Wednesday 5th June 2024.

Day 33/35

I do not recognise the rail connected terminal from previous voyages.  I think that the one Charles Haughey opened in 1990 was a freight facility. (I’m not sure).  This morning, it is a cool 8°C outside with an eventual prediction for the low teens later today.  It does feel cool, especially for early June.

Continued 6/6/24, over breakfast in the Artisans’ Foodhall, starboard side overlooking a calm sun-lit sea, en route for Southampton.

Yesterday at lunchtime, I completed my 400,000 steps Challenge in support of CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2024.  This took me 33 days.  However, I shall continue the walking and attempt to double what I have covered so far.  I am giving myself up to the end of August when I return from North America on the 400th crossing of R.M.S. Queen Mary 2.  (Hence, the 400 in my Steps Challenge) 

The coach trip yesterday afternoon was delightful and enjoyable. The tour guide was conscientious without commentating too much.  We visited Charles Fort, where ten minutes were allowed for photography.

We continued to the pretty town of Kinsale itself, where 55 minutes were allowed for exploration and/or refreshments.

The return journey was pleasant, and we were back on board with a slight feeling of sadness.  For me, this was the 33rd day with a belief that by this time, “the day after tomorrow I might well  be back in Buxton!  (I am, in fact, writing this account on the last day of this third and final voyage.) I am making a meal of the packing, but “we are almost there.” 

There is always something very poignant about setting sail from Cobh on a huge liner.  A small band serenaded us as Queen Anne slipped her moorings.  The rows of houses and buildings in numerous pastel shades are particularly attractive, and the distant cries and cheers, mainly of excited children, added to the historic sense of occasion.

It occurred to me that my achieving 400,000 steps earlier that day warranted a liquid celebration! This was the rare occasion that I “buy a round!” This made for an even more joyous dinner in the Britannia Restaurant and maybe made the comedian at show-time seem even funnier than perhaps he actually was. Much of his material was “new” and extremely well delivered with razor-sharp timing.

Today (6th June) will probably be the “busiest” of the entire 35 days away. The last sea day always is. I completed almost half my packing in the early hours of this morning. 

16.53 hrs 6/6/24.

I attended Alistair Greener’s final lecture, Cunard’s first 185 years.  To be able to convey so much information in 45 minutes is quite remarkable.  There was an opportunity to meet him this afternoon, but I felt packing took priority. I have almost finished.  Provisionally, both main suitcases are ready for sending down.  I may need to cram something else in first.  I missed lunch completely, and I totally forgot the concert staged by the guest choir, two of whom are table companions.  Perhaps now is an appropriate time to bring this set of blogs to a close.  I shall dine with my five lady table companions tonight and will probably take a few final photographs.  Earlier today, we passed the Lizard, the most southerly point of England.  This is it. 

Many thanks for reading, David, in stateroom 8192 17.41 hrs.  It’s a beautiful day outside.  I shall write again shortly.

Off the coast of South West England.