June 24
En Route to California

Ruth had awoken at 4:30, and being unable to get back to sleep again, she set off to explore the ship in the early morning light. She said it was fairly deserted, but there were a few other hardy souls out on deck, also enjoying the peace and quiet of the last day at sea. I am not an early riser, but it does sound like a wonderful experience.

By the time I woke up we were safely tied up back at the QE ll dock. No view of the fjords outside our balcony today, just England’s green and pleasant land once more.

As I finished packing and prepared to leave our home for the past 7 days I realized that although we had had a wonderful time, it had been extremely busy. We had only had one lunch in the Golden Lion, and had not tried the dinner there, we only got to afternoon tea in the Queen’s Room on one occasion, and I usually indulge in the wonderful small meals in the Carinthia Lounge, the only time I had been in this new and improved space was one night for a pre dinner drink. We also never went to breakfast or lunch in the main dining room. There is simply too much to do and see on this beautiful ship. One week is just not enough. Fortunately we do have some other voyages booked, but none of them are extended ones alas. I am so ready for a nice really long return visit to Queen Mary.

The car we reserved to take us to the airport didn’t work out, but I was able to book us on the coach to Heathrow at the last minute. Score one for the Tour office.

We all had to meet in the Royal Court Theater at 8:00. As the gangway was on deck 3 we opted to wait on deck 3 so we didn’t have to struggle to catch a lift or ascend the stairs with our carry on bags. That seemed to be everyone’s idea so it was quite crowded, but we did still find seats. I have memories of total chaos, and tripping over other people’s luggage whilst waiting for the disembarkation announcement on other cruise lines, but this was very civilized. I just wished we were not getting off.

Then the announcement came that the busses for Heathrow were awaiting us, and we all proceeded to the gangway in an orderly manner, and next thing I knew I was off the ship. Luckily we are able to keep our cruise cards now. Not that it would be of any use – when I tried to get back into the cabin this morning it would not work. I have been through 4 cards in a 7-day period. I do everything I should not to demagnetize them, including not even wearing my Fit Bit on this trip and always having my phone in a different place, but they still die. It has to be something about me alas.

Anyway, the card still worked for me to get off the ship, and in no time at all we were in the luggage hall, and there was my beautiful red suitcase waiting for me.

Disembarkation in the UK goes so smoothly. There were no long queues for immigration, well actually no immigration, plenty of porters and trolleys should you need them (I just love pulling my red bag along with me, it is so great), and an easy walk to the bus. The driver obligingly put our cases into the baggage compartment, and before we knew it we were all off to London early in the morning – but no sign of chuffer trains all in a row. We always used to sing that song when we disembarked in Southampton when I was a child, and went straight onto the boat train to London. Great memories. I do miss my parents and grandparents. I know they would also have loved QM2 once they got to know her.

We were in London by 10:30, and checked in on British Airways in no time at all, leaving us several hours to enjoy the pleasures of Terminal 3. I had been confused as to why our BA plane was leaving from Terminal 3, but this was so.

We sat and waited in the great hall until the gate for our 2:45 flight was shown on the TV screen. More time for shopping. Ruth bought us a couple of Cokes, and was pleased to see that they took dollars, but then disappointed that she received her change in sterling. There is not much you can do with 20p except donate it.

I headed off to buy my 6-month supply of chocolates, due to the fact that our local stores do not offer Cadbury Flakes and Peppermint Aeros. Unfortunately the 6-month supply started to get diminished while we waited, and I had to go and shop again to restock.

Finally our gate was announced and we walked over there, but as we were in the last boarding group we had to wait again. More depletion of the chocolate supply ensued alas.

Finally we were on the plane, and with help from Ruth, who is less wimpy than I, we placed our bags in the overhead bins, and we settled in for the flight.

I love taking my BOAC bag, and wearing my vintage BOAC VC 10 scarf on BA trips. My first career choice had been to be a BOAC air stewardess, but alas, I did not meet their employment qualifications, so I had to choose another career path instead. I can still live the dream, all be it in a middle seat at the back of a 747.

We had a great flight to Phoenix. Yet again the flight attendant gave us several little bottles of wine. I initially thought that was because he thought we were cute, but on much consideration I had to deduce that this was so that he didn’t have to interact with us for the rest of the flight.

We changed planes in Phoenix. Now this is for the US readers – get your GOES card! I have mine, and was through immigration in minutes, Ruth does not have one, and despite the presence of the automatic immigration machines, it took her ages. Then when we finally had our luggage, I was able to go straight through customs (even though I had declared my chocolates as food as you are meant to do, but the customs officer was not at all interested in a peppermint Aero), and it took Ruth ages. Finally she was also out the other side, and we dropped our suitcases off at the transfer desk, and walked to the American Airlines Terminal.

We had noticed that our BA issued boarding cards did not say TSA pre check for this flight, despite the fact that they did for the London Phoenix leg of the journey. Go figure. We also were unable to pull up our boarding cards on our phones on the AA app, so had to wait in the general queue at the security line.

Eventually we reached our boarding gate, over 2 ½ hours after we had landed. Luckily the lay over on our itinerary was just enough, as we started boarding soon after we reached the gate.

Now we are back in California. I fly home to Idaho tomorrow. We have had a wonderful trip. Despite the weather, the itinerary was fantastic, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Yes, we didn’t have the best weather, and I am still disappointed that we missed Alesund, but all in all it really did give us a good taste of the fjords. I am tempted to go again, but this time on a more northerly itinerary, and maybe take in Iceland too. One can only dream.

Apparently the sail away on QM2 and QE from Southampton today was beautiful – warm with clear blue skies. Maybe we will experience this for our next Northern Europe voyage. One can only hope.

The only casualty of the voyage was Ruth’s suitcase received significant damage. The American Airlines lady at the baggage claim counter in California reassured her that this was a normal occurrence, and not to worry. When she unpacked her bag, the Cunard mug that she had risked life an limb to purchase at the logo sale had been broken, no doubt by the severe blows her suitcase had received.

This is most disappointing, but a clear indication that another Cunard cruise should be in her future!

I know there have to be more in mine.

We never got to do our hiking up steep mountain slopes, and kayaking past waterfalls in serene fjords, all under clear blue skies and endless clear, sunlit days. I never really ventured far into Norwegian cuisine, but in my brief 3 days there I had a wonderful taste of what a beautiful country Norway is. I am really looking forward to getting home to Brian, but I’m already wondering if a trip to northern Norway may be in my future………….