Home»All my photos»The Cunard Queens»QE2's final farewell to Southampton 11 November 2008

The day arrived for the final departure of Queen Elizabeth 2 from Southampton after over 40 years' famous and faithful service. It was a crisp sunny day, which enabled the old lady to look her best at her mooring at the Queen Elizabeth 2 terminal, from the vantage points of Hythe Pier and the Hythe Ferry. The most poignant moment (for this was Armistice Day) was when a Harrier jump-jet flew up Southampton Water, hovered over QE2, then turned and bowed to its fellow Falklands veteran before flying off. Her departure on her final voyage to Dubai, where she will become a luxury floating hotel, was not until the evening, when I joined Maid of Poole, working with Blue Funnel as one of the hundred plus vessels which surrounded QE2 throughout the evening. Sadly, still photography proved impossible,