In order to get used to the harsh reality of Central European weather, we were slowly and gently re-introduced to the moody weather in Southhampton. All of a sudden the sky was grey, the decks were wet from an early morning shower and temperatures had dropped in double digit amounts. After having being spoiled by an unusual fair and gentle ride over the Atlantic, we were shown who was in charge after all: the English gods of the elements. Yes, we´ve known this all along, but refused to accept the facts for the benefit of EU harmony: Germans provide machinery, the French baguette and red wine, the Italians red hot sport cars and the English handle levers for cloud shifting. But it was a good hurt. Better a few drops of water from above than having to sink into it. Still: We weren´t prepared for double layers of gray. The sky was one thing, another was the port city of Southhampton. The ring of the name had always been associated with shipyard tradition, great ships being released into the vast distance of the Empire, Titanics first and last farewell. And here we had arrived into a nondescript shade of grey. The anti-New York. Very well then. And very well done. After all, as I had stated at the outset, we were to be re-introduced. And it worked, because after breakfast we settled into a deck chair and started enjoying the day. As a reward the above mentioned levers were set into mix-up position, and really, in the afternoon the sun started sneaking back. 

The grey is reflected in the not so happy, or maybe just tired face of a Amish woman.

Docking the mighty ship.

Aha! Clouds dispersed and a crane lifted a twenty foot container

matter-of-factly onto deck for some new furniture.

The white wall to the right is not an apartment high-rise, but the stern of a cruise ship.

This photo has a title: "White gull with light grayish hue on upper side of wings being

illuminated from sun above, flying to the southwest with grey backdrop".

Industrial romance. As we left Southhampton we had a terrific sunset as the national teams of

Germany and Argentina started playing the final game of the World Cup.

See more photos of the Trans Atlantic series.