David Nevell’s 70th Birthday(1st March) Celebrations, 26th February 2019.
This is it. The packing has to be done.
I awoke after a “disturbed” sleep following a most enjoyable dinner to celebrate my 70th birthday, the day after tomorrow.
So far, I have written glowing accounts of QV, and all the fine things it offers with huge attention to detail in all aspects, e.g. restaurant service, standard of catering throughout the ship, and the eclectic entertainment, also throughout the ship, on offer from before 9am to the early hours, each day. Therefore, it is with a small amount of dismay that my 70th birthday dinner, at the vacant Captain’s Table was, to begin with, rather disorganised. In good time, I had made arrangements with the Maitre D’ and even was granted a request for 11 places at the Table which accommodates, normally, 10. (11 is comfortable, however). Apparently, Cunard have banned the use of balloons for “environmental” reasons. Even so, the Table was bereft of any celebratory embellishments, a far cry from the magnificent effort put in by QM2’s counterparts last year. The booked photographer needed reminding, and service was, to begin with, slow and uninspiring. Things changed, however, when one of my party had a discreet word with one of the waiters. From nowhere appeared a chorus of restaurant staff who gathered behind me and sang with enormous gusto, Happy Birthday which attracted the attention of those around, and, a congratulatory round of applause. The photographer showed up, and an impromptu dessert with one candle (also, I suspect, against Cunard’s rules) was placed in front of me. So, the evening, which started so well with cocktails in the Commodore Club, looking out on to a magnificent sunset, complete with sun-bow, but then fell apart somewhat, was saved. Afterwards, Daphne, Nigel and I returned to the Commodore Club where the pianist, at my (very strange) request performed a marvellous improvisation of the Theme to the 1960s movie Exodus, juxtaposed with Hava Nagila! I got good value for this piece of impromptu imagination, at least 5 minutes. No wonder I had difficulty getting off to sleep. I commenced packing before going to bed, but being “heavy eyed” by that time, I “got my head down”.
It is now 8.15, and, again with eyes as heavy as house bricks, I shall continue the task of preparing for my next land based, rail borne adventures.
More news as the day progresses and I join the final shore excursion of this leg of my World Tour. Turandot at the Sydney Opera House.
All the best, David.
2538/mile, 10.40hrs.
David's Cruise 