David's Cruise

0851 hrs, Tuesday 10th May (sea day 6/7)

Yesterday morning was again gloomy, with mist and rain, but far warmer as at last, we took a slightly more southerly course (we had to, or we would have run aground!)  Now, even I was beginning to get a little “fed up!” We were still not allowed outside, but people were beginning to “risk it.”  And all was, at long last, much better by late afternoon as the cloud cover and mist had thinned out, and, it was, now, a nice day.

I registered my interest in the Maiden Voyage of Queen Anne, merely a round trip to Lisbon  early in January 2024, almost the 20th anniversary of Cunard Flagship, Queen Mary 2’s maiden voyage to Fort Lauderdale, 12th January 2004.    “Three out of Four Ain’t Bad….” if I secure a stateroom on what will be another Cunard Historic Event (C.H.E).   I missed out on the Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage in 2010, but I did attend lunch on board in Southampton, the Saturday before its naming ceremony.

For the first time in four days, I exceeded my daily steps target, and a feeling of self righteousness was beginning to creep in!  But the benefit of endless walking around the ship, and between decks 1 and 11 (there’s a first!) were negated spectacularly by a sumptuous dinner in Steakhouse at The Verandah, a kind of “evolvement” of the Verandah Grill, reserved only for First Class  passengers at supplementary charge on both the original Queen Mary (1936) and Queen Elizabeth (1946).  These days, any passenger (guest) can partake of what Steakhouse at the Verandah has to offer…”for a small fee!”

For the first time, this morning is bright with bits of light cloud cover.  Time now to enjoy a much awaited prolonged summer!

Apart from talking with friends over breakfast, I have shunned any indoor activities for the gorgeous fresh air outside.  Despite the hearty dinner of the previous evening, I was ready for something to eat this morning and enjoyed my usual porridge and banana mix, as well as a plate of Bran Flakes.  

Although in the low seventies Fahrenheit, there’s this pleasannt cool breeze which I call God’s air-con; it’s working well today.  There is varied cloud cover through which the sun appears frequently.  Having just written this, the cloud cover has thickened, and the sun is taking a coffee break.  Time for some lunch!

I joined friends for a light lunch in The Lido on Deck 9 from where one could see a deterioration in the weather. Still feeling slightly “peckish” I had further sustenance at Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room. As before, when people had finished their tea, cakes, scones and sandwiches, the room was set up for a further art lecture. The presenter was again, superb with an hour’s information charting the history of street art and graffiti, and the rise to global fame of Banksy and the lesser known Mr. Brainwash. I wasn’t surprised that the Clarendon Art Gallery had numerous examples for sale, and boy, was I tempted, momentarily! I certainly have no regrets bidding just over two years ago for this work by the Argentinian artist Jorge Muscia.

The white tuxedo comes out tonight as formal attire is the dress code for tonight’s Roaring Twenties Gala Night. Five had become three for dinner in the Britannia Restaurant; Robert was recovering from the excesses of the previous night’s celebratory dinner in the Verandah on Deck 2. Champa, as far as I know, continues to do her own thing. Ronda and concluded the evening watching a superb stage production of Top Hat. With eyes, heavy like house bricks, I headed to my cabin, and for second consecutive night, slept for England.

Wednesday 11th May (already!) Thanks for reading, David, 10.50 hrs having enjoyed breakfast in The Lido.

It was a respectable ten minutes past nine when I awoke and reached for my watch to ascertain the time.  With the sea somewhat rough yesterday, I had taken a seasickness tablet before going to bed, not only to negate the possible effects of mal de mer, but also induce drowsiness and thus aid a decent sleep. Apparently, this worked rather well! 

Nobody had informed me that the water supply to my part of the ship was to be cut off from 9am to noon. Fortunately, I had taken a shower the previous evening, and could get ready for the day immediately.  I made it in time for my usual breakfast, followed by the Interdemoninational church service in the Royal Court Theatre, re-purposed as a place of worship.    As on QM2 there were numerous extracts from the Book of Common Prayer albeit rewritten in a slightly more up-to-date English.   There was a good attendance and the “congregation” were in good voice for the usual choice of hymns….Morning has Broken, Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, and the inevitable Eternal Father, Strong to Save. There was no sermon, but a heartfelt and very well expressed prayer for immediate peace in Ukraine could not have been better offered. 

I finished writing yesterday’s blog this morning, a fourth day of uninspiring grey, misty and now unexpectedly cool weather, which sees me wondering why a more southerly and perhaps warmer route could not have been taken.  I must remember however, that I know nothing of  the workings of cruise ships, and accept that what- ever takes place is the most appropriate.   For three days, the main open decks have been cordoned off; outside it remains grey and misty, the sea perhaps a little above moderate. 

I remained in my seat after the service as the theatre was transformed into a lecture hall.  I stayed for the illustrated talk, one of a series covering the history of space exploration.  This morning’s presentation focused on a history catastrophic accidents and their causes.  The subject was fascinating but I found it hard to keep up with his style of presentation. 

I returned to my room.   Posted through my door, was an A5 sized note dated Saturday announcing with regret that the water would be turned off between 9am and noon.  That’s the second letter I have received after the event!  I took a shower, had a now much needed shave, and feeling belatedly refreshed, I went up stairs for a light lunch, prior to a booked photo lesson on how to understand the facilities my camera has to offer.

My “photography lesson” turned out not to be the one-to-one run through of my small but complicated Lumix tz80 camera, but a class attended by me and two others.  This was a very well presented “refresher” on the principles of “ordinary” photography, which I have known since having a 35mm S.L.R. camera, of which I have owned several models.   For years, I have been “lazy” with my picture taking, putting the camera in auto and letting it “do the thinking for me.”  However, the Photo Gallery Manageress did give me good instruction on how to access the part of my camera she was covering in her lesson.  This was a useful hour and twenty minutes.

Outside remains “out of bounds” although with a trailing wind, the ship is much more stable.  I had promised myself to stay away from the daily Afternoon Tea served by white gloved waiters in the Queens Room.  Only having had a light lunch, and not going for dinner until 8.30pm, I felt justified in indulging in this revived and now, quite fashionable refreshment.  The entertaining pianist was superb and came across as thoroughly enjoying exhibiting his musical prowess. 

No sooner was Afternoon Tea was drawing to a close than the Queens Room was being set up for Clarendon Art presentation on the wild life artist David Shepherd, who also is up there among the finest of railway artists, too.  It was this presenter who spoke so well about L.S. Lowry a couple of days ago.  This talk did, however, morph into a not irritating sales pitch for other fascinating and superb wild life pictures available for purchase in the Clarendon Art Gallery, which I do have to say is very tasteful with an ever changing selection of pictures and sculptures on show.  I didn’t adjourn to the Gallery for a tour around, knowing that even if I could afford to “invest” I have little or no wall space at home.  Instead, I chose to find a seat in the spectacular Commodore Club on Deck 10 with more hugely expansive forward and side views.  Here, I would relax on a forward facing light cream leather sofa and sip on a … decaff latte!  

It’s 18.52 hrs and I’m still listening to the pianist in the Commodore Club.  Now, I felt the real benefit of relaxing for a few days.  The day has gone well as people come, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and then leave for their evening. And much to my pleasant surprise, pre-dinner canapés were offered.

My cabin, albeit high up and almost as forward as it’s possible to be, and thus more vulnerable to turbulence, has turned out very nicely. There is just about no noise from neighbours on either side. There is plenty of room on the balcony, and Larry, the Cabin Steward is extremely good and reliable. But strangely, and unexpectedly, I have had the occasional pang of home-sickness. Not today, however, and hopefully in July, I will not be glad to be returning home after 74 days! But now, it’s time to prepare for dinner. I do hope that the outside decks will be open tomorrow; I am beginning to fall behind in my walking schedule!

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.15hrs Commodore Club.

Yesterday, Friday 6th May might not have been the best of days. For one (annoying) thing, I did not achieve, even, my personal steps target.  I had hoped to walk at least 7,500 steps each of  the 74 days of this particular journey.  The outside areas had been closed off for safety reasons, although later in the afternoon, one could get “fresh air” on decks 9 and 10, possibly further up as well.  But the winds were significant, as was the lack of any real warmth.  I slept better last night despite a continuance of ocean turbulence. 

My expectations of something warmer and calmer were not realised this morning.  While in the shower, holding on for dear life, the Captain apologised for and explained the reason for the ship suddenly leaning alarmingly to one side.  A sudden change of wind!  Now, the ballast down below needed to be repositioned to regain balance.  This message was relayed directly to where I was taking a shower, as well as, I presume, to all relevant points on this massive ship.   

No need for pictures this time,  the sky and sea are colour-coded various shades of grey and off-white, just like this time yesterday morning. (9.26hrs. BST – 2)

Despite waking up several times, I did get up, rejuvenated, and in good time, thanks to slithering into another new advantageous time zone.  Yesterday, I missed a very interesting and well presented talk on L.S. Lowry, whose signed limited edition prints are on display and for sale in the Art Gallery. That was a pity; I do like his unique style of depicting the ordinary, everyday, and often unglamorous life, as well as some remarkable land and seascapes.  Among the works on display was one depicting the instantly recognisable (if you live or work around there) Stockport Viaduct. I explained to a perhaps disappointed gallery manager that I earned my living driving trains over said viaduct…disappointed because he couldn’t imagine my getting the wallet out! 

It’s now 10.41 and I have enjoyed my routine breakfast of oatmeal, banana and half a pink grapefruit, and just one mug of coffee. I have a lovely window seat on the starboard side of the Lido cafeteria, and can now perceive a trace of blue sky and thinning cloud cover. No dark clouds are on the horizon for me to feel pessimistic about. The Captain’s adjustment of the ship’s course, and moving around of the ballast down below seems to have worked wonders; turbulence feels much reduced. 

Today is the third of seven consecutive sea days as we steam west towards Port Canaveral.  Thereafter, sea days are (if I remember rightly) no more than three together. Also, there is just one occasion where there are two consecutive port days.  This makes for a very relaxing voyage, eventually to Vancouver.  The highlight must be the westbound transit of the Panama Canal, which I have twice sailed through eastbound from the Pacific Ocean.  Time for a wander around the ship…hopefully outside!  (11.05hrs)

For a second day, the outside spaces were cordoned off.

Lunch time. Britannia Restaurant

I chose the Britannia Restaurant in which to enjoy lunch, this time at the aft end of 2 Deck with a clear view of the wake and choppy grey seas beyond. Lentil and vegetable soup was a welcome starter, followed by a possible Cunard invention, duck cottage pie. I had duck à l’orange for dinner last night. Connection? I caught the last twenty minutes or so of a classical piano recital in the Queens Room, which we have to vacate so the tables could be laid up for Afternoon Tea. I adjourned to the Royal Court to watch a sci-fi movie, Moonfall, the beginning of which I missed, and thus found the plot hard to make out. Normally, I would sneek out, but I was intrigued by the cinematography. For me, another unremarkable and mostly predictable movie with unexpected (and welcome) snippets of humour.

The “Gala Night” was unusually, unthemed. I donned the black tuxedo in tribute to the lousy weather I wasn’t expecting right now. A couple of ladies I became engaged in conversation were more annoyed than I was, explaining to me that we were on the same latitude as Canada. That wasn’t quite true, but the Daily Programme for Sunday announced that sometime the next day that we would pass just 80 nautical miles south of the final resting place of R.M.S Titanic. The implications of taking the “Grand Circle” route to Port Canaveral became clear. The most economical route to the Florida coast was a northerly one meaning at least three days of disappointing grey windy and cold weather. I’m sure these irritations will evaporate as we soon enter the subtropical climate of southern U.S.A. and its neighbouring countries. Tomorrow is another day.

Many thanks for reading; Tomorrow has arrived with an outside temperature of just 8°C.

David, 8/5/22 11.00, Royal Court Theatre.

Sea Day 2/7, 6th May 2022

I awoke far too early this morning, although I did enjoy a decent sleep until around half past five! There was substantial (what I call) turbulence in my cabin, and later, looking out over my rain-swept balcony, a Blackpool grey and white frothed ocean coated in a dull, almost white mist resulting in reduced visibility, was not the image Cunard would like to portray in its publicity!  At home, no doubt I would have grumbled to whoever I may have encountered. But here, in the Lido cafeteria high on Deck 9 with floor to ceiling windows along its length, being served endless coffee, and having enjoyed my routine healthy breakfast of porridge, banana, plain yoghurt and very brown toast, my only lament is that deck walking to maintain 10,000 steps each day, may not work out.  10° south of Buxton’s 53° North doesn’t seem to have made much difference today. 

The Captain’s noon day address hinted at a better afternoon. After breakfast, I attended an imaginative and fascinating PowerPoint presentation charting aspects of the 1960s, music, major events, political occurrences and an assassination.  In November 1963, not knowing what had occurred, I was amazed that Radio Luxembourg (which the lecturer did not mention) was playing back to back classical music.  It was a Friday, and the treat of the week was Youth Club, one of the activities of the Church of St. John the Divine, Brooklands, now part of Greater Manchester.  Only when I arrived at the Youth Club did I understand the appalling reason regular pop music was not being broadcast on the once “trendy” radio station, which had to broadcast from that part of Europe to avoid contravening the relevant regulations in force at the time. The Profumo Affair, Harold McMillan,  Harold Wilson, Dr. Beeching, and the Great Train Robbery also got a fleeting mention. This presentation in the Royal Court Theatre was attended by people perhaps around my age, most of us probably being teenagers or young adults at the time. I looked, very briefly, around the Royal Court Theatre, amazed that like me, the sixties represented our youth…of over fifty-two years since.  Yep, 1972 was fifty years ago, the year my niece and godson were born…and I forgot my niece’s landmark birthday! 

The sun came out briefly at around 1 o’clock, but it didn’t take long for another system of lousy weather to take root.  I think I shall try a curry in the Golden Lion!  (13.23 hrs, BST -1) 

I have booked my first Cunard shore excursion, the Kennedy Space Center.  This will mean having to rise early, but the experience should be very well worth it.  I have also booked an appointment with the Future Cruise people for 09.00hrs in 11 days to hopefully assure my place on the Queen Anne in 2024.  Curiosity has the better of me, and I’m sure I will still be curious less than two years from now. 

My walking plans for today have been thwarted; even ‘though the sun has reappeared. All outside areas remain closed off due to F8 winds.  I have adjourned to a deserted section of the Lido cafeteria with its endless floor to ceiling windows affording splendid views of the ocean. 

As you can see, the weather did improve, but not enough for the outside spaces to become accessible. I feel optimistic about tomorrow, and within days, we shall be all be enjoying the anticipated warm, even hot weather.

Many thanks for reading. David, 17.16hrs Deck 9, The Lido.

I had forgotten the “joie de vivre” one can experience on a bright sunny and noisy morning in sunny Spain, even if I had been on the lovely isle of Tenerife, only in February!  Outside however, the morning remained a little cool with the influence from a northerly breeze.  In the shade, it remained not overly hot, but extremely pleasant; in the direct sunlight, piping hot and therapeutic – magnificent! 

I was invited by Ronda to lunch at the fabulous boutique Gran Hotel Nagari which she had “stumbled across” while exploring the city.  An unexpected pleasure, my plans were merely to walk around a little and take a few photographs. The port lecturer, the day before, had presented a most informative illustrated talk suggesting numerous options. 

We departed shortly after 4.30 yesterday afternoon, and once we had cleared the scenic estuary, we were steaming west in a slightly choppy Atlantic ocean. 

But today, although cool, the sea is “pancake calm.”   My intention to walk around the deck, however, was thwarted by “getting into convivial and meaningful conversation” for around four hours, maybe more, thereby missing lunch!  Cake- free afternoon tea would beckon, sabotaging partially my attempts at “staying fit.”  This deputised for lunch (never a good idea) but I now have three and a half hours to “make amends.”   Outside, it is around 16°C with hopefully light winds.

Finally, for the time being, I now quite like the revised WiFi arrangements on board.  One can pay quite a lot for a full cruise package, but the highest level of World Club loyalty should attract refunds which equate to free on board WiFi.  However, the Internet seems just as intermittent as it ever was!  But now, there isn’t the danger of running out of WiFi minutes as was the case previously, if you forgot to log out.

I doubt whether I have burned off the effects of a scones and sandwiches afternoon tea (in lieu of lunch), but I have managed a modest amount of deck walking.  The ship is not as large as Cunard’s flagship QM2 (3 times around the deck = 1.1 miles.) On board Queen Elizabeth (and presumably M.V. Queen Victoria), three laps of the Boat/Promenade Deck equates to nine tenths of one mile.

For a second time, there were mandatory covid-19 tests to comply with current U.S. requirements. As on Queen Mary 2, test booths were set up in the Queens Room.  I turned up at the allotted time of 11am and was tested within minutes.  What is worrying is that a small number tested positive, as evidenced by the announcements for named passengers to “immediately return to your stateroom and contact the Purser.”  So, people did slip through the net at Southampton, huh?   None of the covid restrictions in place at the end of the QM2 voyage to New York and the Caribbean in March appear to have been lifted.  Masks still have to be worn inside unless partaking of food or drink.  However, this is not giving rise to complaint or apparent discontent as far as I can make out.  There must be a quarantine area somewhere on board, but as on QM2, I am not aware of the area to avoid. I now understand that the area between A and B stairway on 8 deck has been cordoned off. I am not sure about any other decks, below.

What is also interesting is that yesterday, I received yet another epistle relating to my not having attended the safety drill at the start of the voyage, for reasons explained previously. Attached was a transcript of the safety brief which I was instructed to read carefully. This I did, and I am rather glad I can eventually add this official document to my collection of Cunard memorabilia.  What is more important as that Cunard are now absolved of any responsibility as far as I am concerned.  Now to continue walking!

Last night, thanks to the diplomatic negotiating skills of Ronda, we were allocated a far nicer table for dinner, where six can be seated in a much more spacious setting with stunning views through the adjacent picture  windows of the ship’s wake and the distant horizon aft.  This could prove interesting in rough seas!  However, this is an infinite improvement on the claustrophobic location to which we were assigned originally.  There were just three for dinner tonight.  Champa (from Thailand) and Robert didn’t join us, Cecile, Ronda and I.  Nevertheless, we were still the last to leave the restaurant. 

I was informed earlier today that there are around 1,300 passengers on board.  However, at around 11pm, when strolling back to stateroom, the ship felt almost deserted.  But the music played on as scheduled, just like on QM2 in January/February.  The disco in the Yacht Club, and the Commodore Club, both opposite each other high up on Deck 10, seem to attract those who stay up late habitually.

Today, we were in the same time zone as the U.K. But from tomorrow, the clocks go back an hour each morning until we are five hours behind the U.K.  and as we venture to the Pacific Ocean, there will be up to an eight hour time difference.

Many thanks for reading, David, 0033hrs.

Day 1 always feels long and drawn out, more so today as my time for checking in for the mandatory covid-19 test and embarkation was 3.15 at the ultra modern but somewhat utilitarian Ocean Terminal, a far cry from the long since demolished fabulous art deco Ocean Liner Terminal which I have only seen in pictures, with a steam-hauled boat train in view, as well as a gigantic Cunard liner. 

I could have quite easily travelled by train this morning, and all being well, been at Southampton with still ninety minutes to spare.  Far easier it remained, however, to venture down the day before, stay in a nice hotel and not have to worry at all about severe delays or possible train failures. I enjoyed the journey yesterday, particularly the diverted non-stop run from Basingstoke to Southampton Central, over a substantial piece of railway I don’t remember having ever travelled over, the non-electrified section via Andover and Romsey.  The undulating countryside in early to mid spring was a joy to behold.

My sleep at the Novotel was fine, albeit waking up several times. 

(Time to board, 16.23hrs).  (Settled in my balcony cabin, home for the next 34 days, 17.00hrs.)

It’s not a bad day in Southampton, thankfully not overly hot, quite important when slightly overdressed and with baggage to manhandle. For the first time, I left all of my luggage to be delivered to my stateroom, and would go through the embarkation procedure “hands free!”  My “paperwork” was neatly folded into a large dark blue wallet, the kind once issued by Cunard to house travel documents in days gone by.  It’s now common practice to print your own tickets and other relevant paperwork, or even carry the those same documents digitally on one’s mobile phone, or other such device.

The crew have to be all aboard by 17.00hrs, i.e. they should all be on board by now (17.05hrs).  Even checking in at 15.15 hrs, there was still a substantial queue for the mandatory covid testing. Needless to say, my result was negative.  My baggage had already been delivered, and in fact, I cannot really fault the checking-in arrangements, even if it still  felt a long and slightly tedious process.  I would later find out that some who had arrived earlier had been queuing for at least an hour.

My cabin is at the front of the ship, port-side on Deck 8.  I chose to treat myself, once again, to accommodation with a balcony, anticipating day upon day of pleasant warm weather, as summer approaches, and we steam southerly to begin with.

  I don’t really think that the late checking in time for embarkation was the best of ideas.  I thought that by 3.15pm, most people would have already boarded and thus, embarkation would be smoothe without having to wait in line.  Even staying the night in Southampton, today felt long, and by the time I was settled in my cabin, I just needed to chill out.  Annoyingly, no refreshments appeared to be available in the Lido, which stopped serving before many people had settled on board. It could be said that the late embarkation time was a wonderful opportunity for the shipping line to save money on catering for those coming on board today!   Not only that, but I didn’t manage to get my card scanned to confirm I knew where the muster station is.

I did make it (just) to dinner in the Britannia Restaurant at 8.30, and was shown to table 360 (for 6 people) where two ladies had already arrived.  One, Ronda, recognised me straight away, and I seemed to recall seeing her before.  She then reminded me that she had attended my birthday celebrations on the Queen Victoria South America 2020 voyage. I then was able to recall her clearly.  Also arrived at the table before me was a lady from Colorado, returning to her “condo” in Florida.  We were then joined by a lady from the far east, Thailand I think.  Our first dinner was a most convivial occasion.  It must have been; we didn’t adjourn until 10.45-ish.

But, this is the start of an astonishing journey. Originally, I was going to fly to Tokyo, sail around some Japanese Islands, as well as to Bussan in South Korea, and on to Vancouver.  Covid put paid to that bit. Plan B was to fly to Vancouver to where I would now, start my main travels.  However, Mr. Evans, a former work colleague and shipping enthusiast informed me that Cunard were “transferring” Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to Vancouver for a series of Alaska cruises. Being retired and bereft of other commitments, swapping a (maybe) ten hour flight for a 34 night voyage seemed like a “no-brainer.”  I shall now be away for 75 days! 

This is roughly the itinerary:-

Southampton-Vigo-Florida-Panama-Costa Rica-Mexico-Los Angeles-San Francisco- Vancouver-Alaska- Vancouver- Seattle – Chicago- Grand Canyon-Los Angeles- New Orleans-Washington DC- New York-Southampton.

TUESDAY 3rd MAY, 11.20hrs SHIP’S TIME.

I slept well, maybe too well, for the first night of my voyage. On Queen Elizabeth, breakfast in the Lido on Deck 9 closes at 10.30.  Travelling to Vigo in Spain, we had been instructed to advance our watches 1 hour.  I slowly woke up thinking it was around 8am, “annoyed” at the chatter outside my stateroom door.  I watched part of a movie “6 Minutes to Midnight”  thinking I had all the time in the world. I made it for breakfast with just three minutes to spare.

Outside, as we are now just clear of the English Channel, following the coastline of North West France, the sea remains almost millpond calm.

The new on board WiFi arrangements are incredibly complicated especially when one is used to the system that was in place before. Nevertheless, I have got my head around paying up front, and being reimbursed as I go along! I chose to delete an extremely lengthy explanation of the now, not particularly relevant details.

I am (as probably everybody else is) coming to grips with my new ocean going environment.  This first sea day, while still cold, is bright and, thankfully, calm.  My balcony is sheltered from the cool breeze.  However, I have yet to meet my cabin steward.  I need proper soap in my bathroom, rather than the irritating liquid version so fashionable these days.

I attended the port lecture on Vigo, our first port of call tomorrow.   He spoke well and seemed to “know his stuff.”   I was at odds with his use of the phrase “almost unique,” a grammatical error so often used by supposedly educated people.   I really must put these irritations to one side as I also am not qualified to “cast the first stone!”

I remain determined to be offered a place on the maiden voyage of Cunard’s new addition to the fleet, Queen Anne. However, I just did not feel like joining a lengthy queue for the Future Cruise consultants. 

My first lunch was upstairs in the Lido, similar to the Kings Court on QM2.  So far, this doesn’t seem to work as well as on Queen Mary 2.  Where the Lido on both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria come out on top is during the warm weather when food and drink can be enjoyed in an outside extension.  This will be the case for almost all of this voyage.

Much to my brief chagrin, over lunch, I suddenly remembered that I had not packed any cufflinks.  Thus a need for retail therapy was established!  While looking around where souvenirs were sold, I was disappointed to find very little of interest. However, I had not visited the Port Shop where the main souvenirs and memorabilia is sold. But I did get the cufflinks.

It has been a beautiful relaxing first day, and in total, there are another 43 to go, including ports of call. I have walked, but not as far as I would like to have done. Apparently, the fatiguing effects of covid can linger for much longer than one might imagine. However, I did eventually reach my personal target, and enjoyed the first leisurely sunny (but not yet warm) day at sea.

Tomorrow, I plan to “take it as it comes.” I may see if there is a spare place on one of the excursions. Or I may just take a walk along Vigo’s waterfront. Today, I met a couple from one of the Caribbean Trips I enjoyed this year. But, I have also derived pleasure meeting more people for the first time. Today, the Bay of Biscay was not its usual tempestuous self. Even in my forward-end cabin on Deck 8, there is minimal movement, and absolutely no vibration. It’s as if the engines have shut down. It’s a different story at the aft end, perhaps not the best location for an expensive suite!

Tonight was the first of several “Gala Nights”, the theme being Black and White. Sure enough most people, especially the ladies, had turned out in their appropriate black and white finery. Apart from a small glass of something like champagne at dinner, the evening didn’t really come across as anything out of the ordinary, although the meal itself was enjoyable. Ronda and I adjourned to the Commodore Club on Deck 10 for a non-alcoholic nightcap. I still slept well enough for a second night.

Many thanks for reading, David 09.14 hrs in the Spanish port of VIGO where a fine warm day is assured.

Note:

Saturday 30th April 2022, yesterday, was vastly different to the same day in 2017, when my sister retired from her 47 year career, and I got carted off to hospital having had a myocardial infarction at St. John’s in Buxton!  Five years on, and apart from a recent acquisition of covid-19, from which I have now seemingly recovered, all is well, and today, having worshipped yet again at St. John’s, I am, at last, on my way to numerous far-away lands, mainly by cruise ship, but with the occasional bus ride and several thousand miles of rail travel, thrown in for good measure.

My journey started in Buxton from where I caught the 13.00 hrs service to Manchester Piccadilly as far as Stockport.  Many thanks to Buxton Radio Taxis (I think!) and a church colleague, Tom, who enabled me to make the various transfers, eventually, to Platform 2 of Stockport Station with the greatest of ease. 

I think that I have “packed sensibly” this time.  On the outward journey, I am handling just two four-wheeled suitcases, into which a hold-all and cloth shoulder bag are packed, mainly for the 24 days I shall be zig-zagging around the USA on Amtrak.  The main suitcase should be taken off me at Vancouver from where it will be shipped to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for the return sailing to Southampton. That will save me having to drag tuxedos and other cruise-wear not really needed for touring the U.S A. by train and bus. It will surely be far warmer there than in the UK right now.

Usually on a Sunday, I treat myself to pub-roast Sunday lunch. This usually comes in at around 15 quid or maybe 19 U.S.Dollars. In the station buffet at Stockport, two very nice filling sandwiches and a medium decaff latte punched a 12 quid hole in the ozone layer of my finances. And by the time I had bought additional sustenance for the 5 hour journey to Southampton, I had spent little less than I might have done for dinner at Simpson’s in the Strand. Perhaps I exaggerate!.

I am enjoying a most pleasant journey to Southampton even if the skies are one or two shades of grey.

The 1 Million Steps on Two Continents continues tomorrow in my quest to support Christian Aid Week this month. I am well over half way through this challenge which most of you will know that I started in January. Sponsorship is always welcome, and there is a JustGiving link in the previous Blog 757. I shall, however, keep these “commercials” to an absolute minimum!

Many thanks for reading, David, en route for Reading (& Southampton) 17.05 hrs.

Wednesday evening, 13th April 2022, at the Taj Mahal, Buxton.

This is strange!  I posted my last blog on 18th April, over three weeks ago.  But, according to the daily statistics, I am still receiving “visits” and “views”, albeit mainly in “mid-single” figures.  To those who “tune in”, apologies for the break in my writings, I went down with covid-19 and thus most things were “put on hold” for around two weeks. A residue cough persists, but becomes less bothersome as each day passes.  I still become tired when I attempt too much.  So what’s new?!

“Mr. Cunard” reminded me last week that now is the time to prepare for my forthcoming travels. Because of the continuing pandemic, there’s a myriad of websites it is my responsibility to visit whose instructions I need to fully understand and be compliant with.  Screw up, and any refusal to be allowed to board Queen Elizabeth is at my own not inconsiderable expense!

Thursday 14th April, at home.

As a few of you may remember, last year, I took part in Christian Aid’s 300,000 Steps in May Challenge. I walked, sometimes alone, other times with my neighbour, Roger who was able to act as “tour guide” to local places I had only ever seen before from a distance e.g. while driving. I am doing the same this year, except that I have set my own challenge of 1,000,000 Steps in and between Two Continents. I started this in January. I then took a break in March, and will continue in May, on a voyage from Southampton, eventually to Alaska, via the Panama Canal and numerous interesting ports of call along the way. Having arrived in Vancouver after this lengthy voyage, I travel mainly by train around the USA to New York in time for a scheduled westbound transatlantic crossing back to Southampton. Thus, the next illustrated blogs should make interesting reading! Anybody wishing to support my efforts you are welcome to donate by following this link:-

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-nevell1?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=david-nevell1&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=ca4d0177bdc6407886d6e1ea48f32973

Good Friday 2022

Holy Week is probably the most significant period of the Christian calendar, up there with Advent and the lead up to Christmas, with reminders of that beginning in August!

Easter Saturday

However, the Easter period including Good Friday “crept up on me” much more quickly than usual, and as ever, I was ill-prepared, especially when dealing with the lingering effects of….covid-19! I am beginning to “get back on track”.

Last Wednesday, while very gently nursing my red car to the repair garage, an almighty bang heralded a flat tyre, which I would ascertain later, was caused by a perished coil which had snapped, and snagged on said tyre. The car was hauled onto a pickup truck and transferred the last few hundred yards to the garage I was trying to drive it to. All was put right on Thursday with the brakes checked and serviced as required. There was thus further damage to the “ozone layer of my finances!” The fine spring weather of the Easter weekend provided opportunity for the joy of driving with the roof down.

Many thanks for reading. David, 16.32hrs, at home, having just enjoyed a spin in the red car with the roof down!

Home at last!  I can look back with pleasure on an astonishing 8 weeks on board Queen Mary 2 during her second and third voyages to the Caribbean.  Disembarkation was far smoother than I thought it might be, and although we docked at Southampton around an hour and a quarter late, I was still at the town’s Central Station with over an hour before my train.  I had worked out how to manhandle the luggage, just!  My reservation was in Coach A which, to be awkward, was at the rear of a nine car train.  Those “in the know” are aware that the train reverses at Reading, Coach A becoming the front carriage. Having ascertained this around twenty minutes before the 10.16 hrs departure time, I was assisted with my luggage to the far end of Platform 1, where the train arrived on time.  While there, I was afforded just one final look at (the funnel of) QM2.  Back in 1965, roughly in the same position, I saw the funnels of what I figured were both the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.  Being a 16 year old train-spotter, I had very little interest in ocean liners at that time, which now, I feel is a pity.  The era of the original Cunard Queens ended in the very year British Rail ran its Last Steam Train.  But, like steam trains, to this day, run privately on Britain’s railways, Cunard remains in existence, mainly as a cruise ship brand, but still offering a timetabled transatlantic service between Southampton and New York, with a proper liner, built for the task. 

When I returned from a South America voyage in March 2020, we arrived amidst the first covid lock-down, plunging the entire country into a ghostly silence with town and city centres devoid of people. This year, the global crisis was/is the conflict in Eastern Europe, with the pandemic still alive and well.

That’s annoying! I have, this morning, tested positive for covid-19. There’s no point speculating how after being very careful to avoid the pandemic for almost two years, I joined the millions of others affected. However, I am reassured that I shall feel ill for only around a week. I sincerely hope so.

And on that low-key note, many thanks for reading. David 19.17 hrs, watching the News on ITV.

The seas are calmer, the Force 11 gales are now out of the way as we pass Southern Ireland on our port side, towards the English Channel.

The last two days before disembarkation are usually somewhat chaotic as the art of jig-sawing clothes and mementoes into suitcases and bags becomes a necessary and unavoidable chore.  There is no leaving the bulk of my luggage in storage at Southampton this time.  Four pieces of baggage will need to be manhandled into a taxi, train and eventually my car when I am met at Macclesfield.  It will make in an interesting practice run for when travelling by rail around the 🇺🇸 U.S.A. later this year.

It has been announced that we are running late. Our ungodly arrival time of 06.30hrs is now altered to a slightly more palatable 07.45 hrs.  I may still get turfed off at 08.10hrs, but this seems unlikely now.  What is likely is disembarkation chaos, and the mandatory rumblings of discontent among some passengers who cannot wait to get off.  At 17.13 hrs, we are not quite yet in the English Channel.

I, now, just have to find a home for a few bits and pieces, and then the bags can go out for collection and transfer to the terminal. 

I have not mentioned this for some time.  Yesterday, I managed to complete in excess of 300,000 steps during this second voyage, and as of yesterday I was around 640,000 towards my target of a million in support of Christian Aid Week. In the last few days, however, I have not really tried because of three days of very heavy seas, and slight travel fatigue.

Some things never change as the holiday draws to a close. But what surprises me is that I am ready for some time at home.  The day after tomorrow, I have a dental appointment, and the following day, a now much needed haircut.  Tonight we shall dine early and attend the 8 o’clock show.  I really do need an early night, after being kept awake last night by a vibration in my stateroom which hadn’t disturbed me before.  Nevertheless, I regard this second sojourn in the Caribbean as a great success, and would consider a third trip sometime in 2023, again later in the year.  A variation on the theme, where I could stay longer than a week in the sun would be appealing.

Tuesday 15th March 09.48, Southampton Central Station, awaiting the 10.16hrs to Macclesfield.

We didn’t make the first show. Cruising companion Jo and I chose a final meal in the Italian section of the Kings Court. We both requested small portions but were still adequately fed. We attended a modified 10pm show in the Royal Court Theatre.  Apparently, Cossack dancing in the first show caused offence to some in the audience.  Really!  At least the show ended early; I was tired after a poor sleep the previous night.  But last night, I slept well until 6am, and feel rejuvenated after a fabulous 28 night break on Queen Mary 2, coupled with plenteous good weather south of New York.  I come away, again, with good memories.  Despite our late arrival at Southampton, disembarkation was smooth with none of that “mandatory grumbling” mentioned earlier in this blog.  I can, with difficulty, manhandle the luggage, but I am determined to take far less on the next trip.

Thanks for reading, David, on board the 10.16hrs to Macclesfield.