QE2

The QE2 arrived in Liverpool around 07:00 this morning today.

It's only here for 16 hours, in fact it should be leaving about now, with a mid-river firework display. Too late for us to see that one I'm afraid.

Not to worry though, the cruise liner moored right outside the office, because of the new Princes Dock Landing stage, which is (just about) finished - bar some footway safety tests (those accesses are closed) and a snagging list.

So I've had a pretty good view of the ship all day. I got thoroughly soaked taking some photo's this morning between 08:30 and 09:00 am in heavy, drizzly rain. One of the guys on the early shift got in at 06:30 am to watch it arrive (he used to work as a cook on board a few years ago) when there was only a few boat spotters and the Dock Security about.

There was about 20 or so people on the Dock side when I arrived - mostly taking photo's like myself. A couple of "40th Anniversary" and "Last Voyage" programme sellers were also there. The liner is will be sailing to Dubai soon, where it will be turned into a stationary hotel.

The Duke of Kent officially opened the landing stage around 11:30 am today. Didn't see much of him - I think he was avoiding the rain.

I nipped out at lunch time and took a few more snaps. By this time Princes Dock was getting fairly crowded. After lunch the rain eased off a bit, and more passengers began to leave the liner to see the city (only a few brave souls had ventured out into the rain earlier).

I left for home around 16:30 and drove the family back to Princes Dock so that we could all have a look. A few cars were being turned away, but since I have access to our office, and the nearby multi-storey car park, all I had to do was flash my work and car-park pass to get in.

Half an hour of looking at "the big ship" was enough for the boys, who enjoyed the experience (crowds of people, big ship, small boats buzzing around, helicopters flying overhead, waving to a colleague in the office etc).

Headed home via the Fish n' Chip shop.