D&N

This morning is dull with some fog. The sea is a bit more agitated than yesterday but movement is still negligible. Yesterday developed to brilliant sunshine, flat sea and there were lots of whales spouting, breaching and flapping their tails about. Many folk saw dolphins too but we missed them.

Early on Red & Gold Gala Night, before we did our round of the professional photographers. We didn't really like the studio photos they took on 1st formal night, which would have been more expensive but they offered a package at $592 for everything they take of us at standard venues for the 14 night voyage. We make a tour of all the settings and get as many variations as possible. I aim to get several hundred for that price.

Skipped gym. Did some deck walking/running, whale watching, then Pavilion for swim/jacuzzi. Pic on way to lunch. Don't know how I got that one without anyone in background.

@Host Hattie Would it be possible to move #803 to the 29th May thread? I didn't notice that I hadn't changed the thread before posting.

Not sure if this week will be as good. Many tastefully attired good dancers left yesterday. Might have been 1st night issues but last Sunday's atmosphere was completely different. We only had string trio and waiters for company in Chart Room when taking those photos, and when we headed for our last 9 floor climb of the day there was only one other couple left there. Queens Room music was worse too. It's as if they are picking music then twisting the beat to suit the dance. One of my pet hates.

This morning. Hopefully the photo will show the colours of the mast lights as the sun catches them. With a shot of the Atlantic location when taken. From deck 13 QM2.

Don't think I've ever seen Mediterranean as smooth as Atlantic this morning.

And some of you might want us as well. Not sure about seated pose, I think it adds 15 kilos to each of us.

A selection of shots from yesterday. Hard to sort everything. I used one of our compact Lumix zoom cameras as well as the phone then copied the 76 shots from that to the phone. Sequence of shots isn't as clear. We were followed in by Oasis, and I don't think her back end is her best feature. Probably functional though.

Ours weren't stamped yesterday. Immigration got ESTA details from passport numbers. Immigration systems should have it, not sure where Cunard would get that if you didn't want them to know.

Britannia Club has been good so far. In 8 nights each of us has pre ordered sole once because we didn't see anything on daily menu to inspire us. We like all sorts of food. We're not looking for anything but I'd never have lasagne outside our house. Nora's or our lasagne has been developed over about 20 years to maximise taste and minimise fat content. I never eat others because I know I will be disappointed. Our new table companions seem nice (at a table for 2!). Effectively t's a table for 6 where the outer couples from last week have been joined by a new couple and we'll all just appear when it suits. Not really tempted to go elsewhere.

From this morning, I thought this little chap was awfully brave to be pushing Queen Mary 2 about. I know ships and boats are usually female but tugs just seem so macho to me.

Took photos of Queen Mary 2 from Staten Island ferry today. Looked like someone had washing out on deck 12. I wonder who that could be? 🤣🤣

Thanks, but wouldn't be much use to us. We had Italian Chardonnay at $8 a glass.

Had lunch at Pier 76, Bay Street, Staten Island, and a look round outlet centre. Lots of empty shops there. Pier 76 had something QM2 doesn't, but a bit early in day for one. The lobster mac & cheese was creamy, cheesy with firm chunks of lobster. Pizza had incredibly thin crispy base and spicy flavour. Not as pretty as fare on board but delicious.

But I've tasted Mama Nora's!

Difficult to choose, I'll give 2. Today and I'm sure everyone knows where...

I know it's the city that never sleeps, but I'm going back to bed!

Forgot to mention a Viennese Waltz to old time speed.

@Tonopah I think we have something you might like. It will need to wait until we get home and have time to edit it!

And finally we pity these poor souls that have to disembark in the morning. We're looking forward to more of the same. On the go early tomorrow but at least we get a break from the gym!

Tonight we danced the first set at 9 pm in the Queens Room. When they came off we found Exxile in G32. Had another 45 minute set, including a Slow Foxtrot, 2 X Quicksteps, a Rhumba, some Cha Cha, Jive, Samba and Disco. Their version of "Walking on Sunshine" was much better than that called as a Quickstep by the band in Queens Room. They consist of a female vocalist with a very soulful voice, multi level keyboards, drums and lead guitar. Nice to have a floor the size of Queens Room but it can be quite interesting dodging pillars, spin turning in and out of acute corners and making sure your partner's head gets no closer than an inch from the wooden bar top. Increase that in poor sea conditions!

Pre aperitifs tonight. This dress shrank significantly a number of years ago. In the last 18 months it has mysteriously unshrunk and has actually got bigger than it was originally!

Weather update: about 11:20 some fog appeared. We got to hear the horn quite a bit. Cleared later and it looks like we're drifting through a millpond. Must dash to change for evening.

Carbonara was quite nice but not authentic. There was cream in it. Alex of Geppetto in Nice has a video on Facebook that shows how it should be done. I think it was in French but he's quite entertaining.