Embarkation

We are up early this morning, as I have the dogs to walk and would like to meet friends at the Poppy Seed for coffee, before packing my case for the Ferry to Rotterdam tonight. After breakfasting on soft boiled eggs, I shower, dress and pack Norman into the car, only to find that the battery is inexplicably flat again. I ring Pip and apologise that I won't be able to walk the terriers this morning and then call Felicity to say I can't make the Poppy Seed either. The man from the AA arrives within half an hour of me calling them, starts the car with some jump leads, and once again finds nothing wrong with the battery. I leave the engine running, lock the doors with a spare key and then walk Norman around the village for half an hour. When we get back, I leave him in the house and then drive to town and make my way to the bank to buy some euros, the exchange rate they are offering is scandalous, slightly over one euro to the pound, so I buy them from Thomas Cook instead, where I am given a much better rate. After shopping for travel sized shaving foam, shampoo and toothpaste, I have lunch at Perk U Later, in Swaby's Yard, and then drive home to pack. David and Irene are picking me up at half past four and I have just time to drive Norman to Sarah's house, where he is staying whilst I am in Austria, before they arrive. In five minutes my cases are packed in the car and we are on our way to the Ferry, travelling by the bendy road through Wawne and then skirting North Hull to arrive at The King George V dock. We can see our ship, The Pride of Rotterdam, towering above the customs buildings and the ferry terminal from half a mile away. David collects our boarding cards from the drive by kiosk, then we pass through customs and drive onto the boat and are in our cabin in less than forty minutes since leaving the house. We make our way to Langham's Brasserie and book a window table for eight o'clock, before retiring to the bar for a pint of Guiness and a chat until dinner time. The boat sets sail just as we are shown to our table, and we dine in style as the ship sails down the Humber towards the North Sea. It has been another cold, cloudy day in England and we hope for better weather in Holland in the morning. The staff in the restaurant are all Portuguese and very friendly and helpful, in the adjacent bar area a television is showing the Europa league semi final, between Chelsea and Benfica and our waiter is taking a keen interest and keeps reporting the scores as he brings various dishes. The food and service in Langham's is always excellent, and tonight is no exception. It costs a little more, but helps to make the Ferry trip an enjoyable part of the holiday. Chelsea win the football game by a late goal, and our waiter is a little deflated, but soon recovers his cheerful demeanour. We finish the night, with coffee and brandy in the bar area and then retire for the night at around half past ten. Before going to bed, I put my watch forward an hour to continental time and then quickly fall asleep, the Guiness, wine and brandy taking their toll.