DONE &....

 dusted in Zeebrugge. Last leg across the North Sea, home tomorrow with any luck. No too lucky so far, what with Hamburg strike we now have train strikes in Belgium. So we decided not to go to Bruges & instead took a tram ride down to Knokke. A really nice seaside resort town about 20mins on the tram. Tap in system again €2.5 for one hours travel. Nice sunny day & warm if you kept out of the wind. Didn't go on the sandy beach but did don cossies to get in the hot tub overlooking the port and it's fleet of minesweepers. Tonight we have a nice curry coming up & packing to complete.

HAMBURG, BEST LAID PLANS...

 go awry. Planned to have nice breakfast, go ashore at midday, meet up with the family, quality time & go back on board in the evening as ship didn't sail until 5am next day. About 8:15am Captain comes on in the cabin - Germans on strike, have to leave port early at 3:30pm. Panic in the cabin to try and re-arrange meeting, got people out of bed, but still Aunty Ruth & family had to cancel. Public transport now not quick enough to make the time so good old Uber steps up & does the job. 

The Steinwerder Cruise Terminal in Hamburg is a mess, it has no decent transport links at all, you probably have to walk close to a mile to the bus stop. Next stop Zeebrugge, which we here is also on strike, let's see.

NORIONA

Should be the P&O Iona of course, but we are in the throws of the Noro virus. My hands have withered away because of the constant sanitiser & hand washing. So far so good!

Nice cabin with conservatory and then a balcony, not so good is the position on the promenade deck, people can look in & see me tending to my piles. See the picture of the hot tub taken from the cabin.

Rotterdam is nice, been here several times, not so good is that on Monday most things you would like to see are closed. No museums, art galleries or similar. Wanted to do a trip to the Art Deco factory, but no joy.

Weather mixed, warm & yesterday sunny but today raining & grey. Undaunted took to shank's pony and the public transport to go to see the street Art in China Town and partake of some poffertjes. All great despite rain. Poffertjes & coffee in Didi's, a tiny cafe where everything is made while you wait. The trams are excellent with active stops time screen & good on board spoken & screen info so you can find your way OK. Debit card touch in-out, great.

Had a nice cabaret show with Ray Quinn, (X factor & dancing on ice) Good singer & meal was good too. See the smoked salmon starter.

Now on our way to Hamburg, Germany.