At Sea 1: On Queen Elizabeth 2

Our first trip to England 1980

This was the first of our Atlantic crossings.We left from the pier on the west side of Manhattan. (Now QM2 leaves from Brooklyn.) What a fantastic view of the city as we traveled down the Hudson River. Then out to sea. A delightful crossing of 5 nights on board the beautiful ship followed by our arrival in Southampton where a white Rolls Royce was waiting to drive us to London.

Notes from my journal (July 25, 1980):

“Roamed around the ship and didn’t feel it moving ‘til we saw the pier moving and realized it was us. People waving, tugboat pushing us and a beautiful ride down the river.”

Friends in England 6: at Salisbury Cathedral

Notes from my journal (June 2007):

“About ½ hour train ride from Southampton. A tourist info lady supplied a map and highlighted the route to the Cathedral. Said the walk would be all flat and it was. Salisbury was a lovely place with narrow old streets and flowers everywhere. The Cathedral was impressive. Went inside and walked all around. Some of the artifacts and the Cathedral are from the 1300’s.”

Friends in England 5: at Southampton Town Quay

The quay is a lovely place to sit and watch the Hythe Ferry and the Isle of Wight Ferry as they travel across the water to their destinations and back. It also has a view of the piers where QM2 and other large ships are berthed as passengers debark and embark.

Friends in England 4: at Aylesbury

Notes from my journal (May 2008):

"About an hour train ride from Marylebone Station and then an uphill walk to the Town Centre. It was Market Day so people and stalls of food, flowers, clothing etc. filled the town square area. A big friendly dog was collecting for animal charities and posed for this picture."

Friends in England 3: at Cheltenham

Notes from my journal (May 2007):

Left London from Paddington around 9:30 and had a comfortable trip to Cheltenham Spa, took a taxi to The Queen’s Hotel and were settled into our room by 12:30. Had a nice, sunny afternoon exploring until it began to rain. Took shelter in The Swan – an old pub full of nooks and crannies. When the rain let up a bit, we decided to move on. The friendly barmaid offered us a very big black, gold and green umbrella and when I told her I’d bring it back, she asked me not to because they had so many umbrellas that people left behind. (And so the umbrella was carried back to Pennsylvania.)


“The Minotaur and the Hare" is a bronze sculpture created by Sophie Ryder in 1995. It can be found on The Promenade in Cheltenham, opposite Cavendish House.

Friends in England 2: at London Islington

Islington is a district within the London Borough of Islington. Its northernmost point is Highbury, about 4 ½ miles north of Charing Cross and is an area that covers about 500 acres. This was taken on Upper Street in Highbury, at the bus stop closest to our local – The White Swan.

Friends in England 1: at Woking

Gordon's School in Woking is the national monument in England to General Gordon of Khartoum. This is a group picture of members of the Old Gordonian Association, Gordon's School. It was taken in June 2001 at their annual meeting. I am in the front row and next to the oldest Gordonian present (age 93). Double click on the photo for better viewing.