Superfast!

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 05 Sep 2004, 17:48

Mentioned on Bob's Inchkeith thread that I sailed from Rosyth to Zeebrugge on the Superfast ferry last year.

It's a fantastic vessel (i use that word cos I don't know if it's a ship or a boat). It's like a pretty snazzy hotel with lots of carpeted hallways and lots of smoked glass mirrors and the like. Very comfy cabins and frighteningly efficient and helpful staff, all of whom are continental europeans apparently.
I believe the company who own the ferry got into some bother about the fact that they don't employ any Scots.

Anyway, I was horrified to discover that I am a complete wreck at sea. As soon as we lost sight of land I went into a state of anxiety and spent the whole time (18 hours) imaging my watery demise! What a baby, eh?
The crossings both ways could not have been smoother but I couldn't shake off the terror!
Ali, who incidentally in a previous life sailed across the Atlantic ocean in a fishing boat

, did his best to keep me calm but to no avail.
Anyway, has anyone else sailed on Superfast?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 05 Sep 2004, 17:54

P.S. We're going back to Belgium in a couple of weeks time and this time we're flying!
Great, I thought until someone at work told me they flew the same bmi flights from Edinburgh and they use these little bone shakers called Fokkers which they found terrifying as they shudder, shake and make alarming noises from take-off until landing.
Oh well, the flights are only 1 hour 40 mins - we'll cope I suppose.

Post by **wangi** » 05 Sep 2004, 18:08

It'll be a blue moon if Fokkers are flying EDI-BRU. Normal equipment is ERJs - nice wee regional jets.

But saying that nothing wrong with Fokkers - if you're flying EDI-AMS with KLM then all but one (I think) flight each day is on F100s... And there's nothing wrong with them, well apart from KLM never washing the outside!

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 05 Sep 2004, 18:16

wangi wrote:It'll be a blue moon if Fokkers are flying EDI-BRU. Normal equipment is ERJs - nice wee regional jets.

But saying that nothing wrong with Fokkers - if you're flying EDI-AMS with KLM then all but one (I think) flight each day is on F100s... And there's nothing wrong with them, well apart from KLM never washing the outside!

We're flying EDI-BRU.
Checked out the ERJ. It still looks a bit wee for my liking but thanks for the info Wangi. I'm sure the flight won't be as traumatic as my colleague made out.

Lots of Belgium beer to calm the nerves on landing!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Sep 2004, 20:58

El Presidente and I did the Superfast thing in June [sounds a bit dodgy -

] and loved it. As ecm says it's quite swish. Good grub, too. It made the journey part of the holiday rather than the tedium of airports.

We were, however, a bit horrified on our way back as we were watching the fuel being piped into the tanks from a mini-tanker alongside and saw one of the guys roll up and light a fag ...... while sitting on the edge of an open tank!!

In fact double

Apparently, the fuel is too heavy for there to be a huge danger of fumes igniting, but it was a teensy bit concerning and I went to the other side of the ferry. Not that it would have helped had there been an explosion.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Sep 2004, 21:54

Ecm I totally empathise, Im much more afraid of sailing than I am of flying. Went on a cruise ship once, it held more than 3000 people,massive. I was sick when it was still moored in the harbour.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 05 Sep 2004, 23:26

Porty wrote:Went on a cruise ship once, it held more than 3000 people,massive.

These ships are just too mind-bogglingly massive. How do they stay afloat? The Superfast only carries about 600 people but it also carries all those cars, coaches, lorries, freight. I just kept thinking about all that weight below the waterline.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 06 Sep 2004, 11:58

I find modern ships terrifying because there seems to be too much ABOVE the waterline. All those towering decks. The centre of gravity does not seem right at all. Having said which, I find the whole concept of heavier-than-air flight so illogical, I am TOTALLY terrified of flying, and have sworn never to set foot in an aeroplane again, now that I live in a country where there are alternative methods of leaving it.

But I got to regard the Superfast ferry as an old friend, when I wasn't working, and watched her come and go twice a day from my windows. I can still see her from my new place, and woud be sorry to see her stop operating, as I believe has been threatened. I'm glad to hear she is a nice vessel to travel on.

Are there two ships, and do they have names?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:09

Jay,
You're lucky having a sea view.

There are two ferrys and they are called Superfast IX and Superfast X. We can see them in the morning from our office windows and, if the flexi is bad and we're still there, in the early evening too.

I think business has picked up for the crossings more recently and those threats of possible discontinuation of the service seem to be at bay (ha ha) for the moment.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:16

Oh, thanks for giving me the names, ecm - uninspired as they are! Gosh, what happened to real names for ships! And I am really glad to hear their trade has picked up. I would love to travel on one of them one day, having watched them so often.

My original flat had a tremendous view, which I felt very privileged to have. This one is further away from the sea, but I was pleased to see I could still see the shipping.

Is your office window in that large building at Jock's Lodge, where half the posters on this forum work? (except me!)

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:18

Meadowbank House at Jock's Lodge - yes that's the one. I'm there now!

And on my lunch break I hasten to add! Honest!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:28

What a lot of ship.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:30

Porty wrote:What a lot of ship.

Oi! Haven't you got a business to run. I'm faffing about here at taxpayers expense so that's Ok. What's your excuse?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Sep 2004, 12:49

I can multi-task just like you.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 06 Sep 2004, 20:45

Jay, I absolutely detest flying too. ferries can be ok if its calm though had a terrible journey back from Brittany once must admit was glad to get on dry land again..

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 07 Sep 2004, 11:25

I've had one or two horrendous journeys by ferry too, a couple of them round the northern and western coasts. But given the choice between sheer rigid, petrification while 35,000 feet up in the air, with no logical means of support, and being seasick for a few hours - not in the air - I know which I prefer! I expect you do, too, Sandra! I tried everything to knock myself out before flights, and even copious amounts of alcohol, or sleeping tables, didn't help.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 07 Sep 2004, 16:44

Jay,
Sleeping tablets might have more effective!!

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 08 Sep 2004, 10:53

Yes, the tables were very uncomfortable and, as I said, didn't work!