love of travel and cruising mirrored our own, and it didn’t take long before the conversation found its footing. As mentioned, Tom had been communicating with Pauline through a Facebook group for our upcoming cruise, the kind of modern connection that still amazes me when it leads to sitting across from someone in real life, sharing a meal and stories as if we’ve known each other for years.

Coincidentally, they will be on the same cruise as us when we embark next month, sailing aboard Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas. They were on our last 47-night cruise, boarding in Cape Town and disembarking in Singapore, but we never met them while on board. There is something especially comforting about knowing there will be familiar faces on board, this next leg, particularly on a journey that brings together so many strangers from all corners of the world. It adds a layer of anticipation, a sense that the next adventure is already taking shape.

Tom enjoyed having fish and chips.

What we assumed might be a simple one-hour lunch turned into a leisurely three-hour experience. Time slipped away almost unnoticed as the conversation flowed with ease, filled with laughter, shared experiences, and the kind of animated storytelling that makes you forget to glance at the clock. These are the moments we treasure most, when connection feels effortless and genuine.

Normally, Tom and I don’t eat lunch, choosing instead to have dinner around 5:00 pm. It’s a routine that has become second nature to us, part of our OMAD (one-meal-a-day) lifestyle. Not wanting to disrupt that routine too much, we enjoyed the meal without concern and continued our fast until the following evening. It resulted in a longer stretch than usual, but we’ve found that this way of eating suits us well. It’s not for everyone, of course, but for us, it has brought a noticeable sense of well-being. I haven’t felt this good in years.

Pauline enjoyed her stuffed chicken breast with potatoes and green beans.

Each day, I continue with my exercise routine, dedicating at least forty-five minutes to movements guided by online apps and videos from physical therapists and specialists. These sessions have become an important part of my day, not just physically but mentally as well. They offer structure, purpose, and a sense of progress, even on days when improvement feels slow.

My walking ability is still not where I’d like it to be. My legs tire after standing or walking for longer distances, and there are moments when I’m reminded of my limitations. Yet, in other ways, I feel stronger than I have in a long time. I don’t feel winded, and my overall endurance seems solid. It’s a curious balance, feeling capable in so many ways while still navigating these ongoing challenges.

After six months of daily effort, I’ve come to accept that my legs may never fully return to what they once were. That realization could easily feel discouraging, but somehow, it doesn’t. Perhaps it’s because I can still do what matters most. I can manage our daily lives, explore new places, and fully participate in the experiences that bring us joy. Walking the long hallways on a cruise ship, for example, is entirely manageable, and that alone feels like a small victory.

Cameron loved the pork belly with green beans and broccolini.

We are not discouraged. If anything, we are grateful. Grateful for what we can do, for the progress I’ve made, and for the opportunities that continue to unfold before us.

Now, with just 23 days remaining before we leave Penguin and make our way to the Hobart Airport, there’s a quiet excitement building. We look forward not only to seeing Pauline and Cameron again but also to reconnecting with many of the wonderful people we met on the 47-night cruise, who will be joining us for this next leg of the journey.

Life, as it stands right now, feels full in the best possible way. We have meaningful connections, plans on the horizon, and a deep sense of contentment in our day-to-day lives. Truly, we don’t have a complaint in the world.

Next Friday, our new friend Salli, whom we met on that same 47-night cruise and again, who coincidentally lives in Tasmania, will be coming to stay with us for the weekend. We spent a lot of time with Salli and our other new friends, Di and Peter, who are coming to visit us in Marloth Park in August. Gosh, we are so blessed to meet so many wonderful people in our world travels.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 20, 2016:

A narrow road through an area of New Zealand, tucked away, with homes and farms. For more photos, please click here.

Lunch with local couple today that Tom met on a Facebook group…More new scenery photos…

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There is a wide variety of evergreen trees in Tasmania.

There is something deeply grounding about farmland in Tasmania, something that settles into your bones. Perhaps it is the way the land rolls rather than rises, soft green hills folding into one another like a well-worn quilt. Or maybe it is the steady, unhurried pace of life that seems to linger in the air, as if time itself has agreed to slow down out here.

Driving through the countryside, I often find myself gazing out the window longer than intended, caught up in the gentle repetition of paddocks lined with fences that have clearly stood for decades. Some lean slightly, weathered by wind and rain, yet still doing their job. Beyond them, sheep graze with an almost meditative calm, their thick wool rippling slightly in the breeze. Cows stand in small clusters, occasionally lifting their heads as a car passes, only to return to their quiet routine moments later.

Farms are ready for the next plantings.

The colors are what strike me most. Green, of course, but not just one green. There are countless shades, from the deep, almost velvety tones of well-watered pasture to the lighter, sun-kissed hues of open fields. In between, there are bursts of gold when the grasses dry and the occasional brown patches where the earth peeks through, reminding you that this land is worked, lived on, and constantly changing.

Farmhouses appear sporadically, often set back from the road, surrounded by a mix of practicality and charm. Some are modest and functional, while others carry a kind of quiet beauty, with gardens that seem to have grown naturally over time rather than being carefully planned. You get the sense that generations have lived here, each leaving its own subtle mark without disturbing the place’s overall harmony.

Everywhere we drive, we see beautiful scenery.

There is also a certain honesty to farmland in Tasmania. Nothing feels overly polished or staged. Tractors sit where they were last used. Sheds stand sturdy and purposeful, often filled with tools and equipment that have seen years of use. Hay bales dot the fields in neat rows or scattered clusters, depending on the stage of the season. It is a landscape that reflects effort and resilience, shaped by both human hands and the unpredictability of nature.

What I find especially compelling is the way the farms seem to coexist with the surrounding environment. Patches of native bushland are often left untouched, providing shelter for wildlife and a reminder of what the land once looked like before it was cultivated. It is not uncommon to see a line of tall trees acting as a windbreak, as shown in our photos; their presence is both practical and beautiful.

Tasmania is very hilly in areas, providing exquisite views.

The air itself feels different out here. It carries the faint scent of earth and grass, sometimes mixed with the unmistakable aroma of livestock. It is not unpleasant, just real. Breathing it in, you become aware of how often we are disconnected from the origins of the food we eat. Here, that connection is undeniable.

There are moments, especially in the late afternoon, when the light shifts and everything seems to glow. Shadows stretch across the fields, and the hills take on a softer, more subdued appearance. It is during these times that I feel most aware of the quiet pace of farm life, even without seeing the people who make it all happen.

In a world that often feels rushed and overly complicated, Tasmania’s farmland offers a kind of gentle reminder. Life does not always need to move so quickly. There is value in patience, in routine, and in the simple act of tending to the land. And somehow, just passing through, you carry a little of that calm with you long after the fields have faded from view.

Tree-bordered farms are commonly seen.

We continue our mission to see more during our remaining 25 days in Penguin until, once again, we’re on the move to other adventures.

Soon, we’ll head out for lunch with a couple Tom connected with through a Facebook group for cruisers. It still amazes me how often these online interactions turn into real-life meetings, sometimes in the most unexpected corners of the world. They’ll be on the same upcoming cruise from Brisbane, which makes today feel like the beginning of a longer story rather than a one-time encounter.

At the end of the month, we’re looking forward to a special visit from Salli, a lovely woman we met on our last 47-night cruise. She’ll be making the drive from Hobart to spend two nights with us. It’s funny how quickly connections formed at sea can carry over onto land, becoming something more lasting.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 18, 2016:

Only a few days ago, Mont Blanc approached the fence, welcoming us. Perhaps somehow he knows how much we care. See his story in the post. Please click here.

Fun evening out with nomads like us!…

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Tom connected with this lovely couple, Jennifer and Ryan, also from Minnesota, who became home-free nomads at a young age two years ago.

Travel has an interesting way of bringing people together, often in the most unexpected places. Last night was one of those occasions that reminded me how small the world can feel, even when we are thousands of miles from home.

We met Jennifer and Ryan, a couple Tom had connected with through a Facebook group for travelers. Someone in the group had asked where people would be in a few weeks, and Tom happened to mention that we would be spending time in Penguin. Jennifer and Ryan replied that they would be here as well, although only briefly. With nothing more than that simple exchange, a plan was made to meet for drinks and dinner.

When we arrived, it felt as though we were greeting old friends rather than people we had never met before. Almost immediately, we discovered a fun coincidence…they were both from Minnesota, which gave us an instant connection and plenty to talk about right from the start. Something is comforting about sharing familiar reference points, even when you are standing in a small coastal town on the northern shore of Tasmania.

Ryan and Jennifer are having the time of their lives!

Of course, our conversation quickly expanded far beyond Minnesota. Like us, they have spent a great deal of time traveling, and it seemed that every destination one of us mentioned sparked another story from someone else. Countries we had visited overlapped again and again. At one point, they mentioned their cruise to Antarctica, which naturally led to more enthusiastic comparisons of icy landscapes, wildlife sightings, and the kind of surreal beauty that only exists in those remote corners of the world.

The conversation bounced back and forth like a ping pong ball. One story led to another, which led to laughter, which then reminded someone of yet another adventure somewhere else. It is always such a pleasure to talk with people who understand that particular curiosity about the world, the constant pull to see what lies beyond the next horizon.

We met at five in the afternoon for happy hour, and before long, we ordered dinner. Somewhere along the way, I forgot to take photos of the food, which is unusual for me these days. I suppose that says something about how engaged I was in the conversation.

Tom was enjoying being out and about and meeting new people. I felt the same way.

What I ordered turned out to be an unusual twist on a familiar dish. I ordered nachos with the chips served separately on the side. Instead of the typical pile of tortilla chips layered with toppings, the bowl contained shredded pot roast topped with melted cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. The chips sat in their own basket beside it.

In the end, I never ate a single chip. The bowl itself was satisfying on its own. It was hearty and flavorful, the kind of dish that feels comforting after a cool evening along the Tasmanian coast. The basket of chips, however, did not go to waste. I pushed them toward the center of the table, and the three of them happily munched their way through the entire bowlful.

Before we knew it, the evening had slipped away. We had arrived at five, but by eight thirty we were already back at the house. It was the perfect amount of time to enjoy good company without turning the night into something exhausting.

Once home, Tom and I settled in to watch an episode of The Traitors, which has become our little evening ritual. Not long after the episode ended, I headed off to bed.

Last night, for the first time in years, I drank two glasses of 3.5% low carb beer. Since we haven’t had any alcohol lately, today I have a terrible hangover. I won’t be drinking beer again!

Unfortunately, sleep did not come easily. It turned into one of those restless nights where you drift in and out without ever feeling fully settled. Today, I am feeling its effects. Between making pizza for Tom and preparing a seafood dish for myself, I find that I am dragging my feet more than usual.

Still, tomorrow is another day, and I suspect a good night’s sleep will set everything right again. Besides, we returned home last night after seeing something quite special at the wildlife department, a thrill for both of us. Tomorrow I will share that story, along with a stunning photo, because it was one of those moments that remind us once again why we love being here and traveling the world.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago, March 14, 2016:

In New Zealand, these beautiful clusters of trees create a nice foreground for our photos at sunset. For more photos, please click here.

Fabulous night out…Finally found an excellent restaurant with good food…

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This was my delicious salad with eight grilled scallops grilled to perfection, without oil, and with sour cream for dressing on the side. I only used half of one of the little containers of sour cream.

With all the company and get-togethers we’ve had since we arrived in The Villages two months ago, we hadn’t gotten into a routine of our nights out with just the two of us. In Marloth Park, we went to Jabula on both Friday and Saturday nights and loved the routine of it. We always had a great evening, with good food and socializing with owners Dawn and Leon and the many patrons that arrived during the evening.

That scenario is challenging to duplicate. Instead, we’re now enjoying somewhat of a routine of going to Brownwood Paddock Square, the closest and most accessible town square for us in The Villages. The other squares are much further, and riding in the golf cart for the over 90 minutes round trip hasn’t appealed to us.

The atmosphere in Cody’s Original Roadhouse is cluttered but fun and festive.

In essence, the squares are very similar in their design. We’ve carefully perused the menus of all the restaurants in the three main village squares and concluded that Cody’s Original Roadhouse is the best restaurant for our tastes and my dietary restrictions.

Not only is the festive environment appealing to both of us, but the vast selection of menu options is particularly appealing. However, I am so enjoying their entree salads; it will be hard for me to select other options, especially after last night’s salad, as shown here, with eight decent-sized grilled scallops, were delicious.

Customers seemed to enjoy their food, as we did.

We started the evening at the bar at City Fire American Oven and Bar. We’ve dined there about three times and weren’t impressed with the options for my way of eating and Tom’s tastes. We decided we won’t eat there again, although the atmosphere indoors, seated at a booth in air-conditioned comfort with excellent service, is quite good.

This coming Wednesday, we’ll try again to go to bingo at City Fire at 3:00 pm. We wanted to go the past few weeks, but when it rained heavily each Wednesday, we decided not to chance it and drive the golf cart in the wind, rain, and lightning.

We lucked out and got a booth. We had a great time chatting, as always.

Last evening, while seated at the bar at City Fire, we met a lovely real estate agent, Poppy. We talked at length, and I explained that we’d like to do a story about real estate for sale in The Villages. We asked Poppy if she’d show us some houses enabling us to take photos and write about our observations in a post.

Tom couldn’t resist eating these warm squishy buns but wasn’t keen on the cinnamon-flavored and sweetened butter. A bottomless salad accompanies most entrees, but he only ate this portion of salad with his entree.

We also explained we were not interested in buying a house and our motives for looking at a few homes, and she was totally fine with this concept. After the Fourth of July holiday, next Tuesday, we’ll hopefully hear from her and set up a time to visit a few homes. Hopefully, she’ll contact me soon to set up an appointment.

We also chatted with a man whose wife passed away over a year ago and was going on his first date next Friday. We encouraged him to have a great time as he asked for a few pointers. I suggested he take off his wedding ring, but some may disagree with this idea. We hope to see John again before we leave and hear how his date went.

Tom ordered this chopped sirloin steak in a mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes. He thoroughly enjoyed it.

By 7:00 pm, we headed to dinner at Cody’s, and as mentioned above and shown in today’s photos, we had an excellent time, and by 9:00 pm, we were back at the house. They roll up the sidewalks by 10:00 pm in The Villages, with most bars and restaurants closing between 9 and 10 pm, even on the weekends.

We’re off again tonight for another evening out. We’ll see what Saturday night brings in The Villages.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 1, 2013:

Today, on an exploring and invigorating walk, we found ourselves closer to the larger two clock towers for a better view of the cemetery on the church grounds. For more photos, please click here.

Dinner at a pub with new friends…Two days and counting…

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Chris, Barbara, and Tom are standing in the pub at the Boathouse.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Falmouth

“Some of the surrendered German U-Boats were dispatched to Falmouth at the end of World War I. It is thought that this was for ‘explosive trials’ testing for weaknesses in their construction. According to the Atlantic Scuba Dive Centre, the UBoats now lie off Castle Beach, Pendennis Point, and Dodman Point.”

It’s always a special occasion to have the opportunity to meet new people. Barbara and Chris are local property owners and summer residents of Falmouth, which made the evening all the more meaningful.

Their knowledge and love of the area were inspiring and educational. They had a captive audience with enthusiasm for this fantastic seaside location rife with history and neverending charm.
We returned to the Boathouse Pub and Restaurant since it was a convenient walk for all of us with their property only a 15-minute walk from the pub and ours, a mere five minutes, downhill on the way and somewhat challenging on the uphill return.  
Seafood chowder with tomato sauce, scallops, hake, mussels, clams, and prawns. It probably contained more tomato sauce than I should have in a single dish, but it was delicious!
We appreciated they were willing to walk further than us on the hill roads. I suppose the locals who walk these hills become pretty fit. We’ve seen several seniors who seem to be managing the mountains with ease. Undoubtedly, after years of walking up and down the hills, they acquired quite a degree of fitness.

When we walked in the pub’s door, Barbara and Chris had already arrived a few minutes before our planned 5:45 pm. It was such a pleasure to meet them both, referred to us by theirs and our friend Liz from Bristol, where they spend most of the year. They have several rental properties in Falmouth which are not necessarily holiday rentals. They arrange the rentals in such a way they can spend the majority of their summers in Falmouth as avid boaters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Tom’s bacon cheeseburger with chips and a side salad.  He handed the salad over to me.

Their adult children and grandchildren come to visit while they’re here during the summer months while they all take advantage of the many water-related activities readily available in Falmouth and its surrounding villages.

As it turned out, our meals at the Boathouse were fantastic. I had one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time, meeting my dietary requirements; a rich seafood chowder made with a sugar-free tomato sauce. The portion was huge, and I savored every bite.

Tom, not much of a seafood kind of guy, had a burger with chips. He blissfully devoured my mini-loaf of crusty bread, which usually would be used to “sop up” the juices in the chowder.

Barbara and Chris’s shared plate of fried calamari.

Barbara and Chris also had seafood, sharing a massive pot of mussels and a platter of fried calamari. The conversation was lively and animated as expected…a friend of Liz’s would be a friend of ours!

Back at the house, we watched a few shows, drifting off the bed by 11:00 pm. We both had a good night’s rest feeling refreshed and invigorated this morning. We gathered the last few items of laundry to wash in preparation for tomorrow’s packing. With the cool and humid seaside weather, clothes can dry for days.

At this point, I’m 90% packed, with only odds and ends we’re using around the house. We’ll have consumed all of our perishables and packed such items as coffee, coconut cream (for coffee), tea, and spices. With our concern for baggage fees, we purchase all new spices each time we move from location to location.

Barbara and Chris’s pot of cooked mussels.  
This will be the second time since 2012, we’ve been able to drive to the following location, taking our remaining foodstuff with us. This time, the packing is easy when we have no concern about the individual weight of our bags.  

The weight of our bags won’t be a concern until we fly from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 8th (after the upcoming transatlantic cruise). It’s hard to believe we’ll be in the US in a mere 65 days!

For those of you still working, enjoy “hump day,” and for those retired folks, enjoy yet another day in the life…
Photo from one year ago today, September 4, 2018:
In the late afternoon, we had so many visitors. We lost count. For more photos, please click here.

Day 4…Cruise to South America…Part 1, Fabulous day in Grand Cayman with new friends…

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Susan and Blair, originally from Canada, have lived in Grand Cayman for the past 15 years and are about to spread their wings further, by beginning a world journey in many ways similar to ours without a home, without “stuff,” and with no end in mind. 

“Sightings from the Veranda while Cruising”

A yacht in the harbor at Grand Cayman.
Yesterday, Grand Cayman was our first port of call since leaving Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. Here’s a little information about Grand Cayman:
“Grand Cayman
Island in the Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. George Town, its capital, is home to the Cayman Islands National Museum, dedicated to Caymanian heritage. The city is also a major cruise-ship port and site of the ruins of colonial-era Fort George. Beaches and vibrant coral reefs are the island’s hallmarks.
Area: 75.68 mi²
Population: 52,601 (2010)
Largest settlement: George Town (pop. 27,704)
Pop. density: 224.6 /km2 (581.7 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%.”
The indoor seating at Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant.
On a previous cruise, we’d visited Cayman Island, but this time we had an entirely different perspective, both from having had more experience traveling, with a  resulting keener eye. Also, meeting new friends and upcoming world travelers Susan and Blair added considerably to our second visit.
Check out this fish chandelier!

About ten years my junior, five years for Tom, this lovely couple are blessed with the opportunity to begin traveling at a younger age, already possessing considerable travel experience instead of our being relative neophytes when we started in October 2012.

A tour boat under tarps at the marina

As avid and expert scuba divers, they’ve visited some of the finest waters in the world as well as spending the past 15 years living in the Cayman Islands, a scuba divers paradise. Originally from Canada, years ago, they made the difficult decision to move to this tropical island which we found to be exquisite and enticing.

A social event was conducted on the beach.

Again, this year they made yet another life-changing decision…to sell everything they own and travel the world.  Humm…sounds familiar. Although their travel goals may differ from ours with their passion for underwater scenery and wildlife, we found we have many similar interests in common as we’re inclined toward water scenery.

Recently, with the help of a competent local real estate agent, their home in Grand Cayman sold, and they’re expected to leave at the end of December to begin, which may prove for them, to be a year’s long journey as well.

A sprawling lawn at a luxury estate.

Sharing dreams, hopes, and logistics with them at lunch at the excellent Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant at the Cayman Islands Yacht Club was both refreshing and exciting.


As it turns out, Susan and Blair found us online when searching for world travelers. Over the past few years, as the decision was rolling out, they’ve discovered other world travelers researching for valued information about how to embark on such an adventure.

View of a small portion of Cayman Island from the ship.


As the baby boomer population ages, many decide to do something similar to us, each to their personal preferences, to fulfill their dreams of world travel.  

It’s interesting to see how world traveler’s goals may vary. Some may prefer to spend considerable time in Europe when they begin, as is the case for Susan and Blair, while others may choose an entirely different path, as in our case.

A pretty house on the shore as our tender approached the dock.

Whichever path they choose, challenges and obstacles line the way that savvy people can handle dignity and grace. The ability to navigate online, along with good problem-solving skills and a high degree of patience and tolerance, can make this life possible for some.

Susan and Blair seem to possess these skills, and we look forward to following their adventures at their site found here. We wish them the very best in safety, good health, and extraordinary experiences.

Tom just returned from a morning seminar, joining me at a comfy table in Cafe al Bacio where we’ll stay until we’re ready for the next activity, another meeting this afternoon.

Tomorrow, we’ll back with more photos of our time in the Cayman Islands with Susan and Blair.

Have an enjoyable day!

Photo from one year ago today, November 26, 2016:
I love the look on Tom’s face in this shot. It was one year ago today that we did the seminar on the ship. A few days later, we were asked to conduct a second seminar. For more details, please click here.