Norway Farewell Transatlantic 2001
Day 13
Greenock/Glasgow, September 14, 2001
Morning funnels
Morning arrival in any port is a glory that makes the early rising worthwhile, and the approach through the Firth of Clyde up to the waters of the Clyde River itself was just magnificent.
A distant loch beckons unheeded, the great hills like friendly beasts, as we move past towards the little port town which serves Glasgow.
 Distant hills
Ship and shore lights

Land in view for the first time in days.

top
I was not alone in enjoying the pleasures of the breaking day, nor in my determination to record it, however inadequately.
 Fellow photographers
Greenock harbor
We approach our berth amidst the cranes and sheds of Greenock.
Behind us the fog rolls down in great billows over the hills.
 Fog and hills
Flags
 With due respect we fly the flag of the nation whose shores we approach.

Upper deck with funnel
French funnels and Caribbean pool deck, amidst the wide reach of the Clyde.

top
Notice of 3 minutes' silence
 We boarded a commuter train in Greenock, getting off in Glasgow. This was the first heartening sign that the World Trade Center attacks had affected people all over the world.
I loved the Crystal Palace intricacies of Glasgow Station's skylights.
 Skylight detail, Glasgow
Mackintosh window

Glasgow is a mecca for students of design, particularly since the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh found its fullest flowering. This detail shows just a portion of the stunning design he worked for the College of Art.

top
Hunterian Gallery staircase
A compelling staircase in the Hunterian Art Gallery.
Norway at Greenock dock
 As is the norm for cruise travel, our visit to the city was all too short. Sooner than we would have liked, it was time to make our way back to Greenock and Norway.

Metal detectors had been placed in the shed in front of the ship, giving a hint at the new precautions that had become necessary since the 11th.

top

 Security checkpoint
Pipers and drums
 This bagpipe and drum corps greeted us on our return, and I was moved.
Down an old-fashioned gangplank, right from the pier.
 Boarding Norway via gangplank
Entry way
 The utilitarian entry usually used when tendering.

It had been a rainy day, gray and wet and emotional. Many passengers gathered at the promenade deck windows, looking out on the docks of Greenock.

top

Passenger looking out window
Clouds and hills
 The clouds part in the distance to reveal Scotland's hilly greenness.
More breaks in the clouds. The decks dry up in time for the sailaway.
 Drying decks
Rail and Greenock

Getting ready to leave, the rails becoming a bit crowded.

top
Crew members gather on the off-limits stern deck which once seated Tourist Class passengers on France.
 Crew at stern
Leaving Greenock
 We have edged away from the dock and are preparing to turn.

Sun in clouds, harbor
The busy waterway, the breaking clouds, the fond farewell to Scotland.

top
Passengers at rail
 Others enjoy the sailaway.
Fireboat salute
A fine tribute from the port as we depart.

Ship's name and receding hills
Adieu.

top
A group of local ship enthusiasts had chartered a historic excursion boat to follow us as we left. Here they turn back towards shore.
 Norway wake at sunset
Turn towards Ireland
 And we turn into the Firth of Clyde, heading south towards the North Channel and the Irish Sea.

Sports Bar
The Sports Bar has a few passengers seated to look out through the room's windows, to the opening waters.

top
Checkers entryway
The tiling at the International Deck entry to the Sports Bar betrays its former guise as Checkers Cabaret.
 
next:
September 15 - Dun Laoghaire/Dublin