Seeing myself unexpectedly, 20 years before...

[Rob Lightbody]

Myles very kindly lent me a large collection of VHS QE2 material that he had collected over the decades.  I am working on converting them to digital format (its taking rather a long time!)

He put one on for me before I took them away, and made me watch it, without saying why.

I was gobsmacked, truly gobsmacked, to see myself and my Mum & Dad on board on the 'shakedown cruise' from Bremerhaven to Southampton in April 1987.  The footage took me back in time to a moment in time, in amazingly clear quality, to reinforce what have become increasingly hazy memories of one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It made it real again.

Myles - thank you so much - this has been one of the most surprising and fun experiences (of very many!) resulting from creating this forum.  Now if only I could find someone who clearly remembered my Dad's involvement, and better still had some photos/video... sigh.

Images attached - I haven't changed much have I !?

[Lynda Bradford]

What an amazing find - well done to Myles.  That must have been an emotional moment for you Rob to see yourself 20 years ago with your Mum and Dad. 

No you have not changed much!

[Twynkle]

Well Done to you, Myles!
Did you take these films?


Good luck with the converting bit, Rob
Really very much hope that someone somewhere will remember your father
Was he based solely at John Browns?

[cunardqueen]

No l didnt take them, they were from one of the many Cunard PR films. If memory serves me well this is the one where they edit in the passengers meeting the Captain, When you watch it, Captain Portet and his booming voice, you can almost hear the producer telling him not to shout.It also features Alan Whicker.

Having seen a photo of young Rob, l just knew l had seen that face somewhere before, but for the life of me couldnt think where, then when l had found it l knew Rob had to see it, to confirm if l was right..... His face was a picture, and for a glorious seconds stunned silence  ;)It didnt last long..

Friends on the Maiden Voyage after the 87 refit were asked to take part in then scene using the incabin phone 

  Myles - thank you so much - this has been one of the most surprising and fun experiences (of very many!) resulting from creating this forum.  Now if only I could find someone who clearly remembered my Dad's involvement, and better still had some photos/video... sigh.

 

Rob , the pleasure was mine, only to pleased to spread the QE2 love...

[Rob Lightbody]

And now....

Seeing Myles unexpectedly!

[Alistair]

Rob...you're bad! 

[cunardqueen]

  Rob...you're bad!   

Yes VERY bad  But hey its QE2 so l will let you off..
The Captain was the Late Alan Bennell, His line ups were legendary and quite lengthy, he had this uncanny knack of putting you in the position of thinking you and he were the only two in the room,and he actually took the time to speak to each and every guest as they lined up for the photo.
It didnt seem to happen for very long but they filmed you meeting the Captain, the chit chat, handshake and goodbye and then if you so wished you could purchase the film with yourself in it... A number of friends remarked how good  a likeness to me the footage was,till it dawned on them.
 

[Rod]

WAIT...who is Myles. That pic with the kilt....rings many bells!

[riskygizmo]

WAIT...who is Myles. That pic with the kilt....rings many bells!

Rod,

      It's just possible you're thinking of my wee brother Stuart when you look at the photos of Myles in a kilt. He did a trip with
M & D in 84 or 85 when he was 15 or 16 (a crossing, a dodge about the carribean & a return). For evening wear he borrowed our grandfather's kilt outfit which is exactly the same as Myles', right down to the Royal Stuart tartan. (i should also add that when
he had hair, it was blond). Now, I also know you were on this trip, because Mum told me about you insisting upon giving them a lift to the train station in Southampton at the end of the trip. They climbed into your sportscar and you took off like a bat and did racing car driving trough the docks and out into the city. My brother loved it, mother was less happy.

       On a sadder note, that trip was when Stuart met Jimmy Saville, who told folk that he travelled on the ship so that he could run marathons at sea, having run out of new ones to do on land. Alas, he passed away earlier today.