Kirkwall May 28th, 2024 You know you are in Scotland when the first thing you hear in the morning is the sound of bagpipes. It sounded like the man was on our balcony when he woke me up, but no there he was on the quayside, but he certainly made...
Invergordon May 29th, 2024 From our balcony we had a good view of the Black Isle and nearby oil rigs. As it happens, the Black Isle isn’t an island at all, but is a peninsular. Although its name reportedly comes from the black soil there or the...
At Sea May 30th, 2024 I think you absolutely need a sea day after 2 ports days, and then there is a full schedule of events, do it’s not as restful as you think it is going to be. The insight talks today were given by Alistair Greener on “The...
At Sea May 31st, 2024 This morning we were entertained by a pod of small dolphins, but unfortunately they were just not photogenic. The Commodore Club binocular users were out in force today. They were scanning the horizon for any sign of life...
Greenock June 1st, 2004 Well here we are, still in Bonnie Scotland, and guess what? The sun is shining! Not just making an attempt to shine, but I looked outside to see where the bagpipe music was coming from, and I was instantly bathed in...
Belfast June 2nd, 2024 No bagpipes this morning, but there was a wonderful brass band playing my favorite “A Groovy Kind of Love” Welcome to Belfast! I had loved out visit to the Giant’s Causeway when we were in Belfast last year, but the...
Liverpool June 3rd, 2024 Today’s the day! The day we have all been waiting for. Queen Anne’s naming. What will the day bring? Queen Anne was escorted by water spraying fire boats as she glided up the Mersey in the early morning hours. It was...
At Sea June 4th, 2024 After a very exciting day yesterday the ship felt very subdued. Maybe everyone was exhausted – I certainly needed some extra sleep after my early morning watching our arrival in Liverpool. I have processed my feelings about...
Cobh, Ireland June 5th, 2024 The last time we were in Cobh we had spent the day walking around Cobh. Today I decided to spend the day in Cork. It is easy to get to Cork by train, but due to my paranoia about rail strikes, I took the ship’s tour...
At Sea June 6th, 2024 Today is my final day on board. I really should have been packing, but as always there is way too much to do. To commemorate D Day there was a memorial service in the Royal Court Theater. This was very well attended, and it...
Seattle June 7th, 2024 Well that day has come. Time to get back to reality. I saw that familiar view, and knew that Queen Anne was back to Southampton. Still, it looked like a beautiful day, and I am sure they will have a great sail away. Except...