Saturday, 6th July, 2019
We woke early and got ourselves ready to leave the harbour around 09:30. We were number two in a five raft on the pontoon. Chris informed the other boats that we wished to leave at about 09:30. This would involve all of the five boats moving and then sorting out the rafting order to go back, depending on who was staying the longest. The first yacht was leaving a bit later than us, but the others were staying another night. At about 09:30 the outer boats pulled away and we then managed to get out of our slot nice and smoothly as planned. We proceeded out of the town and along the canal out to the Roompot.
Our plan was to take the 10:25 Zeeland bridge opening. As we turned towards the bridge we could see it open for the 09:55, but we were too late to get there for that one. We were joined by another yacht and thought that we would just wait for the 20 minutes or so until the 10.25. For whatever reason the bridge did not open until 10:55 so we had to bob about outside until it opened.
Once through we found the channel to the Zandkreeksluis and put both the sails up. We had a good sail with Carole helming. As we entered the Zandkreeksluis approach channel we put the sails away and prepared for the lock. We waited about 10 minutes for the lock to open. There were just over 20 boats exiting the lock and about the same going in. Carole got her spring line straight onto the bollard and Chris got his stern line on…. perfect.
Soon the lock filled and we were out. The wind was on the nose so we chugged on the engine. We hoped to pick up a mooring on one of the small islands but thought this would be difficult as it did seem really busy and it was a Saturday. Surprisingly we found a free mooring on Haringvreter with a few other yachts. Once tied up, Carole had the desire to get in the water for what would probably be her last swim of the trip. The air temperature was coolish with quite a breeze, but the water felt better, so in she went and while in, she scrubbed off the line of weed which had accumulated. Chris decided to rest in the cockpit with his eyes closed listening to the lapping of the water. Carole didn’t stay in too long and once rinsed off got dressed. Then to our surprise, the sky darkened and it began to rain.
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