Ahoy from the QE2 Story Team and Best Wishes for 2016
It is now seven years since Rob Lightbody had the initiative to set up the QE2 Story internet forum and we are so glad that he did! What would we do without this wonderful resource that gives us the opportunity to share our memories about QE2.
Looking back at some of the member's introductions I particularly like Rob's, which was short but said it all about how a lot of us feel about QE2.
"Hello, I'm Rob Lightbody and I've been a QE2 NUT since the late 80s when I first saw her, and stepped foot on her. I became completely obsessed in the last couple of years, when i realised time was running out..."
On the New Year's Eve, passengers were enjoying parties. In line with ships tradition, at midnight the ship’s bell was rung sixteen times, by the youngest member of the crew to signal the arrival of the New Year. Eight bells for the out-going year and eight bells for the incoming year
But a couple of hours into the New Year the ship lost power, came to a standstill and was plunged into darkness.
No lights, no air conditioning and no toilets but the party still went on in the Yacht Club.
“The large room was quite hot and stuffy. Just aft of the Yacht Club, many people moved the party to the large open deck. The night was beautiful. The stars were out, and there was a cool breeze. This is so strange, I thought, as we stood there, still enjoying ourselves in spite of what might be going on up on the bridge and down below. Only emergency lights and the stars and moon illuminated the deck. We could hear very clearly the ocean swells lapping against the hull of the still ship. We were dead in the water. Going nowhere, powerless.”
It was not long until the ship's power was restored, QE2 was back to full speed and in true QE2 style she arrived on time in New York the following day.
Photo by Ajie Popeye
Sunrise on QE2
Wonderful image of QE2 after sunrise, posted by Queen Elizabeth 2 on the QE2 Photos from Dubai 2016 topic. Many thanks to his friend Ajie Popeye who has sent some wonderful images of QE2 for us to enjoy.
Photo by Harev
QE2 World cruises
Were you one of the lucky people to have sailed to exotic destinations on one of QE2's World cruises? If you were we would love to hear about the experience.
CAP gave us some fascinating information on QE2 Circumnavigations (World Cruises) that you may like to have a look at. Also this information from Michael Gallagher gave us an insight into all the ports of call for QE2's 21 Century World Cruises
Poll for the December Photo Competition
Voting for the December Photo Competition closes on 1 February so why not take a few minutes to enjoy QE2 memories of Art Work on QE2 and vote for your three favourite photos.
Congratulations to Cunarder Man, the winner of the November competition with his photo "Good Night New York" It was interesting to read that the photo was taken on a cold evening, early in January 2005, as the ship headed out towards the Verazano Narrows Bridge.
We all enjoyed the first class service that we received in the QE2 Restaurants, but how many of you took photos to remember the experience. The Photo Competition is easy to enter and not only do you have a chance to win a prize but you are also keeping the memory of QE2 alive by sharing your memories.
Isabelle has provided easy instructions to enter the competition on thePhoto Competition topic but if you need any help just email: admin@theqe2story.com and we will be only too willing to assist.
The prize this month is the Isle of Man stamp set of QE2 donated by the Isle of Man Post Office and valued at GBP 10. Such a colourful set of stamps that would look lovely if framed.
The QE2 Story 2016 Calendar
Again we have two different choices on offer, the Premium and the Standard, details of which are outlined on the Calendar Ordering page. All images used in each calendar are the same, although the choice of cover image is different between the two versions due to the differing formats of the layout. We have simply swapped images so that the cover image of one will be found on the inside pages of the other and vice-versa. Watch out for discount code offers, which we try to post on the 2016 Calendar topic.
Thank-you Cunardqueen for the photo, we love the QE2 teddy. Looking forward to seeing more photos of members with their Calendar.
Thank-you for your continued support for the QE2 Story Forum. We know how special the ship is to everyone onboard the forum and we appreciate the contributions that are made to keep her memory alive.
