You think it’s all over… it is now!

Today it was time to say farewell to Queen Anne. She has been our home these past three and a half weeks, so it’s a little sad that this is the last of my Captain’s logs!

We woke up just in time to see us passing under the lights of the Golden Gate Bridge, before falling back to sleep.

I have to confess, I’ve always said I didn’t want to go on a Cruise. I thought it would be too many people, too organised and too claustrophobic. But after a trial trip just over a year ago, to see the northern lights in Norway, on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, I discovered the boat very rarely felt crowded and there was plenty of space to get outside into the fresh air on deck.

With a good number of ‘sea days’ on this trip, we’ve made the most of onboard activities and entertainment. The pools and hot tubs were a good way to meet people, who wouldn’t recognise you later with clothes on! One of them was an American ex-pilot come sports car collector with a fine white moustache, whose wife had died from what he described as “the Chinese virus.” I spotted this smooth talker with various ladies over the weeks and also had to bite my lip as he explained why Donald Trump would put everything right that had gone so wrong in America. I did note that a cruise might be a good way to find a new partner if you were looking for one… although the romance might only last the length of the cruise or less!

You’re never going to hit it off with everyone you meet, but on this trip we’d met some real gems.

There was a retired New York cop, who always sported a jaunty red and white neckerchief, and had the best religious jokes ever. He was always ready with a new one each day, which he cheekily slipped in before the Lord’s Prayer at the regular Christian gatherings. He was sorely missed when he got off at New York.

Happy to accommodate the ex copper’s jokes was a down to earth Greek Orthodox priest who was on board with his mother. He gave us lots to think about as well as passing on the same advice which he gave his parishioners if they were having a hard time: “You get on with your stuff and let the devil get on with his stuff!”

I also developed a bit of a crush on two Aussies, who ran a course onboard looking at memoir writing. Richard Evans, former politician turned author, sported the most outrageous shirts and provided the perfect foil to the banter from his colleague and wife, Dr Julia. I loved their honesty, humour and the simplicity and clarity they bought to the training sessions, which were simply inspirational. No one who took part will forget their mantra that, “we all have a story to share.” Check out

Finally, we have bid a fond farewell to a beautiful Yorkshire couple, who we’ve shared lots of laughter and stories with over the past few weeks. However, as they will be going right around the world with Queen Anne, they should be well placed to send reports on any developments with the ‘suspected stowaway’…

Meanwhile, San Francisco here we come.