Welcome to the first blog of 2023. I attended a service this morning at the 17th Century St Anne’s Church in Higher Buxton, said to be the oldest surviving building in the town. Contrary to the media’s assertion that church attendance is dwindling, I had a job to find a seat this morning, having arrived two verses into the first carol. What I didn’t say was that little St. Anne’s, as far as I know, was the only church of six in the Parish, which opened this morning.
Being New Year’s Day, I chose to try my luck at another favourite eatery, The Royal Oak at Hurdlow. For a second time, this New Year’s, I was in luck. Being on my own seems to make life easier, especially trying to get into places. The lunch was fabulous. I shall drive home and start the packing! I am determined that this year, all I have to do on the day of driving to Southampton will be to load the car and go. And, a week on Wednesday, I leave the UK for the Cunard Centenary World Voyage.
In November 1922, American Express chartered the almost new R.M.S. Laconia for the first ever round the world voyage by a passenger ship. I have been intrigued by this event ever since attending a lecture on The First World Cruise on board QE2, probably around 2008. To all intents and purposes, this year’s QM2 voyage is not very different to whatever was scheduled to, but did not run in 2020 and 2021. When I booked, I was told that this voyage was sold out. Nevertheless, I managed to secure a genuine single cabin for the entire voyage. Some cruise acquaintances have since switched from QM2 to the Queen Victoria for its traditional westbound round-the-world cruise, leaving and returning to Southampton on the same dates. One, I know, has switched back to Queen Mary 2!
Many thanks for reading, David, 14.42, The Royal Oak at Hurdlow, 1/1/23, updated 00.20, 3/1/23.
David's Cruise 