Brooklyn NY USA 3-4 August 2015 Queen Mary 2 North Atlantic ocean New York to Southampton 4-11 August 2015

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Osborn Thomas Summers
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we always assign a name to our major travel adventures so, because this one involved 7 days crossing the

1 Brooklyn NY USA 3-4 August 2015 Queen Mary 2 North Atlantic ocean New York to Southampton 4-11 August 2015 a short explanation. we always assign a name to our major travel adventures so, because this one involved 7 days crossing the deep ocean, Noel decided to acknowledge our possible peril should a mythical monster of the depths i.e. a Kraken decide to make an appearance. we found this T-shirt (left) in North Carolina.

DAY 8 Raleigh NC to Brooklyn NY this view of Nostrand Station on

the trains do not run between 1am & 4am, so there was plenty of

even though the staff, cash register AND booze were all protected

here! Vince and Kathy Colling can be always be relied upon to

Vince booked us all into the Best Western Hotel in Brooklyn so we

To describe the hood as less-than-salubrious would be an

2 DAY 8 Raleigh NC to Brooklyn NY this view of Nostrand Station on the elevated Long Island Rail Road is from our hotel room - luckily the trains do not run between 1am & 4am, so there was plenty of time for sleeping! even though the staff, cash register AND booze were all protected by stout iron bars, I managed to buy a cold bottle of MOET right here! Vince and Kathy Colling can be always be relied upon to ensure every visit we make to the east coast USA is memorable - but they excelled themselves this time! Our great friends not only drove from upstate to NYC to see us, Vince booked us all into the Best Western Hotel in Brooklyn so we would be only 15 minutes from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Red Hook good thinking, I hear you say? That is NOT what Kathy said when they arrived at the hotel! To describe the hood as less-than-salubrious would be an understatement...the look of horror on Kathy s face when WE arrived was just the beginning of one of the most hilarious evenings we have ever enjoyed - these guys really ROCK!! great shopping & MEGA bargains!

3 a fond farewell to Kathy and Vince before boarding Queen Mary 2 at Red Hook Passenger Terminal in Brooklyn. VERY excited about our voyage!

although the One World Trade Centre building now dominates the

WTC architecture which causes this structure to almost

would be on the starboard side of the ship in NY harbour - it

enjoy the varied marine activity and the sunlight effects on

4 although the One World Trade Centre building now dominates the skyline, we were particularly fascinated by the beautiful Four WTC architecture which causes this structure to almost disappear against the sky we carefully selected our cabin so we would be on the starboard side of the ship in NY harbour - it proved to be an excellent choice - we had nearly 5 hours to enjoy the varied marine activity and the sunlight effects on the towers of Lower Manhattan whilst sipping our complimentary champagne -YUM!

QM2 departs New York harbour passing under the

this time to the beautiful copper Lady Liberty

bridge was the critical factor in determining the

the waterline i.e. she HAD to be able to pass under

5 QM2 departs New York harbour passing under the Verrazano -Narrows bridge another fond farewell, this time to the beautiful copper Lady Liberty (above & right) the magnificent Verrazano suspension bridge was the critical factor in determining the maximum height of the QM2 above the waterline i.e. she HAD to be able to pass under this bridge at all stages of the tide when beginning or completing her trans-atlantic crossings (below) we dropped the pilot just before sunset whilst still in sight of the coast of New Jersey

(top left) it is really hard to get lost onboard QM2 - each stairwell displays a schematic showing

accessed by at least one of the lifts, ensuring disabled/less mobile people can get around freely

impressed that it is screwed into a drawer under the TV near the door to the balcony and only

6 (top left) it is really hard to get lost onboard QM2 - each stairwell displays a schematic showing not only where YOU are, but where the rest of the ship is every common area of the ship can be accessed by at least one of the lifts, ensuring disabled/less mobile people can get around freely (circle left) not an issue for many people, but a hair dryer is crucial to MY coiffure- not impressed that it is screwed into a drawer under the TV near the door to the balcony and only operates whilst holding the button - hair drying took a VERY long time (no plug in the ensuite) DAYS at sea

Elaine and Nick are from Derby in England so of

about the Ashes as THAT disaster unfolded!

30pm sitting) in the elegant, 2-level Britannia

same people each night - we were very fortunate to be

7 Elaine and Nick are from Derby in England so of course we had to endure much good-natured crowing about the Ashes as THAT disaster unfolded! (left) we dined each evening (8.30pm sitting) in the elegant, 2-level Britannia restaurant, a most acceptable location in which to enjoy breakfast as well! Dinner seating is preallocated and shared with the same people each night - we were very fortunate to be seated with two delightful couples who ensured the conversations were never dull... after disembarking in Southampton, Darlene and Chris from Athens Ohio were going hiking in Wales before rejoining the QM2 for the return crossing to New York

8 (right) a chart of our planned course was posted on High Deck12 and updated each day with a position report taken at noon - helpful! At the conclusion of the voyage, the chart signed by Captain Oprey and the senior offices is raffled, with proceeds donated to charity (above left & right) between these two enlarged sections of the chart, we did not sight any land or even another vessel for three days - the North Atlantic is a very large and lonely ocean (background) we finally sighted Bishop Rock on the western edge of the Scilly Isles just before sunset on our final night at sea

whilst the passengers are lazing about in

ship on course photography of the bridge

9 the only sunny day at sea! Deck12 is the highest and commands breathtaking views in every direction. The kennels are located at the stern of this deck, so we were able to grab a doggy fix when they were being exercised whilst the passengers are lazing about in the sunshine, somebody has to keep the ship on course photography of the bridge is not allowed, but I did not see the sign until AFTER capturing this shot.

(main image) throughout the QM2, the wide passageways and areas

artwork, murals and friezes - we were pleased to see Australia was

(below right) one of the cocktails in the Commodore Club is even

forward on Promenade Deck 7 - legend has it that they are referred

10 (main image) throughout the QM2, the wide passageways and areas surrounding the lift foyers, staircases etc are adorned with artwork, murals and friezes - we were pleased to see Australia was well represented! (below right) one of the cocktails in the Commodore Club is even named a Sydney Apple in honour of our Opera House - of course we HAD to order one of those! (left) four of the spare propeller blades are permanently displayed forward on Promenade Deck 7 - legend has it that they are referred to by the crew as the Commodore s cufflinks (above left) our cabin steward, a lovely Ukrainian lady named Victoria, made it clear from the outset who was in charge i.e. HER!

High Deck11 not only afforded us a lofty view from our cabin,

photography from a position directly below the bridge during

off we went the Bear was particularly taken with this work by

11 High Deck11 not only afforded us a lofty view from our cabin, it is the only deck with open-air wings which allow photography from a position directly below the bridge during the intricate manoeuvres involved in docking this massive vessel... complimentary Veuve was on offer in the Art Gallery, so off we went the Bear was particularly taken with this work by the featured artist Fabian Perez (above left) until he saw the price tag - US$41,530 - no wonder it is titled for a better life!!!!

12 DAY 17 - Southampton UK the weather for our arrival was about as welcoming as the tatty sign fixed to the fascia of a disused warehouse this channel is SERIOUSLY narrow at low tide so the outbound Isle of Wight ferry opted to give us a wide berth and pass on the wrong side of the markers!

Docking Queen Mary 2 is a skilful operation!

place & the starboard side is then closest to land 3.

reverses until she is in line with her final position 4.

13 Docking Queen Mary 2 is a skilful operation! (right) Google Earth image shows just how little room there is to manoeuvre! 1. QM2 slowly approaches the entrance to the dock until she is lengthways across the mouth 2. the stern swings through 90 whilst the bow pivots in place & the starboard side is then closest to land 3. once the ship is parallel to the dock, she slowly reverses until she is in line with her final position 4. Side-thrusters gently nudge the hull against the giant fenders and ropes are secured - and the passengers don t feel a thing! MOST IMPRESSIVE!

14 cheers! next episode (final) London and Warwickshire UK

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