Thursday 21 May 2015
Friday 22 May 2015
I woke at about 6am and wandered to the window just as Queen Victoria was sailing in
followed by Mein Schiff 1.
We left the flat about 9.45 to walk to the ferry only
to find it was raining – bummer as I had packed my mac following a good weather
forecast. Had to open the case on the floor in the downstairs hall to get it
out. Then we walked through the driving, cold rain to the ferry - only to find
it wasn't running. Arghhh! Fortunately a row of taxis were waiting opposite as
the next replacement bus was not until 11am. This meant we got to the Ocean Terminal
at 10.30 and were asked to wait for about half an hour. We
checked in and were given boarding card B and were invited to board at noon. We were soon
through security and were on board by 12.20 - not bad at all! We dumped our hand luggage in the
stateroom - 8010, which was ready (unlike RCI).
It was nice to see Gilchrist and Soames'
toiletries replaced by Penhaligan. Bathrobes and slippers were hanging in the wardrobe but the storage
was very limited, especially in the bathroom, where there were only two small
glass shelves. Two drawers under the beds were difficult to access and the only
others were in the bedside tables. It was gratifying however to have a large bottle
of champagne each as returning passengers.
After a look around the ship we went
to the muster drill in the Royal Court Theatre. It was very hot and I began to
feel quite faint, but felt better when we went on deck for sailaway. Got some
nice photos of Mein Schiff 1 which we passed as we left the Ocean Terminal.
We
were followed down the water by Anthem of the Seas.
After a little further
exploration (it was my friend’s first time on Queen Victoria) we went back down
to unpack and change for dinner. We had asked for a table for 8 in the
Britannia Restaurant. As it was only six turned up – a lovely couple and two
ladies (sailing without their husbands for this voyage), all from the Liverpool
area. Our missing two gentlemen – two widowers - appeared the second night.
We set the alarm early as, although our excursion
didn’t officially leave until 10am, we had to gather in the theatre earlier at 9am.
Guernsey is of course an anchor port so we waited until our tour was called and
trooped down to Deck A to board the tenders. Once at the shoreside pontoon we
were asked to wait to one side while the independent passengers got off. The
reason soon became clear as once the tender left, our ferry to Sark drew
alongside. Also in port was our Big White Cousin, as Commodore Christopher Rynd
referred to Ventura, and the ferry gave us good views of her as we headed out
towards Sark.
After a 50 minute boat ride, where I saw two flying
puffins looking just like two miniature fighter aircraft!, we landed on Sark. We boarded the
trailers drawn by tractors to get up the steep hill and at the top met our
guide for a walk around the main sights.
Sark famously has no cars on the island, the usual method of transport being tractor, bicycle or horse and cart! We covered the village, school,
occupation museum and church etc with a welcome stop at La
Seigneurie Gardens for a drink and home-made flapjack.
After a further walk, past the fire station and official offices, we had some
free time. The quiet country lanes were shaded by trees and it was quite beautiful.
The weather was glorious with clear blue skies and warm late spring
sun. We had a local ice-cream and then caught the tractor back down to the harbour
and had a look around there. We had strict instructions to board the 4.15 ferry
as the 4 o’clock one would not take us back to the right landing stage!
We sat
outside at the stern of the ferry back and had wonderful views of the rugged
coastline and sandy bays as well as the Barclay Brothers’ mock Gothic castle on
the nearby island of Brecqhou.
Back at the new landing stage at St Peter Port there
was a traffic jam – of boats. The harbour master was whizzing round in a small
rib trying to co-ordinate the tenders from Ventura and Queen Victoria. He made one
of our tenders lay off while we berthed and disembarked and then come back in
to pick us up. We were standing on deck in the still warm sun as we sailed at 6.30. The Commodore told us we would weigh anchor and head around
the coast where we would anchor for the night. The plan then was to weigh anchor
at 6.30am and practice the manoeuvres Queen Victoria would be doing at
Liverpool, prior to our arrival.
Sunday 24 May 2015 – at sea
We woke at 8.30am for a lovely restful sea day after a
restless night due to cramp in my legs! After breakfast
in the Lido I left my book at the purser’s desk to ask the Commodore to sign it.
Then I went to a trivia quiz followed by the solos meet where we were given
complimentary champagne. My friend joined us after church and we went to the bookshop
to check on times for my signing on Wednesday – 2.30pm - perfect. After a lunch
of fresh-baked pizza I collected my signed book and relaxed on deck. The afternoon was filled with a talk on the history of
Cunard by Eric Flounders, which overran so we had to leave to photograph the Eddystone
lighthouse which we were then passing close by.
One thing Cunard is famed
for its white glove afternoon teas so this sea day was the perfect time to
indulge. With surprisingly no queues, we soon found a seat and enjoyed this
very civilised throwback to the 1930s, a pianist gently playing in the background
as we were served dainty sandwiches and cakes. By the stage they were also flambéing
crepes etc. Had we left it any later - the queues were soon very long indeed.
We had a wander through shops before a nap. Changed and got ready
for our only formal night and the 175 ball. First on the agenda was the commodore's
cocktail party.
Unfortunately we queued the wrong end but were allowed to cut
into the correct queue. Chatted with the events
manager and admin manager over our champagne. Commodore Christopher Rynd gave a nice speech and introduced the senior officers, then we went for dinner. We
rather rushed our meal so we could get to the 175 ball by 10pm as we had been
promised some surprises! Didn't get to dance but won bottle of bubbly each for
the Cunard quiz. After a dance demo and a balloon drop, we went to bed.
Bank Holiday Monday 25 May 2015
Today's the day! We woke at 7.45am to the alarm after a much better night. Have to say the Cunard mattresses are lovely! Quick breakfast then a recce to find out the best place to station ourselves for the day. When I went out to Deck 9 I was alarmed to find so many already on deck even though there would not be much to see until at least 10.30am, so dashed to the cabin for my coat and cameras, leaving a note for my friend and went to check out Deck 6, opened for the occasion. Queen Elizabeth was waiting for us and we slowly made our way towards the pilot pickup point.
Today's the day! We woke at 7.45am to the alarm after a much better night. Have to say the Cunard mattresses are lovely! Quick breakfast then a recce to find out the best place to station ourselves for the day. When I went out to Deck 9 I was alarmed to find so many already on deck even though there would not be much to see until at least 10.30am, so dashed to the cabin for my coat and cameras, leaving a note for my friend and went to check out Deck 6, opened for the occasion. Queen Elizabeth was waiting for us and we slowly made our way towards the pilot pickup point.
Captain Peter Phillpott was also on the bridge (all three ships had two captains each for this event - Cunard were obviously not taking any chances!) and giving us a running commentary. With pilots on board, QE drew ahead
and led us in as QM2 left Liverpool Cruise Terminal to come and meet us.
As we
drew near the flagship she stopped to one side and turned 180 degrees. When QE
and QV were past her she took up station behind us both. With fire tugs fore
and aft of the convoy, we sailed up the River Mersey passing hundreds of
thousands of people lining the beaches and every possible viewpoint.
Cheers
went up as we sailed past and cars honked their horns. Once in Liverpool, and
with QE opposite the Echo Arena, we stopped.
All three ships then turned in unison (QE a bit behind!) 180 degrees towards Birkenhead. Whilst at 90 degrees in the river, QM2 sounded her whistle first one blast, then seven, then five blasts.
The turn was then completed till all three ships were facing down the way we had just come. With QM2 stationary, QV and QE then drew up either side of her in an arrow formation and paused for photos.
They then drew level and paused again as a roaring sound heralded an overhead flypast by the Red Arrows.
The whole event was very emotional and to see these huge ships in such close proximity was astounding. We were all served a special complimentary cocktail on deck to toast the ships.
Slowly edging ahead again, QM2 left, while QE drew over towards the cruise terminal and we dropped back to anchor in the river.
Throughout the crowds were tremendous, cheering and shouting. Every single spot on deck was crammed with passengers waving flags. Four or five helicopters hovered overhead for TV and photo shoots. Until QE left late that evening we had to tender ashore, but instead of using the ship's boats we had the dazzle-painted Mersey ferry, Snowdrop to take us ashore.
Walking up the gangway to land we felt like royalty, crowds staring or watching the ships. We fought our way through the dispersing crowds along the waterfront but were not allowed into the Cunard Building or its Aquitania restaurant as we didn’t have a booking. After wandering up to take a look at QE at the terminal, I walked back to catch the ferry back to QV. This was when I spotted the horrendously long queue – surely not for the tender!! A man spotted my Cunard 175 badge and took me over to one side and let me through – the queue was for the Beatles Story but that was the same way in to the ferry! Phew! I sat out on the top deck with the couple on our table as we took the long way round, sailing up past QE and over to Birkenhead before heading out to the ship. I thought we were just getting a tour but Caryll later said QV was turning round, probably to create a lee for the ferry. It still took half an hour before we could get off as the flood tide was running so fast. At dinner we all got a complimentary glass of champagne to toast Cunard. Then it was back to the cabin to grab a coat and out on deck again for the Amazing Grace light show and farewell fireworks as QE left Liverpool and we weighed anchor and berthed alongside. Bed very tired and happy at 12.30am.
Tuesday 26 May 2015 - Liverpool
All three ships then turned in unison (QE a bit behind!) 180 degrees towards Birkenhead. Whilst at 90 degrees in the river, QM2 sounded her whistle first one blast, then seven, then five blasts.
The turn was then completed till all three ships were facing down the way we had just come. With QM2 stationary, QV and QE then drew up either side of her in an arrow formation and paused for photos.
They then drew level and paused again as a roaring sound heralded an overhead flypast by the Red Arrows.
The whole event was very emotional and to see these huge ships in such close proximity was astounding. We were all served a special complimentary cocktail on deck to toast the ships.
Slowly edging ahead again, QM2 left, while QE drew over towards the cruise terminal and we dropped back to anchor in the river.
Throughout the crowds were tremendous, cheering and shouting. Every single spot on deck was crammed with passengers waving flags. Four or five helicopters hovered overhead for TV and photo shoots. Until QE left late that evening we had to tender ashore, but instead of using the ship's boats we had the dazzle-painted Mersey ferry, Snowdrop to take us ashore.
Walking up the gangway to land we felt like royalty, crowds staring or watching the ships. We fought our way through the dispersing crowds along the waterfront but were not allowed into the Cunard Building or its Aquitania restaurant as we didn’t have a booking. After wandering up to take a look at QE at the terminal, I walked back to catch the ferry back to QV. This was when I spotted the horrendously long queue – surely not for the tender!! A man spotted my Cunard 175 badge and took me over to one side and let me through – the queue was for the Beatles Story but that was the same way in to the ferry! Phew! I sat out on the top deck with the couple on our table as we took the long way round, sailing up past QE and over to Birkenhead before heading out to the ship. I thought we were just getting a tour but Caryll later said QV was turning round, probably to create a lee for the ferry. It still took half an hour before we could get off as the flood tide was running so fast. At dinner we all got a complimentary glass of champagne to toast Cunard. Then it was back to the cabin to grab a coat and out on deck again for the Amazing Grace light show and farewell fireworks as QE left Liverpool and we weighed anchor and berthed alongside. Bed very tired and happy at 12.30am.
We got up about 8am and, after breakfast, walked
ashore. In the terminal a ukulele band was serenading us. At the end of the
waterfront, before the Albert Dock we got on the HoHo bus to see a bit more of
the city. We got off first at the RC Cathedral. I thought this modern building stunning,
with amazing light streaming through the coloured glass panels and someone
playing the huge organ. After a leisurely look around we boarded the bus again
to go one stop to the Anglican Cathedral. I found this building a bit depressing
and, considering it’s not that old, disliked the modern Gothic appearance. We
stopped here and had a coffee and cake as well before getting the bus to the
Albert Dock. Here we wandered round to the Merseyside Maritime Museum. I was a
bit cross to not see my book on sale but then they had few liner books at all, and
surprisingly no display about Cunard, just one n the Lusitania. Also the staff we asked didn’t seem to
know whether they had a Cunard exhibition or not! Hmmm! “It will be on the
second floor if we have”, was the reply to our question! We managed to find some
newspapers on sale covering the events of yesterday, before I headed back to
the ship. By 4.30pm everyone was back on board and huge crowds were again
gathering at the pier head. The Town Crier gave a speech and an opera singer sang a
beautiful recital ending with Time to Say Goodbye.
As we lifted off the berth flutterfetti rained down and red, white and black balloons were released. Once in the centre of the river, QV was put through a 360 degree spin before following her sisters out to sea. Another eventful and emotional day.
As we lifted off the berth flutterfetti rained down and red, white and black balloons were released. Once in the centre of the river, QV was put through a 360 degree spin before following her sisters out to sea. Another eventful and emotional day.
Wednesday 27 May 2015 – at sea
A final relaxing day sailing down the Irish Sea back
to Southampton. After breakfast in lido (a final delicious fresh-cooked waffle!)
I went to the Travelling Solo meet. Last minute shopping included photos and
bookmarks. Then, after lunch it was time for my book signing
session, with Robert Key, Eric Flounders and Peter Snow. Not that many turned
up but I signed five books in the end (not all mine!).
Joined some friends for a
sandwich and cuppa in the Lido. Then to the cabin to
pack and for a nap. After
showering and changing, we had cocktails in Café Carinthia, taking them to the
Golden Lion for Wipeout Trivia. For dinner we took one of our two bottles of
champagne after which we watched the show and went to bed.
Thursday 28 May 2015
We got up about 7am and finished our remaining packing
before heading to the top level of the Britannia Restaurant which was the
disembarkation lounge for Platinum and Diamond members. Had coffee and a pastry
while reading our free newspapers, then left about 8.30am. I was home by 2pm
after a very memorable Cunard Voyage.
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