QE2's Final call to Greenock and her birthplace, the River Clyde

[highlander0108]

October 5, 2008 - Final emotional call to Greenock and the last time QE2 will sail the Clyde (maybe?)

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

An unforgettable day. Happy and sad, and I am so glad that I was there.
The last time I saw QE2 and, at the time, I certainly did not expect to see her again.

Thank you for the views from on board QE2! It must have been totally spectacular...

Here are my pictures of the day, most of them from on board the lovely Balmoral :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/sets/72157607831078259/

... and here are Rob's :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/sets/72157607800832549/

with a further link to his YouTube videos.

[Clyde Paddler]

A glorious, bittersweet day, indeed and - I felt - the only appropriate place to bid her farewell  ...

[Twynkle]

5th October 2009: Farewell to Greenock and The Clyde

This is from Inverclydeviews :

And these four are from Rob Lightbody :

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[post is 'work in progress'!]

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Ah, Rosie, it was a day that brought memories which will stay with me for a lifetime...

And here is one of the most moving moments of the day (also a video of Rob's) :

[Rob Lightbody]

And here is one of the most moving moments of the day (also a video of Rob's) :

Oh my, thank you Isabelle, reminding me about my own video, which i just watched, and shed a tear.  It was an amazing day.  That whistle reverberating off the distant hills on that still inky black night as OUR ship left forever.

[highlander0108]

I finally have posted my first YouTube video, a slide show compilation of QE2's arrival to Greenock, October 5, 2008.

Ken

[Tyne Turbine]

I finally have posted my first YouTube video, a slide show compilation of QE2's arrival to Greenock, October 5, 2008.

Ken

Well if this was your first effort Ken it was a tremendous way to start. It brought back powerful memories of an emotional day on board Balmoral, wishing we were on board QE2 with so many friends, still, to paraphrase Captain McNaught at least those on the Bal had the better view. Somehow the visit to the Clyde last week to see the QM2 whilst very enjoyable  did not have quite the same pull on the heartstrings.

Hope you have some more material like this to share with us.

Robert.

[Kathy M.]

I finally have posted my first YouTube video, a slide show compilation of QE2's arrival to Greenock, October 5, 2008.

Beautiful video - thanks for sharing it, Ken!

[highlander0108]

Well if this was your first effort Ken it was a tremendous way to start. It brought back powerful memories of an emotional day on board Balmoral, wishing we were on board QE2 with so many friends, still, to paraphrase Captain McNaught at least those on the Bal had the better view. Somehow the visit to the Clyde last week to see the QM2 whilst very enjoyable  did not have quite the same pull on the heartstrings.

Hope you have some more material like this to share with us.

Robert.

Thanks, here's another more personal version, with different music, that everytime I hear it, I think of this trip.

Ken

[Twynkle]

Ken - Thank you - great  views of The Clyde,
as well as all aboard....

[highlander0108]

And finally - the sad one.
In glorius sunshine QE2 returned to the river of her birth for the final time - escorted by the usual flotilla of small craft and also Type 42 Destroyer HMS Manchester.

Our escort vessel was once again mv Balmoral.


Gav

I was on deck, looking down at the small boat off the port bow in the first picture and was amazed on how close they were to the ship.  There is no way that would have been allowed in the states.  You definitely had the better view on that memorable day. 

[Twynkle]

Wonderful, wonderful photographs, Gav, Rob and Ken
Thank you all so much for posting.
Feeling very sad - we do need her back - here, and at home.

[Rob Lightbody]

There's an absolutely awesome photo of QE2 in Greenock moments before her final departure, under the fireworks here

http://www.ahevents.co.uk/photocategory.php?cat=38

Its the site of the company that did the fireworks.

[Rob Lightbody]

There are AWESOME photos of her final visit, in 2008, here

http://www.river-clyde.org.uk/queen_2_last_visit.html

and more from her other visits here - http://www.river-clyde.org.uk/queen_2.html