Back On Dry Land

The last couple of days on the ship were pleasant with the usual rounds of eating really good food and being cared for and entertained. We never regained our trivia glory, but met some wonderful folk , and had fun. Returning to real life is a blow, but must be faced.
We woke on Sunday morning to see Southampton harbour and the Forklift Ballet in full swing. The bags come off and the food and drink go on. We had chosen to take advantage of the self disembarkation system. With that, if you can handle your own bags, you can leave the ship about 30 minutes after we dock. We breakfasted at 6 am and were off by 7. Quick taxi ride to the train station where all the fun began. It seems that Sundays are the days used by British Rail to do track repairs. We left Southampton by bus to a small town to catch a train to another small town to catch another train to Victoria Station. Taxi to Paddington Station.
Since it was my birthday, we wanted to catch a Matinee performance of a west end play. Too bad, theatres in London now close on Sundays. Instead we visited the British Museum, Pimlico Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street. Anyone who enjoys the MI5 TV show will recognize the building used as MI5 headquarters in the picture below. It's actually the Masonic Lodge headquarters.
At about 9pm we left London by train and then bus and then train again to arrive after about 17 hours in Stroud and the kind care of our dear friends Malcolm and Delyth Mayhew. If you have to leave the ship, this is a great place to be.

On Wdnesday morning we leave by train to see Dorian. It's been a year about, and we are looking forward to seeing that lad.

Wish We'd Brought Our Shorts

It was sunny and warm today as we walked the deck. We won the noontime trivia contest. Took a tour of the kitchens or gally as we seafarers call it. The Chocolate caught our eye. Last formal night tonight. Can't believe the end is coming so soon.

Rock and Roll

We;re getting tossed around more than we've ever been before. The good news is the people who work here don't seem concerned in the least. Our tummies are always slightly on edge, but we are still having fun. Sheelagh added to her list of good cocktails with a Mojito I think and otherwise a full day yesterday.The pictures take forever today so later.

First day out.

At noon today we were just south of Halifax about 280 nautical miles out of NYC. It's been great. Classical pianist, a pub quiz which we lost and a lecture on the blondes of 20th Century Fox. Too much food but we soldier on. It's Black and White Formal night tonight. More food.

On Broadway and On Board

All went well yesterday with the hotel etc. This morning we caught the train in to Penn Station in Manhattan where we checked our cases and had a stoll up Broadway from 31st St to Times Square. When you're constantly checking your watch it takes the fun out a bit. We just enjoyed the energy on the street and then made our way back to the bags. The shock was that the trains to Brooklyn don't run on Sunday. So, we got to do that NY thing and hail a cab and plead with him to take us to Brooklyn. It worked and we made the trip for $40. and not the $120. that the hotel was going to charge.

So now we're on the ship and out of the harbour and thinking about bed. Here are a few pictures of our day.

The tummy rumbles.

We are sitting in the Bistro 123 at the hotel. We are tired but happy to be here. We can stay here till 12 tomorrow and that makes it easier than hanging around in Manhattan waiting for the terminal to open. We tried to find the Garden State Diner in the airport but after taking buses and going up and down escalators it was behind security and we couldn't reach it. That's why we're here. Nighty night to all.

Calgary for 2 hours.

Good old Air Canada pulled away exactly on time and we had a good flight over the hills. The take off and landing had a few jiggles, but inspite of what Sheelagh claims, it was fine. We bumped our way down into a sunny/with a little cloud Calgary. All you High River guys, can you see me waving at you? We have a 2 hour wait here and then off to Newark. The passage through US customs went smoothly and now we just wait, so tada for now.

It's raining, let's go.

It's about 7:30 and dark and rainy and we're off to NYC, or at least Newark. It's been a while since we were in an airport and we have to admit that we are excited. We want to see Dorian and our friends in England. Oh, gotta go. Later.

Here we go again.

Much like the last time, we are starting on the Queen Mary 2. This is a quick visit to see the Scottish wing of the family. On Oct 22 we fly from Vancouver to NYC to board the ship on the 23rd.
We are very excited because this time we have a good idea of what we will be doing. We have another supply of posh clothes to use on the ship and then to dump at the other end.
We hope that you will join us from time to time and see what we are up to, Or I suppose I should say, to see that which to what we are up.