David's Cruise

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Many thanks, David.

Dau 5 of 102

I must remember not to drink two medium-sized cups of regular coffee in the late afternoon; once I had woken up just before 4am, that was it until sometime after 6.15.  This did provide an opportunity to finish my blog for Day 4/102, however. According to the Navigational Channel (which at 4 am was stuck on one page, the temperature was up to 16°C with a slight breeze (F3) and calm seas.  Below are the updated pages as we steam ever closer to the Straits of Gibraltar.

I didn’t quite make it in time for Church in the Royal Court Theatre

Captain Aseem Hashmi conducted a well attended service, the lesson read by Commodore Christopher Wells, with Campell Simpson at the piano. His career on board Queen Mary 2 predates the maiden voyage 19 years ago.  In my book, that is an astonishingly long career with Cunard.

It must be improving outside. Cushions are on the deckchairs, with some already occupied. I am tired out from disturbed slumbers.  Time perhaps to maintain my 10,000 steps/day.  Last night, I was ahead of schedule.  We had sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar, passing the Rock of Gibraltar on the port side. Ken and Eileen (whom I met on the Coast Starlight Amtrak service from Los Angeles to, I think Emeryville, near San Francisco in 2019) joined us for lunch at my favourite table, which used to be always occupied by an important friend of mine, sadly no longer with us.  This made for a most enjoyable event, which seemed, at long last, to settling me down for the long haul. As ever, we were the last to leave the restaurant, but the waiting-on staff showed no signs of impatience.

Before lunch, there was an unveiling of a commemorative Faberge egg, marking the Centenary not only of the birth of Theo Faberge but also of the First World Cruise.  We were assured these eggs would be affordable.  To some, maybe! I am certain, however, they would become a jolly good investment, and I understand these eggs were selling like hotcakes – some of them anyway.

There is no doubting the unsurpassable beauty of these Faberge eggs, which I understand takes around 37 weeks to create. But to be the owner of one so valuable would, for me, be a bit daunting.

For the first time today, the shorts and t-shirt came out, much to the surprise, but maybe not the delight, of Jo! It was just warm enough for some late afternoon sunbathing and occasional bursts of deck-walking. But, I was incredibly tired after less than four hours’ sleep the previous night. For the first time, I retired to my stateroom immediately after dinner, in the hopes of sleeping for England.

Many thanks for reading. Blog completed the following morning over breakfast, having slept for Europe! David 10.41, GMT+1

Day 4 of 102

In the UK, today would be regarded as a beautiful spring day with very occasional slight drizzle and the temperature, an agreeable 14°C.

Jo thought she might like to tour Portugal’s capital on a hop on – hop off bus.  I had little objection despite having a slightly different but flexible plan.  Unfortunately, the bus was too rough-riding for Jo’s back condition.  She would choose to walk through the city, perusing the shops and stalls and having a light snack along the way, back to the Cruise Terminal. I would, after unsuccessfully looking for somewhere to eat, continue the rest of the bus circuit.

  All might have been well if it wasn’t for an enormous national protest by the Portuguese teaching profession whom I understand had not received a pay rise for (I think) twenty years.  This snarled up the traffic system, and my bus seemingly abandoned the rest of its circuit without letting me know!  I don’t speak Portuguese. However, after some amateurish gestures on my part, I did find a taxi drivr, who, while not speaking English, whizzed me right back to where Queen Mary 2 was berthed, allowing me enormous relief!   An al fresco eatery nearby told me that their WC was for customers only.   Fair enough, I became a customer and enjoyed two coffees with a cheese and sausage sandwich.  Right now, there is time to stroll along the banks of the River Tagus.

It feels a lot cooler than it did this morning, but it is still not as cold as this time last year.

It seems the nationwide teachers’ protest has spread throughout the capital, right down to near the banks of the Tagus. Drums banging, hooters blowing, massive crowds shouting, singing, chanting, much noise of protest.

I “Googled” teacher’s strike Portugal, and I understand that this appears to be a long-standing dispute. Certainly, Portugal’s teaching profession is making its feelings felt!

Eventually, I would walk back to the ship, taking a few pictures along the way.

While not my favourite city (I don’t quite know why), once back from my mystery bus ride and taxi to the quayside, I really enjoyed my walk along the banks of the River Tagus, and getting amongst the domenstrating crowds, and the rhythmic percussion of protest.

Once back on board, I made my way to Deck 13 for final twilight photographs of the Lisbon skyline, as well as watching the departing cruise ship AIDAbella sail past.

Time on board was 18.30 hrs, which is the time Aidabella slipped its moorings and was soon passing alongside.

Usually, I sleep quite well, but occasionally, I will wake up around 4 am. and have difficulty returning to sleep. This is the case right now, providing a nocturnal opportunity to complete this blog. Three further sea days will bring us to our final European call on this outward journey, Heraklion, Greece.

Many thanks for reading, David, 04.55 hrs 15/1/23 in bed!

Day 3 of 102

Yesterday, the first full day, at sea, was one of generally re-becoming acquainted with my, by now, familiar surroundings on board QM2. For a second time, Jo and I dined in the Piazza part of the Kings Court buffet, where the food is prepared from scratch and deliciously hot.  Quite how the conversation turned to striking workers (particularly train drivers) came about, I fail to understand.  But I had to make it quite clear that I was retired and on holiday!  At long last, I felt as if my dodgy stomach was freed from the effects of eating something dodgy last week.

Apart from Jo, there are three others (so far) on board whom I remember from previous travels. Ken and Eileen from California are a couple I became acquainted with originally, while riding Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from LA to (near) San Francisco from where we would sail the Pacific on part of MV Queen Victoria’s 2019 World Voyage as far as Sydney.  I shall be having the pleasure of meeting that same couple this afternoon in the Commodore Club, forward on Deck 9 looking out to sea.

Again, I am enjoying a late breakfast – the usual oatmeal, banana, and a splodge of plain yoghurt.  Outside, I see that Deck 7 is open, and numerous hardy keep-fitters are braving the rain and wet slippery decks.  Walking for Christian Aid again this year, I shall join them!  Jo encouraged me to attend some kind of Faberge champagne event.  I declined!

Overnight, we continued our scheduled journey, southwards, past the northwest tip of Spain.  At just after 4am, I woke up as is always the case at home, to find my lovely cabin rattling all over the place.  “Are we speeding up?” I asked myself.   Indeed, we were bombing along at 22.2 knots through only slightly calmer waters.  Gone, however, is the white surface froth of the ocean, and just an occasional nudge reminds one that we are at sea. The temperature remains an uninspiring 13°C, the sky tired white.  “With luck,” I tell myself, “the next time I see 13°C will be in November! 

My impression last night that the ship felt empty was (today) proved unfounded.  My favourite sitting area, the Carinthia Lounge, is almost full.  A trivia quiz is about to take place, and these are always well attended.  All luggage is now unpacked, and apart from a small suitcase for my rail trip from Sydney to Adelaide and domestic flight to Perth, all is in place until almost the end of April. 

Yesterday, I headed for the souvenir shop in search of Centenary World Cruise memorabilia. Ye Gods! Not a thing!  Packing at the end of this voyage should be far easier!  11.36hrs, Carinthia Lounge.

It seems Jo is signing us both up for dinner hosted by somebody to do with Faberge, of eye-wateringly expensive egg fame.  Is it the same people that were on the QV maiden voyage in 2007?   I was shown an egg (very beautiful indeed) which wouldn’t sit well in my collection. Not at several thousand dollars!  Whenever the dinner is, I shall have to keep any thoughts of “you’ve got to be yoking” to myself!

Stop Press!

When Jo went to register for the Faberge dinner, the table was fully subscribed with a wait list of over 20.  She remains reasonably confident she will get to the dinner, especially if I’m not tagging along.  I don’t see my life as deprived if I miss out.  I’m allergic to eggs anyway, or have I missed the point? 

Outside, the sky is north of England grey, but gone are those spectacular close-up mountainous waves which, yesterday, threatened to put my window through.

I’m too comfortable on my chaise-longue, looking at the ocean, to contemplate doing any walking. However, the effort must start now!  14.54.

It was surprisingly warm outside with fairly strong winds from the south, giving a slight hint of the warmth to come.  I lost count of the number of laps that I walked around Deck 7 mainly as it was becoming dark.

Apparently, there is an open version of second sitting dinner in the main Britannia Restaurant, always on the upper level.  We tried this out tonight, and it worked remarkably well.  The incentive to book a “Grills upgrade” is less now that open sitting in the restaurant runs from 6 until 9pm. 

The show, starring two former X Factor artistes was highly enjoyable and very well received. As the performance was drawing to a close, the sound system shut down for an emergency in the Golden Lion to be announced. Passengers would be guided away from the area. I imagine that the nature of this occurrence may become apparent in the fullness of time.

Tomorrow, we arrive at our first port of call, Lisbon, at around 08.00 hrs. Jo has ideas of shopping – I don’t! We shall, however, meet for lunch, hopefully in that nice restaurant I discovered last year.

It’s is now Saturday 14th. Many thanks for reading, David 00.10 hrs on Deck 7, having added 11,000 steps to the so far, modest total, during the day.

Day 2 of 102. Black and White Gala Night.

Today, 12th January, marks the 19th anniversary of the first day of the maiden voyage of RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004.

Don’t be fooled by the title of today’s blog; I am having a great time!  Queen Mary 2 is ploughing through a severe gale (force 9),  and my cabin looks straight out on to the mountainous frothy waves outside.   One such wave crashed against my window with a frightening thud!  At home, for some reason, I had forgotten about the joyous and exhilarating sensation of being tossed around in high seas, beneath menacing grey skies, in the pouring rain.  So beginneth the QM2 Centenary World Voyage, and so far, the atmosphere on board is generally one of contentment.

  It’s only me who, so far, has a couple of moans!   Paint is pealing at the window surrounds of my otherwise excellent stateroom, and the washbasin empties with the stopper plugged in.  Originally, it was hinted that both QM2 and QV would call at some places visited on Laconia’s historic voyage a hundred years ago.  While MV Queen Victoria will happen to call at a small number, especially in the Pacific, RMS Queen Mary 2, I think, will just call at Columbo and Singapore, where the celebratory dinner will take place.  Nevertheless, a journey to the other side of the world remains a phenomenal and privileged prospect. 

As you can imagine, we are not allowed on the open decks today.  This is not a problem; I don’t feel overly inclined to traipse around the Boat Deck against the harsh winds outside.

This morning, after trying to photograph the rough seas from my stateroom, I headed for a light breakfast in the Kings Court buffet area on Deck 7.  I had slept well, and it had become somewhat late in the morning.  No longer is there a team of serving personnel in the Kings Court.  You now help yourself.  I had my usual breakfast of oatmeal with banana and plain yoghurt.  Jo caught up with me. We compared notes, especially on how far we had progressed with the unpacking.  It’s gone 3 pm now, and I still haven’t started unpacking the big suitcase.  I’m in no hurry. And tonight, I’m not exactly anxious to change into formal wear for Cunard’s Black and White Gala/Ball.  I still refer to these evenings as formal rather than gala nights.

This morning, when getting dressed, I lamented how dirty my stateroom window had become, presumably with salt deposits from the sea.  Much to my astonishment, two tiny waterjets sprayed water onto the window, clearing said window of the salt deposits, which I assumed I would have to put up with until maybe the end of the cruise. 

So, what are the changes and differences between now, and my voyages in 2022.  So far, there doesn’t seem to be any leaflets or paperwork covering the shore excursions/experiences.  Details are on an inconvenient website, which so far, is fairly easy to navigate.  Last night, no newspaper was delivered. I ask myself, “Is this an administrative error or a further money-saving exercise?”  The Daily Programmes are formatted differently, but do seem better laid out than in the past.  None of this really matters.  My cabin is fabulous, more like a small boutique hotel room than a typical stateroom on a ship.  Nevertheless, in rough seas, it rolls around just the same.  But it’s in the least turbulent part of the ship, midships, and low down.

Tonight, I will not be donning my tuxedo for the Black and White themed Gala Night, opting instead to choose to dine in one of the venues where formal attire is not mandatory, perhaps in the Kings Court buffet on Deck 7.  My feeling is that with still over a hundred days to go, there is more than enough time to get into the routine of things.   It is now early evening, 17.40 hrs, and almost dark.  My stateroom takes on a sophisticated ambience as evening falls.

Tonight’s Weather Information still indicates severe gales, force 9. We are steaming at 19.6 knots in rough seas. Winds over the deck are 40 – 43 knots, and still, passengers are not allowed out!

As between January and July last year, when I attempted 1,000,000 steps in aid of that year’s Christian Aid Week, I am doing the same this year, this time both at home as well as on my travels, between January 1st and May 31st, in support of Christian Aid Week 2023.

Tomorrow (Day 3) will be our second at sea, prior to our first port of call, Lisbon. The weather should have calmed down a little, and with luck, the open decks will be available, enabling some outside exercise.

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.10 hrs, 12/1/23.

Day 1/102. Embarkation at Southampton.

The journey from Buxton yesterday was reassuringly straightforward and pleasant, despite leadened skies and some squally showers.  Now an established routine, my neighbour from over the road would drive me in my car the day before and partake of a celebratory dinner in the evening, these days at the comfortable Novotel, where we stayed for one night.

This morning was bright and sunny, but with a definite “nip in the air.”  But, like a light switch, that cloudless sky switched to “fifty shades of grey,” and the heavens opened as we walked around in search of a coffee and some last-minute bits and pieces. Boarding was not until 14.45 hrs, and as long as I was there before 16.00 hrs, there was plenty of time to relax and make any last-minute necessary purchases, as well as a light lunch.

Embarkation itself wasn’t too complicated, and all of a sudden, I was back on board, almost as if I had been here forever. 

I do like my single outside cabin midships on 2 deck.  Fireworks heralded the departure of both M.V. Queen Victoria on its westbound round-the-world cruise, and R.M.S Queen Mary 2 as it ventures east to Heraklion almost “express” calling at Lisbon en route, and eventually to Sydney.

I was joined for a light dinner by former world voyage travelling companion Jo who, like me, is on the entire voyage. The company was most welcome.  Although it was not a long day for me today, I still feel “contentedly tired.”  A rough passage of the Bay of Biscay has been assured by the Captain.  Before going to bed, I am chilling out in the Carinthia Lounge. Swallowing a seasick pill should put me right for tomorrow’s roller coaster seas as we head for what we are warned will be a turbulent Bay of Biscay.

So endeth day one of a hundred and two.

Many thanks for reading, David, 22.41hrs, Carinthia Lounge, RMS Queen Mary 2.

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Welcome to the first blog of 2023.  I attended a service this morning at the 17th Century St Anne’s Church in Higher Buxton, said to be the oldest surviving building in the town.  Contrary to the media’s assertion that church attendance is dwindling, I had a job to find a seat this morning, having arrived two verses into the first carol.  What I didn’t say was that little St. Anne’s, as far as I know, was the only church of six in the Parish, which opened this morning. 

Being New Year’s Day, I chose to try my luck at another favourite eatery, The Royal Oak at Hurdlow.  For a second time, this New Year’s, I was in luck.  Being on my own seems to make life easier, especially trying to get into places. The lunch was fabulous.  I shall drive home and start the packing!  I am determined that this year, all I have to do on the day of driving to Southampton will be to load the car and go.  And, a week on Wednesday, I leave the UK for the Cunard Centenary World Voyage. 

In November 1922, American Express chartered the almost new R.M.S. Laconia for the first ever round the world voyage by a passenger ship.  I have been intrigued by this event ever since attending a lecture on The First World Cruise on board QE2, probably around 2008.  To all intents and purposes, this year’s QM2 voyage is not very different to whatever was scheduled to, but did not run in 2020 and 2021.  When I booked, I was told that this voyage was sold out. Nevertheless, I managed to secure a genuine single cabin for the entire voyage.  Some cruise acquaintances have since switched from QM2 to the Queen Victoria for its traditional westbound round-the-world cruise, leaving and returning to Southampton on the same dates.   One, I know,  has switched back to Queen Mary 2! 

Many thanks for reading, David, 14.42, The Royal Oak at Hurdlow, 1/1/23, updated 00.20, 3/1/23.

It took rather a long time, but yesterday, I decided the potentially expensive repairs on my beloved red convertible are not really worth it.  Quite why it took so long to ascertain that “weeping injectors” were probably clogging the filter was the problem, I’m not too sure.  It’s a staggering pity that an otherwise good car may end up as spares. This is kinda heartbreaking.  D18 JPN however did outlive some later classes of steam locomotive, doing quite well to achieve fourteen years, six in my ownership.  Apparently, the car will be auctioned off, but I will keep the personal numberplate, which eventually will adorn a similar but much newer vehicle.

Today is New Year’s Eve, and I awoke determined that my house would be tidied up to welcome the early hours of 2023. Also, I might “get something done” during the day.  There’s a small list of tasks to be completed before I set off for (eventually) the Southern Hemisphere the week after next.  Two, I have accomplished today.  I have a brand new medium-sized wheeled suitcase which should be more than adequate for a nine day “off-ship” odyssey in Australia, which, much to my frustration, necessitates a flight from Adelaide to Perth.  I do get three nights in Perth, plenty of time to visit the Perth Mint from where a few sovereigns in my collection were minted.  I got to visit the Canberra Mint in 2018, and didn’t come away empty-handed.

On the way to collecting the suitcase, I had a repair carried out on my reading glasses.  Two jobs taken care of. 

I can start the packing anytime from now, arrange spending money, have a haircut, visit the dentist and optician, and, twenty-four hours before departure, test myself for covid-19. There are time slots for most of this next week.  Oh yes, I have to make an appointment with my G.P.  I just hope a recent test hasn’t identified something  sinister. 

Tonight, by a miracle, there was a table available for me at my favourite Indian Restaurant in Higher Buxton.  I come here too often, but I am always very well looked after, even when the restaurant is horrendously busy. I enjoyed the obvious conviviality of New Year’s Eve, albeit around 4 to 5 hours prior to midnight.

Now, I am at home, warm and dry; outside, it is raining quite heavily.

There is little else to write this year. Therefore, with pleasure, I wish you all A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, even if I might have already done so!

David, 23.52, New Year’s Eve 2022.

Wow! What a hectic but exhilarating, and at times, stressful three days, during which I attended three Christmastide Eucharists, got to know my great nephew a little better, learned the best way to cook sprouts, was reminded how useless I am at Monopoly, and many other experiences I just cannot bring to mind right now.  My godson and his wife made excellent hardworking and welcoming hosts, and there was no danger of ever feeling hungry or thirsty.

27/12/22

  For some reason, at church, I felt I was expected to be familiar with the complexes of what I am given to understand is High Anglo Catholic worship. Fortunately, I have a young friend in Buxton who will be able to explain that which I still fail to comprehend. All three churches were welcoming without being embarrassingly overwhelming. The services were immaculate in their presentation, choirs sang magnificently and in my humble unqualified opinion, to perfection. Familiar carols felt brand new and fresh, and organs thundered in praise to the Almighty. Sermons and prayer were relevant to our present troubled (not so much in leafy S.E. London) times, far better worded than any prayers that I manage to offer up most mornings.

I fear going home may be even more troublesome than getting here. So far, no trains are running!

My final breakfast at The Clarendon was enjoyable if a bit (because I overslept) rushed. I do hope I can come here again. This slightly old-fashioned establishment remains as comfortable and welcoming as in pre-covid days. And being outside of Central London, it remains sensibly priced.

Suddenly, all is quiet. Am I actually missing the frenetic urgency of the last three days? Now, I sit in anonymity, contemplating what normally would be a straightforward journey back to North Derbyshire. It’s 11am.

Reception advised me to take the 108 bus to the Jubilee Line for a Tube train to Central London. After 10 minutes’ wait in the “freezing cold,” a single decker showed up full and standing. I decided to try Uber for the first time. I returned to the warmth of the hotel lounge; five minutes later, a nice white M.G. 71reg white car showed up and whisked me to Euston Station, crowded with hopeful passengers heading north.

Which idiot came up with the new LED departure board, replacement for the far more easily consulted electronic Customer Information Screens, which had been more than satisfactory for decades. The idea, I read in the railway periodicals, is to prevent the famous stampede when train departure platforms are announced. What a load of nonsense! Some poor harassed Customer Information guy instructed me to take a train to Milton Keynes, catch a rail replacement bus to Rugby, and catch a further train north. The train was announced, and I never saw a stampede like it! I did manage to find a seat, and the journey to Milton Keynes was quite comfortable but somewhat crowded. Eventually, I had a spacious seat on the coach to Rugby in Warwickshire, home of the famous Public School where the game of Rugby (or Rugger) was invented (or, so I am led to believe).

Wednesday 28th December

Rugby Station was chaotic with crowds battling in both directions, either to catch an appropriate train north, or, having arrived from wherever, fighting their way in the opposite direction to the southbound rail replacement buses. I must have just missed the Manchester train; the next service I could ascertain was in around 45 minutes’ time on Platform 1. I didn’t have to wait in the cold; a nice warm, unrefurbished Pendolino had just arrived, and I had the train to myself. Very few people came on board, and although it felt like a long wait, I was slightly taken by surprise as the train slipped out of Rugby Station. The journey to Macclesfield was comfortable in an almost completely empty train. Northern Trains were not operating from Stockport to Buxton. For once, my only way of reaching home was by taxi. Uber couldn’t locate me a car so far north of London! I was in my house a respectable five hours after leaving Euston, where I had waited almost an hour for a suitable train.

My journey home could have been far worse. Probably, being by nature, a late riser, I may well have missed the worst of yesterday’s disruption.

I can now look back on this year’s Christmas period with much pleasure. Excellent company, food and jollity, chilling out in a favourite hotel for four nights, and three wonderful church services, as well as a bag of presents to bring home. I do like these gatherings of the generations!

Many thanks for reading. HAPPY NEW YEAR! David 12.19hrs 28/12/22.

Boxing Day, 08.45hrs

Reading what I had written in Blog 844, I had made numerous “errors,” which required tidying up. You are welcome to access the improved version on http://www.davidscruise.wordpress.com.