Yacht Seaduction 2023

Saturday, 14^th July

Ostend to Middleburg

We set off at 10:15 to make sure we got the tidal push at Breskens.  The tide here runs at 4-5 kn and pushing against this is not fun.   The wind was forecast F1-3 NE.  We decided to run on the engine until Zeebrugge when we could pick up the favourable tide and the wind angle would allow a good sail.  Once past Zeebrugge, the boat speed increased to a steady 6.5 kn.  The combined speed (SOG) with the tide was 10.5kn and the wind speed was 15–18kn.  As we approached Vlissingen  the wind dropped to 3kn.  We brought the sails in and switched the engine on for the approach to the Lock.   Carole wobbled round the decks putting out the fenders. We were lucky as the lock was open and we managed to squeeze in by rafting onto another British yacht, Jeannie.

After a quick hello and thank you we discovered that the boat was from Bradwell and Bob and Sunny live just a few miles from us.  Once through the lock we came to the first bridge which was closed.  Chris decided to tie up to the holding pontoon and soon after the yacht, Jeannie, rafted up against us.    We had a very pleasant chat and Sunny made us a cup of tea and digestive biscuits.  Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that make us happy, like sitting in the sunshine with a cuppa having a chat with nice people.

The next few bridges opened without fuss, but at the last bridge before Middleburg Chris managed to get nearer the front so he wasn’t last to the marina office.  (Chris can be a bit competitive and said it is a bit like playing cards, it is the last card/bridge that counts.)

Jeannie rafted on to us at the harbour office.  Chris had given our measurements to the Harbour Master and once we had been allocated a berth we waited for the bridge to open for our box mooring.   At 18:15 we were off, but after a few tries getting into the allocated mooring, we got stuck between the posts!  There were some rubber fender pads stuck to the posts which stopped us getting by.  Luckily Bob had seen our problem and very kindly went back to the harbour office for another mooring. Eventually, with Bob’s help, we were safely tied up – albeit with our stern protruding as the mooring was short, but at least it was wide enough.  We were not amused!

Carole then got cracking in the galley and rustled us up a very tasty spaghetti carbonara which was washed down with a nice cold glass of pinot. Carole washed up and tidied away and we then took a brief stroll, returning  to settle down for a quiet evening of radio, blogging and reading.  I am sure we will sleep well tonight.

PS.  Chris is pleased with the WiFi   25Mb connection