Liner Lady

Monday, 2 May.

After my usual morning routine, I registered for the talent show, then wandered  about a bit, photographing the long alleyways of 3 Deck and Midships Lounge, sitting by a window in Queen’s Lounge, then up to the buffet for lunch, where I gorged on salad, chocolate cake with chocolate mousse.  I sat with a lady from Wales who got on in LA.  Took some fruit and the QE2 bottle to C., but only left it because he was asleep in the pitch dark.  Then I went to the talk by Michael York about filming on location around the world.  That was followed by the profound film, “Empire in the Sun.”  I was a wreck and many others emerged red-eyed like myself.

I showered and waited till seven o’clock watching Nutcracker on television.  At seven I went to C.  We then went to the Pig and chatted with Mark and friends – then migrated to 6036 to start the party.  All told, only Dimitrios, Neill and Mark came.  Mark brought a Bakewell tart in a Harrod’s tin, and pried it open very awkwardly not having the proper tin opener!   We talked and ate till three or so.  QE2 was prancing more than usual.

Tuesday, 3 May

I was exhausted from my late night, so tried to sleep, but no luck.  I went up to see when the talent show rehearsal was scheduled for, and returned for more rest.  Did the rehearsal with Leesantoo.  Their accompaniment sounds somewhat nebulous, but when I returned at 2:30 skipping lunch for a nap – we did okay.  I sang, “Do re mi” with some children then “Climb Every Mountain.”  They were well received.

I returned to the cabin to pack and rested a while before dinner, where only Dorothy was present.  We ate quickly, then I roamed the Boat Deck in the chilly air.

Wednesday, 4 May – Southampton, England.

Was up earlier than usual to finish packing and make use of the last few hours.  Actually I showed up for breakfast in Columbia, where Guy was only just hanging on after wild parties last night.  Through most of this voyage, Elgar’s wonderful Song Cycle – “Sea Pictures” sung by Janet Baker – played on the bow channel and the mood has gotten to me.  I paced the decks a while just now, because I couldn’t stand the emotion looming up in me down there.  At 10:30 C. fetched me and we took his anthuriums and driftwood to his cabin.  We then had a long talk in which he unfolded some of his business experiences such as a owning and running hotel in Edinburgh, then later a country club in a Georgian house in Couper, and the Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo, Scotland..  At 11:30 he had to prepare for work so I came up to Boat Deck just as we were passing Hirst Castle, which juts on the end of a long sand spit.  The sun is shining through high thin clouds.

I watched the ship sail up Southampton Water to the terminal.  Windy.  Lunch.  Julie left me a sweet thank you note.  Said goodbye, hugs to Mark in Mauritania, and saw Matthew and said goodbye, and hugged Dimitrios as he flew off.  C. emerged from lunch finally and when he returned with civvies on, and we went to Boat Deck to look ashore.  Betty and Frank, my friends from last year’s crossing, and with whom I am going to stay a while, were there and we spotted each other at the same time, which was a relief to me.  C. introduced me to an English couple he had served.  As we were a bit cool, we went inside to his cabin, where we walked in on a customs raid on his roommate, Dominique.  We beat a hasty retreat, to say the least.  (Actually C. had suspected there were drugs in this man’s possession, and reported him.)  We went to visit Neil’s cabin and friends, then headed for my cabin to get my stuff.  We walked to the Magrodome to sit a long time till I could disembark.  It was very pleasant to chat quietly with each other.  We plan to meet March 26 in Southampton when he’ll take an overnight off.  Finally my deck was called and we went through customs, met Frank and relations, packed the car and I said fond farewell to my favorite ship, the very special Queen Elizabeth 2, my home for the past 24 days.  I have officially become a member of the World Cruise club after qualifying for the proper number of days on board, combined with my crossing last year.

Cabin 4019.  A Columbia Restaurant cabin!