Cotton wool clouds... just like the ones the Old Masters painted

THESE originally belonged to a wealthy orphan, Petronella Dunois who commissioned scale to size furniture and ordered bespoke crockery from China.

In Rotterdam we took a Sunday morning stroll around the streets and walked through the avantgarde Kube houses to the impressive market building, and peeped into the recently restored St Laurence’s Cathedral – called after Dublin’s patron, St Laurence O’Toole.

Aboard our floating home the Captain frequently changed the scenery for us, and on-board talks before dinner let us know what we could look forward to each day.

There was always lots of choice, with a slow walker’s option and the opportunity to go biking on one of the vessel’s own fleet.

Entertainment was provided by a variety of local talent and a highlight for many was large group of sea-farers lustily singing and acting out sea shanties!

As we headed for Bruges we knew we were nearing the end, but it didn’t stop us enjoying a canal cruise there through the ‘Venice of the North,’ with its medieval build- ings and little alleyways, and its mesmeric assortment of chocolates and chocolatiers.

Antwerp was our last port of call. Its tiered central station is a huge draw, but the Rubens in the cathedral beckoned, although he’s not my favourite artist, despite being kind to voluptuous females.

The carillon from the gigantic tower has an eclectic playlist and there’s always something quite magical about sitting there in the Groenplaats, people watching and listening to its melodies.

‘Nine days!’ People said.

‘On a river cruise?’ They said.

‘Not just any old cruise.’ I replied

‘Won’t you get bored?’ They asked.

Does it look like I did?