The new Queen Elizabeth departs Wellington: Bon voyage!

BritMumInNZ

The new Queen Elizabeth visited Wellington harbour today, gliding in gracefully an hour ahead of schedule as the sun was rising. It is the second-largest cruise ship to be built by Cunard, the largest was the Queen Mary 2, launched in 2004.

Queen Elizabeth leaves Wellington Feb 2011

We gathered in Seatoun to farewell her as she departed Wellington harbour, sounding her horn as she left.

People dotted the coastline, many with picnics prepared, to bid her bon voyage. The girls played happily on the beach, watching in awe as she glided in splendour through the narrow exit of the harbour.

Charlotte watched the Queen Elizabeth depart

I felt quite unexpectedly overcome with emotion, imagining her crossing the oceans all the way from Southampton – where Dan and I first met, at Southampton University, way back in 1992.

Bon voyage Queen Elizabeth

I’ve been feeling quite a yearning for England since Chinese Grandma and Granddad’s departure last week. It’s been nearly four year’s since we were last there – the longest time I’ve ever been away. As much as I enjoy our life here it will never be complete. Pangs of home sickness wax and wane like the moon.

But I take comfort in my children’s happiness. They are our priority now and this is their home, where they are so settled and happy.

Sophie playing on the beach

Bon voyage Queen Elizabeth. Take our love with you on your travels across the oceans to our loved ones in England.

Queen Elizabeth

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Royal ship arrives in Wellington

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18 thoughts on “The new Queen Elizabeth departs Wellington: Bon voyage!”

  1. Just found this one…how majestic that ship is and must have been wonderful to see from the beautiful waterfront of Wellington.Some gorgeous pictures and the girls look so well and happy.

  2. Thanks dear Mum & Dad. We love and miss you so much. Our thoughts are always with you x Have a lovely day as we have sweet dreams now x

  3. I also had those homesick pangs for NZ when I first had my babies, but I did find coming back to NZ for a holiday, really did help. I really enjoyed my time with my family and friends, but was also pleased to come back to my own home in the UK! Ps your daughter is beautiful in that photo! B:))

  6. We saw it too! It is my dream to go on a cruise ship but I think I would get seriously lost on one like that.

    Homesickness is a bitch sometimes. We haven’t been to either home countries in over 5 years now, and even though we wouldn’t want to move back for any permanent length of time – it’s really, really hard some days… I hope you can find a way to highlight the good here.

    Hugs!

  7. Gosh, what a sight it must have been to see. I’m a bit sad we weren’t in Welly to see her in all her glory…your pics have really captured her majesty and splendour!

  8. Hey Sarah,

    Hasn’t the weather been AMAZING lately!!
    I am really enjoying your photos…nice blur going on 😉

    Well, I’m off to catch up on my list of to-dos. Have a great day!

  9. Four years? Man. I do envy that you can bring your girls up there though. How amazing for them. I love travelling but I can’t imagine being away from England for that long. It’s amazing how life can change so completely.

  10. Life sure is varied in what it throws our way. I always loved England and never planned to leave – what was meant to be a couple of years is now turning into a lifetime. My heart will always yearn to be back and slightly dampened with sadness being so far away from my family. But I am very happy for my children and the life they have. I wouldn’t want to unsettle them. This is where they were born and they don’t know any different. They love it here. When they are older there will be time for travelling and I will be able to return to England, silver haired for a while 🙂 xx

  11. Thanks lovey, yes this weather has been absolutely incredible and we are having a fabulous summer. I’m in total denial that the evenings are creeping in ever so slightly. The first southerly blast of winter will be a very unwelcome shock indeed!

    Best to focus on the ‘now’ me thinks 🙂 x

  12. Sounds like you were having a very special time away x They’ll be other cruise liners on other fine Welly days. Glad you had a great holiday and some special time with your hubbie x

  13. Yep, a HUGE ship alright – I read in the paper $20,000 up to $150,000 a ticket! Ouch!

    If I had heaps of time (and money!) I’d love to cruise all the way to Southampton.

    Thanks for your kind words of support re homesickness – I’ll be fine – just getting used to being just Alice and me during the day and the quiet after the busy holidays. I’m usually pretty good at focusing on the ‘now’ and living in the moment – but have lost my way these past couple of weeks. I’ll soon be back on track x Thank you x

  14. Yep, I quite fancy it too – but that ship was HUGE (and very expensive and I’m not sure I’d really want to HAVE to dress up for dinner every night!) xx

  16. Thanks Becky. I reckon it’s the post-baby hormones hey?! I’m still breastfeeding and my menstrual cycle is yet to start up again (didn’t till 15 months after having Charlotte & Sophie either!). Also, I’m adjusting to the ‘quietness’ with just Alice and me at home during the day, after the busy, long summer holidays and having my parents-in-law to stay. I’ll soon get back on track (though I’d love a visit to the UK!) – might have to cut back on my coffees out and start putting the coppers in the piggy bank 🙂 x

  17. Lovely photos, pleasant story. Mum and I will (probably) be taking the QE from Los Angeles to New York via the Panama Canal next March (2013) so I am researching and checking LARGE photos to try and figure out what is where onboard, comparing pictures like yours with the Cunard deck plans. Along the way I discover lovely gems of life like you and yours. Thanks again. Best to you.

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