ronpes

Agreed. We have booked Southampton to Sydney for Jan 2026 (QM2) and in the 51-night trip there are 35-sea days! We have done numerous transatlantic crossings and are about to do our 2nd Transpacific later this year (not with Cunard). For us now at our age, (mid 60's) its more about the journey and the ship and an opportunity to totally relax at sea. However, I understand that does not suit everyone, so each to their own etc.

I was watching this "live" on the webcam from the UK. Amazing. Sydney is my favourite port. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures.

I pre-register our interest to my TA last week and gave her a list of four preferred cabins to choose from. At 1:05 pm yesterday, I received a text from my TA informing me that our booking for 2026 had been secured, and she would be calling me soon. At 1:30pm my TA called to go over the details and take my deposit. She also provided me with the booking reference number etc. We are now booked on QM2 from Southampton to Sydney via Panama etc. I checked to my “My Cunard” a couple of hours later and everything was there. All very smooth and we are very happy. I would also like to thank Bluemarble for alerting me this itinerary. “Only” 96-1/2 weeks to go but who’s counting! We are looking forward to our double cross in July.

This on Thursday when it was -9C. Pleased to see it’s now a balmy +8C however we are bracing ourselves for yet another storm tomorrow with severe gales. Apart from that all is well!

Sorry to see the pics of the floods and your power loss. Sadly, it is happening all too often now. My thoughts go out to those who have been hit hard with this terrible weather. I see it every day as I drive back and forth to the livery yard with all the fields flooded. It's tragic. On a happier note, We added another cruise prior to our April 2025 Transatlantic to allow us some time in the Caribbean before we sail back to UK. Its with another line, but its ok, we also have the QM2 in Jan 25 (and July 24) to look forward to. I always say, the next best thing to being on a cruise is planning for the next one !

Another day,….another storm. Looks like the nice weather yesterday was just temporary relief and the prelude to another storm. What’s the saying again? “No such thing as bad weather,…just inappropriate clothing” thing is,…at this rate I’ll run out of clothing!…lol. Stay safe everyone.

Happy New Year to everyone. It’s a beautiful sunny day here in NE Scotland. Cold, but very nice and bright and just glad that it’s not raining for a change. Now that we have crept into January, our July sailing on the QM2 seems that little bit closer. We we went round to the pub last night for a few drinks but left just after 11pm and saw in the New Year at home with a cup of tea! All the best to everyone on the Cunard boards.

Thank you. The ponies have been in for a while for a good feed and are well “rugged up” and fine outside even in this terrible weather. They have shelter if they need it.

Bad in Scotland. We have a severe weather warning for heavy rain and snow in the higher ground. Not sure if this is the beginning of a “new” storm or the same one that just goes on and on……🤦‍♂️

Lovely pictures. Thank you for sharing.

Another day,. Another storm Trees down and roads flooded everywhere. Too terrible to go out anywhere. Thus the best thing to do on a day like this is to sit with the feet up and watch “Wallace and Gromit” with a refreshment. Bliss.

Merry Christmas to everyone. It’s been a busy one. Up early, out to the yard bringing in ponies for feed, treats. Groom and cuddles then back out again. Home, then round to local pub for a fabulous Christmas lunch followed by a few refreshments. Now back home, with track suit on with a cup of tea enjoying my new Tim Peake book whilst the others watch TV. Simples. Sorry to hear some folks under the weather. There is definitely “a bug” going round as a lot of folks up here have been sick. Otherwise, enjoy your day.

They are both beautiful.

I've been to Dallas and Houston many times. Beautiful country but at times a wee bit too warm for my pasty Scottish skin. I remember once going there for a training seminar thingy and the guy had us all outside in the car park in mid-day scorching sun doing some "team building" exercise and we were absolutely melting. With the skin prickling on the back of our necks and our shirts absolutely soaking, my Scottish colleagues and I decided to show some "initiative" and said "b*gger this" and trooped off to the cool shade. I think he got the message,....lol

PS: Forgot to mention, the only way I could walk safely over this surface was due to the fact I was wearing crampons over my yard boots !"

I hope most of you have escaped the snow today. We did, but unfortunately, the overnight rain froze and turned the tracks down to the ponies like an ice-rink and too dangerous to bring them in over that. So,...we had to humph thier feed and medication down to them for a change. Oh well,,..it.keeps me busy. Not saying it was cold yesterday but,...I had 3 pairs of socks, a thermal vest, long johns, 2 shirts and two fleeces on lol,.....

I have just started to read the book after enjoying the series. I totally "get it" that if you read the book first then the series / film etc never quite lives up to the expectation. I understand where you are coming from.

Today in NE Scotland it is -4C and forecast to drop to -8C tonight. I hope its a lot warmer wherever you are. It is bitterly cold now. I swear it feels colder here than it did when we went to Antartica at the beginning of the year. It was between 0 and 5C when we were there (South Shetland Islands) but then again, it was the middle of their summer!

I would also like to add my thanks for a fantastic live report. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to do this. We enjoyed reading this very much over a coffee every day from a very wet and cold Scotland!.

Thank you. I have already downloaded it onto my kindle and its next on the list!

I am not a fan of strictly. To be honest, the presenters and judges put me off. Thats is not to take anything away from the beauty and grace of the dancers. When we were on the QM2 in July, we watched a demo from a professional ballroom dance couple and we were completely blown away by their grace and poise. It was if they were litterly floating across the floor. Amazing to watch. We have just finished watching "All the light we cannot see". It is a beautiful story with incredibly acting. We have also watched both series of "Time" which was not easy viewing but extremely well acted.

My view earlier this morning as I went to turn out the ponies. It was just above freezing ie 1C.

What a beautiful cat. I can't believe the length of that tail !

So sorry for your loss. We know only too well how upsetting it is when we have to say goodbye and help our 4 legged friends across the rainbow bridge. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

It was 3 Deg C here this morning (NE Scotland ) and it is currently a balmy 10C ! The forecast is snow in the higher ground. Out heating has been on most nights now for at least a week. Summer has now well and truly departed. Well,....for us anyway. BTW, lovely photos and thank you for sharing.