Sunday, 5 of September of 2010

Introduction

When a child my interest in ships was kindled and nurtured by my father’s enthusiasm as we would pass by the numerous piers on New York’s Westside drive. In 1941 or so I remember seeing the QUEEN MARY, ACQUATANIA and NORMANDIE lying on her side after the disastrous fire. In my college years during the 1950s I traveled Trans-Atlantic ships many times through the Council on Student Travel, and experienced great times aboard the NEPTUNIA, COLUMBIA, AROSA SUN, AROSA KULM and others I don’t remember. From 1959 on, after my marriage to a landlubber, and raising a family, plus 31 years living in the Arizona desert, there wasn’t much reference or cause to keep up with that youthful experience. Not until 1987, when I found myself divorced and the two boys old enough to be completely on their own, married and in college, I decided to reward myself with my first Crossing on the Queen Elizabeth 2. This was after a mature return to university life for a second Bachelor’s degree followed immediately by the Master’s Degree in vocal performance: an adult pursuit along with my two sons who were also in college at that time. Ever since that wonderful, fateful year, I have never let a year go by without some time cruising the world on my favorite ship of all time!

My first log is posted here, and I hope you will find it and all subsequent postings of some interest. For me, it is the next best thing to sailing on her, which has now become an impossibility. Long live the magic and spirit of QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, all her officers and crew! This whole work is dedicated to my dear Father who always has figured in my memories of past nautical times together.

Enjoy!

Martha Martin HuffordMartha


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Comments RSS TrackBack 11 comments

Bettie

Bettie

in March 8th, 2009 @ 08:38

Martha: I saw your link on Liners List and have just finished reading all installments of the blog. Thank you so much for sharing your memories–I look forward to the next installments.

I am a regular poster on
http://cunardcritic.co.uk/forums/index.php?act=idx
and would like to share the link to your blog on the site but won’t do it without your permission.

Thank you,

Bettie


Martha Hufford

Martha

in March 8th, 2009 @ 15:34

Bettie, Thank you for your response my post. It is nice to know people appreciate the experience etc. Yes you may post a link to my blog on cunardcritic.co.uk and I think I would like to join that forum as well.
Martha


Mlacolm

Mlacolm

in March 15th, 2009 @ 10:12

Martha – Bettie passed on details of your site to me. I have spent a very enjoyable hour reading your posts so far.

It is wonderful to read about the ship in the pre-Carnival days. Your second voyage memories are also important to me – That’s the route we took on the 2008 World Cruise.

Thank you for the blog


Jonathan

Jonathan

in March 27th, 2009 @ 10:52

I really enjoyed reading your blog and totally regret not having had the chance to sail on the QE2.


Rosie C

Rosie C

in March 29th, 2009 @ 07:06

Hello Martha,

Thank You!! What a good experience!

Might you be interested in Rob Lightbody’s site online?
Perhaps you know about it already!

He set it up as a Discussion Forum dedicated to QE2 (the only one!) in late January this year and it’s [proving to be interesting, good fun and of course, full of memories of the QE2

it would be a treat to have you aboard -It comes highly recommended, THe Forum is full images, video clips and of affection for the Great Lady herself!!
Here is the link: http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?www

All good wishes

Rosie


Martha Hufford

Martha

in April 5th, 2009 @ 14:59

Hi Rosie,
I am already aware of the qe2 forum and have checked it out. Rob actually contacted me early!
I am glad you enjoy my blog. I am still learning how to do stuff on this site. Son helps constantly!
Martha


Bettie

Bettie

in April 9th, 2009 @ 22:08

Martha,
I’ve read all of the blogs and my curiosity is growing. I’m looking forward to your next posts.

Thanks,
Bettie


Martha Hufford

Martha

in April 11th, 2009 @ 10:59

Hi Bettie,
Glad you are curious! Have you recognized any of the crew names mentioned? This editing business is time-consuming, but I love re-living the experience. What is your experience with QE2?

Martha


Bettie

Bettie

in April 11th, 2009 @ 23:17

Martha,

I only sailed on her twice–once in the 80’s on a Caribbean voyage. I had seen her in NYC prior to this and was determined to sail on her. Then life got in the way and I didn’t sail on QE2 again until Aug of 08 after I had learned that she was being retired. This trip was wonderful–14 days in the Med from Soton-Soton. It made me realize how much I’d missed by not doing it more often in the 20 intervening years.

I sailed with a group of friends in Jan 09 for the first time on QM2 and while she is lovely, she is not the QE2 but a number of the staff from QE2 are now working on QM2 so there were some familiar faces.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories.

Bettie


Chris Frame

Chris Frame

in June 10th, 2009 @ 21:56

Hi Martha,

Wonderful blog and thank you for sharing your love of QE2. I too share your affection for her – she was the greatest, simply the best.

I co-authored a boot about the QE2 – QE2: A Photographic Journey (http://www.qe2book.com/) which came out last August and in October this year my next two – The QE2 Story (http://www.qe2story.com) and QM2: A Photographic Journey (http://www.qm2book.com) will be released.

I second Rosie’s comments to visit us at the QE2 Forum – it’s a wonderful medium to share and exchange thoughts about the greatest Ocean Liner of all time.

All the best,

Chris.


Martha Hufford

Martha

in June 20th, 2009 @ 17:14

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your comments and the information you have given on your blogs. I have taken note and will get to them soon. At the moment, I have only just returned from three weeks on the QM3 doing crossings and a Norwegian cruise. I had a family member with me each segment to occupy that other bed I now have to purchase anyway, and having one on one with my two sons after 20 or more years, was special. We had to battle with Cunard to get them the proper World Club status of Gold so they could have their two hours of internet free, but e managed and they used their allotments as well as my two eight hour periods!
Again thanks, and when I am settled, I’ll log on to your blogs.
Martha