Author Topic: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on  (Read 2154 times)

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Online Rob Lightbody

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QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« on: Oct 12, 2018, 09:17 AM »
Can you believe its been 10 years already?  Wow.  I have such clear memories of her last couple of months, but her last visit to the Clyde is something I'll never forget.

Inverclyde news just ran this - https://www.inverclydenow.com/single-pages/ten-years-ago-the-qe2-visited-the-clyde-for-the-last-time

And the Chronicle ran a story about her first and last visit to Tyneside

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/qe2s-first-last-visit-tyneside-13623229

Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Online Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #1 on: Oct 12, 2018, 11:59 AM »
Thank you, Rob!

I was so glad I was there... I really needed a concrete farewell to this ship, and the visit to the Clyde was the perfect place for me. Rob and his wonderful family and friends made it so special, that I could see her go with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

Powerful memories.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #2 on: Oct 12, 2018, 03:22 PM »
Happy memories of when Clydesiders turned out to welcome the ship back to the River Clyde.

You can see the memories, photos and videos shared on this topic on QE2's final call to Greenock. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline cunardqueen

Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #3 on: Oct 12, 2018, 05:59 PM »
If i never hear Time to say Goodbye again ., it wont be a moment to soon, it was played to death. On the Farewell to the UK and both crossings .... ;)
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 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #4 on: Oct 12, 2018, 06:02 PM »
If i never hear Time to say Goodbye again ., it wont be a moment to soon, it was played to death. On the Farewell to the UK and both crossings .... ;)

I have come to loathe that tune, beautiful though it is, as I emphatically did not feel it was Time to Say Good-Bye. I always turn off the radio whenever it is played...

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #5 on: Oct 12, 2018, 11:08 PM »
It became known as Time to Say DUBAI at Cunard.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #6 on: Oct 13, 2018, 02:05 AM »
I tend to think Coldplay's Viva La Vida is more "QE2" and therefore more appropriate. The song also being released in her last few months of service adds to the poignancy.
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #7 on: Oct 13, 2018, 09:24 AM »
I tend to think Coldplay's Viva La Vida is more "QE2" and therefore more appropriate. The song also being released in her last few months of service adds to the poignancy.

I agree with that - when I hear it, I can also see the BBC's montage video, and it is a celebration of what she was, rather than just sadness at her departure.
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: QE2's Final Season - TEN years on
« Reply #8 on: Oct 13, 2018, 09:42 AM »
I agree with that - when I hear it, I can also see the BBC's montage video, and it is a celebration of what she was, rather than just sadness at her departure.

Yes, I remember the BBC South Today montage too and have seen it on YouTube since. I think it may have come at the end of their excellent live coverage of her final Southampton departure that didn't leave a dry eye in our house - it was a fitting tribute to QE2. The song also goes quite well with the official video of her arrival into Dubai - showing she was going out on a high and with her head held high so to speak.
« Last Edit: Oct 13, 2018, 09:44 AM by Thomas Hypher »
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.