Sailing Blogs 2012/13
This year we had two extra crew with us Peter and Barbara. Holland is a wonderful place to sail, good harbours and very pleasant people.
We set off early morning from Ipswich (02:00) leaving just before High Water at Harwich.
The weather forecast was good but as always blowing the wrong way but the sea state
was kind. The pilotage down the Orwell was much more difficult then I had planned
as although I have been up and down the river hundreds of times in the day light
I could not see all the bouys. Any way -
Carole had organised all the comforts that we will require for our trip – Sandwiches in small bags savoury nibbles and of coarse tea and coffee. This was Barbara’s first trip across the North Sea so Peter and myself decided to recount our previous trips and how we survived the storms and sea monsters just of the Belgium coast. We both thought that she would realise that she was with good company with two old sea dogs! Carole just looked at us and raised here eyebrows nodding her head with that knowing look that makes you look down.
The course was checked every hour and logged by myself. I did not notice at first but Carole was also checking our progress. (Someone needs to check on me) We all took our watch on the Helm resting between. However we were all out on deck as we crossed the shipping lanes. At about 14:30 we had arrived at the NE Akkaert bouy on time then soon after sighted the Belgium coast albeit a bit misty. We then turned to port towards Holland, setting a course for Breskens for the night.
The next day (Saturday) we set off Vlissengen (Flushing). It was foggy (500mtr) across the river. Another yacht was also making their way across although not a race we won. This was the first Dutch Lock that Barbara has seen. The Lock here is not very pretty but functional. We then made our way our way to Middleburg through the first bridges. We were allocated a box mooring for the night and after two attempts we got in. We had a pleasant day walking into the main town then a good meal at the restaurant on the quay.
Sunday, we set of for the Veers Meer. Once through the last lock just across from Veera, we stopped of at a small island called Mosselplaat where Carole and Barbara had a swim. I would have gone in myself but decided that the skipper should keep watch (some accused me of being a whimp). After some lunch we gently sailed over to Veera and got a berth for the night and dinned in the Yacht Club Veera.
On Monday day we set of after a quick walk around the town then set off to Gooes (pronounced Hooos not Goes) On the way we found a small club house with a landing stage so Peter thought that it would be a good place to visit and Carole could have a swim. The landing stage was just on the edge of the 2mtr line which we made for but we appeared to clean some of the weeds from our keel due to the helmsman taking a shortcut (Peter was on the helm). After a brief visit (drink and a swim) we continued onto Gooes through the busy locks. The canal to Gooes is not very wide or deep and overtaking a barge is not recommended. I only just made it! I do not want to talk about that any more!!!! We got a mooring at the Garden Marina which is run by its members. Very pretty with a small light house as a toilet. Due to work commitments, Peter had to leave us on Tuesday morning taking the train from Gooes to the Hook of Holland and then catch the ferry back to Harwich. This now left the three of us Carole, Barbara and myself.
After Peter had left; we set off to St Annaland. We had a very good sail F2/F3 all the way. When we turned into the last inlet for St Annaland we were close to two other British yachts who were going our way. We were in front of them but some how they got into the marina office first and took the last two good pontoons. We ended up in a box mooring which was a bit of a challenge, but the crew done very well. While we were there the boat turned into Mrs Wongs Laundry. Carole and Barbara were busy using washing machines and hanging all washing on the Genoea sheets and guard rails.
Wednesday was a lovely day and we set off back to the Veers Meer to explore some more islands. At the western end we saw a few yachts moored neer a café and decided that this was a good place for lunch. We rafted up to another UK yacht and had a look over the dam at the North Sea. The views were spectacular. When we returned to the boat we found that the other yacht was leaving. Once we let him off we had another yacht rafting on us. Things always happen at once but this was soon sorted out.
There was a café/bar near the pontoons where we had salads and bowls of chips. There was also a swimming area where Carole and Barbara went swimming. I said I would go in if the water was above 25 degress but it was only 24.9! I did go in eventually. After a good afternoon relaxing we headed back to Mosselplaat for a barbeque (Sausage, pork and burgers). We stayed the night at Mosselplaat, looking across the water towards Veera.
Thursday morning was warm and sunny so we decided to have a sail in the Veers Meer before going to back to Middleburg. At mid day we headed for Middleburg. There was a large passenger ferry in front of us going into the large lock. I radioed the lock control to ask if I could follow and I am sure he said yes! In we went, This was the largest lock that we have been in we looked like a toy boat. Anyway through we went and to Middleburg. I moored the boat at the harbour masters pontoon to get a berth. He asked for our beam which is 3.9Mtr. We found the berth and got our selves ready although it did look tight. I got us lined up perfectly, the crew read with the lines. Then we came to a gentle stop half way in, we were stuck between the posts! After a quick blast forward we escaped and went back to the harbour master. He grinned and said we should have used full engine as the posts would bend! Anyway we got our selves a great mooring after that.
Friday was our last day and I was keeping my eye on the weather, which had started to turn a bit windy but forecast to drop later. We made our way to Vlissengen through the lock and set coarse for Breskens. Breskens is only about 5 miles but the sea can get very rough and the tides are very strong. I did say to every that it could be a bit bumpy…. We decided to moter across. The waves were rolling us around. Carole was on the helm griping the wheel. I went below to check our possition Just as I went below this big wave hit us on the port side making heel over about 45 degrees and water over the crew. I was nice and dry! Barbara was sitting in the cockpit hanging on not saying a word, thinking why am I here! As we approached Breskens everything calmed down and we got a berth for the night.
Saturday morning we left at about 03:00 it was still dark but we needed to catch
the tide. Weather was calm and soon day break was here. We passed Zebrugur then turned
to starboard for home. The wind for very light and the sea was like a mirror so we
had the engine on. Blue sky all the way. Once we got to Sunk TSS the wind started
to pick up, and the engine was off. It was not long until we sighted Harwich, sailing
very well making about 7 -
