Three Cunard Queens 2014.

A big day in Southampton a couple of weeks ago with the arrival of the three Queens to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2, the Cunard flagship. The three ships arrived in port early morning on Friday 9th May, having sailed in convoy from Lisbon, Portugal. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were the first in, at around 4:30am, followed by QM2 an hour later, complete with tugboat escort, water cannon salute, and newsreel helicopter.  I didn't see the first two Queens arrive, but I was up and about on my top balcony in time to see QM2 sail in with the sunrise.  A wonderful sight and a splendid start to the morning.

It was a glorious day all round, the sun shone, the ships were magnificent and the evening fireworks were spectacular.  After the three ships had exchanged an astonishing volley of whistle salutes, QM2 finally pulled away at 10:30pm and led the convoy down Southampton Water, into the Solent and away into the night; QM2 bound for New York, Queen Victoria to Stockholm, Sweden, and Queen Elizabeth to Hamburg, Germany.

The picture at the top shows RMS Queen Mary 2 arriving at the Port of Southampton, Hampshire, for her 10th Anniversary celebrations, at 05:36 on Friday 9th May 2014.

The picture at the bottom shows RMS Queen Mary 2 and her 10th Anniversary celebration fireworks, at the Port of Southampton, Hampshire, at 22:12 on Friday 9th May 2014.

Click on the link below to see more of my pictures of the Three Cunard Queens 2014 and the fireworks:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/86315511457/my-photos-of-the-three-cunard-queens-at-the-port

To read more about the Cunard event and to see the Cunard photos, click on the links below:-

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-types/cruises-from-southampton/royal-rendezvous/
http://www.cunard3queens.com

My April 2014 In Pictures.

A late posting for my monthly picture post and, for good measure, there are two sets of photos, one of flowers, one of trees.  I love them equally and couldn't decide between them.

To see My April 2014 In Flower Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/85804435272/my-april-2014-in-flower-pictures-click-on-a

To see My April 2014 In Tree Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/85897730762/my-april-2014-in-tree-pictures-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows spring blossom in Uplands Park, Oadby, Leicestershire, at 18:03 on Monday 28th April 2014.

The picture at the bottom shows a stand of trees in Norley Wood Inclosure, New Forest National Park, Lymington, Hampshire at 14:38 on Wednesday 24th April 2014.