So, picture this. Heidi and I were having lunch today and having a good old discussion about what’s better in Holland than in the UK……..we had gone through clogs, windmills and marijuana when Heidi said……….”Well, what’s really British then? What are the English good at?” Now I’ve been ready for some time for her to say: “I have discovered you are as ugly as a dung beatle’s bottom and I want a divorce?” I’ve been preparing for that one. But: “What are the English good at?”. ………that one took me by surprise.
“Well,” I stammered. “We, er . . . we’re good at . . .” For some extraordinary reason Benny Hill’s name came into my head. “Chasing women dressed as nurses.”
I then had a quick run round all the usual suspects: football, cricket, tennis, motor racing and so on, and could come up with nothing. So I moved into the world of innovation and again drew a blank. Our submarines have been grounded because Health and Safety have said they are not wheelchair accessible. Our Eurofighter doesn’t work if it’s cold.
British Airways is run by an Australian and the English football team is managed by an Italian.
Well……….building things………..I told Heidi…….yes building things, that’s what we are good at. Then I sat and thought about it for a moment and then said…………”Well, we used to be. Nobody builds great houses for the grandchildren and huge gardens for the generations to come. Where are the Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s ?”
Nowadays we celebrate James Dyson as a great engineer because he invented a vacuum cleaner with no bag. And we swoon over the latest mobile phone because it can send a 10-second video clip of your dog weeing in Grandma’s shoe.
The single best invention I can think of in the past 20 years — 20 years! — is the one that allows you to pause and record TV. But it’s not really up there, is it, with the invention of flight or electricity or the modern day ocean liner? Speaking of which, if you are looking for something that was built by the British and like Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s bridges and steam ships that have stood the test of time……………..it is of course the Queen Elizabeth 2.
I am sure there were gasps of horror and shock when Carnival Corporation purchased Cunard…….”Oh no” – thought people who wear blazers and have hyphens in their names. “It’s the end of the world as we know it.”………..tea time will be replaced with ice tea time and there will be grits for breakfast…………….well, none of that happened . Instead, the QE2 was given a new lease on life and was joined by Mary, Victoria and soon a new Elizabeth will grace the oceans of the world.
Meanwhile, the Queen Elizabeth 2 will spend her retirement in Dubai where deep pockets will ensure that as a hotel she will continue to ooze sophistication and class.
When Micky Arison took Cunard under the Carnival wing he took a big gamble…………no doubt he took a lot of flack……….. shareholders will fire any CEO who doesn’t turn a profit within the next quarter of an hour. However, he took over Cunard, breathed new life into the company and kept it something that really is the Best of British
This legacy started with the Queen Elizabeth 2 and we shall pay homage to her again later in the year when she takes her last bow. However, on Sunday, Mr. Micky Arison with his wife Madeleine as always by his his side, said their last goodbye to a ship that has so much to thank him for.
Thanks to him, Cunard lives on and just keeps on getting better and although there may have been a touch of sadness in Mr. Arison’s heart as he left the QE2 for the last time, I am sure that sadness was eclipsed by the joy in the knowledge that for generations to come people will continue to experience the Most Famous Ocean Liners In The World and hear the words “We are Cunard .”……………..this is his legacy.
Here are some photos which I thank Mr.Peter Shanks, our friend from Cunard, for sharing with us all.
Goodnight
John
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
John:
You forgot the most important thing that the “English” contributed to the world….our language!!!
And we are grateful…even though we do not spell it correctly sometimes!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ and now 11 pounds lighter!!!!)
John:
The English are pretty good at putting pen to paper and telling a good story. Shakespeare to Rowlings….to Heald!
Terri
Uh, John, that video on the previous post was from LAST cruise. Unless those same people are sailing again this week and are completely doing the deja vu thingy!!!
That was a really funny post anyway. All that stuff about France. Do you really dream up all that or do you have a “writer” who’s paid to provide such craziness?
Thanks for the pictures (on both posts).
Cheers
Your Pal, Myra
Thank you, John.
Could there be ANYTHING more grand or iconic that the Cunard funnel on the QE2? I’m sure the answer is no.
That lovely, stately lady exemplifies what made Cunard the best, the standard for all others to be measured by. There is no other and there will never be again.
Bravo, Mr. Arison for having the wisdom and understanding to save one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, line in history.
Host Mach
John, I will comment on this blog and the comments in the previous blog from Kevin. Where do all these people think these cruise lines would be without CCL’s money. CCL built QM2, QV, and is building a new QE. When CCL took over HAL was a little four ship cruise line that was going no where. CCL immediately took the ships they were building for a new upscale cruise line to be called Tiffany Cruises and move them to HAL and they became the Stattendam, Ryandam, Veendam, and Massdam. And obviously many more ships followed. All these people can gripe and complain all the want about CCL, but without CCL they would not be riding around on all these wonderful new ships.
*gasp*
dude! what do you mean they don’t have grits on cunard???
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
Myra is right that was from last cruise.
Can’t wait to hear more from James about his new ship.
CarolAnn
The British are pretty good a driving on the wrong side of the road.
Didn’t you guys invent Protestants?
Does anyone know if cruises on Cunard, or HAL, count towards Platinum status with Carnival. I think not, just curious.
John, did you know the difference in the original two queens? QM had three stacks, and Queen Elizabeth only had two. QE2 only had one. I wonder why? I have a few souvenirs from my crossings which I ‘ll try and bring in Feb. I even have a book that lists all the passengers (tourist class, that is) and main officers. That is something the CD’s could all start. A listing of all passengers -Tourist class, of course. That is something the British were good at -past tense ?- class distinction.
I’m happy with plain old Tourist Class.
PennyB from New Orleans
Yes John, I guess thanks should go to CCl and Micky Arison for taking Cunard and making it better. Isn’t amazing how pictures sometimes really do say a thousand words? Those pics above really made me realize what a majestic ship the Queen Elizabeth really is! I’m gonna go back now and read the last couple of blogs which I evidently missed…
Hi, ‘Bye & love to you all,
SuefromNarrowsburg
Hi John,
What have the British given us? Why you of course John.
And if not for the British, there probably wouldn’t be the United States (sorry John).
But Shakespeare, Monty Python, the Beatles, Harry Potter, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Great photos of the QE2. And I echo what someone said before, thank you Micky Arison for investing in Cunard and making it even better.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi John/Heidi:
Great pics of Mr. Arison and the QE2.
Its going to be very interesting to see how this works out for her in Dubai. I hope it becomes a huge selling point for their tourism (Not that they need any additional help).
FYI…I think when the Olympics roll through London in a few years, you guys will have a lot to show the world what you are famous for.
Plus, the food is great too.
Thanks again,
David
Good Morning John!
What are the British good at? They are running an airline that does not charge you for every little thing. They even give you a small toothbrush and toothpaste. Tyler found this to be extremely helpful when he forgot to pick up his luggage!
They also came up with fish and chips! Yum! We found a great place to get this near Hampton Court Palace.
The castles are beautiful. Our daughter,Nikki, follows the series on television-The Tudors. We spent the day before sailing at Hampton Court Palace. It was beautiful. So much history and lovely gardens also. They were having some type of flower show that day in the gardens. The train was loaded with people going to the flower show.
Anyway, we really enjoyed England.
More Later!
Ruth
Great photos of the “Queen”! Micky should be proud of what his vision has accomplished in all aspects of Carnival!
The British are pretty good at fish and chips (although I might have to give the french fries to Holland…mayo, the perfect condiment), chocolate (Cadbury’s versus Hershey’s? No contest!), Bakewell Tarts (my favorite), and tea (because apparently, there’s not a good cup to be had in all of America). I also have to thank my English grandmother for my sincere love of burnt vegetables :0)
THE BEATLES!!!!
I can feel a letter to the “Times” coming on
I think it is terrible that an upstart like Carnival can own the most famous and traditional cruise line in the civilised world.
What next – souvenir baseball caps?
Sincerely Yours,
General Sir Giles Ffoxworth-Ccravat-Bblazer (retired)
is the union flag in main show upside down?
if so are you in distress?
Britain gave birth to government now used all over the world, Britain gave the world the greatest writers, Britain was the first great modern empire, Britain have one of the most varied history’s in the modern world. Britain never gave up in 2 world wars. Britain was happy to admit when it was wrong. Britain helped to mould Europe. Britain gave birth to America. Britain was and still is one of the greatest countrys in the world and I think the United kingdom should be dropped for Great Britain. And for our American and younger fans, Britain was in the 2nd war, and was the only European country to hold out, contrary to popular belief and Hollywood hype. We still have pride in this country and although the cost of the wars was a major drain the debt was paid in full and it would be nice if American history was based on fact rather than hype. Oh yes, the QE2 was built where?