@wellco ..answering myself here, it may help others.
I now have the right output in the serial window. Many frustrating hours were spent trying to make it work. Somehow Tools\USB CDC On Boot: Enable, had reset to disabled. It took me a while to realise this.
Then (this is the vague bit) sometimes I need to click the RST, Boot and Power buttons in various sequences. This is what usually works if the serial monitor window is blank.
Press the RST button momentarily and wait for 20 seconds. If window is still blank ..
Press the power button and hold for 6 secs. Release and press momentarily, wait for 20 seconds. If window is still blank ..
Unplug the USB hold down the Boot down and plug the USB cable back in. Upload you sketch again.
Hurl device against a solid wall with as much force as you can muster ☺
Joking apart; there is also another button sequence that might help and that's the documented one. Hold RST down, press and hold the Boot button. Release the RST button, and finally release the Boot button.
Hope this helps somebody..
Cheers Wellco