Queen Mary 2 was treading water like a ghost ship | Rick Jackson

Strange times indeed, but as lockdown was relaxed, my folks have had their first jabs and we as a family are testing for Covid twice a week and testing negative, we were confident.

So, a different kind of ferry crossing to the island was finally taken. Wightlink’s newest ferry Victoria of Wight was eerily quiet.

The top passenger deck, where the Costa Coffee outlet would normally see me queuing for a flat white, was cordoned off.

So with only one deck open and just one part of the outside deck accessible it still felt very much like life had not returned to normal.

Thankfully my folks’ garden is a sun trap and with plenty of warm sunshine it wasn’t too much of an issue enjoying the weather in their back garden.

The kids seemed to have forgotten all about Christmas so couldn’t believe their luck when they opened Hot Wheels and Baby Annabel gifts that had been waiting under the tree since December 25.

Even my wife Sarah was over the moon with her bottle of Isle of Wight Mermaid gin and accompanying glass, a very important part of enjoying gin apparently?

Soon it was time to head home. Both decks on the return ferry St Clare were open, but again Costa was boarded up.

The strangeness of the crossing continued when a tatty looking Queen Mary 2 majestically sailed past, empty and with nowhere to go, treading water like a ghost ship. One of the world’s biggest, most expensive and luxurious ships, bringing home to all on the ferry how our lives have been put on hold.

Just as our ferry turned off Southsea to head into Portsmouth Harbour, my six-year-old son Freddie spotted the two giant aircraft carriers docked in the harbour. He looked back to Queen Mary 2 just sitting there. ‘Are they going to use her for target practice?’ he said.

That would make it the world’s biggest, most expensive and luxurious sitting duck!

Cool for cats – the Puma and Cougar could make big bucks

A 1979 Mark 2 Ford Escort is for sale at £15,000. If you own a Ford Capri with the 2.8 litre injection engine, it could fetch more than £30,000. Double that for a Ford Sierra Cosworth.

One thing’s certain, all Fords have been great to drive since the introduction of the Mondeo and then the Focus, which is the best-driving hatchback of them all.

But what about the lesser-known models? The Ford Puma, a coupe based on the Fiesta had great looks but was tweaked to drive even better than its more normal sibling. Then there’s the Ford Cougar, a big coupe based on the Mondeo. As rare as hen’s teeth, I bet the lovely-sounding, big-engined V6 version will one day be a money-maker.

Farewell wine and chocolate, for April 12 is my D(iet)-Day

My first professional haircut in six months has been booked. My gym re-opens on Monday and I’m already booked in for my first session since December.

I’ve missed strolling around the shops window shopping and I cannot wait for a pint of ale pulled fresh from the tap.

I have to be honest, I’m a little nervous. I’ll be fine in the pub garden, I’ll be at ease in the hairdressers, but it’s the gym I’m anxious about. I’ve not lifted a weight since Christmas and apart from the odd bike ride, a low

squat down on to the sofa has been my only exercise.

I’m sure by the time my next column lands, I’ll be feeling sore and stiff. Time to lay off the wine and chocolates then!

A message from the editor, Mark Waldron.

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