Friday 24 April 2009

Normal Service Resumes

I've not been able to get near this computer for the past week as J has been frantically working on his A2 ICT Module that needed to be in for today at the latest.

I've gone through this week in a bit of a daze - so, what's new, I hear you ask - and now that I've almost caught up with paperwork and other bits, I can take a moment before racing off to take Grumpy to be clipped, to tell you a bit about the trip.

The Queen Mary 2 is the most incredible ship, and not only because of it's sheer size. My step-son, who is a tall chap, decided to see how long it would take him, only taking into account the inside of the ship, for him to walk from one end to the other - three minutes!

The seas were rough, but then as R reminded me, it was a transatlantic crossing. Mainly Gale Force 8, F9, and on my birthday even managed to get (I'm sure) to a Gale Force 10, or thereabouts. Having said that, no glasses ever spilt, Sas, who was unwell the first day, soon perked up with some Stugeron, and all of us had a ball. The cabins were comfortable (I slept like the proverbial log, which is nothing short of a miracle as I don't really do sleeping). The restaurant, cinema, and theatre were on two levels, they were huge, as was the ballroom. As if the meals weren't enough, we also enjoyed afternoon tea, with warm scones and finger sandwiches.

I watched two shows, put on by RADA graduates, one film and enjoyed an incredible concert by a pianist, Harry the Piano (I'm sure that's the name...) They stopped (or at least slowed) the ship near to where the Titanic rests, and the Captain and senior crew members said a prayer and threw a large wreath over the back (stern?) of the ship as a mark of respect. It was only two days away from the 97th(?) anniversary, and to think that we were standing in warm sun, when the Titanic had experienced icebergs, was rather strange. I spent time in the wood panelled library (quelle surprise) and managed to so some research for my next book.

New York was sublime. Such a vibrant city, I'm sure I'll need to go and live there at some point. Stepping out of the hotel (Waldorf Astoria, a dream in Art Deco) I was delighted to see the hoards of yellow cabs, and in no time at all a fire engine raced passed us, honking it's horn.

When it comes to heights, I'm a drip of the first order - fifth floor hotel rooms have seen me panic - but somehow I went to Top of the Rock, and (as you can see from the photo of Central Park in my previous post) I actually went outside on the 70th floor, and felt completely fine. Probably because it was so damn high, that my brain probably thought I was in a plane or something. The Chrysler Building - somewhere I'd always wanted to visit - was as good as I expected, and inside was far better. The architecture, sounds, sights, and sheer enormity of everything was so perfect. Central Park, Ellis Island, etc.

Out of the six books I took, I didn't even finish one, however, we all had a perfect trip, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

31 comments:

Phillipa said...

Debs, It looks and sounds like an incredible trip. Stopping to salute the Titanic must have been very emotional - and well done you for surviving the Force 10 gales. Thanks for sharing with us. P x

Casdok said...

Not finishing any books is a very good indicator! Sounds an awesome trip!

Flowerpot said...

It must have been good if you didnt have time to read! Sounds great.

Amanda said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip, Debs. Lovely photo of you :-)

Fionnuala said...

Am jealous. Am sulking. I know I went earlier in the year but I want to go back! Fx

chris said...

Debs - you look wonderful! And the trip sounds completely amazing - you lucky, lucky thing. So hard, coming down to earth though, isn't it? Thanks so much for sharing - even though the gales and heights made me wince (I'm such a wuss!) - I know I'll never go there so loved every detail. Big sigh...

Lucy Diamond said...

Wow, how exciting! Sounds a great trip.

Chris Stovell said...

What a treat, Debs, sounds really lush. I can't believe you didn't read your books - that must be a record! It sounds as if you've clocked up plenty of material for future work, 'though.

Anna Scott Graham said...

lovely! makes me want to take a cruise and see NYC, both!!

claire p said...

Can I come next time. Pleeeeese! I've turned a very nice shade of green now.

DAB said...

Welcome back. So glad you had a ball m'dear. :) TFx

Unknown said...

Wow! What a trip. Thanks for sharing. So glad you had a good time.

Elle Field said...

Sounds like you had an amazing time! Very jealous! :0)

Helen said...

It does sound amazing. I liked the respect for the Titanic.

Anonymous said...

Not sure about the ship, being the ultimate sea-sick freak I stay well clear of them! However, the trip to New York sounds absolutely fantastic. My sister had a honeymoon in the Waldorf Astoria and couldn't get over the bling. Women everywhere with diamonds dripping from every angle.

CJ xx

Liane Spicer said...

Sounds lovely, Debs. Thanks for sharing. More pics please!

Lane Mathias said...

Sounds absolutely amazing debs and you look fab!

Yes more pics:-)

Melissa Amateis said...

I've never been to NYC, but want to visit some day.

And look at that smile! You look wonderful!

HelenMWalters said...

It sounds fantastic. I'm so jealous.

Kaye Manro said...

That's a great photo of you, Debs. You look stunning! I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip to NYC! It's some place, I'll say.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Thanks for the comments.

I'm finally managing time on the computer to visit everyone's blogs and catching up with all that I've missed.

Michelle said...

Debs - This sounds like a real trip of a lifetime, although I must admit I am such a poor sailor I am not sure I would cope with the Atlantic crossing. The moment when you were near the Titanic must have been very poignant.
Nice to have you back though
Michelle
x

A Modern Mother said...

Glad you had a good time, New York never dissapoints. I find that either I read lots on a trip, or not at all. Your mind must have been busy doing other things.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the trip was wonderful,must be so hard to come back to dreary old England!!

DJ Kirkby said...

It all sounds fairly wonderful actually. I am shocked you didn't finish any of the books you took! Time to come home for a rest I think.

Carol said...

OMG that sounds like an absolutely amazing trip....you know it's good when your books remain unread!!!

C x

Jan said...

WHAT a trip!
No wonder your books are untouched.
Plenty of time to read them in your garden this summer ( we hope!)

Karen said...

Sounds wonderful, and great photo :o)

Couldn't have done the sea crossing though, big cowardy custard that I am!

S D Everington said...

Looks fantastic. I'm jealous :)

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Sounds like a fantastic trip.

:-)

Annieye said...

This just sounds so perfect. I'm glad you had a great birthday.