Nothing aviation related, but maybe some other history and naval interested chums here.
The Clyde built QE2 sailed into Greenock (my home town) this morning, for the last time. I’m sipping on some wine and sad that when she sails past my window again very soon she’ll be leaving forever.
It was a glorious day this morning when she arrived, she was escorted by many ships of the RN which gave me a lump in my throat knowing of a similar escort when she took troops to the Falklands.
Now, I’ll have some more wine and may even shed a tear as she sails down the Clyde for the last time in half an hour, leaving world changing shipbuilding memories far behind.
She just passed by 10 mins ago. I was so busy trying to get a night time shot (not too successfully, erm, aperture, exposure, ISO, erm, focus, help, dams she’s going too fast!) that I missed the emotion of it all
Do the rest of you photograhers ever wonder if it’s worth letting the moment pass us by so we can attempt to capture the moment for posterity?
Repent, despite all the shitty days we get up here, I still thank God for a day such as today.
Hey Grandslam, there is hope for you and all the trouser wearing southerners yet!
Os, well, what can I say, except just to be thankful that somebody will take care of this old lady:
Both Southampton and Clydebank had offered to take over QE2 after her retirement, but on 18 June 2007 it was announced that the ship has been purchased by the Dubai investment company Istithmar for $100 million. Her final voyage will be from Southampton to Dubai, leaving on 11 November 2008. After arrival, she will be refurbished and berthed permanently at the Palm Jumeirah from 2009 as a “a luxury floating hotel, retail, museum and entertainment destination.”[2] The refurbishments will see the restoration of the QE2’s original 1960s decor.[19]
In a ceremonial display before her retirement, the QE2 met the Queen Victoria and the Queen Mary 2 near the Statue of Liberty in New York City harbour on 13 January 2008,
