Thanks for checking in, Tineke, the port is your choice. Considering where I have been in the past few days, nothing should impede our progress. Getting a little hungry again - time for a light snack of pickled seaweed and tofu and a bottle of something light and refreshing...

oh yes, and some fresh pineapple!

I saw Evelyn today. We had lunch at Sardi's (the first time for both of us--can you imagine?) and it was a lovely afternoon. Did all our Colin gossiping, looked at photos from your meeting in England, ate some wicked food and giggled like idiots. All in all, the perfect afternoon ;-) I think it's probably better that we don't live closer or we'd do that far too often. She says hello to all and is looking forward to getting back to Drool. I think her mouse finger is getting itchy...

...and I spoke to her a little later to send her shopping again! I think her mouse finger is getting itchy... I think she needs a laptop to take with her on her little trips!!

Michael says that the crabbing is very good. How about some fresh Alaskan crabmeat and shrimp cocktail.

I am watching the Space Shuttle connect with the International Space Station. It is hard to believe I was up there just a few hours ago. Lucie, have Bob get the seafood to our pilot, but be sure it is securly wrapped and put into a chill box. I do not want any of it to go missing before we get to Lisboa. I am not sure, but I do not think Gi has had seafood from the icy Alaskan waters. There is none better that I have tasted =)~~~

If you're still looking for a few good crew, I nominate this guy. He looks particularly fit, but no curly hands; just riply chest. ;-p

I, will stick with Captain Hornblower. :-) Marcia, where are you today? Is that Yak still around?

Should we dip the king crab in melted butter and eat it like lobster (since the taste is so much the same) or shall we eat it with a seafood sauce.

I vote for Brawn Butter for the King Crab and cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Yak began to smell like his name so he is gone. Am gathering the last of the food and flowers for the flight and voyage to our party to tide us over till the Alaska contribution arrives...with shoyu and chinese mustard...Ummm!

Hey, a second helping of something good is not all bad....sorry, and make that Drawn Butter...=P Love the crew - bring 'um along. I trust you have tweaked their muscles and checked those abs to be sure they are good and hard =) Munchies to go with our seafood???

I trust you have tweaked their muscles and checked those abs to be sure they are good and hard =) In god we trust, all else must be done personally. ;-)

My Yak is back! Bathed and beautiful He pined for me and would not eat so I had to keep him with me Hope you do not mind...?!

I will like you all to come for tea on May 31, in celebration of our dear Marcia's Birthday. I promise the Yak will stay outside. :-)

I shall not drink anymore champagne. ;-)))

Moon, honey, drink up! You got your picture up there and it is purty! Thank y'all for the invite. Nice little cottage. I Have sent the Yak back to his homeland. Far too hot in Hawaii for all that hair. Besides, those deck hands will need massaging for those aching muscles and I do not want to be kept from doing my share of the kneading. BTW, my sister just sent me a Victorian-type 4 tier birthday card and it is of a wedding of a couple straight out of JA, doeskin breeches and all (he is dressed on t e right.) How ever did she know?! I need a scanner!

Is that the boat house, Moon? :)

A very extravagant one, don't you think?

All depends on the boat I would imagine.

Nan - shouldn't you post your Evelyn-Colin-Drool message on 118, rather than here? (Just wondering... :-)

Sorry - I see you all practise posting pretty pictures - I must have my share. Can I do it? http://www.british-airways.com/flights/factfile/airfleet/images/m747-400s.gif

Ha! It's not quite working... Funny - I used to know how to do it. http://www.british-airways.com/lsp/wgallery/images/celtic/art.gif

Can anyone remind me, please? :-)

Arami, type img src= then the URL between "". And of course, you have to put the entire thing between these . I hope that helps.

Finally! Someone is on their way...Good! Bringing your carefully-wrapped goodies, too?! I love the tail decorations on that plane. Hardly the way British Airways used to look! Tineke, are you off on gift buying or shall we still yacht you to Lisbon?

Floral pieces need to be put in place. Starting with the largest of the pieces for the entry

That was Arami's plane, Marcia. I think I'd better take the boat, since my public-transport-jinxed brother is in the country! Whenever he comes near a train station, all trains are delayed. Last time he came home (he studied and now works in Japan), his flight was cancelled. Now yesterday, he flew back home again. His plane had a 29 hour delay!!

Eat, drink, drool and be merry!!! You will all lookm and smell goregeous and have the most wonderful Wedding shower ever. Sending love and good wishes your way and looking forward to catching up on my return next week.

Whoops, !! How could you all be anything but gorgeous? Type in haste-----repent in Drool.

Pack your jammies and a sandwich when you travel with your brother! I am not sure which way around the world he goes to get back to Belgium, but it has to be as long as my travels to London from Hawaii. BTW, stuff some chocolates in your pocket before we pick you up at Ostend (thense on to Helsinki). We just might have to bribe the deck hands with it ;)

Lizza, we shall miss you!! Full report on your return. God Speed, Dear!

To start your Birthday celebration a day early, 3 Cheers for Marcia!!!

Thanks, Tineke and Marcia. OK, here goes. If this one works, it's for Marcia, of course. Have a great day - and all the best.

Wow! ...I am speechless...and delighted. I see you learned your lessons well. But I did not know I was teaching you (either of you!) for my benefit. Mahalo, thank you, and I have no idea how to say it in Aramic ;)

I was asked to forward this to you, Marcia!

Thank you for the comming attraction. When does HE arrive?! oh man...gotta get this hair fixed...this thing I'm wearing is not fit for....Oh, sorry! Yes, thank you for the lovely card...from CF himself, I wish to presume;)

...such lovely hands....this man has not one flaw! sparkling eyes, dimpled smile, boyish charm...oh help...!

Of course, it's from the man himself. (he's afraid of the internet)

Happy Birthday, Marcia!! Are you going to share your gift ;-)?

Hrrm, I'm late again! Sorry! Happy Birthday, Marcia! I hope you had a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday, Dear Marcia!

are you going to share Tineke's present? Please!

Happy Birthday Marcia! From my orchid garden to you.

Happy Birthday, Marcia, I hope you have a lovely day.

Only for you, Marcia, on your birthday: Hope you have a wonderful day

Happy Birthday Marcia!

For you Marcia...(I hope I did this correctly)

Well! Now if I can only learn how to make it bigger... BTW, this collage was taken from Murph's Firth Appreciation Pages.

Yes!!!

Wrinkle...crumple...*untie*...opening box...wrinkle...Please have a lovely Godiva chocolate...thank you, Tineke. Shall I share the DB? These pages would not be half the fun if we did not share. Besides, I like living too much to keep this wonderful man away from his erudite and gracious adoring fans. I should not like it if someone else did that to me...so, one at a time, you may look at the picture, copy it to disk, make wallpaper, and Drool copiously as I am presently doing. If you can figure how t make him less virtual and more actual...please let me know!!! And, do not spoil your appetites on those lovely chocolates. Save space for Spam! With all of that, I can make all sorts if pupus for the party (and some of you will be amamzed how palatable it can be.)Karen, only you!!! It is not yet 7am on my Birthday and I am already wiping my eyes and ROTFLOL at your imaginations and creativity. Ladies, take a bow. And you all get gold stars to posting pictures without one nasty pink and blue didn't-wo k square which tells God and everybody you goofed! My congratulations and appreciation for the good work and for thinking of me =)

Now let me see... Happy Birthday Marcia! "I read somewhere" you wanted a new SUV... After all the travelling you've been doing, you need a very comfortable, topclass car. So this one is waiting for you when you dock in Lisbon. It is a city with many hills (seven, according to tradition) and the streets are not very well paved; also, there is a lack of parking space so we all park half on the sidewalk... SUVs are your best bet!

...unless you prefer this one:

In case British Airways is on strike, and there are terrible storms on sea, and the camels have run out of water, there are always other methods to fly to Lisbon! I'm an expert;-)

I am speechless - *again*. Large flashing colored letters?! I am impressed more than I can say. I Love Range Rovers. The Original Safari wagons made to last and last in the most inhospitable places. Decisions...decisions...decisions sigh! In the interest of Coolness, I shall opt for the bottom one, but my heart loves the red one. Thank you Gi, dear! You are quantum leaps ahead of me in HTML, but I shall catch up by the 3rd =) Lidya, AnnW, JanaJH, Elena, Arami, Moon, Barbara, and other lurkers, thank you! You have made this Birthday the best one ever.

Tineke, shall we be dropping in on Gi? Literally?! No fuss, no traffic tie-ups, no tempers to worry about. You have the spefect solution. How big a bore does that little beauty have? By the time we get done consuming all the goodies we are bringing, we shall need a bigger cannon on the return flight!

Tineke, shall we be dropping in on Gi? Literally?! No fuss, no traffic tie-ups, no tempers to worry about. You have the perfect solution. How big a bore does that little beauty have? By the time we get done consuming all the goodies we are bringing, we shall need a bigger cannon on the return flight!

..if i said it once, I've said it... sorry! Ladies, a cautionary tale. I checked the web for Portuguese Sailors just in case we needed a few more hands...and this is what I got. I am all disappointment.

I have just been in contact with JR and it is undersail again completely refurbished and beautiful for us Here are a few pictures to dream about: Under way Young rigger under sail.

Your birthday ain't over, yet, Marcia. Here's a little something for your Keepsakes. (And if this doesn't work, I shall try, try, again.) Happy Birthday!

grumble, grumble

Can anyone help? I don't want to waste any more space and must have this mastered by June 3.

Marcia, the SS Jolly Roger is looking mighty pretty, can not wait to bord. Captain Hornblower has done an excellent job! Tineke, you will not have to hold on to that canyon much longer, we are on our way!

Oooh Heide, Lovely! If at first you don't succeed....suck somthing else! (Lemons?!) Thank You, Dear!

Did I do that? Remember, it's for your keepsakes - all of them. Happy birthday, dear.

Happy BIrthday, Marci!!!. Many more to come. Thank you for all the great gifts that you give us with your presence. I hope you have a wonderful day. Love, Rita

Brava Heide! It is the most incredible feeling any time you hit the submit button and watch breathlessly until you see an image downloading. Magic! Will He fit into my heart? Count on it! =)...and his little grey underwear set...and his University notebooks...and his ring and codpiece...and that silver mine,"Here? Here...Now" aka the HHN...his fisherman-knit sweater...

Thank you, Rita. It is rarely that you get time to post anymore. Thank you for the good wishes and kind compliments. Now, for you all, my gift:

It's great to see you posting again Rita, its good to have you back. Take Care

Wouldn't you know! When I asked if there was anything I could do to help, they sent me up here to look for mermaids. It is not my favorite place. Notice the gang on deck partying? They are getting in shape for the 3rd.

Marcia, just tell them the mermaids arrive on the 3rd and to be prepared, we like to be served well. ;-) Besides you should never work on your Birthday. The flowers are lovely.

Happy Birthday, Dear Marcia! Everyone else has sent you great pics that I possibly cannot compete! hope your day was memorable!

Thank you, Laura, it was - being here with good people and out for the evening with my DB. It hardly gets any better than that! Just brush up your posting skills for the 3rd.

Or...

Wow, Arami! That looks great!

Oh Arami, you clever girl. Thank you for the Manitee (the sailors were at sea a l o n g time if they thought that looked like a mermaid) and the "real" Mermaid. Fantastic! I am totally amazed and delighted. The ship sails on...

Marcia: I hope that you had a wonderful birthday. I love all the pics that everyone posted especially the swimming fish. Gee, I wish that I was that talented. One day, I will make myself learn all this computer has to offer. Ann: Thank you for the kind words. I am glad that I am back. I did get to log on and twice today!!!!

Loved it Arami! If the crew is spotting manatees, you must be in Florida! I am packing the trunks as we speak (all according to Lady Catherine):-)

All right, Marcia, here's another attempt, as per your instructions: What a party you had! Sorry I missed it! I see Karen and I had the same idea about including Spam...no party's the same without it (*cough*) :-)

We are sailing briskly before the wind and all is well. Have gathered a good group and a few playful dolphins are acting as escort this morning.

All is peaceful on deck. Even the ship's cat is taking a holiday.

Naturally the Library would be closed on such an important day, so my wishes must be belated. But considering how much you've cleaned up already, I can wish you a Happy Belated Birthday with the full confidence that it was!

I cant believe I missed it! *beating myself over the head with the laptop I forgot to take* Belated Happy Birthday Marcia! I hope you had a Wonderful, Wonderful Day! :) Everything looks so beautiful- flowers, young sailors... I'm leaving again first thing in the morning, but I shall make every effort to ensure that the laptop goes with me this time!!! I fully plan to be here on the third! xoxo all -see you then!

It was, and thank you dear! We missed you. We need a telethon to get you caught-up cyberwise. It is not fair that you should have such limitations on your time here. However, you are not getting that grey look from hanging around indoors all the time, and the circulation in your legs much be much better than mine, too ;)

EsBee, your social life is getting in the way of Drooling? Heaven forbid. How could you! I just may forgive you - if you show up for Gi's Shower. We are counting on you Darcy life-sized cutout, you know! Have a great time, Dear, and keep in touch.

A Belated Happy Birthday, Marcia...sorry I'm late....been trying to play catch-up on all the boards.You kids have gone visual while I was away. Have to practice now. Had a great time with Nan...gave her hugs from everyone....she's a doll!! Hey, how about goin on Chat on the 3rd....is 9-10 PM GMT OK with you, Gi? If it is,....it would be 4PM ET, and 3 PM CT.

Let's see, 9pm=2100 Zulu which is 11am HST. I can do it! Thanks for the Birthday wishes, Evelyn. You did notice we have been practicing to heap best wishes and goodies on our most favored Gi. The ship is approaching Europe and the forward greeting committee is already hard at work, I see. Thank you all for the lovely welcome. Southampton, Ostend, Helsinki, we are on our way.

Note to Flower Person: Flowers sent ahead - especially the hardy Protea. Must not leave everything for the last moment...

I love the animated graphics, Arami, Marcia... Evelyn, I'll do my best to be in Chat at the appointed time :-)

Memo - Anthuriums on all tables...

What a gorgeous arrangement of anthurium! Ohhh OK, Marcia, have you been practicing (in my best Lady Catherine)? You are going to provide some indigenous entertainment aren't you? And for you ladies, without whom a party wouldn't be a party without Spam, here's a little animated version!

So much colour and movement - my eyes are hurting - LOL! Memo - Anthuriums on all tables... Another splendidly phallic image... very appropriate, I dare say. Is the bride-to-be blushing yet? ;-)

You girls are too much.....love the animation.... OK CHAT ROOM Thursday June 3rd...... To personally Greet our Gi!! 9PM GMT 4PM ET 3 PM CT 2PM MT 1PM PT 11AM HST