Thursday, 14 April 

Up to bright cloudy weather, bright blue choppy seas and large swells, but QE2 charges ahead unaffected.  I took my piano music to Midships Lounge and practiced my oldies for well over an hour on the piano.   Hampton had slipped in to listen.  Carol somebody from Ft. Lauderdale struck up a conversation re: piano.  She was a ballet dancer and recently took up piano from scratch.   I returned to the cabin to practice, but got shushed by my neighbor, so turned on Channel 1 to see our progress and got Bach’s Brandenburg concerto.

Before lunch I walked around, ending up in Queen’s Room, where I found myself standing behind Emma.  We exchanged addresses and went to the buffet lunch together, talking about music and men.  Then, of all things, she came to my cabin for me to wash and set her hair!  On the way, we went through the Yacht Club bar, new to me, and a game and crafts room just off Lido Deck promenade – also new to me.  

I waited till 3:45 for C. to call, and he was tired so rested and made plans for 9:30.  I went to see the movie “Batteries Not Included” then showered for dinner.  Oh yes, I think the Theatre would be okay acoustically for my recital, but the Queen’s Room might be more intimate and that’s where Robert Merrill gave his recital.  Emma is a Dr. of music from Juliard.

Swells were quite large all day and white caps made the aqua and deep blues of the water very sparkly.  I met Hampton before dinner, and during our conversation, he asked me point blank if I was a millionaire!  He has a limousine business or something like that.  We ate by ourselves till nearly 8:40 when Bertha and Len arrived from their party.  I left fairly soon after nine and again spent a long time playing the piano at Midships Lounge.   At ten I was ready to receive C.’s call, which didn’t come till after eleven.  He finally picked me up and we again went to the Pig.  Mark came by and we hugged.  He plans to see me on his leave in July or August.  Bryan came to say hello and it took me a while to place him.  He was the guy I chatted with after Mark departed in August last year.  C…   and I talked avidly amid the din.  He is 48.  We kidded about our ages and he was incredulous about mine.  Finally, we left around midnight for my cabin, where we continued our conversation re:  Cunard, QE2 and standards.

Friday, April 15 – Los Angeles

I couldn’t sleep until 2:45, then awoke at six o’clock in time to see the ship silently and slowly slip into her berth (93) in San Pedro.  I went up to Boat Deck to greet the beautiful sunny clear day.  Spent on Starboard Boat Deck, then wandered around a bit.  When I spied Len and Bertha I said goodbye to them.  I missed my rendezvous with C. because of the Coast Guard Boat Drill in which all crew were involved, so left a note at my door for him to join us.  Waited a long time dockside for the family.  Near noon I spied John Q. pushing Emily in the stroller, shortly thereafter followed by Cherie and Ben.  Cherie had met John in the Long Beach Airport and his plane came at 10:30.  C…   showed up after a while, then finally Chris.  We all piled back into the cars for Ports ‘o Call restaurant.  The meal was very leisurely and all got well acquainted.  When we were through, C.   did a bit of shopping and, back at the ship we said goodbye to John.  The trunk made it on board almost immediately.  (The trunk is for the extra Winter clothes and stuff I will need for my proposed year in England pursuing musical activities and staying with my cousin in Bristol.  It stashed easily on its tall end just under the porthole in the nook by the extra dresser.)  C…. then took Chris to his cabin, and Emily and me through all sorts of crew’s quarters as well as the major passenger parts.  Saw – crew mess, kitchens, sunroom, library, both pubs, and up to bow deck, nearly everywhere.  He left us after five o’clock and the family left at 5:45.

After Chris and family left I returned to the cabin till just time to observe our departure from the dock.  I stood forward on the observation deck talking to an Australian couple, and later a nice gal who also has a love affair with our QE2.  The ship’s whistle sounded and since I was so close to it, I was very startled.  The vibrations could be felt in my body!  As we passed the “Azure Seas,” it tooted at us, and we answered back.  Wish I had had my tape recorder handy.  When I had enough, I headed for Columbia dining room and ate with Hampton – just the two of us.  The crowd level has risen as well as sound level.  We have a new waiter named Peter to add to Guy.

Feeling a little down, I simply returned to the cabin to await C…’s “tinkle” on the phone.   At ten thirty he did call to say he would be through in half an hour, but in fact he never came and I fell asleep near midnight in my clothes, awaking later to prepare for bed around two o’clock.  QE2 proceeded majestically along, cradling me in my blissful sleep.  Make the most of every minute, be sociable, participate etc.  Emma’s cabin is 4008.