I;m
home on Terra firma although the floor still seems to be swaying around
when I stand still. What a wonderful week on the Queen Mary. She is the
biggest passenger ship ever built and she was specifically designed to
recreate the luxury of those earlier liners the original Queen Mary and
Queen Elizabeth. She is a true liner--she cuts through the water, not
sits on it. Interior opulent and art deco. Food excellent. So many
things to do every day...I took watercolor classes a
nd went to the Canyon Ranch spa for my daily aqua therapy in a variety of therapy pools/waterfalls/saunas
etc. I had planned to do more, but the sun shone and the sea was smooth and blue so I sat out on deck with a a book. Off Newfoundland we saw loads of dolphins and whales- so exciting.
In the evenings there were floor shows, formal balls, and there were jazz clubs and discos we never went to. Classical music in the lounges all the time--flute,piano, harp etc. A performance of Richard III by RADA students (I confess. I didn't attend. Sun was shining).
Only one rough day and we tossed around a bit and rain buffeted us and all I could think of was Stephen Crane and "None of them could tell the color of the sky". But it passed and the captain declared it was extremely smooth for the Atlantic. I couldn't take him seriously because he had a voice like Baldrick in Black Adder. I expected him to say "I have a cunning plan...."
We came into New York at 4.30 in the morning. I was on deck as we went under the Verazano Narrows bridge and caught the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and the new Freedom towers. For the first time I really experienced what I had made Molly Murphy experience all those years ago...the glimpse of the Lady holding her lamp aloft. It was so moving and I felt what those immigrants must have felt.
And now we're home. Laundry and mail to be sorted. No one to pick up my towels or bring me a drink. But I've come home with lots of good ideas for killing someone on a cruise ship for a future Georgie book!
etc. I had planned to do more, but the sun shone and the sea was smooth and blue so I sat out on deck with a a book. Off Newfoundland we saw loads of dolphins and whales- so exciting.
In the evenings there were floor shows, formal balls, and there were jazz clubs and discos we never went to. Classical music in the lounges all the time--flute,piano, harp etc. A performance of Richard III by RADA students (I confess. I didn't attend. Sun was shining).
Only one rough day and we tossed around a bit and rain buffeted us and all I could think of was Stephen Crane and "None of them could tell the color of the sky". But it passed and the captain declared it was extremely smooth for the Atlantic. I couldn't take him seriously because he had a voice like Baldrick in Black Adder. I expected him to say "I have a cunning plan...."
We came into New York at 4.30 in the morning. I was on deck as we went under the Verazano Narrows bridge and caught the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and the new Freedom towers. For the first time I really experienced what I had made Molly Murphy experience all those years ago...the glimpse of the Lady holding her lamp aloft. It was so moving and I felt what those immigrants must have felt.
And now we're home. Laundry and mail to be sorted. No one to pick up my towels or bring me a drink. But I've come home with lots of good ideas for killing someone on a cruise ship for a future Georgie book!
Yay! I'm glad you had a wonderful trip and am looking forward to that future Lady Georgie story. :)
ReplyDeleteCathy AJ
Welcome home, Rhys.
ReplyDeletesounds like a marvelous trip!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a lovely crossing it was! I was so thrilled that we had the pleasure of your company at our dinner table every night! We got lucky when they put together our table of eight. Now I'm off to order some books and have no doubt that I'll be reaching for the next mystery with my left hand as I snap shut the finished mystery in my right hand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Rhys! It brought back many memories. When I first came to New York, more than forty years ago, I came on the old Queen Mary -- in those days it was cheaper than flying -- all one's belongings packed up in tea-chests in the hold. I will never forget my first glimpse of New York City -- a fairytale city, seen from the sea. That is surely the way to arrive in this country. Hundreds of trips since then into Kennedy Airport never matched that one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely journey, Rhys. So glad for you! LOL, 'voice like Baldrick'!!! Made me chuckle, for sure. Happy writing and keep up your wonderful recovery.
ReplyDelete