I was reminded in an e-mail, that my marathon trip around North and Central America was approaching its “home run.” I remember feeling the same back in 2015 while in the same part of the North Atlantic, again, heading for Samuel Cunard’s home town, Halifax. Again, schools of dolphins “jumped and danced” clear of the ocean’s surface.
Will VIA-rails “Ocean” be stabled at the nearby terminal station, a rake of never-to-run (in Europe) Nightstar stock of far lesser scale than the dome car, looking somewhat incongruous at the rear of the train, with locomotives equally out of scale at the front end.
I must have been exhausted by yesterday’s activities in New York; everything, however easy, felt like hard work.
Just like four years ago, dolphins lept in great profusion, swimming fairly close by in the late afternoon. Wildlife is always a joy to see. However, it is far cooler now than at almost the same time last year. Perhaps, now is the time to put away the “shorts” for another year. Also late this afternoon, I came across Erma in the Lido, having a “chin-wag” with Glenis. It seems nobody took any notice of her request to be allocated a seat at our table for the resumption of her voyage from New York. (26 July 2019)
None of us ventured to the Royal Court for a third Earth Wind and Fire tribute act since Vancouver. I made use of the opportunity for an early night. However, the next day in Halifax would offer a welcome encore of warm weather. Cruise friends Alex and Naomi from QM2, also in Halifax, whom I first got to know on the QE2 40th Anniversary cruise of 2007, managed to communicate with me on Queen Elizabeth. I was taken to Murphy’s for a good lunch. This was most pleasurable. We would later make our way to the Lord Nelson for drinks, via an ice cream kiosk. The scoop of vanilla ice cream reminded me of the delicious offerings of Arthur Lewis the ice cream man who plied his trade along Arran Avenue adjacent to the street where I grew up in Sale. But that was 65 years ago, and, not what I would call “the good old days.”
Quite how I got to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 26th July on board a Cunarder heading for Newfoundland, with flagship Queen Mary 2 following close behind remains something of a fortunate mystery. A unique day, blessed with wonderful sunshine. This morning, I posted small presents to Pat and Ron in Ontario as a thank you for looking after me so kindly almost at the start of my journey. I then met Alex and Naomi for lunch at Murphy’s.
The last time I was in Halifax was during the Cunard 175 celebrations of four years ago. “That. seems like yesterday.” The “sailaway” from Halifax was spectacular and joyous. The resident pop band played to a packed Deck 9, where many celebrated with appropriate beverage, and others filled whatever dance areas were available. Before departure, were were berthed with our stern against that of flagship Queen Mary 2. From the aft of Deck 9 we could hear the sail-away celebrations from the aft of QM2’s Deck 8, where their party, also packed, was visible from stern areas of Queen Elizabeth. All open spaces on both ships were “wall to wall people.”
Queen Elizabeth was the first to “set sail.” I was confused as to the exact choreography of both ships, as we departed from our respective births. Eventually, we would be followed firstly by a water-spraying fire boat, and then Queen Mary 2. This brought to mind the final tandem crossing from New York to Southampton of QE2 and QM2 in October 2008, almost (but not quite) bringing the curtain down on QE2’s celebrated career. Alex and Naomi as well as Andrew and Andrea would join me on board the Shieldhall in Southampton on 11th November 2008 to witness the final departure from its home port, of QE2. Ten years later, I would, again walk the hallowed decks of QE2 in Dubai, where she now competes in that country’s hotel industry, as well as staying there for three days earlier in 2019.
Sunrise from my cabin balcony at 6am.
VIA Rails The Ocean as seen from my cabin.
Lobby of the Lord Nelson, Halifax.
R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 berthed in Halifax.
Views of QM2 from deck 9 aft, Queen Elizabeth before the sail-away.
Now underway, Queen Mary 2 heads for New York, Queen Elizabeth for St. John’s Newfoundland, Iceland, Greenock and Dublin, arriving at Southampton on August 8th.
An excellent day.
David.
David's Cruise 