If there's one thing to age a person more than anything else, it is to mark a long-standing anniversary. Today sees one such event. It is over 40 years since I was at John Brown's shipyard at Clydebank to see the launch of the QE II. By good fortune, I was able to secure a ticket for the launch and was standing close to the drag-chains about mid-way along the length of the ship and more or less 'under' the hull. If you haven't been to a launch, it's an exciting spot to be, especially with a vessel the size of the QE II.
I won't dwell further on that experience, but rather fast forward to 2008. This marks two events, the 30th anniversary of the ship's first visit to Australia and the last visit she'll make exactly now. And, at this precise moment, the Queen Victoria will pass the QE II at Fort Dennison in Sydney Harbour outward bound aftter her first visit to Australia. The timing is, of course, not accidental, but rather is a great advertisement for Cunard and an occasion for Sydney-siders to take to the water in a flotilla of small craft to celebrate both ships.
AS
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