Well it's been almost a year in the planning, and longer than that in the dreaming of, but finally my epic transatlantic trip has begun! And what a crazy couple of weeks it's been leading up to this -- I don't think I've ever been this busy, what with finishing up all my work, planning the last few details of this trip and trying to sort out personal assistants (paid carers) for when I get back. After all that I really need this holiday!
Coming aboard the Queen Mary 2 really was very smooth, effortless procedure. After a reasonable hour and a half drive to Southampton docks, we were met by a member of docks staff specifically assigned to help us on board. Apparently this was because the lift at the docks was broken, so we had to use the crew gangway to get on board. They were most apologetic for the hassle, but with nothing to compare it to it didn't seem to be a problem at all. The whole process from arriving at the docks to getting into our room took a maximum of half an hour.
And what a sight it was when we got to our room! It really is huge, and very impressive. We were welcomed by a bottle of champagne on ice and chocolates, which we decided to enjoy on our private balcony. I knew it was going to be luxurious, but nothing quite prepared me for this. It got us thinking that maybe we need to upgrade our cabin on the way back, which wasn't going to be the same grade.
After some intrepid exploring, followed by lunch, the all-important emergency procedure and some chilling out in our room, it was just about time for dinner. Now dinner on the Queen Mary 2, as with many other things is a very elegant (i.e. posh) affair, usually involving everyone dressing up to the nines. The first night is elegant casual, i.e. jacket and shirt for men, but no tie. Well that's still far more smart than I usually am! We were lucky enough to be seated on a big table, which means we get to be sociable. Only two other people on their last night though, a retired couple from Sheffield. We seem to do okay with the smalltalk, and maybe they didn't notice that we're not really posh! But who knows, maybe they're not posh either (although I doubt it, the wife was called Cecily for goodness sake!).
And finally, to round up the night we decided to visit the Golden Lion pub (yes, there really is a pub on board!) For the pub quiz, and a few much appreciated bevvies. A very nice and civilised end to the evening, before hitting the hay with the special Queen Mary 2 extra hour in bed to look forward to. Five 25 hour days, what a fantastic approach to avoiding jetlag!
Anyway, that wraps up the first blog, time to go off and enjoy the holiday! Check back for Day two and three ...
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