1st September

Back on board Njord in Nieuwpoort 

Oh, it's so good to be back.  It took 3 flights, a 3 hour train ride, a 40 minute tram ride and a 3 km walk carrying all our luggage, because we couldn't find a taxi. 

The food on TAP has not improved at all, not even on international flights, it has got worse and now it is not only a disgrace but an embarrassment.  I found it positively nauseating, and could not eat it at all.  On top of that there was an announcement that the alcohol was limited.  No problem with that but it turned out to be limited to nothing at all.  We were in the 4th row to be served and there was no beer or wine and it could not have possibly run out in 3 rows!  Sorry about the rant but I cannot imagine what tourists travelling to Portugal must think, what an advertisement for the country!

However, there was an up side - the seats are bigger and even Ian had enough leg room!

We arrived at Lisbon airport from Terceira at midnight and our flight to Brussels was at 7.00 in the morning so we didn't bother with a hotel.  We found very comfortable sofas where we could stretch out right opposite the FNAC store, and managed to sleep a little.

The train ride took an hour longer than expected due to a misunderstanding between us and the train conductor, and bad signage in the station at the airport.  There was a lovely girl who helped us work out what train to catch, and get the tickets, but when we got to the platform with 10 minutes to spare before our train was due to depart, there was already a train waiting at the platform and the overhead LED display said it stopped at a town half way between Brussels and our destination, Oostende.  Eventually we found the train conductor and said we were travelling to Oostende is this the right train.  Well, he said, you take this train to the next station then get off and get another train to Oostende, or wait 15 minutes for next train.  With all our luggage we did not feel like changing trains and platforms so opted to wait 15 minutes.  However, consulting the train timetable there was no train in 15 minutes time!  So I went back to speak to the helpful lady.  That was the train, she said, the next one is in an hour!  An hour later we boarded the train, that again said it was going to Kortrijk just half way to out destination.  As the  train pulled out of the station the conductor appeared.  Is this train going to Oostende, we asked as we presented out tickets.  Yes, he said, but if you get off at the next stop there is another train that will get you to Oostende much quicker, only 2 hours instead of 3.  But you must change platforms from and there is only 5 minutes till it leaves.  I guess the conductor from the first train was just trying to be helpful but didn't give us all the facts!

The last stage by foot was not so pleasant either but at least we had a lot less luggage this time (compared to when we arrived in the spring!).  We had 2 computer bags, one small piece of hand luggage, one suitcase with wheels, and worst of all, one 15 kg package with no wheels or proper handle.  That last item contained a length of black reinforced exhaust which we will need when the boat comes out of the water next month. Ian carried the unwieldy package and I pulled the suitcase. But it was not so good for my arthritic old hips and Ian's hands were a sorry sight by the time we reached the boat.

We found Njord in good condition, if somewhat grubby on deck.  A few of the patches on the deck that Ian spent so many hours grinding out and priming during our last cruise, but didn't have time to paint with top coat, are showing signs of rust again unfortunately, so I guess there'll be more grinding and painting on this trip.  The boat is perfectly dry inside and no smell of damp at all.

Fortunately we had left some booze on board and enough items in the store cupboard to rustle up a tasty spaghetti bolognaise so we didn't have to rush off to the grocery store (good thing too seeing we arrived at about 7pm and the supermarket closes at 6.  I had not realised how tired and stressed I was from the last 2 months of work until I sat down with a glass of wine (or 2), kicked back and let all the trouble and strife drift away. 

Wow, it's good to be back on our floating home.