Clarification…No ETA required to transit through the UK. We finally made it…No jet lag…Memorial Day in the US today…

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Mr. or Ms. Hornbill enjoying seeds from the hanging bird feeder at our holiday home in Marloth Park.

Tom was concerned we’d need an ETA to transit through London for our five-hour layover at Heathrow Airport. After checking online many times to ensure we wouldn’t have an issue, we decided not to bother. Here’s the information we found on this topic:

As of May 2025, whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to transit through London Heathrow Airport depends on the nature of your transit:

No ETA Required — Airside Transit

If you’re transiting airside—meaning you remain within the airport’s international transit area and do not pass through UK border control, you do not need an ETA. This exemption applies to Heathrow and Manchester airports and was implemented in January 2025 to facilitate smoother international connections.

ETA Required — Landside Transit

If your transit involves passing through UK border control—for example, to collect and recheck luggage, switch terminals without a secure connection, or stay overnight—you are considered a landside transit passenger. You must obtain an ETA, unless you already hold a valid UK visa or are otherwise exempt.

 Key Considerations

  • Check with your airline to determine if your connection requires passing through border control.

  • If you have two separate tickets or need to collect and recheck your luggage, you will likely need to go landside, requiring an ETA.

  • If your layover is under 24 hours and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, you may be able to stay airside.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the UK government’s official guidance on transit visas and ETA.

On another note, after the fiasco in Nelspruit on the way to the airport, as described in yesterday’s post here, the remainder of the travel time was incident-free. We didn’t sleep much on either of the two long flights.

Overall, I watched four or five movies. We both had trouble with the sound in our monitors, making movie-watching less enjoyable. We didn’t experience any significant turbulence or delays. The first flight was with Virgin Atlantic, and the second was with Delta.

The food on both flights was awful. They both served a choice of chicken rice curry, laden with flour, and a vegetable pasta dish, neither of which I could eat, nor did Tom care for either option. Then again, we don’t fly for the food. Sure, it may be better on Business or First Class, but we’re not willing to pay six or seven times the fare we pay for Coach tickets. We nibbled on some peanuts, and Tom ate the bread, crackers, and desserts served with each meal.

To our surprise, we neither felt bad after staying awake, missing an entire night’s sleep. At the airport in Minneapolis, we picked up the rental at Sixt, the best price we could find for a nice Subaru SUV. By the time we were on the road for the 20-minute drive to the hotel, we realized we needed to eat and stopped at a Jimmy John’s to buy bread-free unwiches (sandwiches using lettuce instead of bread), knowing that once we arrived at the hotel, we’d be ready to eat.

On our way, son Greg called and said he wanted to see us immediately, and he met us at the restaurant. I can’t describe how meaningful those big hugs from Greg were. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. We both looked and felt tired, but we didn’t care.

We checked into the hotel in no time at all. But before we ate those delicious unwiches, we both got busy unpacking. We got everything put away so we could sit down, relax, and watch a show, after loading our various streaming services to the big TV monitor.

We decided we’d have to stay awake until 10:00 pm to ensure we’d adapt to Minnesota time as quickly as possible. We nodded off a few times but woke each other up to avoid taking a nap and upsetting the intended schedule. Last night, we both slept about six hours. My Fitbit indicated I’d slept about six hours, which made me feel good today. Neither of us has jet lag, this time around.

Today is Memorial Day in the US, when we honor veterans who lost their lives but we have no plans. All the activities with family and friends will begin in a few days and continue through the three weeks we are here in Minnesota.

We’ll make every effort to post daily while we’re here. Thanks for all the love and support from our readers!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 26, 2015:

Tom’s miniature lemon meringue pie for dessert on a cruise. For more photos, please click here.

Part 4…Suggestions from readers…Two days and counting…

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This is the famous Radcliffe Camera Building at Oxford University, UK, one of the best-known buildings on the 38-campus site.

Continuing our posts from the past three days, our dear readers and long-time cruise friends Judy and Gary suggested topics for future posts. Yesterday, we covered the first, second, and third items on the list below. Today, we’re covering the fourth item, “best and worst meals we’ve cooked.”

Here are a few topics to consider;
Favorite cruise lines
Favorite ports
Best and worst cruise ship excursion you’ve taken
Best and worst meal you’ve cooked
Favorite and least favorite country you’ve visited
Favorite and least favorite city you’ve visited

Regarding the “best meals we’ve cooked,” there are countless favorites we’ve enjoyed over the years. To keep this post within a reasonable size, we’ll review the meals we’ve cooked since we’ve traveled the world for almost 12 years.

In many countries where we’ve stayed for months and cooked most of our meals, we’ve had the glorious opportunity to enjoy locally-grown produce, chicken, eggs, and meat. When we arrive at a new location, we often search for the best local foods to purchase to prepare our meals.

However, most of these ingredients are used to prepare recipes we already know we like. Although we often try new recipes, we find them online or stored in one of my clouds. Overall, I have about 3000 recipes to reference at any time. As a result, we can’t recall a meal we prepared that we didn’t like.

As for those meals we’ve especially enjoyed, the list is infinite. We had favorites of, course, all of which are suitable for my keto way of eating, which include:

  • Pizza with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, sliced green olive, homemade pizza sauce, mozzarella and parmesan
  • Chicken Pot Pie made with an almond flour crust
  • Unwiches – similar to lettuce-wrapped unwiches at Jimmy John’s
  • Meatballs with homemade red sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese
  • Tuna patties
  • Chicken bakes (keto copycat from Costco)
  • Stir fry with chicken or beef
  • Steak, salad and veg
  • Chicken salad with a side salad
  • Taco salad (no shell, keto spices)

The above ten items are staples we frequently make with various changes to some ingredients that satisfy our taste buds and create a pleasant menu for a few evening meals. We often make enough of each dish for two to three meals. If we go out to dinner for several evenings, we can quickly freeze any of these dishes, except for the unwiches we make fresh each evening.

When we’re in a pinch and don’t have something delicious on hand, we can always make mushroom, bacon, and onion omelets with bacon on the side, all of which ingredients we tend to keep on hand.

I have undoubtedly written about these meals over and over again. But for our new readers, we decided to reiterate our choices, following along on the list suggested by friends/readers Judy and Gary, whom we thank one more time for providing us with these helpful ideas.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful day with lunch with my dear friend Karen, who happened to be in Minneapolis on business. Tom picked me and my wheelchair up at 5:30, and we headed to another restaurant in Hopkins to meet up with Tammy and Tracy for our final goodbyes. Again, we had a lovely dinner with the two of them. I had a small appetizer for lunch with Karen and a Caesar salad for dinner.

That’s it for today, folks. Soon, Tom will drive me to Hopkins to meet my dear friend Chere for our pedicures. She and her husband Gary returned from three weeks in Africa yesterday. I can’t wait to hear more about their adventures, although we connected via WhatsApp during their three-week vacation. She sent me photos almost every day!

After the pedicures, Tom will pick me up, and we’ll head to Billy’s Bar and Grill for our final visit with his siblings. We’ll get together with Greg and the three grandkids tomorrow afternoon for an early dinner and say goodbye.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 23, 2014:

At Oxford University, UK, there were a few streets where no cars were allowed to make getting through the crowds easier. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…Risks of getting sick in other countries…From water…

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The reflection from boats and buildings along the Seine River created beautiful scenes as we sailed on a luxury dinner cruise in Paris ten years ago.

Today’s post continues from yesterday’s Part 1 about illnesses while traveling caused by unsafe and unsanitary food and water. Please see Part 1 here.

Waterborne Illness

Contaminated water is another significant risk for travelers, especially in regions where tap water is not treated to the same standards as developed countries. Drinking contaminated water or using it to wash food can lead to severe illnesses, such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A.

1. Drinking Tap Water: In many parts of the world, tap water is unsafe. It may contain pathogens like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and harmful chemicals. Even where locals drink tap water without issue, travelers can get sick because their bodies are unfamiliar with the local microorganisms. Always opt for bottled or purified water, and make sure the seal is intact before drinking. Carrying a portable water filter or purification tablets can also be a reasonable precaution.

2. Ice and Beverages: Ice is often made from tap water, so even if you avoid drinking it, consuming beverages with ice can still pose a risk. Similarly, juices, shakes, or other drinks that may have been diluted with local water can be hazardous. Drinking sealed, boiled beverages (like tea or coffee) from boiled water is safer when in doubt.

3. Swimming and Recreational Water: Illnesses can also be contracted from swimming in contaminated water. Lakes, rivers, and even some swimming pools may harbor pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal or skin infections. Accidental water ingestion while swimming, particularly in natural bodies of water or untreated pools, can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and other symptoms.

Risks of Poor Sanitation and Hygiene

Poor sanitation and hygiene are often the root causes of food and water contamination. In some regions, wastewater treatment and sanitation infrastructure may be inadequate, leading to the spread of disease through contaminated food and water sources.

1. Poor Hand Hygiene: Not washing hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food is a significant risk factor for illness. In areas where soap and clean water are scarce, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be a vital tool for maintaining hand hygiene. Additionally, be cautious about touching your face, especially your mouth and eyes, with unwashed hands.

2. Inadequate Sanitation Facilities: Public sanitation facilities may be lacking or poorly maintained in many places, especially in rural or developing regions. This can increase the risk of coming into contact with harmful pathogens. When using public restrooms, it’s essential to be mindful of hygiene practices, such as using a tissue or sanitizer to avoid touching surfaces directly.

Mitigation Strategies

1. Be Informed: Research your destination’s food and water safety standards before traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) provide up-to-date information on food and water safety in different regions.

2. Vaccinations: Some food and waterborne diseases, such as hepatitis A and typhoid fever, can be prevented through vaccination. Consult with a healthcare provider before your trip to determine if any vaccines are recommended for your destination.

3. Pack Essentials: Bringing along essential items like a portable water purifier, hand sanitizer, and oral rehydration salts can help you manage minor illnesses and stay safe.

4. Eat and Drink Safely: Stick to bottled or boiled water, eat well-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked dishes, and choose food from reputable sources.

The risks of getting sick from food and water while traveling can be significant, but with proper precautions, they are manageable. By being vigilant about what you eat and drink and maintaining good hygiene practices, you can significantly reduce your chances of falling ill and enjoy a safe and healthy trip.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 10, 2014:

The Palais de Justice, the French Palace of Justice. For more photos, please click here.

Amazing solution for Tom for a year’s long issue…

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Rechargeable batteries are required for these hearing aids, which can be easily recharged in the provided case. They come with a USB plug that easily plugs into the provided adapter, which plugs into any US outlet. For travel, one can use their usual device adapters. Also, the grey case is for charging while traveling. Two instruction booklets are included.

No words can express how excited we were after Tom picked up his hearing aids from Costco and found them working so well. He decided to go with the Philips brand and was thrilled. When he returned from Costco, I couldn’t tell he was wearing them—they are entirely invisible!

They couldn’t be better with the app on his phone to adjust them and the ability to hear incoming and outgoing phone calls. This makes a world of difference to him. But the benefits for me are indescribable. Finally, we can have a conversation without him saying, “What? What? What?”

Often, I’d be in another room and tell or ask him something, and invariably, he’d say, “I can’t hear you!”

You’d think I would have learned and stopped trying to talk to him from another room, but over the years, as his hearing worsened, I didn’t learn. It was frustrating for both of us. General chit-chat was severely impacted when I finally kept my thoughts to myself. Not that he prefers to hear every thought that pops into my mind! I will be considerate and not over-talk.

Many people, especially seniors, have hearing loss for various reasons. Tom’s case was hereditary, with many family members wearing hearing aids at young ages. Still, it was mainly due to working for 42½ years on the railroad with constant blaring noises, including the whistle on the locomotive, the steady sound of the diesel motor, and retarders used to slow down the train cars, often earsplitting. Nothing was soundproofed.

When Tom worked on the railroad, ear protection wasn’t required until the late 90s. By then, the damage had been done. Here are some facts about hearing aids.

The hearing aid package is in a sturdy box that he will save for future reference.

Hearing aids are essential devices for individuals with hearing impairments. Here are some key statistics and information about hearing aids:

  1. Prevalence of Hearing Loss:
    • Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.
    • About 2-3 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
  2. Hearing Aid Usage:
    • Around 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
    • Despite this, only about 30% of adults aged 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them.
    • Among adults aged 20 to 69, the percentage drops to about 16%.
  3. Technology and Types:
    • Hearing aids come in various types, including Behind-the-Ear (BTE), In-the-Ear (ITE), and In-the-Canal (ITC) models.
    • Modern hearing aids use digital technology to process sound, which allows for more precise amplification and noise reduction.
  4. Market and Costs:
    • The global hearing aids market size was valued at USD 9.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
    • Hearing aids can be expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 per device. However, the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids is expected to make them more affordable and accessible.
  5. User Satisfaction:
    • User satisfaction with hearing aids is generally high, and many users report improved communication and quality of life.
    • Factors contributing to satisfaction include the degree of hearing loss, the quality of the hearing aid fitting, and ongoing support from audiologists.
  6. Barriers to Adopting the Use of Hearing Aids:
    • Common barriers to hearing aid adoption include the high cost, social stigma, and a lack of awareness about the benefits and advancements in hearing aid technology.

These statistics highlight the importance of hearing aids for those with hearing impairments and the need for increased accessibility and awareness.

As for the process Tom went through to be fitted for hearing aids at Costco, which may differ from other facilities:

  1.  Make an appointment online or over the phone at your local Costco store.
  2.  During the month before the appointment, have your ears checked for wax build-up at Costco’s hearing aid department. No appointment is necessary.
  3. Return to the store for your scheduled appointment for a hearing test, fitting, and selection of brand and style. As shown above, Tom selected the Philips brand for $100 less than the other. However, he didn’t choose it for the lower cost; instead, he chose it for its ability to be hidden in and behind the ear. At this point, you’ll pay for the hearing aids in full, which will be approximately $1600. We used Costco shop cards and coupons for this price, saving about $200.
  4. Return after a new appointment is made for the final fitting, instructions, and app instructions. Bring your phone so the app can be installed and activated on your smartphone.
  5. Return a few weeks later for a final check to ensure everything works well.

All of the above appointments are included in the total cost. Tom was delighted with the service and the process, and now, much to his delight, he can listen to his podcasts and the streamed shows without using a portable Bluetooth speaker. Plus, conversations with family members and friends will be easy to hear going forward.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 6, 2014:

Mardi Gras costumes from centuries ago on a visit to Musee de Quai Branly, in Paris, built in 2006, an architecturally exciting museum with a wealth of treasures from around the world. For more photos, please click here.

Fun day for each of us, separately, that is…Do we go camping?…

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While touring Madeira, we encountered this waterfall that landed on the car. How unusual.

Last night, we had a great time. We went out for happy hour and dinner at Pizza Luce, close to our hotel. We were surprised by how few patrons were there when we entered but figured it was due to the upcoming 4th of July holiday and people being busy preparing for the long holiday weekend or having already left town for the festivities.

We had a great dinner of their gluten-free meatballs with sugar-free pasta sauce, topped with shaved mozzarella without added pasta. I had two small glasses of red wine, and Tom had two bottles of beer, each for $5.00. Our total bill with taxes and tips was $41.79, which isn’t much more than buying groceries for one night’s dinner.

With grocery inflation, we can easily spend $280 a week if we cook every night. Thus, eating out for around $41.79 wasn’t much more. However, that was the exception, not the rule. We often spend about $70 to dine out at a mid range restaurant. Most weeks, we dine out at least two times, maybe three.

Even fast food is expensive. Tom spent $25 at McDonald’s when he stopped for a meal, only for himself. I don’t eat at Mcdonald’s or most fast food establishments, except Chipotle, or rarely at Jimmy Johns for an “unwich,” which we now avoid when the cost for two sandwiches is over $40. Unbelievable!

At this point, we still don’t have any plans for the holiday, but we’re fine staying at the hotel if that’s how it rolls out. We’re used to spending holidays on our own while traveling worldwide, often barely noticing that it’s a specific US-celebrated holiday.

In South Africa, we’ve spent Christmas and New Year with friends, but here in the US, we’ve received few invitations from family or friends to partake in their planned activities. We prefer not to invite ourselves. Often, our kids and grandkids are out of town camping or planning to watch fireworks displays.

We aren’t much for camping, but that’s not to say we wouldn’t go. Buying a tent and all the necessary equipment makes no sense when we have nowhere to store it and may never use it again. When our kids were young, we camped occasionally and had everything we needed. But not now. Plus, I don’t think we would sleep well on the ground.

Today, we’re each going out separately. Tom heads to Mary and Eugene’s house in Andover at noon to play Buck Euchre. His nephew Kevin is in town from Florida. The card game is for four players, but there will be five players there without me, requiring one to sit out every few games.

Since they have enough players without me, I am not joining them since I’d already committed to lunch at the Asia Mall with my son Greg and grandson Miles today at 12:30. I didn’t want to cancel on Greg and Miles to do something else. Plus, I enjoy getting together with them whenever possible and would never cancel unless I was sick.

Most likely, I’ll be back at the hotel by 2:30 and spend the rest of the day chatting with friends and watching a few movies. When Tom plays Buck euchre with his family, they rarely get done until 1:00 or 2:00 am. Also, I have trouble staying up that late.

In any case, it will be a good day for each of us, and we’ll be happy to see each other after a short break when we are together all the time.

That’s it for today.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 2, 2014:

An outdoor lawn ornament store in Campanario, Madeira, Portugal. For more, please click here.

Walking again…Bread?…

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In Madeira, we encountered several of these pine trees.

With my cough improving daily, I started walking again yesterday. The heart medication I am taking prevents my heart rate from getting high, and it’s a strain on my body to do anything that raises my pulse. Yesterday, I set the timer on my phone to go off once an hour and then head back outside to walk around the building again.

This morning, I started differently. Instead of walking around the building once, I am pushing myself to walk continuously for five minutes six times a day. Right now, a combined total of 30 minutes a day is all I can muster. I was pleased to walk the first five minutes this morning.

I set out my earbuds, and next time I go out at 10:00 am, I will bring my phone and listen to podcasts, hopefully getting my mind on something other than the strain of walking. Today is a beautiful sunny day with only a few clouds in the skies for a chance. The temperature is expected to be a high of 84F, 29C, a perfect day. Rain isn’t expected until Friday.

Yesterday morning, I made all the fixings for taco salads for both of us. I chopped onions, grape tomatoes, celery, olives, romaine lettuce, and grated cheddar cheese. For Tom, I cooked three pounds of ground beef, and for me, two pounds of lean turkey breast. I like spicy food, but Tom doesn’t, so making two batches makes sense.

You’d think five pounds of meat would last several days, but we’ll only get three of four dinners out of it. There isn’t much left once the meat cooks, and we drain it. Once drained, I put each batch of meat back into their respective pans, add one can of sugar-free tomato sauce, and season the beef with keto taco spices from Amazon and other herbs and spices, such as Himalayan salt, garlic and onion powder, and pepper. To add to the Mexican flavor, I add quite a bit of cumin to my meat.

When we had dinner, I made myself a tortilla with all the vegetables, cheese, Wholly guacamole, and Pace Picante sauce. I found the keto coconut flour tortillas on Amazon at this link.

An important point if you buy these is to fill the tortilla with hot meat and vegetables, but do not microwave it after filling it. Otherwise, it falls apart. It holds up well when not heated after filling. Finding a tortilla I can use to make wraps was a delicious treat.

Once the taco meat is gone, I will make shredded chicken wraps for me and grilled chicken breasts for Tom. He won’t eat the keto wrap and has never enjoyed wraps. He prefers plain white bread, which we don’t buy. So, it’s rare for us to make any sandwich. He enjoys burgers with the bun and Reuben sandwiches when eating out.

Often, I long for a sandwich or avocado toast. But I haven’t found any bread that works for my way of eating. I’ve seen a few possibilities, but at $24.99 a loaf, there is no way I’d pay that much. A few years ago, I could buy keto bread in South Africa for one-third of that price. But most keto bread in the US is made with wheat, and I don’t eat any grain, including wheat.

The only other alternative is to make my own keto bread using healthy ingredients. But right now, I don’t feel like baking anything. I don’t have the proper pans and ingredients to make keto bread. Once buying everything needed, the cost can be as prohibitive as the expensive loaves described above.

For now, I’ll be happy with the coconut tortillas. There are two packs of five to get me through ten meals since I’d never eat more than one per meal. Again, I’m looking forward to tonight’s dinner, mainly due to that tasty tortilla.

Right now, Tom is taking a nap. He had a fitful night with little sleep, and hopefully, he’ll feel better soon. He’s still coughing,  along with me, and neither has fully recovered. Hopefully soon.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 25, 2014:

This worm was several inches long. It’s a larger version of those we’ve found in our produce when washing it. No pesticides are used in farming on this island, which we like. After trash pickup, we found this worm on Tuesday’s bottom of the outdoor garbage bin. We set it out on the grass to continue its life. For more photos, please click here.

New hotel differences with photos…

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Breakfast here was better than at the Hyatt, with bacon and cheese served with eggs and other items.

This morning, I intended to take photos of this hotel using my new phone’s camera. It turned out that it was raining hard when we walked across the parking lot to the cafe, and I didn’t bring my phone to avoid getting it wet. Instead, I went online looking for images I could use and had trouble uploading them since they weren’t in the proper format, and I couldn’t format them for posting on our site, except for the three photos we’re showing today.

Instead, we had breakfast in the cafe, which was better than the breakfast at the Hyatt, a hotel we prefer in many other ways. This extended stay won’t be as hard as during the lockdown in Mumbai, India, for ten months since we can get out, dine out, shop, and do our laundry with machines instead of hand washing clothes in the shower, as we did then.

We are grateful for all of this. The bed is only a queen, but we did fine last night, and both slept pretty well. The bathroom is enormous, much bigger than it needs to be, but there are no drawers for our clothes, only a tiny closet with ample hangers. The kitchen is good. Having a full kitchen is nice, but since I don’t feel like cooking, it may not be essential for us.

This kitchen is great for our needs, with a full-sized stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave.

Cheryl, one of our dear readers, sent a thoughtful email with numerous suggestions for leisurely meals, which I greatly appreciate. However, these suggestions would require me to do some planning. Thank you, Cheryl, for thinking of us. After Tom and I discussed meal options, the most leisurely meals for me to prepare include a big salad, rice for Tom (he makes that), and some meat such as steak, pork, burgers, chicken with seafood, and fish for me. We can do this.

Since we are heading to Billy’s for dinner with some family members tonight, we won’t be grocery shopping until tomorrow so that we will make our first meal in the new kitchen for tomorrow night’s dinner. We’ve eaten out many nights this past week, and a home-cooked meal would be nice.

Last night, we went to dinner with Greg, Heather, Maisie, Miles, Madighan, and her boyfriend Aiden at an excellent Mexican restaurant in Chanhassen, Rey Azteca. After dinner, we headed to Chanhassen High School to attend Madighan’s choir performance. It was sweet to see and hear her and her classmates perform a litany of songs conducted by their music teacher, who had a lively personality.

This is the layout of our first-floor hotel room.

After it was over, I was anxious to return to the hotel and put my feet up. As my condition progresses, I am experiencing some symptoms I hadn’t had a few months ago. I can only hope it doesn’t worsen over the next few months. I am doing everything I can to stay as healthy as possible.

This hotel has guest laundry facilities, which, in this case, are coin-operated. After breakfast this morning, we did a week’s laundry, folded it, and returned it to the suitcase we are sharing. The remainder of our “stuff,” including more clothes, are still in the car in other pieces of luggage. At this point, there’s no need to get into the other suitcases. We repeatedly wash the same clothes to avoid digging into the different bags.

Once settled in Cleveland, we’ll open all the bags and try to put everything away, if possible. I won’t need many clothes since I mostly wear pajama bottoms and tee shirts once I am out of the hospital. At some point, I’ll purchase the items I’ll need.

We’re staying put until it’s time to leave for Billy’s at 2:45. Only a few sisters will be there tonight since Patty and Colleen are both sick.

Have a pleasant and safe Memorial weekend for our family and friends in the US. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 24, 2014:

The pink clouds over the ocean in Madeira were quite a vision. For more photos, please click here.

New booking for June…Are we still nomads since we’re staying in the US for so long?…

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The beautiful terraced gardens on the island of Madeira, Portugal where we stayed for almost three months, beginning in May, 2014.

Tom’s sister Betty, a retired nun living in a retirement facility for nuns in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be celebrating her 70-year “Jubilee” since joining the sisterhood when she was 18 years old. At that time, Tom was only 18 months old. Of course, he doesn’t remember that time other than knowing that his elder sister was a nun as he grew up.

The family is invited to attend this special celebration in Milwaukee on June 15. Thus, we’ll make the less-than-six-hour drive to Milwaukee, staying in a nearby hotel to attend a special mass and a dinner. As it turns out, we’ll have to stay in Milwaukee for two nights.

Since hotel prices are high in the area, we thought we’d use some of our accumulated rewards points from one of our credit cards to cover the $617 for the two nights. We booked the same Fairfield Inn where we stayed last time we visited Sister Beth in 2021 while we were in the US for a family visit.

We don’t know yet if any of Tom’s siblings or other family members will attend the event since there are two grandchildren’s weddings they’d planned to attend on the same date, making the trip to Milwaukee impossible.

We will enjoy spending time with Sister Beth and her friends, as several other nuns also celebrate this special date with their family members.

On another note, lately, we wondered if any of our readers may assume we are no longer “nomads” when now, and over the next six months or so, we will be staying in the US. Is our travel site a misrepresentation of who we are at this time? In conducting research as to what constitutes a “nomad,” I found the following:

“A nomad is someone who prefers to travel and move around rather than settle down in one place. The word “nomad” comes from a Greek word that means “roaming about for pasture.”Traditionally, nomads were tribes of people who moved in search of food, water, and shelter. They would often travel seasonally or annually and traditionally used animals, canoes, or walked. Today, some nomads travel by car, air, train, or ship.

A birthday celebration and lovely evening…With a thoughtful gift for me!…

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Heather’s daughter Hannah sent these lovely flowers with her mom to give to me last night. I’ve never met Hannah and couldn’t believe this thoughtful gesture. Hopefully, soon, I will meet her. Thank you, Hannah!

When Miles got his driver’s license on his 16th birthday yesterday, it was fun to celebrate his special day at Pizza Luce last night. He couldn’t have been more excited; seven of us shared his enthusiasm at dinner. The food was good, the ambiance was festive, and it was fun to be with family again.

Heather walked in the door holding the above flowers, and I said, “How thoughtful to give flowers to Miles on his birthday!” Heather giggled, “These aren’t for Miles. They are for you!” I was stymied about why there were flowers for me until she explained they were from her adult daughter Hannah, whom I’d never met, who could not join us at Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday.

I couldn’t get Hannah’s number quickly enough to thank her for her thoughtfulness, especially when she hadn’t met me yet. We both feel fortunate, along with Greg, to have Heather in our family with her four children and our six grandchildren in Minnesota.

There’s no doubt in my mind that being away all these years has only accelerated the appreciation of our family members. When we lived in the US almost 12 years ago, we loved and appreciated our family. But there is an added element of appreciating how much our kids, grandchildren, and now Heather’s family mean to us, having been away for so long.

We are so happy that Greg and Heather have found one another and brought their total seven children into their love equation. We’ve been busy seeing everyone since we arrived here last Wednesday and look forward to many more get-togethers over the next few months until we head to Cleveland.

In about 30 minutes this morning, we leave to go to a highly reviewed physical therapy clinic only a few miles from here. I am struggling to be mobile right now, most likely due to my heart condition, and I need some help improving my mobility. My exercise regime wasn’t sufficient enough to affect a change, and I’m willing to admit defeat and accept professional help.

I must improve my strength and mobility before I have the surgery. Right now, I am having trouble getting up out of a chair or out of bed. My walking is difficult and unsteady. Indeed, if I don’t do something right now, I could fall, and that could be a fiasco. We have so many plans over the next few months, and I want to be able to participate in all the activities with family and friends.

Tomorrow, I will report what I’ve discovered at this morning’s assessment. We have no plans tonight, and after the appointment, we’ll head to the market to pick up a few items for tonight’s and tomorrow’s dinner. We try to avoid dining out every night, not only due to huge portions and also not knowing what’s in the food but also to save a little.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 14, 2014:

This creative display is so Morocco, with brilliant colors that are beautifully presented. For more photos, please click here.