2 Old Dames on the best Dame in the World - Queen Mary 2

[Pushka]

The sail out from Sydney Harbour was beautiful. Picture balmy weather, no other motor boats or ferries operating at Circular Quay "I am sailing" by Rod Stewart at maximum sound level across the Quay and QM2's large Aft filling the area. Just wonderful.

 

[Pushka]

 

[QF WP]

QF WP - we would love to meet up with you! By the time Pushka gets in and I meet her to take her to the Hilton it will be after 10 I would think - if she manages to get on a 9am shuttle. I would not count on it - aim for 10 am Pushka, miss the mobs and have a sleep in! It's about 40 - 45 minutes to get from the Grain Terminal to the city.

Dispensation given for Sunday, so I'll aim for 10am at the Hilton.

Maybe I should put a rose between my teeth so you can recognise me! Easy to pick out - short (5 ft). chubby, will definitely be wearing trousers as I don't do skirt and 60 plus :mrgreen: (Though people say I have a young face - they're probably just being polite!). Pushka will be easy to spot - younger, slimmer, fitter and wearing a lanyard with her QM2 room key (LOL). There is a long history to the wearing of your room key on a lanyard. Australians seem to like to do this. On the last cruise I was on, bling lanyards were all the rage! I never do the lanyard - I wear one at work so not on holidays!

Whilst I've spoken to Pushka, I haven't met her yet. I'm tall, greying and handsome - an older version of your sons. I'll post a link to a photo

 

[Pushka]

We gain an hour tonight so aiming for early shuttle at 9 which is free. I'll text when I arrive into CBD esp if lost

Found a nifty window on Deck 12. A narrow corridor which has a window right behind the Bridge. Just passed another cruise ship and they sure keep a watch on those even though quite a way apart.

 

[markis10]

We gain an hour tonight so aiming for early shuttle at 9 which is free. I'll text when I arrive into CBD esp if lost

Found a nifty window on Deck 12. A narrow corridor which has a window right behind the Bridge. Just passed another cruise ship and they sure keep a watch on those even though quite a way apart.

Your abeam Port Macquarie and that was the Pacific Jewel

 

[Shelf]

handsome

Don't forget modest!

 

[QF WP]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not the beholden. They can judge for themselves

Looking forward to meeting the (not so old) Dames tomorrow.

 

[love_the_life]

We gain an hour tonight so aiming for early shuttle at 9 which is free. I'll text when I arrive into CBD esp if lost

Found a nifty window on Deck 12. A narrow corridor which has a window right behind the Bridge. Just passed another cruise ship and they sure keep a watch on those even though quite a way apart.

i forgot about the hour - so it won't really be such an early start. Text when on shuttle and I'll mosey on down to meet you.
I remember that window - it is fascinating to watch the bridge at work. If people do not do the right thing, they pull the curtains so you can't see in.

 

[love_the_life]

Excellent QF WP. An old dame looking forward to meeting you.

 

[Pushka]

Your abeam Port Macquarie and that was the Pacific

Yep. Just announced on the Noon update. She's off to Tangalooma.

The new Captain is British. Clearly struggling with BrisBANE and can't even describe his pronunciation of Caloundra.

I can get a Telstra signal Portside but not starboard.

Meet Sergei and Olga from the Ukraine. They are the ballroom dancing experts. Gorgeous shoes ladies. Gorgeous figure guys. Olga's that is. . Unless.

I'll post Amy's photo in a few days. She teaches line dancing. From Great Britain. . Line dancing was hilarious this morning a rocking and a rolling.

Sorry about fuzzy pictures. I've plenty of good quality photos but using the phone and loading to the AFF app is so easy.

 

[Pushka]

So would that be two old dames meeting an old ....

The one disadvantage of having a Portside cabin is that docking at 6am is really noisy. And somewhere on my deck when the Pilot boards it's also noisy. Tonight it's 3am.

Good news love_the_life, I was at the sailaway party with one of our table mates and the crowd was really young and getting into the music. Hope they don't disembark in Brisbane.

Shops haven't restocked yet. But bedlam in there this morning.

 

[Pushka]

Lots of theories onboard re the missing Malaysian flight. I'm thinking Chinese Immigration, given we are arriving into Shanghai from a Malaysian port might be a bit tight.

Seas are so smooth. And blue.

 

[get me outta here]

That's a good tip to remember ... do ships always dock on the same side


QUOTE: The one disadvantage of having a Portside cabin is that docking at 6am is really noisy. And somewhere on my deck when the Pilot boards it's also noisy. Tonight it's 3am.

 

[Pushka]

That's a good tip to remember ... do ships always dock on the same side


QUOTE: The one disadvantage of having a Portside cabin is that docking at 6am is really noisy. And somewhere on my deck when the Pilot boards it's also noisy. Tonight it's 3am.

Usually Portside but it depends on winds, tides and currents. Ships are Bi that way.

Another abs session with Vlad the Torturer. Then an aerobics class. I'm good to eat and drink at the Formal tonight. .

One advantage of weighing oneself at sea. The digital scales can't measure properly when the boat is rocking. Which gave my weight as between 50 kilos and 120 kilos. Of course, 50 is the correct one. But I reckon with the bridge climb, and 8 classes and a gym session in 5 days I think I've actually not gained anything. Yet.

And it's super hot on the balcony as I'm facing west.

 

[love_the_life]

Well old dame the elder is in Brisbane and ready to go! Surprisingly the case was not as heavy as anticipated - under 18kg though a pretty hefty carry on as well but not too bad considering. Brisbane is bopping at the moment with huge queues all afternoon at the Irish pub in the mall and lots of people getting an early start on St Patricks Day. It is warm with no wind and sunny so if it is the same tomorrow when the ship arrives passengers will have perfect sight-seeing weather.

Regarding the side of the ship next to the wharf at docking, another factor is the size of the ship which affects whether they dock stern in or bow in. The smaller ones in Sydney are bow in but something like the Celebrity Solstice is 'reverse parked' with her stern closest to the quay.

 

[Pushka]

Next one is yours LTL.



Shuttle is dropping off at Creek Street between Queens and Adelaide. Is this good?

 

[markis10]

Next one is yours LTL.

View attachment 26199

Shuttle is dropping off at Creek Street between Queens and Adelaide. Is this good?

Thats one block from the mall, about as good as you will get.

 

[markis10]

She made good time, off Straddie at the moment.

 

[Pushka]

I think she's cruisin! .
It's only three hours until the pilot boards so getting close. Sheesh, must get some sleep.

Just enjoyed another formal night. Most people looking gorgeous in the black and white theme. Some just don't bother and don't care.



I'm not actually quite sure what's happening here. Lots of leg and tulle. The Cunard dancers are wonderful.

St Patricks Ball Monday night to be sure to be sure.

 

[Pushka]

There are some days when putting on a bath robe before checking the balcony is a good idea.

I like tugs.

Why am I up so early? Well, apart from catching up with QF WP and love_the_life's first day today, why do people just let their heavy door go and slam shut (all metal) so that everyone shares the joy of being up so early?

It's a beautiful day, just as well.

Clearly I'll be on an early shuttle...