David's Cruise

Staying overnight in Southampton turned out to be an unexpected bonus and pleasure. Rather than dine in Britannia Restaurant on this first night, I ventured back to the Ibis Hotel for a final meal with my neighbour who drove me to Southampton the previous day. I was able to capture some unusual “after dark” photographs of QM2 in her former home port. Not too long ago, Cunard re-registered the fleet in Hamilton. Hamilton emblazoned accross the stern, just doesn’t look “right”. I “kid” myself that Hamilton is the one in Scotland, not Bermuda!

But, now, it is day 2. QM2 departed eventually at slightly before 09.00hrs from a rather cool merky Southampton. Judging by the occasional “bump” we are now well out to sea, the pilot having left us around 10.30hrs. Few people turned out to bid farewell to England. The Captain announced details of our future progress along the English Channel, and an almighty discordant blast on the ship’s horn confirmed we were now underway.

There are three days at sea before we tie up at Madeira. There’s an atmosphere of reserved excitement on board…my excitement is far less reserved, all my misgivings having evaporated long before setting off! I don’t suffer from mal de mer normally. However, I am taking no chances as we venture South. One good thing about such a late departure is that on this voyage, we shall sail through the Bay of Biscay while hopefully, I am fast asleep. And the seasick tablets will aid this slumber.

I have settled in nicely. So far, the seas have been rough, but nothing more than I have seen before. Today is the third of three sea days before docking at Funchal, Madeira tomorrow. The panoramic sea and skyscapes from the Commodore Club on deck 9 are reassuringly tranquil, gentle baroque music plays softly, adding to the already relaxing ambience of what I would describe as the Observation Lounge. Any conversation is muted, a bit like a library.

Entertainment on board has so far been excellent and, in general well received.

I shall write again in the not too distant future.

QM2 was delayed this morning following a tempestuous east bound crossing from New York. I boarded shortly before 1pm, and enjoyed a huge plate of different pastas in the Kings Court “eatery updated tastefully from its original attractive style from 2004. My cabin is a new-build inside stateroom on deck 13. It feels slightly smaller than the originals lower down in the ship and it will be interesting to see how I get on up there with my “home” of 17 weeks in almost the highest part of the ship. Views from so high in the ship are fabulous and I would like certainly to chose a cabin on deck 13 when

leaving New York or passing any spectacular scenery.

However, tonight sees me having dinner with my neighbour from home, back at the Ibis Hotel….an unexpected turn up for the books. Departure of QM2 on its 2018 world cruise has been rescheduled for 6am tomorrow. The Captain announced that this would not “impact on the first port of call, Madeira, on Sunday. According to Roger’s phone, storm force 10 conditions await not only in the Bay of Biscay, but further south also.

Today in Southampton was bright sunny and cheerful. I am not sorry we are still here.

I will write again soon.

This is the eve of a much anticipated voyage to the Antipodes. My neighbour Roger Horne took on the role of hatless chauffeur as I relaxed on the five hour journey from Harpur Hill, bathed in a cool mountain mist to a not much warmer less appealing Southampton. Gradually, it will become less cool as Queen Mary 2 steams south towards Portugal’s sunshine isle of Madeira, where it never really gets cold. One might experience the unpleasant condition of “mal de mer” as QM2 fights the strange currents in a turbulent Bay of Biscay.

Dinner tonight at the Ibis Hotel in Southampton consisted of sea bass and rice. The wall immediately next to our table has a map of the world, as if put there specially to mark my first trip to the other side of the World.

Watch this space…but don’t hold your breath!

There are less than four weeks to go before I set off on my longest ever journey; 35,973 nautical miles. Christmas and the New Year intervenes leaving little time to prepare for four months on the high seas. My childhood ambition to see the other side of the World suddenly becomes a reality and I shall celebrate my 69th birthday in New Zealand hopefully on a train journey. During the 120 night voyage, I anticipate seeing iconic wildlife in South Africa, the Sydney Opera House, the world’s greatest light show in Hong Kong, and perhaps enjoying a coffee at Raffles in Singapore.

This is a “trial blog”. The intention is to write fairly frequently to compliment a journal of the voyage and to let anyone who wishes, to know how this journey progresses.

All the best,

David.