Liner Lady

QE2 – Mombasa-Southampton – 1994   Cabin 3068, Part 2

Wednesday, 30 March:

At sea approaching the Equator.  My first activity was to deliver the St. Helena first day cover to Helen on 1 Deck Lido.  The heat and humidity have risen, so I was glad to retreat inside for breakfast with the girls in the Lido.  Alex is on duty there today, as is Dotty’s waitress.

I attended the Bible Reading group in Princess Grill bar on 1 Deck by C stairway, a good excuse to sit in there.  It is so dark in red décor and lighting, with its spiral staircase winding upward to the dining room.  Next I strolled a bit in the shops, having failed to locate Cate in the Crèche.  At eleven I attended the Tony Warren lecture in the Theatre about “Coronation Street.”  At noon I was poised on observation deck to hear my favorite ship’s whistle, one long blast, the subsidiary bleep and another blast and blip!  At present I am sitting in a new spot for me – on the third step up the stairway to the port side Bridge wing.  This is almost always blocked off at the top step.  Step 4 is even split and I put it straight!  Seas are choppy with white caps, but the old lady plows on unaffected in a very sooth and pleasant manner.

I roamed a bit – Library, and puzzle area, but was really waiting for the magical 12:45 time when the buffet opened.  I ate with a couple from Johannesburg, then a stuffy couple from Hawaii and California on the 100 day cruise. 

From 2:30 – 5:40 I participated in the World Cruise Country Fayre at which crew and passengers alike eagerly joined in to raise money for the three charities chosen for support this year.  With all those people in the Grand Lounge, the temperature rose a lot, the first time I can remember it being so uncomfortable.  I saw John Duffy and Muredach – the latter of whom was in a striped pirate costume!   I bought two chances on a trans-Atlantic crossing, and 4 chances to blow the ship’s whistle.  Alas, as usual I won nothing.  The Cunard flag went for $5,000;  world map with our course outlined $2,000; and ship plans $2,000 also.  The same man bought them all.   I bought, Tribute to a Queen and a book on 3 funnel liners.

Thank heavens the dress tonight is informal, because of all our work in the afternoon and too hot to dress up.    Before dinner, however, I saw Life of Brian.  Paul Danby walked me to my table.  I had shrimp cocktail, steak and 3 flavors of ice cream, chocolate mint, strawberry and vanilla.  How indulgent!  I also attended part of the flamboyant piano concert in Grand Lounge – emphasis on flamboyant.  It reminded me of my brother’s Gershwin poundings.   (In subsequent years, I came to dub this kind of piano playing as “whizbang” playing.)   Back in the cabin before ten o’clock, tired and hot.

Thursday, 31 March:

  I awoke at 7:01 to stay up and ate buffet breakfast with Edna, whom I had met on 2 Deck G stairway.  Dotty joined us eventually and we sat on starboard window – that side was very warm with sun directly on the window.  I had only stewed tomatoes and English muffins, plus a small Canadian bacon slice.

 Checked out a book from the library The Ship That Stood Still by Leslie Reade- about the “California,” the ship that was so close to the “Titanic” and never realized it was in distress!  Then I attended the first half of Hansen’s lecture on Morocco.

I returned to my cabin, then attended Brian Hoey’s lecture on life aboard “Britannia.”  At present I am on Boat Deck enjoying calm seas and slight swell.  The wind is mostly forward motion wind, mild and humid.  Noon whistle!    Lunch with Margaret in Columbia Restaurant consisting of pumpkin-curry soup, and pasta.   I washed my hair and read a bit and sneaked up to see Dr. at Sea.  Upon my return, a pink carnation corsage awaited me. 

At 7:15, Rita escorted me to A stairwell and elevator to Captain Woodall’s quarters.  Elaine did introductions as I signed in, shook his hand and was ushered into the office.  I sought out the far area near his desk and had a short chat with Miss Violet Smith and  Alexander, then a professor from England talked with me about ships, till Ron Bolton came to me, shook my hand and kissed my cheek. Shortly after that Elaine led us all along the officers’ quarters and offices corridor, down a step or two (ramped) into penthouse territory (black and white boxy crepe design, and purple print), down a lovely wooden-banistered stairway, past a lift, and along another corridor of penthouses and eventually into Queen’s Grill lounge, to Boat Deck corridor and to stairway D.  We assembled on the steps of Q Deck D stairway for a photo.  Then we were escorted into the special dining room where Muredach works.  The table was large U shape with candelabras (3s) bouquets and place cards plus individual menus.  Med officers, nurse to left. Doctor across and Engineer to my right, so it was much fun.  Gill is from Nantwich.  Dr. Holt lives near Bradford on Avon and Engineer Cornish from near Flamborough.  The Captain was at the bottom of the U.  Grace, Loyalty toast to the Queen, and gave a small speech re: 3,000,000 miles traveled and retirement.  Brief stay at Grand Lounge for the Neptune skit.  Quit early.

Friday, 1 April:

Cloudy, cool, windy and a bit of chop.  However, QE2 plow along unaffected mostly.  Not much to account for this morning out of the ordinary.  Breakfast by starboard Lido with Edna and Dotty.  I booked a Lisbon tour and shopped.  Bought a white T—shirt and chatted with Jean Burns as she tried on a beaded sweater.  I saw a slide show on Nepal and at eleven Tony Warren lectured again about his career.  I hastened to hear the noon day whistle as I stood on port Boat Deck forward, chilled with strong wind.  Back at my cabin I found the rumored caricatured plate from the Captain’s dinner.  The cartoon is not flattering to Capt. Woodall, but no doubt he okayed it.

I had lunch at Hamburger Heaven with the gals, then Sissy joined us for dessert up stairs by the pool under the Magrodome.  I then found a couple of less windy spots to read at length on Boat Deck.  Lots of blow!  Seas are choppy, and dark because of the cloudy haze.  Actually the sun was able to make itself felt.   I observed the tug of war proceedings on Helideck, but stayed outside the crowd so I could stroll away when bored, which I soon did – and stood looking aft at the churning wake.  Very strong gusts of wind.

I went down to 1 Deck Lido for the report to Helen Jones.   I then settled into a chaise on port to read my book, but soon a German lady traveling solo came to chat and I had to respond.  She is fed up with being alone – the Germans are mostly in couples and the few single women are boring.  She is vivacious and wants to dance, but the hosts tend to dance with the same ladies. Etc.  I taught her to say, “I want to dance.”  At six o’clock I returned to my cabin.

Saturday, 2 April

We are 30 miles from the Morocco cost.  We have moderate seas and swells, Force 5-6 strong wind speed over the decks.  I had breakfast with Margaret, then we went to the Theatre to rehearse the Easter solo.  Hansen’s lecture was on Islam, and Hoey’s was “Life at the Palace.”  I missed the noonday whistle by seconds.  Still strong wind and very cool.  We usual 3 shared lunch with Jean Burns and Harry, her friend.

By the time I finished lunch, it was time for the White Elephant auction, so I went to Grand Lounge to watch.  Lions, cows, booze, umbrellas, totes and sundry were offered and sold.  Also people bid on World Cruise maps in tubes, which were very nice.  This all lasted till 4:30 when I went upstairs where the cloisonné eggs kept falling down with the slight roll of the ship.  Where I sat in Grand Lounge you could feel the propeller pulse quite well.  Rudy, Michael, Elaine and Peter Longley officiated at the auction. 

At present, I am on 1 Deck Lido to have a read.  Skeet shooting is going on.  The wind is blowing the chaise lounge backs, and they are being stacked.  A deck hand is painting white with a long handled roller.  I corralled Helen in her corner and we had a good chat.  She wants to visit Boston and may stay with me in August.  We’ll see!  Dinner and show, the latter of which featured Roy Edwards then Duggie Brown. Back at the cabin I watched the tug-o-war on television.

Sunday, 3 April:

HAPPY EASTER!  Last night was a very “moving experience” with much pitching and occasional large rolls!  I put vulnerable items on the deck so they wouldn’t fall off, but occasionally the two empty drawers would hang out.

My alarm went off at 6:20 so I would be ready in time for singing at the Easter Service at 7:15.  The worst rolling had subsided, but we were still moving toward Agadir, which we did not reach till 8 or so.  Apparently we had had to slow down to 15 knots for two hours to save the ship from damage and to ease the roll for those sleeping.  Anyway, I sang the Easter solo.  All went well and was appreciated.

I went above to see us pull into Agadir harbor.  The jetty is made up of white rocks and triangle molded cement things that look like half jacks, and very substantial.  We were nudged and guided by two small tugs, till we eased into the long quay.  Nothing much to describe about the port, but it definitely is way apart from the new city.  The old city used to be above the harbor but the 1960 earthquake devastated that, and a new city was built further inland.

I took the all day tour to Marakesh, and was back just before nine o’clock.  The ship all lit up dominated the harbor.  I dashed to the dining room at 9 and ate Dover sole and water- cress soup (lots of other goodies too) by myself.  Alex and Sarah were attentive as usual, and I was the last one in the whole section.   I simply went back to the cabin for a shower and bed by 10:30.  Clocks head one hour – and we are now on GMT for daylight savings.  I don’t know when we left Agadir.

Monday, 4 April:

The weather is bright and mild.  I ate breakfast of stewed tomatoes, egg and Canadian bacon with a glass of milk.  Edna and Dot had finished theirs, but they stayed with me.  We exchanged names and addresses and discussed our yesterdays.  On the way out to G Stairway I saw Gary Jones, so we had our chat.  He wrote my cabin number on his hand!

I spent some time in the Grand Lounge, which is already decorated in purple tinsel and masks etc. for the masquerade Ball tonight.  Got caught up on my two journals, and had to dash to Waldemar’ lecture on Lisbon, followed by Tony Warren’s lecture on writing for money.  I am presently on Boat Deck by number 10 lifeboat waiting for the noon whistle.  Brisk wind from forward; sketchy clouds; blue sky and white horses.  Blast, Beep, Blast Boop!   Love it, love it!

I walked aft and found Margaret Farmer soaking up sun on the section of deck behind the shops.  We then went to lunch together.  Only Alex was present.  Dessert was more interesting in the Lido, so we ate there – fudge cake and ice cream!  I sat with 2 ladies from Long Island and Maryland, and we had a long conversation regarding “le Sport Sac.”

Peter Longley’s slide show on Lisbon and Sintra was next for me, then back to Boat Deck to read.  The sun has gone in, so it is cooler and I didn’t stay there long.  I tried One Deck Lido but even there where it is sheltered, it was still cool.  I showed Helen the Cape Cod pictures, and she suggested coals in the grate.  I read bundled up in two wool rugs, and talked with a neighbor until 5:30, then retreated to the cabin to putter and start packing.  I didn’t go to dinner or the World Cruise cocktail party, but instead Rita persuaded me to have a club sandwich and soup at home, which I did.

Again we are to advance the clocks an hour for European time, then tomorrow night we will gain it back again.  There is a slight swell, but the ship reacts little, except for a bit of pitching.  I slept off and on after the Michael Caine movie about East Berlin.

Tuesday, 5 April:  Lisbon, Portugal

I awoke very early to see us enter the Tegus River on the bridge cam.  A tug was escorting us, and in the distance, I could see the lights of the bridge over the river.  An ambulance with light flashing sped across it in the dark.  I slept again till 8:20 when I had to get going to make the 9 o’clock tour departure time.  We had been docked some time before dawn and are now just up river from the bridge and across from the statue of “Christ” built like the one in Rio on the Corcovado.  This one was built to commemorate Portugal’s neutrality during WW II.  Refueling barges are bunkering diesel fuel on the ship’s starboard side.

When I passed through Grand Lounge earlier, Vic Damone was rehearsing with the band.

During the tour, I was finally able to get close to the Belem and Navigator’s monuments.  I trotted off to have lunch at Hamburger Heaven on my return to the ship, and I joined Edna and Dotty who were already sitting by the pool.  Frank Hower came to join us, because Sissy is off shopping.  We all had tours in the morning and planned to stay on board for the afternoon.  I had chocolate cake and ice cream, then checked out the scenes from Boat Deck, overlooking the broad expanse of Lisbon to port and across the river toward the big statue.  I settled into a deck chair on starboard to read my “California” book – The Ship that Stood Still.  Warm sun beat down around me as I sought shade under a lifeboat for three or more hours.  I had a catnap too, till the Tannoy (the British word for public address system) broke the reverie.  As five o’clock approached I went to Midship’s Lounge to meet Margaret.  We hunted for a place to rehearse “Lorelei” but had to wait till 5:30 or so.  She will do quite nicely – so we “are on” for the Talent Show.

I stood on Boat Deck all the while the ship pulled away from the dock and slowly turned around to starboard.  The officers on the bridge wings were dressed in Winter blues;  Tug whistles blew and we answered back twice with boop!  Captain Woodall has warned us that we are in for rough weather, and during dinner the pitching slowly increased as we reached the wider expanse of the river and met the ocean.  I sat alone for dinner, soup and steak plus lobster – then a long wait till 9:10 when they had the baked Alaska parade with sparklers.  I photographed Sarah and Alexander and me.  Had dessert at table 211 with Mary, and two others.  When finished I went directly to the Grand Lounge for the Rockettes and Vic Damone, both acts of which were great.

I did my usual trek up to Boat Deck around midnight to see the tossing.  The wind was strong and swells were up, but it can’t compare to my 1988 October crossing.  Midnight buffet was nothing spectacular, the ice carvings being basic hourglass shape and a vague bird, I think.  Nothing really distinguishable.  To bed shortly thereafter. 

By the way, projected changes in the refit are: 1. Eliminate the Theatre balcony and use it for restaurant. 2. Eliminate Midships lounge and make it Purser’s office. 3.  Move shops amidships. 4. Reverse Columbia and Mauritania Restaurants, and Lord knows what else.  Oh yes, remove Lido pool!  We’ll see what they actually do!

Wednesday, 6 April:

Last day at sea, alas!  The ship is still rolling and pitching enough to be pushing white water to the sides.  Sky blue with clouds, as seen by channel 3.  However, by the time I emerged, it was overcast and rainy.  I didn’t eat breakfast, but instead circulated around the ship to gather notes from C’s friends.  Saw Dimitrios, Muredach, June Appleby, Helen and hope to catch more.  I sat in Queen’s Room reading while the dance class went on. 

Noon Report:  Big, heavy swell 6 feet from west northwest – down from Iceland!  Strong breeze.  Halfway across the Bay of Biscay –off Ushant – starboard to the English Channel.  East of Isle of Wight by 3:30 a.m.– pilot up the East Solent – turn around 6:30 port tie up.  The Canberra will be coming in too from her World Cruise.  I attended the last World Cruise cocktail party.  Chatted with Captain Woodall a bit before he went out to talk, and he reports Mary Maxtone-Grahame is working on a mystery novel about the QE2.  Followed that with lunch with Margaret Farmer and dessert in the Lido – then I prepared for the talent show.  Also did the Quiz on London and did well.  The talent show was as usual mediocre.  I got laughs anyway.  The battle of the bulge was next – ugh!

The weather was really wet but not terribly rocky waves. 

At Yacht Club I tried to catch up with Giles, but he was too busy. He did, however, give me a fruit punch on the house.  I sat with Sissy and Frank, then wandered a bit after they left.  I am presently sitting on Quarter Deck port by the Library.  I discovered the large windows here are hinged and I imagine that is so they can open them as doors for access to mounting lifeboats in emergencies.  The sea has calmed a bit, so we are simply rising and falling in the troughs of the angled swells.  They come toward us at about a 30˚ angle and occasionally parallel to our movement.  I think the stabilizers are out and right under this spot, because water sounds rise as the swells hit the port side.  Visibility has been quite limited, but the horizon is more visible at the moment.

It is time for me to go to my last dinner in Columbia – reluctant to do so, having discovered how nice it is here.  Soup, beef Wellington and berry crumble.  Then the final show; Jean Ann Ryan Singers and Dancers, Christine Trevett, and Elliott Finkel the flamboyant pianist.  I saw Bill Score briefly, then boldly went to Mauretania to track down Tony Bursey and Dimitrios, who took me to the Pig to get Gary’s note.  Tony is quitting QE2 after 8 years to travel on his own.  The Pig has been changed to bar stools and a partition for a dartboard area.  Paul Danby bought me a 7-up.  All go on leave except Gary who has another month.  I tried to reach Giles in Yacht Club again but gave up when I saw a special party was about to begin.

I was back in the cabin by ten o’clock (new time) to put out my bag and settle in for my last night.  The seas have calmed to glass – almost so the fun is over!

Thus ends my 1994 World Cruise segment from Mombasa to Southampton.