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Feel Good Thread - Plans for the Spring/Summer?

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Galant, Mar 22, 2022.

  1. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Instead of getting down about Dolphins football right now, maybe a change of pace for the off-season might be good? After all, ThePhins members are diverse group with a lot of other things going on beyond just Dolphins football.

    So, what plans do you have for the next few months into the Spring and Summer?

    Maybe you've got a project you're working on - anything from a new gaming rig, to something with a vehicle, a home project, studying something, writing some music?

    Maybe you've got a trip planned somewhere?

    Perhaps you're an enthusiast of something and you've got something new coming up - a concert, new food or drink to try, a new album coming out, or a game to try?

    Or maybe you've just got some goals to aim at - spend time with your kids/family, get into shape, etc.

    Whatever it is, share it here and let's see what ThePhins has got going on!
     
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  2. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Myself, I've got a few things in mind:

    There are a few British mountains and trails I'd like to walk at some point but long-gone are the days of my regular walking. So I need to start getting back into walking shape, and to that end I plan to start getting up and around the rock of Gibraltar regularly to get into shape, maybe do some bouldering in the new bouldering centre here.

    I've never been one for sticking to scheduled but since getting married and having kids if I don't develop some discipline and routine to get myself exercising it's just not going to happen.

    Ideally I'd be able to do one or more of these, if I can find the time!

    https://www.coasttocoast.uk/ /Hadrian's Wall route.
    https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-way/

    Any maybe some shorter ones around Wales or the Lake District.
    Having said that, there's a chance the family will head to Scotland next year for a wedding, so might turn it into a week's holiday and just get some fresh air!

    These might be good activities to spend more time with my kids too, which I want to improve on.

    And on that note, a recommendation for anyone looking for some ways to connect with kids, for a while now at dinner times I've been reading novels at the dinner table. We've managed the first two books of the Lord of the Rings, some Famous Five books, the Chronicles of Narnia, and we're just in the first book of the Wingfeather Saga which has been a lot of fun. Obviously my kids are still young - 9 and 10. At first it was a bit of a struggle but now everyone enjoys it and looks forward to the readings. I eat quickly so there's usually plenty of time for me to get through a chapter or half a chapter while everyone else is still eating. It's a simple thing but I recommend it.
     
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  3. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    My wife and I are leaving out of Orlando, FL in 19 days, 21 hours and 18 minutes for a 7-day Carnival cruise to Cozumel, Mexico and two other ports. Haven't taken a proper vacation since COVID so I'm beside myself with excitement. My kids are 20 and 23 so they're not invited. =)

    My company has a conference in Vegas the week before we leave for Florida, so I'm still debating whether or not to try fitting that in. If I went, I'd take the wife and it would basically become a 2-week vacation. Never been to Vegas so I'm torn.
     
  4. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I wish you guys good luck and good health on your trips.

    My wife and I haven't been on a vacation out of our own state since our kids were born, starting eleven years ago. Thankfully, we do have varried options without having to go far, living only a few hours drive from both the ocean and the mountains, plus many historic sites. But we've been thinking about venturing further away this summer, and are thinking about what we want to do and where to go. Haven't come up with any firm ideas yet.
     
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  5. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    The cruise for the two of us was $1400 w/ taxes, port charges, etc. for a balcony room (they're about twice as much as inside rooms) and there's many promotions where kids under 18 sail free. You can't go to the beach for a week for that, so I'd highly recommend taking a look if you're up for something different. They're dirt cheap right now and you guys will have the time of your lives.
     
  6. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Not really for me. Still a bit too much of a risk with Covid sticking around. Maybe in five or ten years.
     
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  7. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    That's good to know. I might give cruises a look in.
     
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  8. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    On a different note, when summer starts to roll in, or if we get a warm spring, I'll be hoping to try and enjoy some new rums.
    I used to drink whisky but got a bit bored. Wine has never been my thing. I was given a bottle of rum as a gift and was pleasantly surprised and so since then I've enjoyed discovering new rums from time to time. I'm not a big drinker at all. My wife doesn't really drink and my two children are too young. I enjoy tasting new things, though, and so this is one small pleasure I can savour from time to time.

    My favourite so far has been Mount Gay XO. It'll be nice to see if I can find something I enjoy as much.
     
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  9. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    And here's a little something that's been bringing me joy recently - music reaction videos.
    It's awesome to see how other people react to music in different ways. It also makes me listen and feel music more closely, and I've been discovering new songs and artists.

     
  10. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    We have so much work going on we rarely get away in the summer unfortunately. Staying around B'ham, AL it's also not so great to get out and hike in the summer due to the humidity. We do occasionally though. We will likely take our grand kids on some short trip (maybe to Atlanta - the aquarium is fantastic there).

    In the fall we take an annual beach trip (my brother has part ownership of a condo in Myrtle Beach and he lets us have a week free. We typically choose the last week in September or first week in October. It's the ideal time to go as the beach is usually relatively uncrowded; they weather is pretty comfortable - 70s, maybe low 80s, and the ocean is still warm from the sun having been in the northern hemisphere from the prior six months. There aren't as many attractions around but we just like to chill at the beach, body-board surf a ton, read, and enjoy various ales and other drinks). We also usually spend a few days up in DC to see my brother and some close friends the week after that trip. It's a great time to just relax and escape the realities of work and responsibilities.

    I love the reading at dinner, Galant! That is a great call. I used to read to my kids a lot when they were at home. It will go a long way toward their appreciation of literature and story as well as help them in their education.
     
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  11. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    well it wasn't a cruise but yesterday, on the Easter Monday bank holiday, a friend and his wife were taking their small boat out and the family and I got to ride along. We spent a nice couple of our out in the bay and around the rock, and got to see lots of dolphins, a couple of sunfish, and a few types of birds. Was a really nice afternoon and a great way to end an Easter break where I had a few days off. Earlier on I was up the rock with the kids and exploring some cool new territory we hadn't found before, my son did a good job looking after his younger sister. We also got to spend some time watching a movie and even playing some Smash Bros on the Switch.

    My daughter also really enjoys Hyrule Warriors so we got to play through a few levels on that.

    Just some good varied time with the kids.

    We also recently received book two of the Wingfeather Saga, and have started reading through that. Much recommended so far.
     
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  12. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Along the lines of Stapleton, I've been loving this live performance from Marcus King:

     
  13. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    We're staying in Scotland for our summer break this year, and going up to visit Skye for a few days and hopefully some of the other Isles. Although it's in Scotland and not that far from me (230 miles by car), I've not been back to Skye since my late teens, so looking forward to it as it's a lovely island to visit and has some great food, especially seafood. There's a bridge from the mainland to Skye now, and has been for almost 30 years, but last time I visited we had to cross over on the ferry, it's been that long since I've been!
     
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  14. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Is it quite affordable or a bit pricey?

    A Scotland getaway has appealed to me for a while, and heading north to the Isles might be special.
     
  15. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    It's a mixture, accomodation can be expensive luxury if you want it to be, or there are cheaper options like B&B's, hostels and camping that will save money on staying there. Same with the food, there are Michelin star style restaurants or cheap and cheerful options. A lot of the attraction of Skye is the scenery too, so that's going to be free, although pretty busy in the peak summer season.
     
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  16. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Trips to Scotland, England, Wales, a cruise, visits with the in-laws in the USA... can anyone offer me a nice high-paying job? :D
     
  17. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Just got home a few hours ago, I'll upload some pics tomorrow since it's late here. We had an absolute blast though!
     
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  18. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    My wife and I wanted to take our kids somewhere further away from home than they've ever been this Summer, but we aren't quite ready for flying yet, and travel is extremely expensive right now anyways. So we decided on Atlanta, because my wife and I have never been there either.

    We had originally planned on taking a train to and from to add to the adventure, because they go from our town to there almost every day. But while the timing of the trip down would have been great, coming back just didn't work because it leaves in the middle of the night. So, we're just going to drive.
     
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  19. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

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    Mount Gay is a good rum. I really enjoy Appleton Estates also. And the Kraken of course
     
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  20. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

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    Summer plans for us are a trip to Alberta to visit the Northern clan. Kids haven’t seen Grampa for 3 years with the border being closed. Then it’s fishing and tubing on the lake with the little boat. Maybe a weekend trip or three camping on the big boat but I’m going to sell that one soon.
    I’ve been picking up used abandoned boats people are giving away free or dirt cheap and fixing them up then flipping them. Got a 28 ft Bayliner last Summer for free. Had to spend about A grand on parts and paint and I’ll launch it in a couple weeks. Play with it for the next few months and then I can sell it for 7500 or so pretty quickly. And then find another one. Last 2 years I flipped 4 boats and pocketed about 6k. Working on getting a 40 footer for a family cruiser so trying to make 20k to put towards that.
    Going thru some “light” chemotherapy right now that’s keeping me down, not able to do much but we’ll get thru it and back at it soon.
     
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  21. JCowScot

    JCowScot So funky the dead dance

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    Not doing a lot myself this summer, going to take “vacation” in two weeks but with my youngest still in her first year of school my wife doesn’t want to take her out for a week. My oldest will be with my parents for that week in the mountains of NC so who knows what I’ll be doing.
     
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  22. Den54

    Den54 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    AMERICA!
    Appleton Estates is my go to.
    I have a bottle of rum from Cuba I've been saving. Havana Club Especial.
     
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  23. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Dad's birthday recently. Got him a bottle of Harris 14 yr Whisky. It was recommended by a local specialist as something a bit different. Cask strength at about 58%, so he recommended a dash of water. Dad opened it up and I really enjoyed it. Reminded me of what a good whisky should taste like, IMO. Just a really good scotch.

    Also managed to find him an old Roman coin as part of a gift. Looks like a Nero era bronze coin. Probably not worth loads but he's going to see if he can find some details. I found it just really cool to be able to hold a piece of ancient history in my hands.

    My birthday is coming up soon too. Might be looking to reconnect with a local scuba club and get my certification done. Could be some good times in the water approaching. Diving isn't cheap but club membership is very reasonable with excellent facilities and gear to use, so I can spread out the cost of getting my own gear. We'll see if I do in fact get back under the water!
     
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  24. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Summer arrived in Scotland this week with a vengeance, well into the high 80's just about everywhere apart from far north, and a new Scottish temp record of 95°F set just north of the border with England. Of course, the forecast for next week when we head to Skye is back to our usual "summer" of low 60's and cloudy :laughy:

    England, especially the South-East/London, have been setting new all-time records this week with 40°C (104°F) broken for the first time ever in the UK yesterday. It beat the previous hottest day by 1.5°C, and it was broken in multiple places. The Scottish new record was about 2°C higher than the previous one too. A few wildfires also resulted yesterday in England, something that we previously only really heard about in countries nearer the Mediterranean in Europe.

    All very unprecedented temperatures for over here, and due to global warming, we're likely to see heat like that much more often than previously. Many people from hotter countries will say that it's not that hot, not hot enough for warnings to be issued anyway as they have been here, but we're just not used to the heat. We don't generally have air-con (not been any real need for it before) in our houses and they are built to keep the heat in rather than keep them cool like many countries will have.
     
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  25. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    That sucks man, and I am truly sorry that you guys are having to deal with the same awful weather there that we have where I live. I don't wish it on anyone and I hope that things get back to normal for you, or closer to it. I've long envied the weather that the UK has.
     
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  26. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Thankfully we've been ok where I live, we're lucky our house is only 200 yards from a beach and we get sea breezes that keep the temperature down enough to be comfortable. Certainly nothing like London has had to deal with.

    It's cooled down a bit today, and meant to cool down further as the week goes on. Although they did say another heatwave might be coming in August...
     
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  27. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Not a feel good moment...

    A fire broke out in some of Gibraltar's inner tunnels. After a day of ridiculous firefighting most of the blaze is apparently out and the rest controlled, although not extinguished. Until it's all out and toxic fumes dispersed they're not going to be able to figure out what the exact damage is.

    Details here for those who are interested:


    The bravery of the fire teams must be recognised and honoured and the lack of casualties is a major blessing.

    However, down in residential land we're now without drinking water because a tunnel collapse has apparently damaged power or supply to the water treatment plant lines. For the majority who are unaware Gibraltar, being a large rock, has no natural freshwater supply beyond rain water. Instead, two reverse osmosis plants convert seawater into freshwater for the population. The bigger of the two is now off and that means no potable water supply for most of Gibraltar.

    Hopefully everything will be fixed in a day or two but right now I'm in a queue of cars waiting to cross the border to Spain to buy large bottle of water to take home to drink and wash dishes...

    Life on a rock....
     
  28. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Good luck to you and all of the other residents. That must be extremely stressful! I hope that they're able to get things fixed as quickly as possible.
     
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  29. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Water shortage trivia/riddle:

    What do Super Mario Bros. and a water shortage have in common?
     
  30. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    And we have water! Possible intermittent provision, apparently, but right now our home has running water again!

    Surviving on bottled water, filling up jugs from a bowser, and doing your laundry in other people's homes isn't the most fun anyone can have.
     
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  31. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I had a rough July.

    The last week of June, my kids went on a trip out of state with their aunt, grandmother and cousins. When they came back, my youngest had the sniffles and a runny nose for a few days. Two days after that, I get massively ill with fevers, brain splitting headaches, and my blood sugar was through the roof (I'm T1 diabetic). My wife suggested a Covid test, and sure enough, that was what was happening. I wasn't hospitalized, but I felt really bad for two weeks, and I'm still dealing with the effects today. No one else who went on the trip got ill, so I'm just the unlucky one.

    Then two weeks ago, my dad went to the doctor for what was supposed to be a routine, minor procedure with his heart, and they found that he had six valves blocked in his heart, and were surprised that he wasn't dead. He was scheduled for major open heart surgery, and I drove 500 miles to my hometown to be with him and my mom. Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and he's now recovering.
     
  32. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Dude!

    I'm glad all of this sounds like a positive result but sorry you and yours went through all that.

    Are you still with your dad?
     
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  33. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I was there for a week. I stayed two days after his surgery to make sure that he came through ok. So far, so good.

    I really had to come home because my kids were with my mother in law all week while my wife was at work and I was running out of my diabetes meds. But I've talked to my parents each day since.
     

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