Wind 30 Apr-16 May, FLL-Tower Bridge

[jillyf]

Thanks Les. The footage brought back wonderful memories of our trip under the bridge on the Cloud. The music of Rule Britannia playing and everyone waving will always be a treasured memory. 

[jpalbny]

Les and Ron - great pics! I feel like I was just there. Or I wish that I were...

[Tothesunset]

Well, what a day that was. There simply cannot be a sail-in anywhere in the world to beat that. 

 

Les's photos say it all. 

 

The following are a couple of shots from outside the Paranoia Lounge tonight:

 

 

[drron29]

The happy cruisers.

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[Stumblefoot]

Those are great shots Dr. Ron!

[Daveywavey70]

My OH was down in London today and saw her moored up. Wish I could have been there!

 

Is the paranoia lounge a new venue TTS? Sounds like somewhere you’d never be short of company. 

[jpalbny]

I'm afraid to ask...

[Daveywavey70]

JP 😂

is there a doctor in the house?

[les37b]

8 hours ago, drron29 said:

 

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At first I'd thought this must have been taken from the Sky Garden... but can see now it must have been from your accommodation.... Very good vantage point all round.... Much better than I had. Great piccies.

 

 

Funnily enough - and would have been just below your room, I spotted a couple of guys there with a hefty camcorder and tripod with a large suitcase in front of them. Thinking they were probably on the next cruise, I asked. They were contracted by SS to do some sort of safety video for them and boarding shortly and staying the night and next day. Shortly after it transpired they wanted specifically to have shots taken by a drone (but not able to in Ctl London......) and is interested in obtaining some footage from me. Happy days! Maybe even more footage on the SS website!!

 

TTS..... I will have a look through the photos.... from the location she is standing, Im confident I will have something without camera attached..... I will forward if I have. I did see Susan in the first couple of pics taken.... but she was on the front port side which was soon not obtainable as the Wind approached..... and was working my way from right to left as it was coming towards me.

 

PS.... did you see anyone walking around with a huge video camcorder shortly after arriving?

 

 

 

Edited May 16, 2019 by les37b

[Tothesunset]

Well, that was fast. We were to be called for disembarkation at 8.30 but because tours were going off at the same time we were called at 8.05. Onto the tender, black cab to King's Cross and now in the lounge with an hour and a half to kill before boarding train home. 

 

Les, didn't see anyone with a huge camcorder. There were, however, plenty of visitors to the ship yesterday including some children. Not an issue. 

 

So... 63 days until we board the Whisper in Barcelona. Just enough time to lose the holiday weight before piling it all back in again. 

[les37b]

Can't not go and pay the Wind another visit today before she sails away just after midnight tonight. Since moving from what would have been a 100 yard stroll, its now a fair trot..... and I've the added excuse of getting in my 10000 steps in doing so! Win win.

 

As the topic of Embarkation and disembarkation plus street details and luggage collection keeps cropping up, I'll take a few piccies for future reference showing the greet point and the mysteries of where to go to board the ship so you know with confidence before reaching the access point and beginning of your cruise.

 

TTS.... Wow that was quick! I think we were called at 9 in FLL and last coloured tags to go.

 

I'm amazed there would be lots of visitors yesterday given your arrival time. Today will be different - and I expect a fair number VS on sampling lunch. I expect most on yesterday would be travel agent related. As you know, Tower Bridge is such a pull and easy sell...... its no surprise that SS has visitors!

 

Safe journey home.... I'm still in the 400s for my next taste of the Wind - though have a cheaper Venice cruise booked for September to break up the wait.

Edited May 16, 2019 by les37b

[les37b]

TTS..... You have mail.... 6 photos in total with the lady in blue in shot.... All quite clear to zoom in on. Shame you weren't to the starboard side as I'd said...... you would have had a couple of dozen! Feel free to zoom and post if you'd like to....... not for me to do....

[drron29]

Les the last shot was from Skygarden.

And yes I stood next to the 2 guys with the camcorder and tripod.A third guy walked up and I did say the word Les as I thought it could be you but no one responded.This was on our way back from Skygarden.

I am also guessing it was after you spoke to them as they were talking about getting extra footage.

[les37b]

1 minute ago, drron29 said:

Les the last shot was from Skygarden.

And yes I stood next to the 2 guys with the camcorder and tripod.A third guy walked up and I did say the word Les as I thought it could be you but no one responded.This was on our way back from Skygarden.

I am also guessing it was after you spoke to them as they were talking about getting extra footage.

 

Well that was a good guess first off! Where did you see the Wind come in? That couldn't have been Sky Garden as they look to be almost level! So if you saw them after your visit, they must have stayed there a long time. You may have seen them on with you today as they were on overnight and probably left just before muster. I probably wouldn't have said anything, but seeing the suitcase convinced me they were there to board shortly. Not too far wrong I guess.

 

Hopefully what you were heard was good news! I sent a text to the guy in charge today, but not heard back.

 

PS was that your first time at the Sky Garden? I always plug it on here..... much better that the £30 the Shard wants.... and IMHO gives you super views of the Tower and immediate Thames river area.

[drron29]

Rojaan took up your suggestion and we had prebooked our Skygarden time for an hour after the arrival of the Wind.

They must have boarded and left their suitcase on board then came back.But the equipment was just as you described.The third guy though may have taken the case on board and returned.

[les37b]

5 hours ago, drron29 said:

Rojaan took up your suggestion and we had prebooked our Skygarden time for an hour after the arrival of the Wind.

They must have boarded and left their suitcase on board then came back.But the equipment was just as you described.The third guy though may have taken the case on board and returned.

 

Airport style security aside, was it a worthwhile trip for you? The "garden" is a bit of a red herring, but the views are superb - and particularly with your ride below for your visit. Shame the glass forms a barrier..... and its pretty good vantage point to watch it sailing up from Canary Wharf. You can just about see the very top of the ship prior to this, but its a struggle.

 

I saw the video guys about 15 minutes after the Wind arrived. There were only 2 of them. Seeing the case was what prompted me to engage, so no idea what happened. They wouldn't have had time to board and come back I'd have thought. I've not heard anything back from them yet..... but I have now noticed that my gmail account is bouncing emails due to the 15gb limit (all my domains are diverted to it)..... I've only just spotted I've no emails since Sunday..... instead of 50 or so a day! (Mostly junk of course!)

[Master Echo]

To you all who have posted such beautiful and evocative images of my beloved Wind.

 

Captain Arma has confirmed that a training and safety video was being produced during Thursday with cameras still evident in the afternoon.

 

I was told that CD Colin Brown fulfilled a dual role of Hotel Director during the interregnum between departure of the old and arrival of the new HD.

 

it will be something of a homecoming in a few days during the call in the Shetlands and will give him a chance to have a family visit.

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo

[les37b]

Cheers ME. That clears it up. Are you on board now?

 

Too late at night to watch depart. I've sent you a link with further photos.

Edited May 17, 2019 by les37b

[CruisinPashmina]

I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Master Echo and mate on board The Wind for a leisurely lunch on the 16th. Both are in fine fiddle, and are such charming companions. We spent a couple of hours over drinks and lunch comparing notes. I’m crazy about them!

 

Now The Wind is in the Scilly Isles. I chose the Tresco Gardens excursion and it was outstanding! The island has a micro climate so the extensive gardens have a  Med feel with the addition of plantings from South Africa, South American and Australia. It’s a beautiful mix, loosely planted along gravel paths which wind around a sloping site. It’s very big with separate “rooms” opening up in easy transitions. We had a terrific guide, Steve, who was a propagation specialist. 

 

After the the tour we stopped at the cafe/gift shop for homemade cakes, tea and delicious coffee. The gift shop was nice, but I just browsed. From start to finish, it was a wonderful excursion.

 

 (Still haven’t had The Mix and Mingle so I haven’t met fellow CC members..wonder why they haven’t had this gathering?)

 

 

 

 

 

[les37b]

CruisinPashmina, I've sent ME a link that you may be interested in of the Wind arriving with some nice close up shots, which you are free to download any at full resolution if you'd like to. There are 6 that TTS is in..... If you are in the right place, you'll be there!

[Master Echo]

Dear CrusinPashmina,

 

I am sure you will like Les37B's lovely photos, we are so fortunate that he is able to take such interesting pictures from his vantage point close to work, so thank you Les.

 

Thank you so much for being the consummate host for our visit to the Wind last Thursday.  Your food and wine recommendations were perfect.

 

The visit gave me the opportunity to ensure that Captain Arma is maintaining the areas of the Wind for which he is responsible, in the expected excellent condition.  No one maintains the pool deck area in better shape than he, and the teak varnish was positively gleaming in the sunshine!!

 

It was also pleasing to be greeted so warmly by crew members with whom I have sailed previously, rekindling the family atmosphere.

 

I am glad that you enjoyed Tresco and the Isles of Scilly.  The weather prospects for the coming week appear benign, particularly when compared to your transatlantic crossing!

 

Happy days on your travels

 

Kindest regards

 

Master Echo 

 

 

[brimary]

We like Cruising Pashmina and others signed up forMeet /Mingle and to date heard nothing.Enjoying dronn reports of our cruise so not duplicating as we agree so far so good apart from the occasional admin mishaps which are probably due to reduced numbers of staff so we are informed.Nothing significant enough to spoil the overall quality and service so far .Looking forward to Mayflower joining the Wind in mid June and meeting up again.

[Mayflower1]

Good Morning Brimary - we too are getting excited to join you on 9th, especially as we had to cancel our April Spirit Cruise due to Gill having to have an urgent Operation - all now well and she is Recovering.

 

Has the ' Pool ' Issue been sorted to your satisfaction ?

 

Continue to have Fun and enjoy The Wind whilst she is still ' Classic '

[CruisinPashmina]

So, it appears that we all agree that the announced CC sponsored “Mix and Mingle” is not going to happen. Would anyone like to help create our own event? A simple gathering for a drink in The Panorama should  be an easy thing to arrange. If anyone is interested, you could drop a note with your CC name, your real one and your cabin #. ..and preferred evening to meet. I’ll sort it out and will poke an invitation in your door note holder. Let’s include spouses/traveling companions, and let’s aim for 6pm in case there’s an early show.

I’m Deborah, in cabin # 425.

 

 

[brimary]

9 hours ago, Mayflower1 said:

Good Morning Brimary - we too are getting excited to join you on 9th, especially as we had to cancel our April Spirit Cruise due to Gill having to have an urgent Operation - all now well and she is Recovering.

 

Has the ' Pool ' Issue been sorted to your satisfaction ?

 

Continue to have Fun and enjoy The Wind whilst she is still ' Classic '

Having fun.Pool issues sorted today ,day six, after involving HD.So the pool facilities opened at 8am as advertised by SS in Daily Chronicle.