Author Topic: 5th June 2012, 3 Queens Southampton (Read 24802 times)

Peter Mugridge · « **Reply #40 on:** May 21, 2012, 11:12 PM »

If you're all at Mayflower Park at 14.30, I'll wave from the Blue Funnel trip when it goes past - and here's a challenge for you all; get a photo of me as I go past...!!

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #41 on:** May 22, 2012, 09:14 AM »

I love the idea of a picnic, it seems very much in keeping with the spirit of the forum and the day itself. However it's not my call because I'll unfortunately not make it down to join you all.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

Twynkle · « **Reply #42 on:** May 24, 2012, 11:07 PM »

Quote from: Cunarder Man on May 21, 2012, 11:39 AM

How about a QE2 Story afternoon picnic?

There will be lots going on Around the waterfront and it is all likely to be really busy. I know a number of us are staying within walking distance of the De Vere hotel and we are staying at the Holiday Inn. Most of us are heading out on the water in the evening and Mayflower park may be a good area for viewing the Red Arrows.

There's a garden area at the holiday inn and if it's wet I'm sure they'll be able to accommodate us inside. Say meeting time 1430 and depending on numbers we'll suggest the picnic format & requirements.

This is a great idea - and Thank you!
Here's the latest re. times etc for events in Southampton
http://www.southampton.gov.uk/news-events/events/allevents/cunard-three-queens-diamond-jubilee.asp

Cunarder Man · « **Reply #43 on:** May 25, 2012, 02:10 PM »

QE2 Story Diamond Jubilee & Three Queens Picnic 5 June 2012 1430 Meet at Holiday Inn.

Confirmed:
Cunarder Man & 1
Twynkle & 3
Lynda & 1

Bring your flags!

Twynkle · « **Reply #44 on:** May 28, 2012, 03:59 PM »

'Well Mr Shanks, that's just plain Mean'!
If your Three Ships are to Come Sailing By even earlier than expected - and our Blue Funnel small ship has to get up even earlier too - there'll be the need for extra bacon sandwiches, not to mention double rations of coffee....
Specially as we'll have not slept for longer than the space between the end of the Jubilee Rock Concert and 3.15am BST
We will now be embarking at four blooming fifteen hundred hours - please will you make very, very sure that the whistles are clean, and ready to blast the entire way round The Brambles, past Warsash, and on up Southampton Water...
If the times have been changed because of the tides - then maybe it's helpful to remember that Commodore Warner and Mighty Mary came in on April 19th 2011 on the lowest tide in living memory

Lynda - hope you'll be there to watch us wave!
And expect that you are having a lovely time up in the Arctic Sea,
Hope too that you'll see those magnificent Lofoten Islands - it'll be great to hear all about it!

CAP · « **Reply #45 on:** May 28, 2012, 04:24 PM »

Hey Rosie,

I didn't realise you were on the early morning Blue Funnel! I've also received the news from the company of the change in sailing time, 04:15 - not good. However, the motivation is still high, as after returning and having breakfast its then down to QM2 for 11:30 and hopefully a speedy embarkation into our cabin which was tastefully upgraded last week to Princess Grill.

Cunarder Man · « **Reply #46 on:** May 29, 2012, 09:54 PM »

So I'm up for the early start - come on folks were going to three Queens!

Perhaps after the rock concert to the Beacons, is there one in or near Southampton? Maybe we'll make it an allnighter!

CAP · « **Reply #47 on:** Jun 01, 2012, 07:18 AM »

Cuanrd has released some more detail of the events taking place ashore on the day as well as the happenings on-board. Interestingly there is a celebratory dinner on the 6th June aboard each of the ships.

The attached link will take you to further information together with a glimpse of the celebratory menu cover, it pictures HM Queen against a backdrop of QE2.

http://wearecunard.com/2012/05/three-queens-jubilee-celebrations-in-southampton-3/

Twynkle · « **Reply #48 on:** Jun 01, 2012, 08:51 AM »

Thank you for the link, CAP
How exciting about your upgrade.
If you are up on Deck 10, please give the stbd bit 'inside' between stairway A and B my love!
(It was 113 nights - and still Missing Mary dreadfully, over a year ago!)

We'll be on the 4.00 am out of Ocean Village and see you then.
We'll also be waving you off as well

Looking forward to that.

Then, should you wish to forgo a couple of hours or so, on board QM2, in exchange for a quick 'picnic''n chat, you'll find the Mini-QE2 Gathering either in the garden of, or just inside the Holiday Inn (close to the Terminal) - at the shopping Centre end of West Quay Road.
(I believe that you can take your luggage earlier, all bar hand luggage, and then check in properly later....)
Safe Journey
Rosie

tdickson · « **Reply #49 on:** Jun 01, 2012, 09:03 PM »

Hi to everyone going to the Qe 11 Forum picnic, Could you all please stay at the Holiday until at least 4 ish, I will be working on board QM2 until approx 3.30 pm, then could come over and meet you all for a sandwich/beer & chat before the Big event gets into full flow.
Could someone let me know what your plans are for the day
Cheers

PS Hope to see you all amongst the expected million or so crowd

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #50 on:** Jun 03, 2012, 08:27 AM »

Looking forward to meeting everyone in Southampton.

QV Norway cruise fantastic. North Cape amazing. Internet connection not too good.

Peter Mugridge · « **Reply #51 on:** Jun 03, 2012, 11:16 PM »

Be aware - the weather forecast for Tuesday is not good... kagoules may be highly advisable!

Cunarder Man · « **Reply #52 on:** Jun 04, 2012, 07:26 AM »

Quote from: tdickson on Jun 01, 2012, 09:03 PM

Hi to everyone going to the Qe 11 Forum picnic, Could you all please stay at the Holiday until at least 4 ish, I will be working on board QM2 until approx 3.30 pm, then could come over and meet you all for a sandwich/beer & chat before the Big event gets into full flow.
Could someone let me know what your plans are for the day
Cheers

PS Hope to see you all amongst the expected million or so crowd

We will certainly be around at 4pm, great if you can make it along! Come along to the Holiday Inn, watch for the Cunard brollies, or ask at reception, I'll let them know your coming.

tdickson · « **Reply #53 on:** Jun 05, 2012, 03:55 AM »

Good Morning Everyone, I"m up, had coffee, ready for work, got cameras packed, and just about to leave for Weston shore, to follow them in, I"m not due at Ocean Terminal until 6.30 am, so got some time to get plenty of photos of them all coming into port. Hopefully see you at 4pm Holiday Inn.

QE2forever · « **Reply #54 on:** Jun 05, 2012, 06:10 PM »

Tuesday 5th June, 18.05 BST

Just had a look through the three ships' webcams. Very sorry to see how the weather has decided not to cooperate.

Sorry for all those of you who are watching the event on the spot, hope you still enjoy the spectacle.

Happy sailaway, Cunard Queens!

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #55 on:** Jun 05, 2012, 08:04 PM »

Not featuring heavily in the news today, there is too much other Jubilee news for that, but here's a BBC article about it

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-18307592

QE2forever · « **Reply #56 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 07:17 AM »

An article in French with nice aerial views:

http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=119785

tdickson · « **Reply #57 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 12:42 PM »

Itv News Meridian have two firework videos on their website. sorry don"t know how to do the link
Hopefully someone can post it
Cheers

Twynkle · « **Reply #58 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 01:44 PM »

Looking for News?
Read all about it!
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9743450.Three_Queens_sail_into_city_for_first_time_together/?ref=mr

and the home page has several links as well
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/

and the PA here, with comments via Yahoo.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/cunard-ships-salute-diamond-queen-064834506.html

We met, and thanks to Cunarderman - we picnic-ed in great style, remembering too - all our 'absent friends';
thanks to the good company - we laughed,
and thanks to whoever had done the rain-dance - we got soaked;
thanks to the Red Arrows and their 'test' pilots - we met them in the Lift;
and thanks to Cunard - all-in-all we had a fantastic time.

Thanks too, to our trusty little ship who took us out and 4.00 am and again at 8.00pm. Curiously, her wheelhouse was carpeted in the off-cut from QM2's Queen's Room carpet!
There was a rumour that the smallest of the Blue Funnel wee ships, 'Ashleigh R', was chartered by Carnival for photographic purposes.
As the light and visibility were poor - hopefully the results will be better than those of my rain-soaked vintage
(5yr old) little camera!

Well done to everyone involved, specially in the area of logistics, and the implementation of the event - it was extremely impressive - all bar just one thing. Did passengers on Queen Victoria struggle to see the fireworks? Mighty Mary must have got in their way. We have good friends on board and will have an answer before too long!
Rosie

Peter Mugridge · « **Reply #59 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 03:54 PM »

Interesting you said that - we did see Ashleigh R from Hythe heading down the water towards Calshot about an hour before the triple sailing, though during the day she was very much on the Blue Funnel circuit and certainly worked the 14.00 and 15.30 off the marina as she was ½ hour ahead of us on the Wight Scene at 14.30.

The view from Hythe - the fireworks, well.... the cloud ceiling sort of interfered a bit didn't it? But the resulting colourful thunderstorm effect of the flashes from the rockets lighting up the clouds from within was rather interesting.

The rain stopped at around 21.30 and the seafront at Hythe was packed when the ships came past at 23.00, and I did get quite a bit of video of the QM2 and the QV, but we couldn't hang around for the QE as well as the kids were starting to get very tired ( understandably! ) but not too worried about that as QV and QE would look almost identical on the resulting video anyway!

For those who missed the triple sailing, the 3Qs are in port again on the 13th July, but without ceremony and with a more normal sailing time - plus of course there is the 7 x P&O sailing at 16.30 on the 3rd July.

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #60 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 09:55 PM »

I have returned home today from a most enjoyable cruise on Queen Victoria to Norway.

The early morning sail into Southampton on Tuesday 5 June was an amazing experience and one that will live in my memory for a long time. Passengers were allowed to go onto the forward decks e.g. "bit beneath the bridge" and the bow of the ship so that when the two ships were docked passengers from each ship were facing each other. The cheering from passengers of each ship added to the atmosphere. The passengers on the Queen Elizabeth were in a better position to see the approach of the QM2 but for QV passengers it was still a memorable sight to see the bow of QM2 approach at the side of the ship.

In the afternoon Tom and I met up with the QE2 Story members who attended our special celebration picnic, which was moved indoors as the weather was not kind to us. Cunarderman had provided a most delicious spread for our picnic, which was much appreciated. In addition the room was decorated in Union Jacks and Diamond Jubilee items to help us get in the mood to celebrate. We so enjoyed meeting up with everyone again. Thank-you John for arranging this event.

Unfortunately the Red Arrows display was cancelled but the fireworks display did go ahead. We went to the Mayflower Park after 10pm and although the low cloud did affect the visibility, the atmosphere at the park was still good and everyone around us seemed to appreciated the effort that had gone into this event.

All in all a fantastic event. Thank-you Cunard!

Peter Mugridge · « **Reply #61 on:** Jun 06, 2012, 10:18 PM »

Since I posted earlier this afternoon I have been looking at pictures of the morning arrivals in the media and I am wondering - was the QV moved back several berths at some point during the day? There was quite a distance between her and the QE when we did our Blue Funnel trip, yet in the media pictures ( and from reading Lynda's post above ) it looks like they were in adjacent berths at first?

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #62 on:** Jun 07, 2012, 09:54 AM »

Wish I'd been there!

Not so much to see the ships, but to join in the picnic and have a blether, sounds like fun!

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

tdickson · « **Reply #63 on:** Jun 07, 2012, 06:58 PM »

Hello Peter and Everyone else, the answer to the question asked ,is as QM2 came up passed her berth to salute her two younger sisters she was due at berth 46 (Ocean Terminal) Queen Victoria came into what is known as berth 102 and tied up briefly for the (3 ~Bow Photo shoot) Queen Elizabeth came into her berth a short time later (Berth 101 City Terminal) Then QM2 turned around and came back down stream and slowed almost too stop for photos etc and the 3 whistle salute (These are the photos in the media) Then Qm2 proceeded to her berth for the day, then after said photos etc Queen Vic threw her lines to go astern to berth 106 (Mayflower Terminal) for her Dis-Embarkation etc...
Then in the evening about 10 pm moved back to !02 for the firework display with QM2 coming out of her berth to again draw alongside her sisters, before the final sailaway
Hope that makes the photos more understandable,it wasn"t trick photography
I was there with the mooring teams so seen it all pretty close-up (Waters edge infact)

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #64 on:** Jun 07, 2012, 09:32 PM »

Hope you like my photo showing the three queens meeting at Southampton. I cannot believe that I could look so happy at 6.30 in the morning.

Michael Gallagher · « **Reply #65 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 10:40 AM »

Should anyone wish to view or download photographs of the 5 June Event please go to www.cunard3queens.com

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #66 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 04:57 PM »

The slideshow of photos shows a wonderful overview of the sail in and sail away. Thanks for the link Michael, I really enjoyed looking at these photos.

QE2forever · « **Reply #67 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 05:15 PM »

Quote from: flagship on Jun 08, 2012, 10:40 AM

Should anyone wish to view or download photographs of the 5 June Event please go to www.cunard3queens.com

Thank you so much for the link, Michael.

A wealth of beautiful and impressive pictures, and a great opportunity to watch the event for those who could not attend.

cunardqueen · « **Reply #68 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 06:25 PM »

Some amazing photos there, thanks for allowing us to see them !!!
Out of interest, when did the idea first come to light that it might be possible to plan such an event?

Michael Gallagher · « **Reply #69 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 08:39 PM »

Two years ago it was decided to have all three ships together. Planning for the events on the day - the positioning of the ships, the various functions on each ship, the Red Arrows (which didn't take place in end), the five Blue Funnel charters, terminal signage, Captains Photocall, the Contgrats sign on QM2, the fireworks, media requirements and the VIP Dinner took six months. The Master Document / Schedule was 134 pages long.

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #70 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 08:50 PM »

Quote from: flagship on Jun 08, 2012, 08:39 PM

Two years ago it was decided to have all three ships together. Planning for the events on the day - the positioning of the ships, the various functions on each ship, the Red Arrows (which didn't take place in end), the five Blue Funnel charters, terminal signage, Captains Photocall, the Contgrats sign on QM2, the fireworks, media requirements and the VIP Dinner took six months. The Master Document / Schedule was 134 pages long.

I was speaking to member of staff onboard QV who said that she had been onboard last year when she heard that the event was being planned. The 3 Queens event was a deciding factor for her signing up for another contract so I do hope that staff felt as involved as passengers.

QE2 whistle · « **Reply #71 on:** Jun 08, 2012, 10:51 PM »

Looks like you all had a great get-together despite the rain! The ships were looking great.

Just sad we could not join you all, and sad we missed all the whistling.

The pictures are great!

Hopefully see you all soon.

Gill · « **Reply #72 on:** Jun 10, 2012, 11:00 AM »

Hi! This is Gill.
I guess all the hardy souls who were able to be out on Southampton Water at 04.15am on Tuesday enjoyed the arrival of the three Queens. At least it was not raining. QM2 was leading the way with QV following and QE bringing up the rear. QM2 went right to the top and turned round and waited for the QV and QE to come in and berth then QM2 came down passing them with the Abba song 'Dancing Queen' coming very loud over her PA system. A special moment and then she 'woke up Southampton' with the sound of her majestic horn at 06.15am. The best time of the day for me. (Whenever I hear 'Dancing Queen' now it will remind me of this day.) One very sad moment for me was seeing that the word 'Southampton' had now been removed from their stern and replaced with 'Hamilton'.

One moment we enjoyed on 'Ocean Scene' was when the QM2 was coming down to go past the QV and QE, by this time there were quite a number of small leisure boats out on the water to see the three Queens. Some were now right in the path of QM2 and as she was bearing down on them the Police boat took off with lights flashing and siren sounding chasing them out of the way. Quite a comical moment. But it could have been quite serious.

I had been up since 01.15am as I could not sleep and ended up not going to bed until almost midnight. A very long and tiring day but enjoyed it. A pity about the Red Arrows having to cancel their display, but very understandable in the circumstances. (Am hoping to see them next Sunday 17th June at our local RAF Cosford Air Show. Cosford is just the other side of Wolverhampton so am able to get there direct on the train from Birmingham.)

As far as pictures go - did anyone see the magnificent photo in the middle of the 'Daily Mail' on Wednesday?
It showed the QM2 passing the QV and QE on her way down to Ocean Terminal in the morning. There were two helicopters flying around at the time and must have taken the photo. It showed the QV and QE facing each other almost nose to nose before QE moved further back nearer Mayflower Park later.

(Apparently the only other time three Queens have met in Southampton was back in 2008 when QM2 and QV met the QE2. I have that picture framed in my living room and up until last week did not know what a piece of history it was. So it's very special.)

There was a very similar picture to the one in the Daily Mail on the front of the local Southampton paper 'Daily Echo' on Wednesday but it was at a very slightly different angle. It went over onto the back page and you can just make out a Blue Funnel boat on the edge of the picture. I'm not sure how many Blue Funnel boats went out early in the morning, but if only one, it was 'Ocean Scene'.

You can usually purchase copies of the Daily Echo photos if one of theirs, but on this occasion it belonged to the Press Association and I am not sure whether they allow the purchase of their photographs. I certainly am going to try.

Before I went on the evening sailaway I walked through Mayflower Park and found a stall selling photographs of the Queens amongst others and they had one taken that morning of the three Queens together in a card frame which I purchased. My photographs in the morning unfortunately did not come out well so was pleased to get this one.

Thankfully the rain had ceased for our sailaway in the evening. We did not leave until 9.00pm and when we got round to Ocean Terminal the QM2 was already backing out. She again went to the top and turned around and then came down and stopped level with the QV and QE, then we had the firework display. Then the QM2 moved off and they went out in the same order they had come in with QM2 leading the way with QV following and QE bringing up the rear as she had to turn around. Hope anyone who was able to be on either of the three Queens for their respective cruise enjoyed the fireworks. I believe QM2 is back in today Sunday, so that was a very short cruise.

We'll see what Friday 13th July brings for the 'Dancing Queens'!!!! This time I shall be watching from Hythe waterfront. I am taking my two large Union Jack flags to wave them off, just to remind them that they were in Southampton and not in Bermuda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh for a lovely sunny day.

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #73 on:** Jun 10, 2012, 11:55 AM »

Some photos taken from onboard Queen Victoria of the three ships event.

The first is of the Queen Elizabeth passengers on deck as seen from Queen Victoria.
The second is of the Red Funnel boat that had accompanied the ships into Southampton.
The third is QM2 entertainment staff dressed for the occasion.

Lynda Bradford · « **Reply #74 on:** Jun 10, 2012, 11:57 AM »

More photos:

QM2 - Congratulations Maam
Three Bows
Three ships as the QM2 passes

Rob Lightbody · « **Reply #75 on:** Jun 10, 2012, 07:38 PM »

Quote from: flagship on Jun 08, 2012, 08:39 PM

Two years ago it was decided to have all three ships together. Planning for the events on the day - the positioning of the ships, the various functions on each ship, the Red Arrows (which didn't take place in end), the five Blue Funnel charters, terminal signage, Captains Photocall, the Contgrats sign on QM2, the fireworks, media requirements and the VIP Dinner took six months. The Master Document / Schedule was 134 pages long.

Amazing. Thank you! I've organised small events before, and if you get it right, you make it look easy, and people don't appreciate the work involved.

Andy F · « **Reply #76 on:** Jun 10, 2012, 10:30 PM »

Like Lynda, Mrs F and I too were on board QV for the arrival but unfortunately could not hang around to meet up with fellow members as would usually be the case as had to head off home due to work commitments. It was however a most memorable experience and I have just finished sorting through my images, which can be found below together with my account of the arrival if interested. Quality not brilliant admittedly due to the light, hence the grain but turned out to be the best part of the day by all accounts.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/andyfitzsimmons/sets/72157630094860496/

As a footnote - in conversation with a fellow guest over breakfast, I was somewhat taken aback when they asked what all the fuss been about earlier. Despite frequent announcements, both before and during, and the information that was left in each stateroom in the days beforehand, it would appear they were totally oblivious and slept through the entire event! I kid you not.

bobso · « **Reply #77 on:** Jun 11, 2012, 08:10 AM »

Quote from: Lynda on Jun 07, 2012, 09:32 PM

Hope you like my photo showing the three queens meeting at Southampton. I cannot believe that I could look so happy at 6.30 in the morning.

What an ABSOLUTLEY lovely photo Lynda,you look as though you enjoyed yourself immensely. Thank you very much for sharing it with us all.

Twynkle · « **Reply #78 on:** Jun 11, 2012, 09:43 AM »

Quote from: flagship on Jun 08, 2012, 08:39 PM

Two years ago it was decided to have all three ships together. Planning for the events on the day - the positioning of the ships, the various functions on each ship, the Red Arrows (which didn't take place in end), the five Blue Funnel charters, terminal signage, Captains Photocall, the Contgrats sign on QM2, the fireworks, media requirements and the VIP Dinner took six months. The Master Document / Schedule was 134 pages long.

Flagship - It was absolutely fantastic - and Thank You so much for all your hard work.
I guess it could have been painful doing so much thinking for the ships without being able to include QE2.
Many of us on the water missed her a very great deal, most out early had sailed on board her.
The Sailaway was a big reminder too.
PS - Would that you could publish the Master Document - any chance that a copy could (like the other valuable docs) go under glass in the libraries of the three ships?

Quote from: Lynda on Jun 07, 2012, 09:32 PM

Hope you like my photo showing the three queens meeting at Southampton. I cannot believe that I could look so happy at 6.30 in the morning.

John and I had texted you, quite some time earlier!
Your photo looks as if you weren't unpleased at being woken up (te he!)

How near do you think QM2 was to QV when she came 'up close and personal!'?
From where we were on the water - alongside QE, it looked as if they were pretty much alongside each other!
With all the docking we watched from on board last year - I don't ever remember QM2 getting quite as close when she was parking between other ships - says a great deal for those who were responsible for keeping her true and in line etc!, as well as for her 'machinery'!

It was lovely to see you both, and thanks so much for staying on, specially as you'd originally made plans to leave Soton earlier.
Rosie

CAP · « **Reply #79 on:** Jun 11, 2012, 09:55 AM »

Returned to Southampton aboard QM2 yesterday, following her 5 day jaunt to Netherlands, Belgium & France.

Managed to set-out on the 4:15 Blue Funnel charter to see the 3 ships arrive. QM2 looked absolutely majestic as she sailed in, at a relatively speedy pace. Being early morning her lights made her stand-out even more from the gloom. QV also look resplendent in the early morning light. After the charter it was back to the hotel for breakfast followed by a quick nap before heading down to the Ocean Cruise terminal and embarkation. Managed to be in the cabin by 12:15!

As our cabin was located on the starboard side we had a great view of the ships as QM2 departed and headed to the turning ground before turning and lining-up with the cruising Queens. This meant we were on the 'right' side for the firework display. (Whilst we were berthed the firework barge was below us, tied-up on the opposite quay to the terminal. The poor guys worked all afternoon and early evening setting-up the display and ensuring the fireworks remained dry.) Appreciation must be shown to both Cunard and the organisers for pursuing with the display in what where atrocious conditions. Another example of British resolve!

The gala dinner was superb and the specially printed menus a nice tribute. The menu has a two page spread documenting the relationship between the Queen and Cunard and two pages highlighting each of the Royal occasions where a member of the Royal family has been involved with a Cunard ship. The list is predominantly QE2 and this is obviously further reflected with the ship shown as the backdrop to an image of the Queen. This image hangs as a portrait in the Grand Lobby of QM2.

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Author Topic: 5th June 2012, 3 Queens Southampton (Read 24802 times)

bobso