This morning sees Queen Mary 2 anchored off Newport, Rhode Island.  It’s much cooler today, only 23°C right now, rather than half as warm again in New York.  I have booked a shore excursion. This involves being transferred to Newport by tender.  The 90 minute motor coach trip highlights the city of Newport and surroundings, and is thankfully, not too long. 

Last night, after Macy’s fireworks, during which a small fire apparently broke out on Brooklyn Bridge (you couldn’t make it up), we set sail so unobtrusively that I didn’t realise we were on our way.  All of a sudden, the night-lit Manhattan sky line had shifted position.  Fireworks continued to explode in numerous different distant places.  All of a sudden, we were under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. I was still aft on Deck 12 from where I had watched the Macy’s fireworks.   From here, there is a fine view of the aft decks 11, 8, 7 and 6, all crowded with celebrating spectators, some dancing to either the background music or later on, the live band. 

Yesterday feels like some fantastic dream.  Rhode Island on the other hand looks rather sedate and ordinary. I would ascertain later how lovely Newport is, much of it dating back to the 17th century.

I enjoyed a late but leisurely breakfast and a small snack of soup and meat/cheese sandwiches which I put together when the King’s Court reopened for lunch at 11.30.  I collected my things and was in good time for the tender, and the coach trip.  This was just I wanted, a brief tour with numerous churches, mansions (there’s rather a lot of those here) and other worthwhile places and areas highlighted in a quiet, efficient and informative manner.  I took few photographs.  However, there was just enough time to wander into one of the shopping areas, but for some reason, didn’t feel compelled to buy the t-shirt.

It was still a warm day by Harpur Hill standards and exploring far felt draining.  I walked some way into town and was attracted by the plethora of attractive shops, restaurants and places to relax. The city was crowded but not unpleasantly so.  Cunard had set up a couple of iced water stations, and even arranged for people standing in line for the return tender to be served cold water. 

Tonight will probably be routine.  A quiet dinner in Britannia and maybe tonight’s Showtime. 

Many thanks for reading,

David, 19.14 hrs, in his stateroom.