April monthly meet ..... after a gorgeous photograph from one of our members of his DB9 posing alongside the QE2 was posted on our What’s App group, it was quickly decided that we should all have our cars photographed alongside this iconic vessel, and what better time to organise this than to celebrate the birthday of HRH The Queen, and the 50th anniversary of the QE2.
There followed some hectic arrangements by our Events Manager Andy Marshall, and we were all set for a monthly meet with a difference.
We met up at the beachside car park of Jumeirah Beach, a residential area of Dubai. Cars were formed in age order, mature first, and departed in groups of 4 to 6 cars for the 20 Km drive through the built-up area of Jumeriah to Port Rashid where the QE2 is docked. The immaculate DB7 Vantage led the first group, followed by a selection of V8 Vantages, DB9s, a Rapide, Vanquishes, or is it Vanqui’, 2 Modern DBS. In total, there were 28 Aston Martins, plus a few other British marques such as Jaguar, Range Rover, etc. with 65 members and 11 junior guests.
The line up on the Quayside was most impressive.
Lunch was served in the main restaurant onboard the QE2, followed by a guided tour of the ship where we could see the guest rooms, pictures and models of the QE2 over the years. Peter Warwick, who has been with the QE2 for over 40 years led the tour and told fascinating tales of the history of the ship and its celebrity guests.
To finish off our visit, The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth performed a march along the quayside in front of the spectacular backdrop of the Aston Martins and the QE2.
At dusk, it was time to depart, and an orchestrated start of the engines to delight the onlookers who had gathered to witness this incredible display with the unmistakable sound of 29 Aston Martins, all leaving in the order that they arrived.
Many photographs, and video recording were taken that will be used for the QE2 publications distributed throughout the world. A selection of photos taken by the members can be found in the gallery by clicking here.