(2472/mile)….11.30, 26 Feb 2019
(2553/mile)….11.45
(2469/mile)….18.25 (4th Lap)
3rd lap, midnight GMT intervened
Midday: Book table for birthday drinks in Commodore Club.
They cannot reserve tables; must arrive early and they will assist in establishing an area.
Luncheon appointment with Ken and Eileen, 1300hrs.
This final sea day is far more placid than the mountains of disturbance encountered well over a day ago, and which didn’t subside until early this morning. Everybody I have spoken to is thankful not to be tossed around as if in a space training capsule. I imagine, in fact, that yesterday’s tempest was nothing unusual, or we would have taken avoiding action. My naive imagination can “over-dramatise” things. But I do appreciate today’s far more settled conditions. Outside, it is a pleasant 70 or so degrees Fahrenheit; there is no real wind to speak of, and I have enjoyed returning to the walking regime I so wish I could incline myself to at home. Tomorrow is the last full day on board, the grand finale being a Cunard visit to Sydney Opera House for a performance of Turandot. I do have the most minimal idea of the plot, but, that there is much more to Puccini’ s opera than “Nessun Dorma”! (I need to check out a severe price discrepancy between the price I paid for, at home, and that charged to friends who booked on board after being wait-listed).
Last year, I debated which came first, Sydney Opera House, or Manchester Oxford Road Station whose roof, although only a fraction of the size, does bare a noticeable resemblance. Actually, the one time ultra modern design of the Manchester railway station dates back to the late 1950s, and I suspect any similarity I see between that and the Sydney Opera House (1973) is, as they say, purely coincidental.
Take no notice of the notes at the beginning of this blog; such meaningless ramblings will occur from time to time. I am very keen to avoid the need for medication for my on-going diabetic condition, which up to now (from Nov. 2010) I have controlled with diet and excersise. Circumstances intervened in the last few years which reduced opportunities for excersise, and my inclination for which, dropped off accordingly. So, I now keep records and avoid the temptations of much of the “unsuitable” food in plenteous supply, not always with success! My last check-up just before I came away revealed I had returned to a border-line state, which I did not want to hear!
Yesterday was “rough” and many people seemed to struggle through their shipboard routines. There was no drop in the exemplary standard of service that I could perceive.
On this final sea day, perhaps now would be an appropriate time for a “review-so-far”. My flight from London to San Francisco has been written up previously. I remember little except that it was more pleasurable than I anticipated previously. Immigration on arrival seemed to take forever, but the arranged car transfer to the Hotel Nikko went exactly to plan. Hotel Nikko was far more “up-scale” than I would have expected , and was my base in San Francisco for one day, and later after 3 nights in Long Beach on board the former transatlantic Cunard liner R.M.S Queen Mary, a further 2 nights, now, in a less spacious but equally luxurious room. Ironically, the initial warmth in San Francisco was, in southern California, displaced by much cooler influences which had blighted much of North America from the North Pole. (I assume that’s what a polar vortex is).
I have been far from disappointed with Cunard’s Queen Victoria. There is a difference of opinion as to whether QV is a cruise ship or ocean liner. Years ago, senior officers on board QE2 were adamant that, although enhanced in its design, to its original specification, QV remains of cruise ship specification. The ship that was originally going to be QV was transferred to P&O to become the Arcadia. The only “give-away” to its Cunard connection is the design of the funnel, and even that is difficult to discern.
QV is a lovely vessel in which to travel, lavishly appointed throughout, and decorated in the utmost of taste. There are definite edges over Cunard’s Flagship QM2, which always be my preference. However, I aim to enjoy “where I am at the time”, rather than compare with previous journeys or ship’s I have travelled in. All the amenities, public rooms and other facilities are convenient to access. My cabin, on the other hand, is right in the forward end of the vessel, the Britannia Restaurant where I dine each evening, as far back as one can go. This therefore entails a good walk after showering and changing for dinner. I was told during QV’s maiden voyage, that the dining room’s dark wood interior was inspired by that of a Pullman car in today’s British section of the Orient Express, now referred to as The British Pullman. This similarity is not obvious to me! Like the original Queen Mary’s Cabin (later First Class) restaurant, that on the Queen Victoria can accommodate 800 passengers at one sitting on two levels, 320 on the upper level, 420 at the lower level. That which might have been remarkable in the 1930s seems less so today.
Early QV publicity describes the theatre as being inspired by Frank Matcham who built our now revered Buxton Opera House which opened in 1903. This influence is immediately obvious, and very convincing.
My windowless inside stateroom has all that I need for the best possible night’s sleep; although I did succumb to the temptation of upgrading to a glass fronted balcony cabin on Deck 5 for next year’s circumnavigation of South America. This is supposed to be the last in my programme of multi-month English winter escapes. Any misgivings I may have had about the QV are dispelled, and whether of cruise ship or ocean liner specification, this debate is unimportant. All that goes with this high-end sea travel is exemplary. However, as one complainer on QM2 remarked last year, when I was having the time of my life, “I can see you are easily pleased”. Her being a former Public School pupil, I was tempted to comment on her “appalling” use of English grammar…but chose against a possible long term and unnecessary conflict. I discover as I make these wonderful voyages, friction can develop rapidly, more often than not, in the launderette, which I avoid at all costs, or on shore excursions, as the rush for the best seats on the coach resembles the stampede at Euston Station for Manchester bound trains! However, I find the ambience on this particular cruise most convivial and comfortable. So much so in fact, that occasionally, I wonder, perhaps, if I am, sometimes, the elephant in the room! This “self pity” is momentary as the conversation from surrounding tables at afternoon tea is just as exuberant as anything from me!
Goodness! I have spent hours on this blog, writing and then deleting what is meant to funny, fails miserably!
This final sea day has been most relaxing and rejuvenating. But now, I have my 70th birthday celebration to get myself ready for. I did invite the Captain, but would be most (pleasantly) surprised if he added my party to his list of engagements.
5.46pm 26 Feb 2019
Once again, thanks for reading,
David.
David's Cruise 