Tuesday 19th July 2022
It might be an unwelcome sign of climate change, I had been to parts of North America which are notoriously hot in the summer, e.g. Costa Rica, Mexico and (parts of) the United States. But to arrive in the U.K. during a heatwave reminiscent of the climate in Aruba was rare indeed, even if the gloom-mongers prophecy “worse to come.” Unfortunately, they are probably right. Today is billed as the hottest day ever in the U.K., and for once, I tend to agree.
Wednesday 20th July 2022
Rarely am I thankful when a period of hot weather comes to an end. But, with windows upstairs open to let in the night air, I was, indeed thankful as a cool breeze brushed over while I was half asleep. Today is 20th July, and there is still plenty of summer left for more decent weather.
There is quite a respectable number of people who followed the blog account of my travels this year. This is the 4th year (out of 5) that I have travelled more than 77 days out of the Country. Next year will (probably) be the last as energy etc dwindles! I don’t ever want these mega trips to merely become the norm.
Three out of four trips abroad this year were impulse buys, the two Caribbean cruises at the beginning of the year, and Norway in September. The cruise industry shut down early in 2020 because of the pandemic, which although much more under control now, is still with us. Towards the end of last year, particularly in the U.K., life was almost back to normal, thanks very much to what most of us consider to be the very efficient roll-out of vaccinations, which while not preventing one from contracting covid-19, the effects of such are reduced from life threatening to merely very unpleasant.
One Million Steps on and Between Two Continents.
Having completed the Christian Aid sponsored challenge in 2021 to complete 300,000 steps during the 31 days of May last year, and raising a respectable four-figure amount, I decided to go one further this year, and attempt to walk at least one million steps during my time out of the Country including the days setting off from Southampton.
2022 started with two 28 night voyages to the Caribbean on board Queen Mary 2. The first cruise in January had been booked some months previously, but was, nevertheless, an impulse buy. Only an inside cabin was available, but that did not detract from my having a superb time throughout. And, I made a good start with the walking, including a fairly difficult but hugely scenic coastal hike on the isle of St. Maarten.
There were spectacular offers on two further Caribbean cruises, and I opted for the voyage almost immediately following this one. The cruise in January went out via Lisbon, the second, in February, via New York in both directions.
While there were, what appeared to be a good number of passengers, the evening entertainment venues were very quiet in terms of people attending. The Golden Lion Pub was, however, usually quite busy, but less so anywhere else. Despite the obvious difficulties due to the pandemic, apart from the lack of cocktail gatherings, and Captain’s parties, cancelled because of social distancing restrictions, I felt the service on board was up to the expected standards, and was rather impressed. This led me to impulse buy that “bargain basement” hugely discounted second trip in February! Jo, from two previous voyages, joined me for this second Caribbean trip, and I appreciated having a travelling companion on this rare occasion.
Cruise to Alaska, The Overland, and return on Queen Mary 2, May 2nd – July 15th.
This was the planned, but much altered “biggie” originally scheduled for the summer of 2020. Then, the round the world itinerary was QM2 to New York, Amtrak “Lake Shore Ltd” to Chicago, Amtrak “Empire Builder” to Seattle, Amtrak “Cascades” to Vancouver, Cunard “Queen Elizabeth” 49 night cruise in Alaska, then to and around Japan, British Airways 1st Class (at a very preferential rate) to Heathrow and, home by train. This was postponed to 2021, then cancelled altogether. An alternative itinerary was then offered with flying to Tokyo, and doing more or less the same itinerary but in reverse order. That, too, was cancelled! Then, 10 days of the Alaska cruise was reinstated. Rather than cancel my journeys on Amtrak, which already had been booked, I would now fly to Vancouver and complete my heavily revised trip. I would then learn that Queen Elizabeth would be sailing from Southampton on a repositioning voyage, ready for the start of its Alaska season in 2022 and connecting perfectly with my 10 night Alaska cruise, again on QueenElizabeth but in a different stateroom to the one from Southampton. My flight was thus cancelled and a full refund contributed towards the cost of sailing rather than flying, thus adding another 33 nights to the already long itinerary. Japan will have to wait another day!
I have yet to calculate the final mileage of this journey; well over 8,200 miles were covered overland in the U.S.A. almost all by rail.
I enjoyed a glass fronted balcony stateroom on board Queen Elizabeth for the 33 night sailing from Southampton to Vancouver, and again for the 10 day Alaska cruise. The highlight of that was Glacier Bay, and also walking over a suspension bridge at Sitka, when from some very nearby trees, a number of bald eagles unexpectedly took flight, “right under my nose!” At least one circled above before settling on a tree on the other side of the highway, posing, giving me ample time to take pictures, on the Lumix!
I would also regard Afternoon Tea at the Empress at Victoria as another memorable occurrence.
The bus and railtour over the 24 nights between leaving Queen Elizabeth in Vancouver and joining QM2 in New York covered as much as possible in the time available. I would get to visit Seattle, Chicago, Flagstaff (unintentionally!) Grand Canyon, L.A. New Orleans (NOLA), Washington and New York on what was very much a whistle-stop but highly enjoyable tour, which I called The Overland.
Thursday 21st July 2022
I suppose people will be relieved this morning. It’s much cooler, and it appears to have rained during the night. I am continuing to enjoy looking back over my recent trip to North America and putting together a kind of Best Of review. There were, of course, numerous great moments, very few minor disappointments and the occasional frustration, not bad for so long away. For some reason, I cannot recall anything hilariously funny, but I’m sure, during the time away, there were amusing occurrences. There was never anywhere during the journey that I was glad to leave, not even Flagstaff at 1 am! I enjoyed New Orleans and didn’t lose too much sleep despite the outside street noise, which at times, I joined in! My booked river cruise turned out to have been double-booked with a private party, all of whom were dressed completely in white. This is some kind of annual event which I didn’t really get to comprehend. Fortunately, my Mississippi River and dinner cruise was merely postponed to the following and final night in New Orleans. Two jazz bands played on different decks, the buffet dinner was far better than I was expecting, and a fiery sunset brought the curtain down on yet another wonderful day and evening.
Washington DC was the penultimate “port of call” on this ambitious tour of the U.S. I was very taken with this most charismatic of capital cities, right from getting off the train into a biblical downpour of rain. The first thing you see ahead of you from the station entrance is the Capitol Building with its instantly recognisable dome. The taxi driver was cheesed off with my request for a destination (the Hyatt Regency) being around a quarter of a mile away! But, it was throwing it down, and couldn’t drum up much sympathy for this trip not being a big earner. With a face as long as a presidential address, he still ripped me off! However, it wasn’t long before the rain had stopped and I was exploring.
Meeting my great nephew and his girlfriend was an unexpected and great pleasure, and was probably the highlight of my all too short time in America’s Capital.
I enjoyed the high speed ACELA train journey from “D.C.” to New York, merely a stopover before my commute on Queen Mary 2 back to Southampton. I did have the morning to myself in the Big Apple. Seeing the Empire State Building in reasonable walking distance, I headed there to go up and take more spectacular photographs from its 86th floor. Almost there, and I got approached (that’s a kind word) by more than one pavement agent selling open top bus tours. I was assured that I would be returned to where I started from in an hour. Thus, after much pestering, I changed my plans and opted for what I thought was a quick trip around Manhattan. The first bus was full, and by the time the next bus came, it was getting dangerously close to the time I needed to drive to the cruise terminal. The bus driver informed me that the entire trip was two and a half hours. Thus, I had allowed myself to be conned out of $69.00! In the scheme of things, 69 bucks is merely annoying, a bit like a parking ticket, except I did nothing wrong. The bus company, Top View Sightseeing have generously offered me a replacement ticket valid for one day anytime in the next twelve months. Not much use in Buxton! E-mail correspondence continues between me and Top View Sightseeing who appear fiercely proud of their reputation as caring organisation of great integrity. And for 69 bucks, I beg to differ!
Although I have done this a few times now, sailing back from New York to Southampton was the continued pleasure one can derive, a bit like repeated performances of Handel’s Messiah!
In the end, from January 14th to February 11th, February 14th to March 14th. and May 2nd to midnight July 14th, for Christian Aid Week 2022, I walked 1,507,496 steps over a period of 130 days, averaging 11,596 steps each of those days. That equates to around 523 miles. And I had great fun and satisfaction so doing!
Thank you all for reading; my next blogs will be less exotic!
David, at home, 09.58, 21st July 2022
David's Cruise 