Lancashirelad and Jean on QE2 25th June 2008
I am still working on the report, but here are a few pictures.

:D :D :D :lol: :lol: :lol: Beautiful :!:

:D Love the sunset :)

Great shots, Stephen! I look forward to your review. :D

Day 1 Embarkation We left home at 6.40 and got to the coach pick up point at a little after 7am. The coach was not due until 7.30 but arrived at 7.10 so we got on and settled down. Two other couples arrived and then the driver told us there were just 2 more people to come. The driver said he would give them until 7.45 and then we would go without them. They arrived at 7.44, then took 5 minutes to get themselves sorted out, so we were 20 minutes late setting off. We made one stop on the way down for an early lunch and guess what the same two people were late back to the coach so that added another 10 minutes. We arrived in Southampton at about 1.45 and went to check-in. As Diamond CWC members we get priority check-in and boarding so we were onboard by just after 2pm. Our cases had not arrived so we went out on deck. We decided to go out through the Yacht Club to see if they had fixed the bouncy deck and I am happy to say they have. As we were stood at the railing admiring the view of Southampton a voice said “is it Stephen and Jean?” . We turned and saw Jean, a friend we had met onboard in 2006. After a nice chat, we went inside for afternoon tea. By the time we had finished afternoon tea and returned to our cabins the cases had arrived so it was time to unpack. Lifeboat Drill was at 4.15 and after taking our life jackets back it was time to go on deck to watch the sailaway. We left on time and had a smooth sail down Southampton Water. There was a bit of movement when we entered the channel but that soon calmed down and that was as bad as it got weather wise. Day 2 at sea We got up and went for breakfast and noticed the ship was going slowly, by the time we had finished eating we had ground to a complete holt. A short time later Captain McNaught came on the PA system to say it was a fault in the power management system for the propulsion unit? Anyway what ever it was, they fixed it and we were on our way again. We spent a nice relaxing day at sea making the most of being onboard our favourite ship. Day 3 Bergen We were out on deck early for the sail under the bridge. There were only 2 people watching us sail under, so we waved and they waved back. We had breakfast on got on the first shuttle bus into town and went straight to the funicular railway to go up the mountain. There were only a couple of people waiting when we got there and we were on our way in no time. When we got to the top we found the web cam which was very close to the station, but it was too late to arrange a stalk. The view from the top was wonderful, but we could see the rain coming so we went back to the station and got the next train down. When we arrived at bottom of the mountain there were hundreds of people waiting, just shows it pays to be off the ship early. We had a walk around the harbour to look at the other ships that were in dock, but could not get a clear view, so we walked back into the centre and had a look at the shops and market stalls. Then it was back to the ship for lunch. A quick trip back into the centre after lunch for a stalk next to the “blue stone” and then back for afternoon tea. As this was QE2’s last visit to Bergen the sailaway was very special, with lots of small boats and some not so small ones. The bridge was absolutely full of people waving good bye to us and Captain McNaught acknowledged them with a long blast on the ship’s whistle. To be continued ……….

Sounds like a great cruise so far :D Looking forward to more :D

I see Jean has a new friend :lol: :lol:

Day 4 Hellesylt and Geiranger I got up early and watched us arrive close to Hellesylt which was dramatic. The cloud was quite low and the mountains had patches of cloud which made it look very mysterious. The cruise down Geiranger fjord was as wonderful and as we arrived in Geiranger a passing ferry whistled and we whistled back. Then someone set of three bangers and we whistled back. We did not do any tours in Geiranger as we had been before so we just had a walk around the town and then round to the other side of the fjord to get a good picture of QE2. By the time we left the cloud had lifted and it was bright sunshine. There was a beautiful sunset that night. Day 5 Flaam We were due to dock at 8am and we were booked on a train at 8.35, it was actually after 9am when we docked and then after spending 45 minutes in the theatre waiting for our tour, we were told it was cancelled, but we would get a full refund. There were 200 very unhappy people, including me and mum. The really annoying thing is that we booked early to be sure of getting on the trip, but did not, and those who left it to the last minute were booked on later trains and got to go. We had a walk around Flaam and then went to the other side of the fjord to get another view of the ship. As we were leaving Captain McNaught informed us we were late because someone at head office thought they knew better than the crew and dispute being told QE2 could not get from Geiranger to Flaam for 8am (even though we were doing 28 knots overnight) it was put in the brochure. Hopefully they will learn from their mistake and correct it before the next time QE2 calls. It started to rain just as we were sailing away and it kept raining for the rest of the evening. Day 6 Stavanger This is a beautiful town and the ship docks right in the centre. We have a lovely walk around the town in the morning and then back to the ship for lunch. Another nice walk around the town in the afternoon and then back to the ship for afternoon tea. We were due to sail at 5, but had to wait for Queen of Scandinavia to sail so we left at about 5.15 lots more whistling and it was a dry sunny sailaway. Due to the shortage of sea days, we had the restaurant Captains Cocktail party tonight. Day 7 at sea A busy way, we had the CWC party in the morning and a wine tasting in the afternoon. We did not bother with the wine tasting. Just as I was getting settled, it was time to pack, a week is not long enough. Day 8 homeward bound The ship arrived on time and we were off by 8.45am and in the coach ready for home by not long after 9. Surprise surprise, the same to people were late and it was 9.30 when we set off for home. Just one stop on the way and guess what, those 2 were late again. We were back home by 5pm so it was not too bad

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Love the shot of Jean and the Troll! :D Did QE2 drop passengers off at Hellesylt for a land tour to Geiranger, Stephen?

The picture of QE2 in Flam is beautiful :) . Enjoyed your review, not long now until you - and I :!: -are onboard for another adventure :D I have been on coaches before where the same people are always late - so rude and inconsiderate :twisted:

Here is the troll in the pic

We could have done a troll stalk, too :D :D Maybe if a coach simply left without them, they wouldn't be late anymore :!: :!: :rant:

Enjoyed your photos and review, Stephen....looks like you and Jean had a wonderful cruise :D