Topic: QE2 Voyage (Read 6293 times)

Peter Fitness · « **on:** February 24, 2008, 11:49:01 pm »

We are within about 4 hours of boarding QE2 in Sydney bound for Southampton, so this may be my last post for while, depending on access to the internet on the ship. We are taking our wireless capable laptop, and I believe computers are available on board, so I may still be able to keep in touch, and post some photos of the trip, as requested by Martin.
Peter.

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:50:43 pm »

Peter,
Enjoy your trip and would love to see some pics.

Bob

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:51:58 pm »

Thanks Bob, I will do my best.
Peter.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:53:15 pm »

Yes, some en route pics would be great. I'm envious!

Stavros · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:57:00 pm »

I am Jealous defiantly,where in the UK are you going.If you are around North Wales give me a shout especially if you fancy a sail at LLanberis even midweek I will take day off

Stavros

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2008, 12:46:43 am »

Hi Stavros,
We will be spending a week each in Wiltshire, near Chippenham, Minehead in Somerset, the Lake District, at the southern end, and a village about 5 miles west of York. We are then spending 4 nights with friends in Eastbourne, followed by 5 nights in London. We fly out of Heathrow on 26th May. We have been to north Wales on previous trips, and did a trip on the Bala Lake Railway, as well as the train up Mt Snowdon twice. We also spent some time with a friend in Abergavenny in south Wales, on two occasions. I don't think we will be in your area this time, but thanks for the offer, I would like to have met you.
Peter.

barryfoote · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2008, 08:19:11 am »

Have agreat hoilday Peter and remember to post those piccies..

meechingman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2008, 09:08:49 am »

Peter, if you're stopping in Eastbourne, do please pop down to Princes Park and have a sail with the Eastbourne Model Power Boat Club. I'm sure we can rustle up something for you to sail! If you read this en route, drop me a PM and I'll give you some contact details.

Have a great voyage and hope maybe to see you in Eastbourne.

Andy

tigertiger · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2008, 09:55:18 am »

Hiave a great cruise

, and don't forget to sample the great range of pies we have. :)

barryfoote · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:11:33 am »

Quote from: tigertiger on February 25, 2008, 09:55:18 am

Hiave a great cruise , and don't forget to sample the great range of pies we have. :)

He would need to go to Wigan for the best pies.....

cbr900 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2008, 12:06:16 pm »

Barry,

The best pies in the world are right here in Aus mate..............................

Roy

DickyD · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2008, 12:10:58 pm »

Do you two think you might be a little off the topic ?

bigfella · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2008, 09:08:19 pm »

Quote from: DickyD on February 25, 2008, 12:10:58 pm

Do you two think you might be a little off the topic ?

I know where you are comming from Richard.

::)

cbr900 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2008, 12:07:02 pm »

Peter,

Seeing you will be in Hobart if you can get access and see this let me know and we will meet you at the dock..........................

Roy

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #14 on:** April 30, 2008, 03:28:23 pm »

Well, many weeks have gone by and our QE2 trip is now in the past. We arrived on time in Southampton on 18th April, and after a lengthy disembarkation process (6 hours), we finally set foot on English soil after 11 years. We are in Minehead, Somerset at the moment, and I found a great little internet cafe with free wifi access, as long as you buy a cup of coffee or similar. We were in Wiltshire for a week, and move on from here to the Lake District on Saturday. I have taken literally hundreds of maritime related photos, some of which I will post here when we get back home, in early June. The Panama Canal transit was probably the biggest highlight, it was absolutely amazing, and I think I took over 100 photos of that event alone.
The QE2 is a grand old ship, she is showing her almost 40 years, but still oozes class and elegance, whereas the newer vessels are opulent, more than elegant. She still has a good turn of speed, we were doing over 30 knots on several occasions during the trip, and the Captain was quick to point out the QE2 can go faster full astern than the Queen Victoria can full ahead

.
Oops, my battery is nearly flat, hopefully will be able to connect again soon.
Regards to all in the Forum,
Peter (In good old England)

Colin H · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2008, 03:53:07 pm »

Hi Peter,

Glad you made safely to Blighty and look forward to the pic's.

However you have just made me feel very very old. At the time of the QE2s maiden voyage I was working in Buxton Derby's. My boss bought his daughter and her new husband tickets for the maiden voyage as a wedding present.

I got the job of driving them done to Southampton a good run in those days, did manage to scrounge a bit of a look round though.

Enjoy your hols will hear from you soon.

Yours Colin H.

Roger in France · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2008, 06:46:05 pm »

Look forward to the pictures, Peter. Missed your smiling face on here of late.

Enjoy your visit to England and a safe return home.

Roger in France.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2008, 10:43:29 pm »

If it isnt too late , dont forget the nice maritime museum in Barrow-in- Furness, southern end of the Lake District (kinda). Not getting north of the border ?

norry · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2008, 11:27:50 pm »

...Peter... Get yourself North of the Grey Line and into Scotland...

It wont take you too long to realise why it is called "Bonnie Scotland"& that "Bonnie" means ...The most beautiful country in the World...

You could come & see where the Great Ship was Built...

...All The Best From Bonnie Scotland...Norry...

Bryan Young · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2008, 04:15:34 pm »

QE2 is indeed a faster ship than generally thought. Many moons ago on one of my many appointments to RFA Resource we were doing speed trials around the Isle of Arran race-track. So was the then new QE2. We were lolloping along at 22 knots and were lapped by QE2 every 4 or 5 laps. She was screaming along...and looks a dream at those speeds. What a pity the true "liner" has given way to the floating hotel.

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2008, 09:41:29 pm »

Sorry Norry, not going to Scotland this time, although we have been there on 2 other occasions.
Arrow5, we are only about 10 miles from Barrow at the moment, in fact we were in there today. I certainly intend on visiting the Maritime Museum there, it was recommended to me by the couple who own the cottage we are staying in for our week in the Lake District. They both used to work for Vickers until made redundant, some years ago.
Yes Bryan, the days of the real liners have almost finished, and it was a privilege to be part of QE2's last world cruise. Some of the crew members have been aboard her for years, one of the musicians in the QE2 orchestra, guitarist Stevie Levisohn, has been on her for over 20 years.
I have attached just 2 photos that I took of QE2, one in Fremantle, Western Australia, and the other was taken from one of the tenders when we were going ashore in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii.
Peter

cos918 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 04, 2008, 09:57:47 pm »

lovely photo of her bow

john

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #22 on:** May 04, 2008, 09:59:30 pm »

Here's another photo you may be interested in. I took the shot as we passed over the spot where Titanic lies 96 years to the day after she sank, and a minute's silence was observed to mark the occasion. A wreath was also placed overboard from the stern. As can be seen, the weather was not wonderful, but it was quite a special moment. It was amazing to us that an iceberg should have been so far south, and apparently, bergs have only been recorded in that area three times.
Peter

cos918 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2008, 10:13:27 pm »

hi peter went over that spot in january this year on her and the weather was a bit better but not much.

john

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 04, 2008, 10:13:50 pm »

And NO icebergs either Peter.
Welcome back to dry land!!

Bob

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Author Topic: QE2 Voyage (Read 6293 times)

Stavros

barryfoote

barryfoote

bigfella

Roger in France