QE2 Story Jigsaw "Evening at Sea" by Peter Mugridge

[June Ingram]

Hi Peter -

Marvelous news that our QE2 (jigsaw) is under way and making her passage to Isabelle's moorings, which I understand is a very good shipyard ! 

It is interesting that the time is roughly the same as a transatlantic crossing.  Great to be able to follow her AIS and her tracking number is most apt.

In addition to her Royal Navy designation, she is also carrying GB, the first two letters of her call sign.  Sometimes it is very interesting how things line up !

God speed QE2 (jigsaw) !

June   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thanks to the wonderful sailaway organised by Peter, and calm seas to see her to her refit shipyard, QE2 (jigsaw) has arrived, and a beautiful Evening at Sea is about to be enjoyed :



This refit will take some time but will hopefully give QE2 a lot of TLC .

As a jigsaw, she will not be alone, as the picture shows!

[Peter Mugridge]

Ah, good - it arrived safely. 

Have you found the very special letter in the log book bag?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Ah, good - it arrived safely. 

Have you found the very special letter in the log book bag?

No, the box has not yet been opened... and there is only a small chance that this will happen before Christmas. But be assured that I shall enjoy the jigsaw when the moment comes -- at least initially, while working on QE2 herself...  .

[June Ingram]

Great picture, Isabelle, of you welcoming our QE2 (jigsaw) to your shipyard for refit.  The time between now and Christmas will allow her to settle in and enjoy her pleasant and safe surroundings while waiting for her refit to begin.  I am very sure she will be enjoying the TLC being lavished upon her.  June   

P.S.  Looking forward to hearing what has been written in the "very special letter" in QE2's (jigsaw) log book !!   

[Peter Mugridge]

No, the box has not yet been opened...

I bet you're itching with curiosity about the addition to the log aren't you?  ( Like June obviously is! )  I did think about scanning it in to post it on here*, but then I thought... nah, let the next person do that... 



*Blanking any address details first, of course.

[June Ingram]

Very good, Peter, very good !   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Well, here are some much awaited details of the scheduled refit of QE2. It is evening, and she is at sea, but we have received some information as regards her travels in recent months :

Here she is :



And here, we get a bit closer to the details :



The plans for the refit (still requiring finalisation) :



The voyage so far :



Greetings from Captain Ian McNaught (Trinity House) :



Ian McNaught working on the refit :



Greetings from June in Mystic Seaport, where the voyage began, and where QE2 (jigsaw) will be heading in future :



The (jigsaw) refit crew is being assembled, and work is scheduled to begin during the final weeks of December 2015. Looking forward to the result!

[Peter Mugridge]

Ah... you found the special letter within the log. 

[June Ingram]

Awesome letter in QE2's (jigsaw) log !  That is marvelous that Captain McNaught wrote out a letter to include !  QE2 (jigsaw) has accumulated quite a number of miles "sailed" and is now ready for her next refit.  Glad to hear that refit crew is being assembled !   

[Peter Mugridge]

You no doubt noticed that QE2 was present on "the rival's" newest boat, quite possibly even on the maiden voyage...? 

[June Ingram]

Yes, Peter, I did notice that and thought that it was very good !  Our beloved QE2 (jigsaw) perhaps gave "the new kid on the block (er, ocean)" a few pointers.   

[June Ingram]

Hi Isabelle - How did our QE2 (jigsaw) fare during the storms that lashed Ireland ?  Did she have to put out to sea, or are your mooring in a sheltered area ?  June   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

QE2 (jigsaw) found a sheltered cove at the right time, where the storms were not as bad and the downpours not as severe as elsewhere.

But the jigsaw crew absconded when they were really needed... negotiations are on for them to come back soon, now that fairer weather has returned.

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to know that Isabelle is continuing the family tradition of getting the refit crew together for the Christmas refit.