A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Tuesday Cuppa Tea - Coronation Anniversary - Ahoy Matey! Cunard Turns 175

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! I hadn't planned to do this post, but my week went haywire when my husband ended up in emergency last Monday with an infection and necessitated several days in doctor's offices and labs instead of planned activities including a tea party. But...good news! Within 24 hours of beginning an antibiotic he began to improve...enough that we still plan on going on our overnight to Victoria, BC for Cirque du Soleil...WooHoo!!!!  BUT the tea party didn't happen. So....



June 2nd, Tuesday, is the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II...June 2, 1953...beginning the 62nd year of her reign...a record in English history, and most of the world. Congratulations Ma'am! Now on to:



Welcome to a nautical themed Tuesday Cuppa Tea! You will see why in a bit....




My teacup for this week was made in the 1930s by Gray's Pottery, England and is a combination of a black transferware sailing ship...I am calling it a tea clipper...and mulberry with copper luster.  



A. E Gray began in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent in 1912 and  in 1961 was taken over by Portmerion and basically ceased to exist. It made some wonderful earthenwares and ironstone, but was famous for it's transferware and luster designs.



The marks used by the pottery always included a sailing ship. For more info on the teacup on Antiques And Teacups, click on the photos.  The sailing ship motifwhich is why I thought about them as I tried to decide what I could do for this week's Tuesday Cuppa Tea....because this month was a celebration of 3 Queens...



Cunard cruiselines celebrated it's 175 anniversary in month, and May 3rd all of their ships met in Southampton...Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Victoria...which doesn't happen very often....



Their website features Queen Mary 2 and their first ship, the Britannia....a sailing ship from 175 years ago.  I have a soft spot for Cunard, having sailed on the Queen Mary 2 several times to and from New York and Southampton, England...and here are some of my photos from those crossings....




We sailed Queen Mary 2 out of New York Harbor heading to our annual English visit 2 weeks after Sept. 11, 2004, an anniversary of 9/11.  The ship observed 5 minutes of silence as we headed past the Stautue of Liberty and out towards the Verrazanno Narrows Bridge...we were outside at the front of  deck 11 where there is a viewing area...and everyone was in tears...I will never forget that few minutes....



The photo above is our closest point as we sailed by the Statue of Liberty....



Now...onto the ship. One of my favorite spaces was the Atrium, with it's huge metal sculpture of the ship in pride of place. 


The interior theme is art deco, in keeping with the illustrious first Queen Mary...



 The walls and elevator doors have fabulous art deco mixed metal paneling...



With directional maps and deck plans all over...which you need as the ship is a large and a bit wierd in configuration....



On this cruise we were in an oceanview, and the next year they upgraded us to a balcony...called sheltered, because it is set into the hull. We really liked it...better for the North Atlantic than a regular balcony....more protection...




Here are some of the other public rooms....



The Commodore Club at the very front of deck 9 and a great viewing area...



The library at the front of deck 8...and an interesting place during a hurricane...we crossed on one trip between 2 hurricanes with 25 foot seas....



The 2 level dining room...again with the Cunard ship motif....



But my favorite room was the Queen's Room where a lovely afternoon tea is served every afternoon....with musicians...a string quartet, pianist, etc...




Our plates and my husband at work with scones, REAL clotted cream and English strawberry jam...very different from the American version. I actually have somewhere a recipe for Queen Mary 2 scones from the chef on the ship...which arrived in my cabin mailbox hand written...in proportions for 1,000 scones! I need to find it and try to cut it down to a more manageable size...



The Queen's Room also host parties in the evening like the Black and White Ball...



The ship also has a planetarium called Illuminations...which is very fun...and the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts in London actors and students that hold acting lessons and give performances...







And of course, a pool and spa...


And lots more...like the Winter Garden sunroom with rattan furniture, and Golden Lion pub... 


Because we have sailed Queen Mary 2, I just loved Susan Branch's book..
A fine Romance...which starts with a similar crossing...it was like she had written about our experiences! Wonderful!

so...happy anniversary Cunard!


Thanks so much for joining me!  Below is the list of some of the blog parties I will be part of and there is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and can find you to visit!


24 comments:

  1. Hi Ruth,
    So glad your husband is recovering and your trip to Victoria is still a go. What a relief that the antibiotics were effective so quickly.
    I've always wanted to sail on the Queen Mary to England. Seems like such a luxurious sailing. Thanks for including all of the photos. I have a better feel for what the ship looks like. The afternoon tea certainly looked wonderful.
    Thank you including information on my post about the pheasant on the teacup. Love learning more about its history.
    Sending healthy wishes to your husband for the rest of this week,
    Nora

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  2. What a fabulous ship, Ruth! I enjoyed all the photos. Your teacup today is very unique. Lovely! Another milestone for our Queen Elizabeth and Congratulations to her! Thanks for another interesting post and I'm glad to hear your hubby is feeling better. Have a wonderful week, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  3. What good news, Ruth, that your hubby is doing well and you'll be able to enjoy your trip. Your teacup today is very unique and I enjoyed seeing the cruise ship. My late beloved and I took a cruise to Alaska and Holland America had a lovely tea onboard. Thanks for hosting and enjoy your week.

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  4. Hi Ruth! Glad the hubby is feeling better! I love your tea set, so pretty and the photos aboard that wonderful ship. It is a dream of mine to sail across the North Atlantic on something so iconic as the Queen Mary 2. Sounds and looks wonderful! Have a wonderful week!

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  5. Oh my what a great trip you will be making, specially now that your dear hubby has recovered greatly. Love the tea set and I love cruise ships and this one looks awesome!
    Thank you so much for hosting this lovely party dear Ruth.
    Have a nice week.
    FABBY

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  6. Glad to hear that your husband is on the mend. The copper luster design on your teacup is so interesting! A couple of weeks ago, I visited a studio where the potter had a special line on lusterware. Soooo pretty! I've never gone on a cruise so I enjoyed viewing the images of your Cunard cruises. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I just LOVED this post about Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Ruth! I wanted to take the Queen Mary 2 on my recent trip to England, but it didn't work out and we had to fly instead. But it's on my bucket list! So glad your hubby is on the mend and you can take your trip to Victoria. Have a great time. ~ Phyllis

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  8. Glad your hubby's better. Love your cup and your post and the history I learned.....Christine

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  9. Happy to hear the good news about your husband, enjoy your time!! THat is a unique tea cup with the sail boat, I have never seen one like it!

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  10. So very glad to hear Hubby recovered! One of my favorite episodes of Poirot takes place on the Queen Mary.

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  11. I so love to be in that ship too, it looks fabulous! I love cruising {though it doesn't love my budget...lol} And someday, I also want to see NY... thank you for your post and keeping my dreams alive :-)

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  12. I enjoyed seeing inside the Queen Mary.....we have never gone on a cruise.
    Your teacup was a good chose with your ship theme.
    Glad your husband was feeling better.
    Thank you for hosting.
    Carolyn

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  13. Ruth:
    Your cup and saucer are really pretty and unique. I enjoyed all your photos of the interest as well. So glad prayer has been answered with your husband. Hope he continues to get stronger. Have a great week.

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  14. What a wonderful cruise aboard a stunning ship! Would love to do that. Your ship plate and teacup is so unusual, never seen anything like it, very pretty.
    And congrats to Queen Elizabeth!
    So happy to hear your husband is on the mend.

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  15. Ruth, What a fun time you must have had...thanks for sharing it with us...lovely photo's! hugs...

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  16. So happy that your hubby is getting better Ruth and you can take your trip. When we took the Alaska cruise with 15 or so other garden club members, I was the only one to go down for the afternoon tea most days. The large ships are amazing with all that they hold and the entertainment from the staff on stage at night is fabulous.

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  17. A lovely tour of the QM2, thanks. One day I may make it :)

    Diana

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  18. Hi Ruth,
    Sorry I am linking up so very late this week. My mother is ill and I have been spending all of my time with her. I hope that your hubby continues to improve. I love your nautical theme this week - I have never been on a cruise ship before and it does sound exciting! Happy Tea Day and thank you for hosting! Karen

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  19. Good News Ruth.. with hubby on the mend you both can still enjoy a wonderful trip. Your teacup is so unique... I have one piece of Grays pottery with the same colour and speckling,... my has an english inn... It's so wonderful to see more of their lovely china...Your pictures were sensational and my mouth was watering over the scones and clotted cream..There's nothing more memorable than a cruise ship..EXCITING.... Enjoy yourselves... Hugs

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  20. Ruth, sorry to hear your husband was sick, but great that he is doing better! That tea cup is so cool! Thanks for sharing about your trip--I've actually never seen the Queen Mary 2 before even in pictures, so I really enjoyed your tour. And wow, afternoon tea everyday!

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  21. Oh Ruth, what a gorgeous ship! I have never been on a cruise, but your pictures make me want to go on one :)

    The tea cup with the ship on it is truly amazing! How do you find such unique china pieces? It's always a joy to have you at Roses of Inspiration. Thanks for joining, my friend. Hugs!

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  22. Glad to hear your husband is on the med. Your cruise looks amazing!! And the teacup is awesome!

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  23. What a wonderful experience to sale on the Queen Mary II. I would love to have that experience. Perhaps someday! Thanks for sharing your photos and all the great information.
    Glad to know your husband has improved. Hope all is well days later.

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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