17 Sept: 1870. Left Charing Cross Station by the 8.45 Ρ M - Arrived at Dover about 11 Ρ M & embarked immediately in a Steamer for Ostend. We were nine in all - Mother, Seven Sisters, & our Chaplain the Revd R. Porter. Several friends & representatives of the Society as well as some of our poor people, Hospital nurses and Sisters came to see us off from Charing Cross. We all stayed on the deck of our boat for some time - there were no berths, but Mother & the other Sisters retired for rest one by one, or rather by ones & twos until Sister Cecilia & I were left alone - we with Mr Porter remained on deck all night reposing on our rugs. It was a lovely night & we had an unusually good crossing - not one of our party being ill.

18th Sunday. Reached Ostend about 4 - Washed our faces in some curious little Cupboard at the corner of the Salle where we had some Coffee. After Coffee four of us set out for a little walk - hearing a Bell we were guided to the fine old Church of S. Vincent de Paul - we found several people at their devotions although it was only 5.A M - the Bell was tolling for a Funeral. On our return we found Mother anxiously looking out for us fearing we should be late & Mr Porter was desirous we should not separate again.

6.45 From Ostend by Train to Brussels 9.30. We intended to go to Church when we had had some breakfast but the town was so full that we had to go from place to place before we could be accommodated & the people were so dilatory that we did not get breakfast till near 11 & Mr Porter assured us there was no time for Church going. We breakfasted at the Hotel de I'Europe [added in pencil but the same hand] the landlady was delighted to hear we had come out to nurse the Sick & wounded & she brought in several American ladies who were staying at the Hotel to see & admire us as we fed.