Sometimes I get down on myself. All I can see are my faults, mistakes I have made. What is the point in doing the things I need to do to care for myself? I know that “eating healthy” will improve my health. I will feel better if I have some exercise every day. One…

Lately, I have been particularly conscious of the preciousness of friendship. Over the past seven years, I have retired and moved to Peterborough. Letting go of the past and starting new relationships requires courage, patience and intention. For over forty years, my friend, Nancy, has been my anchor through this kind of upheaval. Although she…

We delighted in Budapest yesterday, our last day. We began with the luxury of a slow morning, nowhere to go but breakfast. After breakfast, a short walk brought us to a shopping mall. Two of the casters on one of our big suitcases had disintegrated. With help from the desk clerk, we found the mall…

Yesterday morning, we disembarked in Budapest. Scenic had a big meeting room set aside in the Marriott Hotel for any of us who needed it. We left our luggage in a secure room. With two lovely couples from Australia, we walked over to the biggest local market in the twin cities. As we wandered, I…

Wow, what a fabulous final day on our cruise. This morning, we were given a guided tour as our ship cruised into Budapest. Hunor Nagy, our Hungarian tour director, spoke with pride as he pointed out the attractions that can be seen from the Danube and gave us the history behind them. Our ship docked across…

We woke up this morning in Vienna. Just the thought of being here filled my heart with joy. I like cruising while I sleep. It’s a wonderfully painless way to travel. Our first concert took place at the Spanish Riding School. That’s right, we actually went to a performance of the Lipizzaner Stallions. Both horses…

            There are no words to describe the joy of this day. I think it’s mixed with my childhood, my love of stories and the wonderful movie the Sound of Music. Of course we are here, actually here in the Austrian Alps. It’s hard to believe. This was our longest…

Today I sat at the front of the ship soaking in the beauty as we travelled down river. Mile after mile of idyllic peace. A yellow canoe cut through the sparkling green water. Occasionally, a small village nestled against the hills and protected by its tall church spire, broke the lush green of the countryside…