Pete Hamill : Hello!

[Pete Hamill]

Hi everyone.

My name is Pete and I am new to the forum.

I found this site by (happy) accident while searching for some information on QE2 and after lurking as a guest for a few weeks, decided to join.

I live on the Clyde near Skelmorlie which gives me a front row seat for anything interesting coming up or down the river. Since the Cunard ships have called at Greenock for years, I have managed to photograph all of them - including the most important one!

My wife and I managed 15 trips on QE2 from 1996 until almost the end of her service and over that time, we have acumulated many memories, made great friends and have taken more photos and videos than would appear sensible!

I have attached (I hope) a photo of QE2 on her last visit to the Clyde and you will see from the number of small craft (many more out of shot) that she still commanded much interest and enthusiasm every time she came "home".

I look forward to chatting with more of you in the forum.

Regards

Pete

[Roy Warrender]

Hi Pete
Welcome to the forum, the number one site  for all info about QE2

[Adam Hodson]

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the forum, as Roy says, you'll find a topic for pretty much anything you could ever think of regarding QE2! Thanks for sharing a fantastic photo of one of the finest liners ever with us and it would be great to hear all about your trips on QE2!

- Adam

[Lynda Bradford]

Welcome to the forum Pete.  I am sure you will have lots to contribute to the forum, especially memories of you 15 cruises you had onboard the ship. 

I love the photo with the flotilla of boats accompanying QE2.  Have a look at the instructions for February Photo Competition "QE2 with flotilla"  It may be that you have captured some wonderful pictures of QE2 with a flotilla.   
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7147.msg77388.html#msg77388

[Alan Snelson]

Hello Pete,

A very warm welcome to the QE2 Story forum, it's good to have you here.

Excellent photo of QE2 and as Lynda has already said, it would make a great entry in our Photo of the Month Competition.

Looking forward to hearing some of your memories from your many trips aboard.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Hello Pete, thank you for a great introduction, and looking forward to hearing much more! You must have some fantastic memories of your various voyages.

Could I add to what others have already recommended -- this photo and others you took that day would make excellent entries to the current photo competition! If you need any help, please let us know, and it would be great to see it there.

I was present (onshore) for QE2's last visit to the Clyde, and have great memories of the day -- both happy and sad, but mostly happy, as it was such a fabulous day and I was with wonderful friends. It was good to have a proper "occasion" to take our leave from QE2.

[Twynkle]

Hello Pete and Welcome

It's great that you have joined us and thank you for the lovely photo of QE2

There must have been wonderful times watching the river 'at work' - and Skelmorlie has been mentioned in the media a few times recently with incredible weather conditions you must have experienced - the Western Ferries looking as if they were needing to be be very plucky!

If possible, and when time permits, please do feel free to tell us of your memories - maybe not just about QE2 - also about the work on Clyde too!

All the best

Rosie

[Pete Hamill]

Thanks all for the warm welcome and encouragement to contribute to the forum.

I'm sure I can find something suitable for the Flotilla subject. I will also drop in some memories of the voyages along the way where appropriate - there is a fine line between interesting and overwhelming and a little goes a long way sometimes!!

The weather has been a bit rough recently, but interesting to note that as usual, it is always the Western Ferries that keep going when everything else is safely tied up alongside.

I am half way through  the process of converting my old 8mm video recordings to digital format and there are one or two items in there that will be worthy of posting as clips when I've got it all complete.

Regards

Pete

[June Ingram]

Hi Pete - And welcome to The QE2 Story Forum.  We are very pleased that you have joined us as this is the place to be for all things QE2 !  Your photo is marvelous and would indeed be a wonderful entry in the photo competition.  I am very much looking forward to hearing more about your times on our beloved ship, and photos and videos too !  June. 

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi Peter,

A warm welcome.

I also live near the Clyde, and I also was there on the Clyde the last day she visited. I've seen lots of photos taken that day, and I took lots myself, but that one of yours is one of the very best!

I managed just twelve days on her in service as an adult, although I did spend 3 days on trials as a child in 87 and 3 days in Dubai in '11.  I do envy your time on board though.

I hope you enjoy the forum very much.

[Brandon Sterkel]

Hello Pete and welcome to The QE2 Story!
This is the best place on the Internet for the QE2!
Wonderful photo and looking forward to reading about your 15 trips on the great ship!
-Brandon

[Clydebuilt1971]

Hi everyone.

My name is Pete and I am new to the forum.

I found this site by (happy) accident while searching for some information on QE2 and after lurking as a guest for a few weeks, decided to join.

I live on the Clyde near Skelmorlie which gives me a front row seat for anything interesting coming up or down the river. Since the Cunard ships have called at Greenock for years, I have managed to photograph all of them - including the most important one!

My wife and I managed 15 trips on QE2 from 1996 until almost the end of her service and over that time, we have acumulated many memories, made great friends and have taken more photos and videos than would appear sensible!

I have attached (I hope) a photo of QE2 on her last visit to the Clyde and you will see from the number of small craft (many more out of shot) that she still commanded much interest and enthusiasm every time she came "home".

I look forward to chatting with more of you in the forum.

Regards

Pete

Hi Peter and welcome to the forum.

I live upriver from you in Greenock and was part of that flotilla you posted the photo of albeit I was on a ship called Balmoral which was on QE2's port side as we escorted her up river.

I look forward to reading your posts!!

Gav

[Pete Hamill]

Thanks again!

When I was sorting out the photos of that day, I realized I had two sets of pictures from different cameras, so I must actually give full credit to my wife for the photo I posted - I had the opportunity to go out on the river on a friend's boat, so I set up my spare camera and tripod and left it up to her to do the rest, so she actually had her finger on the button!

By the time that photo was taken, I was taking a similar shot from the other side of QE2 close to Balmoral that Gav mentions which was at a fair list to starboard since everyone had moved over to one side to get the best view!

Pete

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

If you caught a pic of Balmoral with her "fair list", I would love to see that! I was on board too (but did not know Gav...) and of course was completely unaware of the beautiful ship I was on at that particular time -- all attention being focused on the Queen!

[Pete Hamill]

Isabelle,

Comparing Balmoral's masts to the Inverkip power station chimney (now also gone) gives you an idea of the list!