The Grand Banks...

We’ve crossed the deepest part of the Atlantic now and are just about to sail across the tail of the Grand Banks, a much shallower stretch of sea off the coast of Newfoundland.

It hardly seems possible to have sailed just under 2000 miles from the UK but it all seems very very far away now.

Bird life is becoming much more active with dozens of sea birds flying about the ship.

This morning we woke at 4 am and walked around deck 7 for two miles… a gorgeous sky greeted us like a painting come from the East. You can just see the crescent moon.

Nicholas

So…last evening we are walking on Deck 3 following dinner and suddenly a voice called out, “Dr. Down. Dr. Down. Nick!” Yes, the Oxshott Medical Practice found him here on board! 2 very nice patients from his years as a physician are also on QM2 with us and are treating us to a pre-dinner drink here, in the Commodore Bar tonight. Talk about a small world…

Earlier today, after breakfast, we played a mean game of Scrabble at the games tables. There was a classical pianist playing, just next door, in the Royal Court Theatre…sublime…this is an unbelievable journey.

As I am typing, the foghorn on the ship is sounding with a degree of constancy, apparently the Grand Banks are notorious for fog as thick as pea soup (it is also the same location as the sinking of the Titanic…fog seems a good option to me.

Judy

Mid Atlantic

I am writing this in the Commodore Club on the 9^th floor looking ahead into the Atlantic on a rainy afternoon. It is one of those sublime, relaxing, surreal moments where time seems suspended, at least for a while. I am sipping a Kaufmann vodka martini and Judy is sipping a molecular cosmo. Perfection.

Nicholas

We woke to a grey and cloudy morning, rain had fallen most of the night, but still it was glorious! Now that is a tribute to this ocean liner.

A hidden gift is falling asleep on this journey, there is an almost imperceptible and gentle rocking from side to side that literally cradles or bodies and encourages us to dream.

Lots of people have asked for more pictures so…here are a few…hopefully they will convey a small measure of the creativity and craftsmanship we are experiencing…

The QM2 Bell which is rung at noon every day

The Grand Lobby

Illuminations Theatre (the on board planetarium)

The Chartroom Bar (where live music is played nightly)

The Main Corridor

.... there's much more, but wifi uploading is very slow!


Judy

Unknown depths...

The sea floor lies about 14000 below us right now. Such depths are unimaginable and the sea seems more complex and different for it. Today we met the Captain in the Queen’s Room at 6:30pm; Judy and I dressed in formal dinner wear.

Contacts with our friends are sporadic as wifi accesss is limited and the UK seems very far away. It is hard to believe that my Uncle David once sailed the Atlantic, or for that matter, that brave souls have rowed across!

And its also amazing that only 48 hours or so have passed since we left Southampton, because these two days seem like an age.

Today we watched a short film narrated by Tom Hanks about the nature of the Universe and that too is unimaginable; billions of galaxies and stars out there, some perhaps with oceans, some perhaps with life.

Nicholas

Today I was reminded that we all come from such different places in our lives, both geographical and emotional. We met people from the United States, from Finland, from the UK and from Poland.  At our reception with our Captain tonight, he said there were guests from 37 different nations and crew representing 58 nations of the world. Amazing.

I am reminded that the constant here is not what colour, or what tongue, or creed or belief…but rather each of us, every single one of us is on a journey from one place to another, from one moment to another.

As I write these words, this morning’s dawn comes to mind-for with the new light there were also clouds. I, saw the dawn, others might have seen the grey clouds. It is good to remember that I am only responsible for the manner with which I see, and that my life is to be a reflection of the immense light I know I have received. 

Judy

Beyond the Continental Shelf...

The waves out here seem different and the ship is noticeably shifting more with the waves and the wind. But the sense of endless sky and sea is hypnotic as we head out west of Ireland and into the mid Atlantic. We woke at 3am and saw an amazing early dawn…

Today it is our12^th anniversary and, almost exactly twelve years ago I was signing our marriage register at Stony Point New York. If some magical time machine had allowed us to glimpse a vision of the future we are in I would have fallen over. Judy was leaving and emigrating to the UK and we were newlyweds embarking on such a different chapter of our lives.

This voyage though is a perfect transition for us now; a slow journey across the sea that reminds us just how huge the Atlantic is.

I saw a small group of gannets flying around the ship at midday today, some 150 miles away from nearest landfall in Ireland. Utterly at ease with the wind and the waves these birds were majestic as they soared about the ship, rising and falling on the air like pilots at ease with it all.

Nicholas

Never….even in my wildest dreams….did I imagine this kind of romance and beauty and gentle partnership…and yet, it is mine to nurture and be nurtured by,  and I am so incredibly grateful.

After a room service (no extra charge!!! WHAT!?!) breakfast we went for a long walk around the outside promenade on deck 7; three times around this deck equals a mile, followed by our first visit to the Canyon Ranch Spa and its wonderful aqua therapy spa and relaxation room, when we returned to our cabin this was waiting for us and I can honestly say this picture does not do these flowers justice….

Tonight was the first of three formal nights and, as it is our anniversary, here we are!

Judy

Setting Sail!

And now after so much preparation we are finally aboard Queen Mary 2 and are somewhere just off the coast of Cornwall as I write. The flat horizon line sweeps away into the fantastic distance.

 This is a marvellous experience, both surreal and dreamlike and, at once, real for all that.

The ship departed just after 5pm into a greying sky with the sound of its horn deep and resonant on the air and the sound of music lofted about the flag waving passengers.

We had a small convoy of friends escort us down to the docks midday and then they waved us off shortly after 12 midday…

Our room is fabulous, looking out onto a shaded balcony with two deck chairs; champagne and chocolate coated strawberries on a plate.

It’s a difficult thing this saying goodbye to so many friends and loved ones; contained emotions brimming into tears… but our excitement and feelings are full of gratitude and love for all those who have supported and loved us along our way.

We will pass Bishop’s rock somewhere about midnight and then head out into the Atlantic.

Nicholas

Wow…beyond all my wildest dreams…

The Queen Mary is spectacularly beautiful and it glides across the surface of the sea as though it was glass.

This incredible day, this day we have been planning for these past 18 months was wonderful, every moment from our waking. While we were enjoying breakfast, the doorbell to our B&B rang at 8:45 and Annie and Pauline came in bearing gifts, dressed in red, white and blue and waving both American and UK flags. It was such a surprise and then the doorbell rang again and great friends Tony and Susie to see us off with a nosegay of roses and blooms from their garden. Then, Mike and Suzie arrived to load our 9 pieces of luggage in their car, they were soon joined by the Moulder, Henley and the Matthews families; who became the convoy escorting us to Southampton. Sarah, Ellen and Anna picked up Mem and Dad and they, too, joined us in the Embarkation Lounge.

Our cabin is gorgeous, a king-sized bed, a sofa, an easy chair, a glass cabinet, 2 wardrobes and a walk-in closet.

We had an emergency drill and I am happy to report that my whistle works well. 

And here we are setting off from Southampton for our big adventure…

Thank you to everyone who made this day and every day leading up to it so very very special.

Judy