MIND(ING) THE GAP: Mary Mary Definitely Not Contrary!

With the weather changing and the full effect of our own Brexit postpartum depression sinking in, I thought it was about time I post some pix reminiscing and well, for crying in our soup. That would be a clear consommé with a silver spoon please.

The problem with blogging some time post-event, is a bit of the momentum, the wild excitement and some of the nuances of the inside jokes have changed with the tides too. Mind(ing) the Gap posts allows the luxury of going back and re-living some of the fun time we've had. I do hope to find the time in my "re-settlement" to continue.... albeit, I will need new ways of funding some excitement.

Woohoo! The ship has left the jetty! We are doing our reverse immigration or repatriation, the old fashioned way. Sailing to the Americas!! We LOVED our maiden voyage to England on the Queen Mary 2 so much that we had to repeat the experience. We just needed to make "our last hurrah" memorable. Back to beans and weiners in Canada....

How do I build a pension big enough to fund this in perpetuity?

You know, those budget hotel sheets just don't feel like these Frette one! Think they make sleeping bag liners for our Canadian camping trips?

"So D., do you think we'll have table service like this in Bagotville?"

Sorry to burst your bubblegum, but I think it might be buffet style in Bagotville - but all you can eat poutine.

This is our "You're kidding me, right?" look.

Nope, better enjoy it while you can, Amy and Dipen!

Oh yeah, we're gonna lap it up!

So should we have another coffee or go for a swim?

I'm thinking these chairs recline!

I'm with Amy, I'm not moving!

I am so busted, sneaking onto the "Grill" level decks!

Snooze? Did someone say nap?

I've got bigger fish lips than you!

Yeah, we're gonna turn this shop right back to where it came from. I know there is plenty of gin in England.

Eat your heart out, Leonardo and Kate!

Eight nights on the Queen Mary 2 had us enjoying lots of entertainment including Herbie Hancock! Too bad we couldn't take pictures. At 76, he is an inspiring tour de force continuing to push the boundaries of music and performing.

Nope, its not Blue Man Group but Lavender Ladies.... or maybe just dim lighting

As they say in the Army, "Get it into ya!". So, another "last" afternoon tea. Think I need to book some tickets back to England asap. Fortnum & Mason needs me to have more tea.

Keep your pinkie in the air

Having clotted cream withdrawal....

The sands of tea time.

The coloured sands are allegorical of our time in the UK. The light, the dark, weren't just the way it felt with daylight savings time, but for the time it took for relationships to brew, or assimilate English routine and culture. Some events passed so quickly we didn't have time to put the kettle on, while special friendships had time to steep and become rich.

As you can tell, we had as much fun this time sailing as the first time. Every night is an occasion to dress up, eat lovely food, have lovely service and then crash in a super comfy bed. Then start the cycle all over the next day.... Did I say how much I enjoyed this?

Just sayin', the weather is pretty fine in the middle of the Atlantic

I'm ready for my Downton Abbey audition

We're hoping for a cameo on Downton Abbey too!

Good thing I ate that extra plate of food, or I'd be blown off the deck

Yeah, this is a pretty good last hurrah

Smile, because I think our dinner is arriving and your hair looks hungry!

And some people say they'd get tired of this.... Good thing there is a gym on board.

This was a diet meal since we've been stuffing ourselves. See, no food. For about 15 minutes....

Cool sky and wavy water

Table side entertainment. We called this the "Lemon Production". We'd order fish just for the fun of it. We missed playing this game with Charan and Jasmine this crossing. Their ship sailed earlier in July and we missed them.

Yeah, I'm so nautical looking in my Greek striped shirt. But that was another vacation. Check out My Big Fat Greek Vacation

The QM2 just BARELY clears the bottom of the bridge. It was pretty exciting sailing under and feeling like you could touch the underside. To watch this, we had to get up even before the sun or NYC was up.

Coming into New York City harbour at O'dark-thirty had a real feel of wonder with a really beautiful pink sky. Unfortunate or fortunate, it was too dark for even my "big" camera and my phone took this picture. I find its granularity very painterly.