This was me!

 

To celebrate CUNARD'S centennial, their SEA VIEWS exhibition will be available in late February. World-renowned photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney (Sir Paul's daughter) will curate a collection of 100 photographs taken from the company's 14,000 images archived in Liverpool, England . . . . . and include never before seen treasured photographs from former sea going guests. Anyone who has traveled on board a Cunard ship can submit digital photos - but you only have until February 5, 2023 so get going if you want to join in. Being a Cunard customer, I received their email just a couple of days ago.

Today, I pulled this one out of an old, dusty storage box and have sent it in with the requested short story of when and where etc., and the requested smidgen of personal info. They immediately sent a thank you and said I will be informed if my photo is used - which I doubt will ever happen. 

I have plenty of later photos taken when I've sailed to far away places on Cunard's ships, in lovely color, wearing casual shipboard clothes, eating, drinking, lounging around in deck chairs, sparkling swimming pools in the background, laughing with hubby and close friends. But then there's this one of me in 1964. Somewhat somber perhaps. I'd just turned 21 and was in the lounge of the first Queen Mary (docked in Long Beach, California since 1967), sailing home alone to England for Christmas, spending the evening with other shipboard guests. I'm sad to see I was smoking back then but gave that up later. My teased 'bob' was the hairstyle of the day thanks to popular English singer Cilla Black, and my dress was a lovely soft black wool with a ruffled neck and low V-back (wish I still had it!). Hemlines had climbed but this was not a mini-skirt, and we still wore sheer pantyhose. This photo brings back many memories of my life back then. It was my first visit home since leaving in 1962 and for some reason I decided to go by ship, a new adventure for a girl who had grown up at the seaside but not done much boating. Since then, I've always loved traveling by sea which has enabled me to see some amazing places which would otherwise have been inaccessible.

Above ~ my treasured photo sent to Cunard.

Lifelines in a storm. . . . . .

I have weathered storms. . . . . .some really big ones at sea, including the infamous Drake Passage, the roughest ocean in the world! You can read my account HERE where I tell about that wild crossing on my return to Ushuaia, South America from Antarctica in 2013. That body of water, which takes two days to cross, is the treacherous stretch of the great Southern Ocean between the tip of South America, Cape Horn, and the northernmost reaches of Antarctica. 

Severe weather warnings such as we are receiving here today, always set my nerves on edge here on land. Over the years I've lived in North Carolina I've experienced numerous hurricanes, tornadoes, tremendous ice storms, 24 inch snow falls, even a small earthquake. In two hurricanes I've been inside the cottage as huge oak trees fell on the roof and demolished my car in the driveway. In two completely unexpected tornadoes, I was close, very close, to where they touched down in nearby neighborhoods causing horrifying death and destruction.

Fingers are crossed for today as a severe storm system impacts the southeast US. So far we are on a watch for damaging winds, heavy rain/hail, and the possibility of tornadoes this afternoon. Praying everyone will remain safe, and that all have a secure place to wait out any severe weather conditions. 

Be back soon with happier things to share hopefully. Weather can be quite stressful, and weather reports such as we are getting today, unnerving to say the least!