Honeymoon on QE2 in 2002

[Lynda Bradford]

There was definitely a big sense of satisfaction at getting a ride on QE2, that's for sure!

Getting the smoke in the photo was pure chance, literally a "right place, right time" happening.  It wasn't planned, although I was aware that there would be a good chance of it happening shortly after departure.

Taking a photo of your wife and getting a QE2 smoking funnel is good planning.  Just as well the funnel is not sticking out of her head.  When I take pictures of Tom I need to make sure I take account of what is in the background e.g. the Eiffel Tower sticking out of his head or the "leaning tower of Pisa" sticking out of his ear. 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes Lynda, that's very true - too many people don't think about what might be sticking out of things when they compose a photo!

Tonight we are still proceeding down Southampton Water; here we are passing the Red Funnel ferry ( Southampton - Cowes route ).

Also, a vessel familiar to some forum members - the SS Shieldhall, which was likely on a cruise planned to coincide with QE2's sailing.

I am then seen trying out a traditional steamer style deckchair...

[June Ingram]

Awesome !

[Peter Mugridge]

...and we are back on the Sun Deck while still heading down Southampton Water; this would be shortly before the "S" turn at Calshot.

That evening, our first meal on board.  It looks like I have the lamb?  Not 100% sure; does anyone have the menu for that day?  The one thing I didn't think to collect was the menus!!!

Later on as we headed across the Western Channel towards the Bay of Biscay we seem to have discovered the Yacht Club...

[Peter Mugridge]

More yacht club pictures, a luggage tag and our dining table details...

[Lynda Bradford]

Loving the memories.

We were Table 212 on the same voyage so must have been seated in the same area, I have attached a photo at table with table companions (I'm in the pink).  What a small world.  Can you remember your waiter's name?

[June Ingram]

Wonderful photos and memories !

[Peter Mugridge]

Can you remember your waiter's name?

Unfortunately not... but later on there is a photograph of all our waiting staff together with Yola because she had a birthday on board... when I get to that image it may ring a few bells for you?

That's still some way ahead though... it's on Vol 3 page 29; the one I posted yesterday is Vol 2 page 24 ( 40 pages to a volume, so 45 images ahead... ).

[Rob Lightbody]

Loving the memories.

We were Table 212 on the same voyage so must have been seated in the same area, I have attached a photo at table with table companions (I'm in the pink).  What a small world.  Can you remember your waiter's name?

I think its remarkable that you were both on the same trip, in the same restaurant, sitting near each other, and also that you've discovered that all these very many years later.

[Rob Lightbody]

More yacht club pictures, a luggage tag and our dining table details...

I love the photo of dancing in the Yacht Club.

I loved it, it was so lively and I too danced there with a big smile on my face like your wife's (and I never dance normally!).  Sad that no such venue exists on QM2.

[Peter Mugridge]

A newsletter!  This from sailing day...

I think its remarkable that you were both on the same trip, in the same restaurant, sitting near each other, and also that you've discovered that all these very many years later.

Most definitely, Rob... I do wonder if any of the "lurking" forum member who never post might also have been on the same voyage...

[Andy Holloway]

I was Chief Security Officer on that cruise, i'd signed on in NY on 26th August and then signed off 24th October in S'ton.
Was that the cruise when we got stuck in Palma de Majorca for 2 overnights due to high winds holding us onto the jetty? In the end Capt wright had to order a tug, but the local ones weren't powerful enough to pull QE2 off of the jetty so one had to be sent from Barcelona. Unfortunately, well not for the crew, by the time it arrived after the second 'overnight', the wind had changed direction and was actually blowing us off of the jetty! The tug just came into harbour, stood off just in case and then followed us back to Barcelona at a cost of something in the region of $10,000!
Ever after Captain Wright was 'affectionately' known as 'Overnight Wright'!

[Peter Mugridge]

I was Chief Security Officer on that cruise, i'd signed on in NY on 26th August and then signed off 24th October in S'ton.
Was that the cruise when we got stuck in Palma de Majorca for 2 overnights due to high winds holding us onto the jetty? In the end Capt wright had to order a tug, but the local ones weren't powerful enough to pull QE2 off of the jetty so one had to be sent from Barcelona. Unfortunately, well not for the crew, by the time it arrived after the second 'overnight', the wind had changed direction and was actually blowing us off of the jetty! The tug just came into harbour, stood off just in case and then followed us back to Barcelona at a cost of something in the region of $10,000!
Ever after Captain Wright was 'affectionately' known as 'Overnight Wright'!

Wow!  That makes three of us on board, then!

I don't know about the Palma thing because we disembarked at Civitavecchia to fly to JFK - but Lynda would certainly be able to answer because she did the full cruise back to Southampton...

[Lynda Bradford]

I was Chief Security Officer on that cruise, i'd signed on in NY on 26th August and then signed off 24th October in S'ton.
Was that the cruise when we got stuck in Palma de Majorca for 2 overnights due to high winds holding us onto the jetty? In the end Capt wright had to order a tug, but the local ones weren't powerful enough to pull QE2 off of the jetty so one had to be sent from Barcelona. Unfortunately, well not for the crew, by the time it arrived after the second 'overnight', the wind had changed direction and was actually blowing us off of the jetty! The tug just came into harbour, stood off just in case and then followed us back to Barcelona at a cost of something in the region of $10,000!
Ever after Captain Wright was 'affectionately' known as 'Overnight Wright'!

I cannot remember being in Palma overnight but as it was 20 years ago, maybe I have forgot.  I have a note on the itinerary that Cannes was cancelled because of weather conditions. 

[Peter Mugridge]

...and here's the next newsletter.