Steps 6,172.

Oh dear, not a single photograph today. That is “a first,” except for this…..

Not wanting to “waste” my day in Zeebrugge, I opted for a two hour coach trip to surrounding countryside, various villages and a drive through Brugges.  My tickets had been delivered last night, but only this morning did I see that somebody else’s trip had been attached to my receipt, (see the illustration).  I was momentarily turfed off my (correct) bus, much to the bewildered amusement of those on board, only to be let back on again shortly afterwards to a slight ripple of applause of approval of those who were settled in for a nice ride.  No window seats were available, and as there were no official photo opportunities, I relaxed in my aisle seat and enjoyed what limited views were available from where I was sitting.  I did get to glimpse the occasional windmill and more modern forests of wind turbines, various churches many centuries old, the occasional town hall, canals, dried up fields of potatoes and other local produce, and, nesting stalks.  Belgium’s architecture of local brick is attractive whatever the era.  Despite the over amplified and difficult to follow commentary, it was just over two hours reasonably well spent.

Queen Mary 2 was berthed at a very open terminal offering magnificent uninterrupted views of the ship.  I planned to spend some time taking yet more pictures of QM2 in a location I had never been to before. However, I was invited to join Richard and Diane in the Commodore Club, having to confess to making a new friend on the bus, an elegant retiree lady from Pennsylvania, who invited me to join her for lunch, and then in the Grand Lobby for a chat just before her early sitting dinner.  Back in the Commodore Club during the afternoon, Lesley and Arthur joined me, Richard and Diane.  I was a bit reluctant to leave what had become a convivial gathering of five.  A discreet exit wasn’t really possible as I had left myself rather wide open to some good natured “leg-pull!”  

Tomorrow is a sea day before the scenic Norwegian  journey calling at Olden and Skjolden and sailing by various fjords en route.  It stays light very late up here and I’m looking forward to taking some spectacular photographs both ashore and from the ship.

I joined Michael, Janet+Frank, and Trina at Table 404 for our second dinner of this Eclipse Voyage.  I opted for a cream of onion soup (my description) followed by a kind of straightforward chicken curry with rice, and  specimens of papadum and naan bread.  Living in Buxton, I relented, and enjoyed a dessert of Bakewell Tart, incorrectly served with delicious custard!  The centre of Bakewell is roughly 10 miles from where I live just outside Buxton.   Usually I have to behave and opt for fresh fruit and/or “low or no sugar” ice cream, which can become tedious after several days.

After dinner, Michael and I joined Richard and Diane in the Carinthia Lounge where established resident duo Amethyst whom I first came across in 2018 were entertaining a respectably full venue. We were joined by Lee, a lady from Boston, Massachusetts.  Sitting at an adjacent table were Simon and Liz from the U.S.A. 250 cruise of 3rd July.

All this social life led to my missing a fascinating departure from Zeebrugge but I did manage to capture, not very well, a magnificent sunset punctuated by silhouettes of spider-like distant wind turbines.

For the first time in many years, I adjourned to the G32 Nightclub aft of the Queens Room on Decks 3 and 3L where a silent disco was in progress.  There, a live band and disco play alternate sets into the early hours.  I’m never up late enough to see the place pack up for the night. 

Today was an example of you can’t do everything.”  My favourite show Rhythm of the Night is on tomorrow.  This has to be a must see, even if I have enjoyed that same show numerous times since the 2018 World Voyage.

Many thanks for reading,

David, 00.43 hrs (B.S.T.+1) in his stateroom 6/8/26.