On Monday September 3 I got green light for an absence from hospital appointments We had planned a short cruise from Amsterdam to Southampton and a couple of days on the Isle of Wight and in Southampton. Until that day we were almost convinced we would have to cancel this trip just like the other ones this year. But, we could go, so on Tuesday we left for a hotel near Amsterdam where we could leave our car. By train to the cruise terminal in Amsterdam on Wednesday, boarding Celebrity Constellation and from our stateroom balcony a view of the area where I spent my youth. We left Amsterdam while the sun was shining and that weather continued while we crossed North sea to England; we even had breakfast outside! Friday morning we arrived in Southampton and we got on the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Once there we bought a bus pass which enabled us to travel the whole island. It took us from West Cowes to Newport first and from there to Sandown on the southeast coast . The next morning we went for St. Catharine's lighthouse on the most southern tip of the island. We had a bit of troublesome trip, because the bus broke down and we had to wait for the next one. Jan walked to the lighthouse while I visited the village nearby. We had lunch in Ventnor and on the way back, guess what, the same bus broke down again. Locals were complaining about all the old material from the main land being used there without proper maintenance.

On Sunday we went to the west side of Wight to see the needles. We took a short boat trip there. Very nice place and apart from the lighthouse (of course) there were colored sands. Nice trip. Monday morning we got on the bus to Ride and took the ferry to Portsmouth. That was very crowded because the night before Bestival ended with Stevie Wonder, so lots and lots of youngsters were going home. We saw Southsea and the Spinacker Tower and all the monuments for sailors and soldiers leaving from there to Normandy on 1944.

Tuesday we took our last bus trip back top Newport first and to West Cowes. Ferry back to Southampton and a short walk to our hotel that was completely built in by exhibition stands for the Boat Show. We walked into the old walled town and had lunch at The Duke of Wellington. We saw the old churches (11^th and 12^th century) or what's left of them and we passed Bargate to shop Above Bar. We also spent Wednesday there before we took a flight home on Thursday. We had rather good weather, a little chilly every now and then, but not too bad.

On Monday I will have to go back to hospital for the results of the last operation and for further treatment.