Author Archives: Holly

About Holly

fiber person - knitter, spinner, weaver who spent 33 years being a military officer to fund the above. And home. And family. Sewing and quilting projects are also in the stash. After living again in Heidelberg after retiring (finally) from the U.S. Army May 2011, we moved to the US ~ Dec 2015. Something about being over 65 and access to health care. It also might have had to do with finding a buyer for our house. Allegedly this will provide me a home base in the same country as our four adult children, all of whom I adore, so that I can drive them totally insane. Considerations of time to knit down the stash…(right, and if you believe that…) and spin and .... There is now actually enough time to do a bit of consulting, editing. Even more amazing - we have only one household again. As long as everyone understands that I still, 40 years into our marriage, don't do kitchens or bathrooms. For that matter, not being a golden retriever, I don't do slippers or newspapers either. I don’t miss either the military or full-time clinical practice. Limiting my public health/travel med/consulting and lecturing to “when I feel like it” has let me happily spend my pension cruising, stash enhancing (oops), arguing with the DH about where we are going to travel next and book buying. Life is good!

flying Virgin Australia

Posted on 2022-11-25 by Holly

Oh joy, while a partner to United, and Air Canada – they are not a partner to the European members of Star Alliance (read Lufthansa which has been my frequent flyer affliction for decades). Especially since flying cattle car, I … Continue reading →

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Packing up

Posted on 2022-11-24 by Holly

While US residents are indulging in overeating turkey with various trimmings, I was enjoying the views of the Pacific Ocean (yes, to the East) and avoiding the contents of my suitcase, the bed, the floor…. oh yes, and the need … Continue reading →

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a drive back

Posted on 2022-11-23 by Holly

We checked out early with a plan. First, the bakery around the corner for coffee and pastries. I managed the pastries – but their coffee machine went out yesterday afternoon and was out for service. But the Retro Expresso was … Continue reading →

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Two Museums

Posted on 2022-11-22 by Holly

There were two museums left on my list that I really wanted to see: The Whistle Stop (Train Museum) and the Military & Colonial Heritage Museum. So after stopping at the bakery just around the corner – excellent coffee and … Continue reading →

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Maryborough

Posted on 2022-11-21 by Holly

It is not an unreasonable drive from Labrador to Maryborough. Not if you start early enough and have patience with the traffic as you by-pass Brisbane. Any other route would involve at least double the time and a lot of … Continue reading →

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Sailing back to Brisbane – 1

Posted on 2022-11-16 by Holly

As you might expect – other than stitching this was a quiet day on ship. So I will just leave you with a picture of a lovey caprese salad

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Hobart

Posted on 2022-11-15 by Holly

We had most of today in Hobart. It was raining and frankly I was still tired from the previous evenings outing. Since the ship was leaving mid-afternoon or so, I elected not to try and catch a bus anywhere. Did … Continue reading →

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Tasmania 2/2 – Bonorong

Posted on 2022-11-14 by Holly

Don’t fall over from amazement or anything – but I actually took a ship’s tour this evening (yes it is still Monday) to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. They care for, treat, and whenever possible, return species to their native environment. … Continue reading →

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Maritime Musem – Tasmania 1 of 2

Posted on 2022-11-14 by Holly

We sailed in early this morning and docked at Sullivan’s Landing promptly on time. I spent a few hours just walking around Hobart. I discovered some trivial things here – Woolworths still exists – as a downstairs supermarket. I bought … Continue reading →

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All those stairs

Posted on 2022-11-13 by Holly

I have been trying to be responsible this cruise – that has meant stairs rather than elevators. Of course there is the added benefit (in this case) of the size of the ship – most of the time where I … Continue reading →

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Man O’War Steps

Posted on 2022-11-12 by Holly

Since Princess Cruise Line’s current plague ship – the Majestic Princess arrived today and was berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, my ship moved to anchor within easy site, sound, and travel of Sydney. Very smartly, instead of fussing with … Continue reading →

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Remembrance Day

Posted on 2022-11-11 by Holly

None of us remember WWI. In fact, most of those who served in WWII are gone. I am  of the Viet Nam & Cold War generation. Only one of my four is old enough to remember a divided Germany and … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Travel | 3 Comments

Exploring the ship

Posted on 2022-11-10 by Holly

I forgot to share the following with you:  Yesterday I decided to adventure to Decks 15 & 16 having not bothered to go there while on the last two cruises. And yes, there are bumper cars – Gaming stations with … Continue reading →

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Sailing from Brisbane

Posted on 2022-11-09 by Holly

It isn’t hard to get from Labrador to Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. At least if you are staying with friends who are taking the same ship and own a car. We did the calculations. 3 Pax + some luggage to … Continue reading →

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Clouds in the sky

Posted on 2022-11-08 by Holly

which totally figures, doesn’t it? After all, how many opportunities do most of us have to observe a full lunar eclipse? Especially in the Southern Hemisphere at a reasonable time of day (like 18xx-23x) rather than 0 dark whatever? So … Continue reading →

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Not Elvis but

Posted on 2022-11-07 by Holly

I left the building today! (And if you aren’t old enough to follow that – it is perfectly fine…) As I mentioned, this building is directly across the street from the Pacific Ocean. There is a park, sidewalk, stretch of … Continue reading →

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Directionless

Posted on 2022-11-06 by Holly

Or should I say clueless? Let me start out with a statement of what should be obvious: I have lived in the Northern Hemisphere all of my life. Yes, I have been in Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand … Continue reading →

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Skypoint

Posted on 2022-11-05 by Holly

According to their hype, this particular building at 331 meters tall is about the 77/8th tallest building in the world. Of course, there is a website. The three of us went there for breakfast and to give me a chance … Continue reading →

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Errands

Posted on 2022-11-04 by Holly

I went out today. Doesn’t seem like much does it? Prior to the pandemic, I went somewhere, did something every day. Whether it was to San Francisco to class, to Cal more of the same, visiting kids, running errands. Then … Continue reading →

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One hassle fixed

Posted on 2022-11-03 by Holly

First – yes, I did get the issues with USAA resolved. But it took turning on my phone, accepting the AT&T charge and having to spend time wading through the automated menus, speaking with a poor woman in Texas in … Continue reading →

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