Thanks for that Stowaway and much appreciated.
As I said in my Flickr notes accompanying the shots from that day, this was the culmination of one of those 'perfect' days, you rarely have but never forget. I was staying overnight in Southampton and dragged myself out of my warm bed at 5am to get down to Hythe to catch her return from the 806th & final T/A. With an air temperature of around 4C, it was very cold standing around but worth every minute.
Later on, and having watched QM2 depart at mid-day, I caught the Blue Funnel boat to watch the Sailaway at close quarters. It was unusual to see QE2 berthed on her starboard side but even more surprising was how she was turned. I recall some years back that she would often berth Stbd side to but would always be turned in the Lower Swinging Ground. This time however, she was swung astern around Dockhead and into the River Itchen. In all the years I have been watching this great ship, I have not previously seen this manoeuvre but it was certainly most impressive to watch, particularly as I was no more than a couple of hundred metres away on one of the Blue Funnel boats at the time. Of the 3 BF boats running that day, ours was the last to return, having followed her up river for as long as possible before turning for home. The great weather and even greater atmosphere made for a simply amazing experience and one I felt privileged to be a part of.
Sadly this was to be the final time that I would ever witness the departure of our beloved Queen in daylight but as I silently said my farewells to the other Lady in my life, who has been a large part of me for more years than I care remember, I admit to getting a little misty eyed and make absolutely no apology for that!
