3es

 

OK I did try two sips of this beverage, and then I poured it in the drain. This is so unbelievable sweet that I will not even call it cola. Others tasted this Dutch version of cola too and like me chased down a Coca-Cola to flush the taste down.

Everything is a Tiny Bit Early

Two weeks ago - a few days after coming home from my long trip - I got a real surprise when taking a walk in a local park: the flowers are blooming earlier this year than usual. Is it due to the long hot summer, that swept over our country? Will this mean a very long, cold winter is ahead? Anyway captured some of my flowers with my iPhone.....

Light Tower

 

They are a beacon warning about dangers or guiding us.... Imagination flows .... Did something happen here or did the lighthouse fulfill it's purpose???

This and that

More goofing around with my camera trying to capture some local essence while ashore.

Bridges - Portugal

 

 

Photo 1-3: The bridge Ponte Luiz I crossing Rio Douro, Porto

This might resemble the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Maybe Téophile Seyrig was inspired bu Gustave Eiffel, as they were business partners.

Photo 4: Sunset over the bridge Ponte de Arrábida crossing Rio Douro, Porto

Photo 5: 25 de Avril Bridge (Original name was Ponte Salazar) crossing Rio Tejo

No it is not the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, albeit they look a lot alike. This bridge was built in 1966, and the train deck (lower deck) was added in 1999.

Openings

Can not help getting inspiration from these...

La Rochelle, France

 

 

A sunny day, walking with my camera close to the harbor of the city La Rochelle in France - a city that was a pleasant surprise with a lot of old gems.

Houses

Various houses in Spain and Portugal.

My imagination instantly starts telling stories about the people that might live in the houses, the life these windows might have witnessed and sheltered through time ..........

Wandering Mind

 

Your mind wanders when you are at sea on a boat - you are close to nature and away from your daily routines. You might even glimpse a dolphin. Actually we saw a lot of dolphins on the trip - too fast for my camera to catch, but I happily settle with the memories of this magnificent animal in large numbers playing close to our boat.

I brought two books for the trip, but did not read a single page. Did not bring any crafting. No TV on board. WIFI was used when in ports to check the social media as the ship is getting a lot of publicity/coverage. Without the normal distractions, you seek more value in your thoughts (at least I did) - and honestly: I did not miss any of this, until I got a shore in my last port on the trip.

Hello England

 Rule, Britannia - Brittania Rules the Waves

Well had some time at the Solent (Southern England) and a little time to play around with my camera. I will not share photos of the other crew members as there is an official website, that have lots of photos. I enjoy being behind the camera not in front of it. You might notice that we do smile on the photos there but just keep in mind that a lot of jokes were told in order to keep smiling.

The tower is Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth (shaped like a spinnaker sail) and offers a great view of the southern tip of England and the Solent. Being a sucker for tall buildings I had to go up on the observation deck and was thrilled to learn that we all got to go up there just before departure.

A New Me?

I have been away for 5+ weeks on a 67 feet yacht (that is 20 meters), where at least half of the crew members have MS. It is hard work being on a boat like that - but one thing do makes us smile: even the professional sailors have to crawl around in given situations, bumb into the same things as us MSers when the boat it rocking etc. 

One might think that the rocking and balance on a boat might be extremely challenging for us with MS - but I challenge that thought: maybe, since we might be used to balance issues with the MS on land we just might be well prepared for the rocking on board?

I could not have too many expectations of ths trip before departure as I have nothing to compare it with. In hindsight: Will I ever be on an adventure matching this? Well nothing has match this, as this is a once in a lifetime experience, that I will treasure. I have learned a lot about me, my MS, MS in general and gotten new friends, that I share this adventure with.

Backside of this: I have to shop for new pants. I have dropped weight because of the physical activity (at least 2-3 sizes) so now nothing fits... sure it is nice to be a bit slimmer, but the wallet is somewhat unhappy.

So is this a new me? I think so, but only in some ways.