Family

A merry Christmas to you all

35 Comments

My dear readers, it has been a long hiatus hasn’t it?  My apologies, however it will soon be time to start posting in earnest  again; having not done so for some time it’s surprising what I have forgotten when it comes to the vagaries of blogging, so this will be an excellent way of refreshing my knowledge  🙂

First and foremost, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, full of fun and laughter in the company of your friends and family.

My ‘leave’ has been somewhat disjointed insomuch in between hacking my way around golf courses, doing honey-do lists and relaxing, I have spent some of my time on ‘refresher’ courses in Holland.  Even at my (ancient) age these are still necessary, our industry is constantly changing, requiring further training as it evolves.  For example, new requirement dictate that sea-going personnel have to attend and gain (new) certificates for fire-fighting, seamanship and medical.

As my original qualifications were gained with Noah on his ark, the mere thought of clambering around in boats, stumbling around in zero visibility in a smoke-filled maze wearing fire suits and breathing apparatus,  filled me with foreboding.  This was only made worse when, on the “Amsterdam”, I was being constantly reminded by the younger officers that “I ought to bear in mind that one had to physically fit” to partake in the course, thank you very much…….. Well,I survived.

The training took place in an establishment near Rotterdam, Falk to be precise, culminating in an exercise involving clambering into a life-raft, a wave machine magically transforming a normally tranquil swimming pool into the North Atlantic in winter, ably assisted by instructors spraying water hoses on the assembled personnel, in pitch darkness.  Thanks to their efforts I departed Falk with the most awful cold, which took me 2 weeks to shake off.  No photos of this particular exercise, carrying a phone or camera in such conditions was most definitely not recommended.  😯

I seem to spend an awful amount of time here…

Messing around in boats

Rescue boat about to launch

Er, how does one get into this thing?

Dressed for the part

Rotterdam Maritime museum

Then, later, to the Carnival Group’s Training establishment, CSmart, at Almere, near Amsterdam. This a new facility, quite magnificent, with full-mission simulators, lecture rooms and its own hotel.  (prior to this, we had to stay in a hotel in Almere and be bussed to the ‘old’ establishment).  My course was one of ‘Stability’, quite fascinating and absorbing.

CSmart. Hotel to the right, training centre to the left

The interior of the training facility

Then it was over to the U.K., just in time to hold my newest granddaughter, Lois, weighing in at 7 lbs 3 oz, Mum (Elizabeth) and daughter are doing well.  Gramps, (moi) is over the moon with the new addition to the family.

Gramps and his 12-hour old granddaughter

Violet meeting her new sister

O to be young again……

Soon I will be packing (again) and ready to re-join the “Amsterdam” on her 2017 Grand World voyage and no doubt, photos and posts will follow once I’m settled in.  In the meantime, my best wishes to you and yours.

 

 

35 thoughts on “A merry Christmas to you all”

  1. Your Christmas sounds to have been a merry one. All the best to you and all of yours for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! I look forward to following along the 2017 WC enjoying your tales and your photos as well as Karen’s. I assume she will be publishing her photos as well.

  2. So happy to have you back posting. Congrats to you and your family, such a lovely baby girl. I’ll be along with others for the Grand World cruise – wouldn’t miss it! Thanks

  3. Captain Jonathan,
    Yes, Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Thanks for your update. We look forward to your blogs, hope you and your family have a great 2017 and look forward to joining you in 2018.
    Cheers!

  4. How delightful to hear you and all your newsy stories again. As the GWV grows near we think of you and the building excitement of it all over again. So sorry we aren’t joining you this year, but just today (Christmas) we were discussing the possibility of it for 2018. As others have already commented, even though we can’t be onboard this year, it will be wonderful to travel along with you virtually. Blessings to you and yours on this special days.

  6. Congratulations on your newest granddaughter., Too bad you have to leave so soon after her birth but you’ll have plenty of time in a few months. I want to wish you and Karen a Happy, Healthy, and safe new year.

  7. Merry Christmas, Captain Jonathan. I figured it was about time I leave a comment here on your blog. You were the Captain of my first Cruise I took many moons ago on Holland America’s Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the MS Oosterdam with my folks( I was 15 at the time I think, now 25). I started following your blogs a few years ago. So many great photos and information you provide to destinations worldwide. Although I consider myself a traveler, most of my time is spent working in one location. Your blog allows me to be an ‘armchair’ traveler and the ability to ‘escape’ when I am in the Cubicle. Thank you.
    Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2017 to follow

  8. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family.
    Love the Amsterdam and the Grand Cruises.
    We will see you on the” World” in 10 days.
    Barbara

  9. Dear Captian Jonothan & family

    Merry Christmas from the land down under!

    Christmas Eve was hot and humid, all the signs for late afternoon/early evening thunderstorms which rolled in from the west.

    The early morning scene at Cherrybrook was a ‘foggy Christmas Day’ with such now giving way as I write ( 0730 AEDT) to what is forecast to be a fine, hot and humid day.

    Lois & I have our daughter Keryl and husband, Rob with us along with William (6) and Lizzie (4) so after breakfast a time of gift giving and rexalation, perhaps even some backyard cricket!

    Regards

    Allan Gibson OAM

  11. And a merry Christmas to you, too. Thanks for keeping in touch. We look forward to your World Cruise blog and will be with you in spirit. Congratulation on all that new training (as if you need it!)
    Warm. Regards from Jean & George in BC

  12. Captain, your posting about the recent survival training gave me a bit of deja vu, and brought a smile. On a recent Trans Atlantic aboard Prinsendam Captain Turner announced a full crew drill one morning. We were assured no action was required by the guests, but it was slightly amusing to hear first, second, and third alarms, followed by crew bustling about in life vests, and finally the order for crew to assemble at their rafts. Were we going to have to make our own dinner? 🙂

    Larry

  13. Captain, A Very Merry Christmas to you and yours and an extraordinary New Year to follow! Looking forward to your RTW comments ! Kind regards

  14. Congratulations, Captain, on the new grandbaby. Both girls are darling.
    I look forward to another exciting cruise with you, as we enjoy the WORLD VOYAGE together in January.
    -Susan

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