SATURDAY, 22ND JUNE, 2019
We had a very disturbed night here, which was not unexpected as it is a busy commercial port. After breakfast, etc, we took a leisurely stroll along Ostend’s sea front which was beginning to get busy with visitors and locals alike, eager to enjoy the warm summer sunshine. We then returned to the boat for a light lunch, before readying ourselves and the boat for our onward journey.
The weather forecast was NE F4-5, which we knew was going to be a bit bumpy towards Zeebrugge. We left Ostend a bit later, around 1 pm, to try and use the tide to help us. As expected the wind was F4-5 head on and we remained under engine until Zeebrugge. As we turned to starboard we managed to get the sails up and only had to tack once on our way towards Vlissingen. The tide was now pushing us hard, helping to get to our destination. On the approach to Vlissingen Lock, Carole made the boat ready. The Small Ships Lock was already open and we went straight in with Carole attaching our spring line straight on to a mooring bollard and making us safe. Once out of the lock we went to the Keersluisbrug and tied up as the next bridge lift was 1.5 hours away, but no problem as we would have our supper of jacket potato and bolognese sauce (leftovers from yesterday) and clear away before arriving into Middelburg.
We were the only ones waiting to go through, so at 20:42 the bridge lifted and off we went with the other bridges along the way opening in sequence. We turned into Middleburg and as the Harbour Master had gone home for the day, we tied up for a peaceful night at the Harbour Master’s waiting pontoon.
Trip Summary:
Passage Time 5 Hrs
Distance: 28.5M
Wind: NE F4-F5
Max Wind 26kntMax
Boat Speed 5.2 knt