Blog 830 Sunday 4/9/22. “All Aboard!” 10760 steps out of 1 million in support of Christian Aid Week 2023.

Day 1 of 7

At a little before 11.30 this morning, after a decent but pancake-less breakfast, and having completed the packing from my overnight stay, Reception found me a taxi, warning me that none would be available at just before my noon ckeck-in time at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal.  I climbed aboard the waiting vehicle and was immediately quoted me 15 quid for the quarter to half mile run.  Really???  Later on, I did wonder if this was some kind of a “set-up.” Then, he took me to two wrong cruise ships! That worked in my favour; I got a glimpse of four of the five ships that were in port today, but not Cunard’s Queen Victoria which remained out of sight.  The taxi driver was of the grumbling variety, just what you need at the start of a celebratory week away, but, I was mentally ill-equipped for any confrontation.  I was amused that he assumed two incorrect cruise ships rather than checking with me. I almost got my 15 quid’s worth!  I keep forgetting that I have the Uber App on my phone!

I have now, joined those in the Priority Booking area at the MayflowerTerminal, and as the place fills up, I realise once again that I am not really one of an exclusive clientele.  I am tempted to take a couple of casual photographs!  An attractive blonde called us “in order” to proceed to Security thus: “Would Queens Grill Guests proceed to Security.” All the Queens Grill passengers (those in the most expensive seats) stood promptly, some appearing slightly uncomfortable that the “rest of the world” could take a momentary glance at those who had dug the deepest into their wallets.  Shortly afterwards, Princess Grill, then Diamond World Club Members would be called up, followed almost immediately by Platinum, Gold, and Silver World ClubMembers (those who had sailed with Cunard, just once previously) who were then given permission to head for Security.   Security isn’t quite as viscous as at international airports.  Nevertheless, all things metal detectable needed to be stashed in the hand luggage which, itself, would go through the scanner.  That included the belt which keeps my trousers from half mast.  I walked through the arch scanner (my terminology) and it didn’t bleep. 

Thus I was on my way to boarding, where numerous immaculate bellboys would either welcome guests on board, or would appear to recognise me and say “welcome back!”  Ye Gods! It is brilliant to be back on here yet again!   I found my stateroom almost midships on the Starboard side, with my sheltered balcony facing the quayside.  The sky is “north of England grey” but it still remains warm.

I have explored my cabin, and I do have to concede that although clean, neat and tidy, the six years of intensive use (apart from during the pandemic) seems to have taken its toll.  The Daily Programme has either been discontinued, not issued yet, or been missed by me on my first look around the room.  But it was good to be on board before 1 o’clock and ensconced in a window alcove in the Kings Court with a small plate of noodles, rice and stir-fried vegetables. 

Outside, the Promenade Deck beckons and already I am wondering whether to set a steps target for perhaps another Christian Aid fundraising challenge. In fact, I have just decided on my efforts for Christian Aid Week 2023, namely, One Million Steps on and Between Four Continents.    Those four continents are all except North and South America, as well as the one I’m not overly keen on visiting, Antarctica!  And I am starting today 4th September until midnight 10th September 2022, then continuing from January 11th until April 22nd 2023.

I enjoyed my return to the Kings Court for a pre-cruise lunch.  “Replete with an amplitude of sufficiency, I said to myself, “let’s resume The Challenge, and start walking around the Promenade Deck…” – yet again.  It’s lovely and warm out there, despite the rather overcast skies.    The easiest way to support my efforts this year is to Google David Nevell Buxton.  At the moment, this is the first item entitled “One Million Steps on Two Continents – Christian Aid.”  The last day for donations is Tuesday 8th November when I have arranged to give an illustrated account of my earlier travels this year at the Church Centre on Bath Road, Buxton.   Tickets will be available at a price of your choosing; the same applies to entry at the door.

I am back in my stateroom right now.  Daily Programmes do exist, but mine has yet to arrive.  The Purser’s Office has assured me one will be delivered.  After going down to my stateroom and checking a few things, I returned to Deck 7 determined to get a few laps in.  As you can see, much of the starboard side is blocked off for routine maintenance.

It’s obviously possible to divert inside, at least, I would think so.  My Daily Programme was eventually delivered and I ascertained that my dinner reservation was at 20.15 hrs in the Britannia Restaurant close to the tapestry.

It’s now 16.20 hrs.  Grey skies have morphed to blue, the sun is out, it is warm, and five ships remain in port. 

I am informed that immediately to our stern, Norwegian Star is berthed.  Ye Gods! I was on that ship in 2006 for a most pleasant cruise from San Pedro, California to  Acapulco non stop, returning, calling at several ports along the way.  Behind is Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas; a little further away is P&O’s Britannia and in the distance, Cunard’s Queen Victoria, which my “rip- off” taxi driver told me it was Queen Elizabeth.  QV, I am told, is off to Greece.  I’m not sure about Britannia and Norwegian Star.  But, Anthem of the Seas also heads for the sun-drenched Mediterranean. 

Rarely are there five ships in Southampton in one day. To see three departing almost simultaneously at around 17.00 hrs was quite spectacular.

There was no fanfare when Queen Mary 2 slipped her moorings, not even a jubilant blast of the ship’s siren. Whistles were exchanged between Queen Mary 2 and Britannia as we sailed by the Ocean Cruise Terminal.

I joined four others for dinner tonight in the Britannia Restaurant. We had never met; however, we all enjoyed each other’s company and were almost the last to leave the restaurant. It was far too late to go to the movie or attend the show. After dinner, I was determined to achieve my first 10,000 steps of this voyage. This I did despite the time on my phone switching between time zones, i.e. between 23.XX hrs and an hour later. After midnight, the steps for the next day start from zero. Right now, the time reads 00. 57hrs. In fact, it’s approaching 2am, and I really should get my head down. While walking around the ship, the spectacular thunderstorm which had been forecast for the south of England could be seen at a distance from the stern of the ship. Above, the stars shone brightly from a pristine night sky.

This was a good first day. We are already too far into Day 2/7. Time for some kip. Many thanks for reading, David, 01.08 BST 02.08 hrs CET.