Friday, September 20, 2019

On the Way Home from Norway




After visiting Norway, Grayden and I had a lot to ponder on our journey home.  We took the Queen Victoria back to Southampton and thoroughly enjoyed the slow pace back on the North Sea and into the English Channel.


Walking through the Chart Room you can stop for a drink or visit with new found friends.



Maybe you would enjoy shopping in the Royal Arcade.



Or maybe you'd go for a swim, though I doubt that would suit you on this day as it was still quite chilly.  You could use the heated indoor pool if you wish.



Grayden and I really enjoy it all, but I do believe our favorite is walking along the Promenade.  Even after our walks we would venture outside again to view the lovely North Sea.



It's hard to believe the North Sea is so blue!  Isn't it magnificent?  I adore the ocean and always find joy in its majesty. 



Back inside of the lobby we view a portrait of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.  She visited the Queen Victoria on its fifth anniversary in Southampton.



Maybe you would enjoy dancing in the Queen's Room or going to Afternoon Tea is always lovely.

It's all wonderful and we certainly enjoyed our time on this lovely ship, but we must now pack our bags and get ready to exit the Queen Victoria and board the Queen Mary 2.  I'm pinching myself now, reminding myself this was not a dream, but a wonderful voyage to Norway.  It was more than beautiful to Grayden and I.  It was a dream voyage to a magical kingdom full of lovely people and beautiful scenery!  

Boarding the Queen Mary 2 certainly takes the sting out of leaving the Queen Victoria.  We both absolutely adore the Queen Mary 2!  So let's all get in the car and head over to her dock.



This is a bust of Queen Mary in the entrance to the Queen's Room.  Won't you join us for Afternoon Tea?



This is King George V bust on the opposite side of Queen Mary.  If you are a Downton Abbey fan, these are the royals that will be visiting the Crawleys in the new movie.  I haven't seen it yet, but hope to soon.  How about you?  Are you a fan?



There is another lovely portrait of Queen Mary in the Queen's Room.



How about a lovely scone and clotted cream?  Shall I pour a cup of tea for you?

As we get settled in, we have a glorious week to be on this lovely ship.  Again our favorite is walking about the Promenade.



What do you think these sculptures are that Grayden is standing in front of?


I'm happy to say that these have not been needed on any of our voyages.


Let's find a deck chair and enjoy this beautiful day at sea.


As you can see not all days at sea are lovely.  The closer we get to the Grand Banks the cold ocean waters meet with the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream.  Fog then engulfs the ship and the Queen Mary 2 sounds her whistles every 2 minutes that can be heard 10 nautical miles away. 

  
We even were treated to a rainbow during the fog on that afternoon.  You can see it faintly to the right of Grayden. 


And then suddenly we travel out of the fog and into the sunshine!  


After being onboard the Queen Mary 2 for a week we are back in New York City.  What wonderful memories we have stored in our hearts about this beautiful voyage to Norway!


Waiting to disembark the Queen Mary 2 the Statue of Liberty welcomes us back home.  May she always welcome the tired and poor to her shores.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe
free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to 
me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door! "

Emma Lazaras














29 comments:

  1. What a lovely lovely trip WE have had. :~) I am sure you did have to pinch yourself at times. It surely must have been a dream come true.

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  2. Home again, home again, Jiggety Jig

    and we blinked and it was over, until, of course, the next time! What wonderful memories you and Grayden are making.

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Time passes so quickly, Deb. The days of our life seem to go in warp speed. I hope you are feeling better, my friend. xoxo ♥

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  3. My goodness, what a wonderful tour you took us on. Not one but two ships, what a journey such a great adventure for you both. I would have loved to have joined you and Grayden for afternoon tea.

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    1. It would be wonderful to meet you in person one day, Loraine! Afternoon tea would fit the bill. ♥

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  4. I thoroughly enjoyed cruising along with you both on both of those gorgeous ocean liners and seeing all those places you visited. Thank you for sharing with us. I would love to cruise across the ocean on such a vessel. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, I'm so glad you enjoyed our voyages into the Norwegian fjords and then home again. It was a pleasure sharing it with you. ♥

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  5. How lovely it has been to follow your travels. It sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for taking us with you, I enjoyed it so much.

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    1. I'm so glad you joined us on our journey into Norway! It indeed was a dream come true for us. ♥

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  6. Beautiful shots of the enormous sea. Love the color of the North Sea. You made the most of your journey. Glad it was a dream come true.

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  7. A lovely way to end a lovely trip! So glad you didn't need those spare propeller blades! 😀

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  8. I so enjoyed the on board pictures! As exciting as it was it must feel good to be back home! Seeing the photos of coming in to NY are fabulous!

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    1. Thank you, Liz! The sight of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of New York City is goose bump worthy. ♥

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  9. Fantastic post Martha Ellen! It was fascinating to me to see the Royal Family collections, I enjoyed seeing you and your hubby too. The mural in the first photo was wonderful, and every other iconic shot, including the foggy ones :) I can only imagine what it must have been like after all your wonderful travels to come into NY and see our own marvelous sights. As you said to Liz, goose bump worthy. That famous poem at the end, great way to end your post. Marvelous words!

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    1. Thank you, Denise for your kind words. This trip meant so much to us and I'm so happy my friends here enjoyed it as well! The Emma Lazaras poem is beautiful and hopefully will stand the test of time. ♥

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  10. Oh I absolutely loved this post! So many great pictures and what an amazing experience! I do love Downtown Abby and hope to see the movie soon. Enjoy your upcoming week!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Jill. I haven't seen Downton Abbey yet either, but am excited to go soon. Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon. ♥

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  11. Every now and then I get quite a yen to take an ocean voyage on the Queen Mary (or similar). It looks absolutely wonderful -- so many perfect details. What a grand trip this has been for you!

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    1. Jeanie, once you go you will be hooked! It's a grand way to cross the pond.

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  12. I wish I could experience such a voyage! I loved seeing all the photos and hearing about your enjoyment of the trip. Yes I saw DA and they did a good job making the actors look like the king and queen.

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    1. Dotsie, I haven't seen DA yet. I've heard they did a great job with it.
      I'm so glad you enjoyed our trip. It means a lot to me to share it with my blog friends.

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  13. As glorious as the sights were that you experienced in Norway, I think that the journey must be nearly as enjoyable. I imagine that it is relaxing and beautiful and lots of fun!

    Thanks for sharing this trip with your readers, Martha Ellen!

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    1. That's so true, Cheryl, the journey was a very important part of our trip to Norway. Thank you for your kind words as always.

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  14. OH MY! What a wonderful journey you both had, all the memories have been so eloquently captured in your photos, Thank you for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sue

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    1. Thank you, Sue, for coming along with us on our journey. It was a dream come true for us!

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  15. A simply fabulous trip, I've enjoyed your posts and your photographs.
    I think my favourite would also be a walk along the Promenade.

    All the best Jan

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