Making friends along the Danube 3/7

Written by Harold McNeill on April 13th, 2012. Posted in Travelogue


Photo: This crew of women opened the dance floor each evening, then closed it at some point after midnight. It was a great cruise for the men, for, as the old fifties song goes, “Two Girls for Every Guy”‘

Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England and Scotland as well as a sizable number of people from the United States and Canada, were just a few of the fifteen countries represented by guests on the River Beatrice.  Everyone we met, and we met many of the 133 guests, brought special stories of their lives which they freely shared over meals, while touring and, later, over drinks in the lounge. It was a family atmosphere, filled with good cheer and conversation, as we might expect back home during a holiday celebration with guests enjoying the freedom of sharing with family members around the dinner table.

Among the guests:

A young woman nearing the end of her second trimester sharing the trip with her husband, mom and dad; A couple from Sao Paulo, in a tender story of a lost love rekindled; Sisters separated by half the world reunited for a cruise: A Book Club of fourteen women on their annual trek, and no, they assured me, it was not a run through of Eat, Pray and Love.

An unlikely ‘Elvis’ from Australia and his lovely wife; Several travel consultants, many with spouses or friends, on a familiarization cruise and enjoying life to the fullest; A fun loving Doctor and his wife explaining how he was coming to terms with a world of changing technology (a hilarious rendition); A couple from California with whom we shared the polar opposites of the political spectrum and a fine dinner (and no, I was not the Republican);

A distinguished couple from South Africa whose home skirts the Kruger National Park; Two friends who could be sisters (besides Lynn and Esther); A woman whose travel companion had to suddenly cancel, decided continue on her own, was having a great time and was heading on to spend a week of discovery in Paris. The stories go on with each being unique and each just as interesting.

With a median age somewhere in the mid-fifties (of a scale of thirty to eighty), it was a wonderful mix where mobility issues for a few passengers did not create any barriers.  It seemed most would be back for a return engagement at some point in the near future. To meet any of these fine people again on another trip, would be like a home-coming.

The following photographs captured a few of the moments.

Note: While I love my little Panasonic for daytime and low light scenery, the flash is just not able to catch people in night scenes in a manner that would give a clearly, focused picture (hdm).

Good to have the family over for dinner. Grandpa Jay, always stage centre.

Twins birthdays but the dominant twin stole the cake and candle.

“Now here’s the plan.  You girls go and distract the Monks while I make my way to the rotunda. I can then catch a few pictures before they are any the wiser…”

Ne

I know you girls are all eager to get back to the dance floor, but Harold and Garth are plan tuckered out, so, please, just pace yourselves.  Remember this is only day three.

Pull out a camera and these two start posing.  We stopped along the streets one day and soon several locals gathered thinking the two must be celebrities from one of the yachts parked down at the river. Well, close. It was not long before there was a massive crowd clamoring for pictures and autographs. The police had to intervene and escorted the two back to the ship…

I wonder who invented dance? It seems it is the one way we can jump up, act silly, chase each other around a hardwood floor, scream and hollar (if we wish) and walk away happy. Sometimes we wake up not feeling nearly as good as we did the night before and I am curious as to why dancing should cause one to feel that way…

 “Listen, you don’t know how hard it is being ‘Elvis’ and living in Australia.”

Sisters.

This, of course, would be our reading group. What, no books in hand?

 Could this be our lovers?

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Comments (1)

  • Esther Dunn
    April 17, 2012 at 4:36 am |

    Such a wonderful group…so many great memories…Thanks for posting Harold!!

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.