Mid August 2018 – Sint Annaland and Middelburg

16th August – Thurs – Willemstad to Sint Annaland

It was a really overcast day, so I decided on no sun tan cream for the first time in weeks.

After a blowy and serious (looking at my face) 19 miles we reach Sint Annaland.  Of course I looked like a beetroot.  We negotiated 2 locks and in just over 5 hours we arrive in the channel.

Make sure you stick to the buoyed channel as the sandy banks are very close.

The impressive marina office and stylish restaurant welcome you.

We had been told to stop at Sint Annaland by several sailing friends and they were right.

Over the next few days we had many walks around the town, the dykes and the pathways.

These two windmills mark the edge of the town to the East and West,

Fields of sunflowers.

Lavendar and Flowers

The main street was destroyed by the 1953 flood and this 15th century building is a rare survivor.

The days were sunny and the evenings were still, we enjoyed the calm of Sint Annaland.

Sailors Info

The Sint Annaland marina was excellent.  All facilities were top notch.  There is a stylish restaurant on site.  A very stylish chandlers across the marina.  A large ‘Jumbo’ supermarket around the marina.  22 Euros per night.  Wifi was excellent. 

20th August – Mon – Sint Annaland to Middelburg

Another 2 locks to negotiate.  A small motor boat in one of the locks tied their ropes to the lock and were not paying attention when the water went down.  Very quickly the boat tipped away from the lock wall as the boat was briefly hanging on its mooring ropes.  The owners were alerted from all quarters and they quickly released themselves.  The boat dropped with a clatter and thankfully they were able to undo the ropes.  In this situation the ropes can become too tight to be released and have to be cut.  It is also a risky time for limbs and fingers as the ropes whip back.  Thankfully they were only embarrassed.

The 27 miles took 7 and a half hours.  The Veersemeer is a long and winding body of water with lots to look at on both sides.

These are mussel beds, which looked new and well cared for.

We treated ourselves to a sharing bowl of Pulled Pork Nachos and a big beer for Mick.

Our latest mooring in Middelburg, opposite the Rowing Club.

It is well used and a good spectator sport.  Literally 9.00am in the morning til 9.00 at night most days. 

The ritual: Unlock the club, have a chat, carry out the oars, carry out the boat, launch the boat, adjust everything, lock the club house, row for about an hour, return and unlock the clubhouse, carry out the boat tressels, wash off the boat, dry the boat, carry the boat back, carry the oars back, get changed, lock the club house.  The older generation manage to fit in a beer or two also. Next Group Arrive and Repeat.

They seem to use different boats, I would be tempted to say, its OK mate leave it out, I will use that one today!

The Abbey tower, which chimes on the quarter hour and specially on the hour.

The Stadhuis against a beautiful Disney sky.

Middelburg is the first and last main stopping point in Holland when entering at Flushing (Vlissingen).  So I did write about it in July also.

Next stop yet to be determined due to weather and tides.

Early August 2018–Hellevoetsluis and Willemstad

6th August – Monday – Herkingen in the Grevelingenmeer to Hellevoetsluis in the Haringvliet.

One last picture of the Grevelingenmeer.

Due to the holidays and the hot weather the island moorings were busy.

We left Herkingen at 07.30am to exit the Grevelingenmeer via the ‘busiest lock in Europe’ (Grevelingensluis) as we thought an early start may beat the rush.  There were still around 20 boats in the lock, but not as busy as when we arrived.  We then passed immediately through the Krammersluis into the Volkerak and sailed towards the Volkeraksluis (near Willemstad) and then left under the Haringvlietbrug bridge at noon.  4 hours, 3 locks and a big bridge.  We then sailed for a couple of hours up the Haringvliet and arrived in Hellevoetsluis at 14.30.  The whole day was 31 miles in 30 plus degree heat.

This homemade barge also had his shade up.

Our first encounter this year with the Green Algae which has been plaguing waterways around Europe.

We chose the Cape Helius Marina just outside town.  The harbourmaster took our ropes, nice man.

7th August – Tuesday

Not much movement in the marina today.  It was 32 degrees inside the boat and 35 in the shade outside.

We employed all our resources to keep the sun out, while maintaining some breeze through, which was minimal.  Even the quilt I made 4 years ago was deployed in our ‘Clampet’ style efforts.  1 quilt, 1 white sheet with strings through, 1 brolly and 1 blue towel, pegged in place, classy.  All moved around as the sun changed angle.  There is a canopy under there too, but only a quarter of the cockpit is shaded at any time by that alone.

We had a walk to Aldi later when it was cooler.  Then the thunder and lightening storm arrived.  We saw some very impressive fork lightening to end the day.

8th August – Wednesday

The weather cooled and we walked to the 130 shop Mall ‘De Struytse Hoek’.  Kebbeling and fried scrimps for lunch.

9th August – Thursday

Hellevoetsluis (pronounced Helly-foot-sloos) has a number of museum and attractions, which we walked around over the next few days.

The Droogdok Jan Blanken is the oldest stone dry dock still fully operational.

Ramtorenschip De Buffel was the first fully steam powered vessel in the Dutch Navy. 

Large coastal battery, the Haerlem Barracks.

Fortifications built into the town moat.

10th August – Friday

Our 6th Wedding Anniversary, we walked to another shopping area, hidden as usual.  Sadly the evening weather let us down so we ordered Pizza from the Marina Restaurant.  It was heaving with a Dutch second division football team, here for some R and R.  Not conducive to a romantic evening.  So we have a meal in hand when we find a nice spot.

11th August – Saturday

The lady at the VVV (Tourist Info) had given me a leaflet about a local country show talking place on Saturday.  We were promised ‘Vliegend tapijt trekpadden’, translating to Flying Carpet Horses,  ‘Sterke Mannen’, Strong Men and ‘Konijn-hop Demo’, Rabbit Hop Demo.  For 3 euros to enter we had to find out what it was all about.

Flying Carpet Horses, turned out to be two beautifully turned out Shire horses, harnessed to a large rug, topped with giggling, bouncing children, being pulled around the grassy arena.

Rabbit Hop Demo.  Rabbit agility.

Strong Men, locals challenging the professionals and then the professionals performing a demo.  Heaving beer barrels 5 metres into the air over a bar.

Mick showed some interest in this contraption and the lady made him play.  The idea is to catch the sticks as the lady releases them in any order and if you catch them you get a prize.  He caught two.  His prizes…

A bucket and a bag.  Not every day you win a bucket, but always useful on a boat.

There were also lots of stalls, Cows, Camels, Tractors old and new, pony riders, etc.

Sailors Info

Cape Helius Marina and resort was a good place to spend a quiet week and relax.  The facilities were excellent and free with Access Card access.  Very Good Wifi.  On site Restaurant and small supermarket.  15 minute walk to town centre.  The harbourmaster was a total gentleman.

The draw back was the nearest supermarkets were a 30 minute walk and the Mall was a 45 minute walk.  The shops etc were quite tricky to find, even with electronic assistance.  There was a Lidl and Albert Hein and another Lidl underneath the Mall.

We stayed for a week for the small price of 91 euros  (13 euros per night) so the walking was more than compensated for.

13th August – Monday – Hellevoetsluis to Willemstad

A short 13 mile hop to Willemstad took far longer as the Helingstrat Bridge did not opened as the book stated at 13.00, we arrived at 12.15 and we had to mill around for more than one and a half hours until it opened at 14.00.  There were no mooring points and at 13.00 there were only a few of us waiting, but by 14.00 there were more than 20 boats waiting and it was a dash under the bridge when it eventually opened.  We arrived after more than 4 and a half hours.

In the next couple of days we had a mooch around Willemstad.

We came here during our first trip to Holland 3 years ago and it is just as pretty now. D’Orange Mollen 1734.  I know, it’s not orange.

The harbour marina is a magnet for big motor boats showing off their assets.  Today they are not so big.

The walks around the moat are along lovely tree lined paths.

Pretty houses line the streets.

Main Street and Dome church.  Always closed so far.

While waiting for the bridge a British boat asked where we were going and when we said Willemstad, he said you have to try the kiosk on the harbour-side.

Only following orders.  Frites Speciaal yesterday (Curry Ketchup,Mayo and chopped onions).  Today Crockets with potato fillings, one rice filled flat crocket, one noodle filled flat crocket.  Mick liked the ‘Potoato Pie’ filled one.  You can take the boy out of Lancashire….

Sailors Info

We have stayed in the Yachthaven De Batterij.  Last time we stayed in the Willemstad haven, we have not ventured to the harbourside yet.  24 Euros per night.  Good facilities at the end of the pontoon.  Good Wifi, with code from marina.  Coded secure pontoon and barcode for waste.  There is a Jumbo supermarket in town at the end of the windmill street.  Several restaurants in town and the excellent kiosk.

On arrival stop at the Fuel berth and use the intercom to talk to the harbourmaster for a berth.  The dreaded ring system is operating here on the box mooring.  We did it much better this time.

Next stop St Annaland.

Late July 2018 – Zierikzee and the Grevelingenmeer

23rd July – Monday – Goes to Zierikzee

We left Goes on the opening of the 09:00 bridge.  A short channel takes us into the Oosterschelde.  It is a flat calm day as we approach the 52 pillar Zeeland bridge.

Distance is really deceptive on this huge expanse of water and the bridge so large that we missed a bridge opening as we misjudged the distance involved.  The bridge opens at the north end on the half hour, so not too long to wait.

A flotilla bustled through as we waited for the green light.

We arrived at 13:15 after an 11 mile trip, into a long channel with an open lock, which only closes during extreme tidal variation events.  Eventually mooring on the left in a box mooring (more of which later).

Zierikzee pretty harbour where we were met by a harbourmaster in a boat and another on a bike to direct us to the mooring.

24th July – Tuesday

Zierikzee is billed as one of the highlights of Zeeland and so it is.

Old inner harbour.

North Tower Zuidhavenpoort

Beautiful grand houses surrounding the old harbour.

Dikke Toren, which was attached to the Sint Lievensmonstertoren Monastery.  The guide told us the extensive Monastery was accidentally burned down by a workman, who was executed for his error the next day!  Harsh times.

Inside the tower.  It is possible to climb the tower if you have the urge.

The ducks in the town moat live in some style.

Hope the local MP did not put these on expenses.

Suffice to stay we really liked Zierikzee and though we only stayed for three days we will be back.  There are lots of shops, restaurants and beautiful buildings to keep a visitor occupied.

Sailors Info

As previously mentioned the tidal variation here is 3 metres so extra measures need to be taken.

We made a comic attempt into these huge box moorings, aided by a couple on shore who had been equally naïve half an hour earlier.

The water was half way up this post when we arrived.  So all was not revealed.  The people on the shore said you must pull up the black rope?? which was not visible on entry, until you pass the post, too late…. Hmmm.  Reverse back to posts and are hindered by the current in the channel….Hmmm.  Front of boat now lurching towards the neighbour…. Hmmm.  Finally understood to grab the rope, which then by magic revealed a ring.

The rope.

The ring.

A rope had to be threaded through a ring on each pillar so that it would rise and fall with the tide and take the ropes with it.  Hmmmm…. excellent idea, once you know. 

Then I jumped onto the boat next door and handed my front rope to the lovely, patient couple on the shore.  Over the next 3 days we helped several others….. Hmmm.  Not mentioned in the pilot books….Hmmm.

Zeirikzee Marina goes all along the side of the channel after the lock.  The harbourmaster is generally in a boat.  We asked for 3 days so were assigned a box mooring (lucky us!!).  There are some pontoons and rafting for day visitors.  Another harbourmaster on a bike then directed us to the mooring, but did not mention the rings!!!  No one we spoke to had seem this exact method before.  Grrrr

26 Euros per night, facilities on the pontoon and at the shore are good.  Wifi was poor.  Lovely shops in town and an Albert Hein on Molenstratt near the centre.  A small market and a tourist market on Tuesday.

26th July – Thursday – Zierikzee to Bruinisse in the Grevelingenmeer.

Only 13 miles to Bruinisse.  Back under the big bridge and on to the Grevelingenmeer lock.  The busiest in Europe!

We had heard on the news that the bridges in Amsterdam had been closed to the night cruise as the heat was effecting them.  The Water Bowsers were in operation when we got to the lock to cool the mechanisms.

The lock was indeed very busy.  Met some nice people from Dover during our wait.  Then we are all released and charge to the marina, next left.  Arriving at 12:15 after 13 miles.

The mercury hit 43 degrees C in the sunshine and 34 inside the boat.  We could not resist testing the temperature.  We use this little device mostly to remind us what day it is!!

27th July – Friday

Very hot.  We sheltered inside until the clouds and forecasted storm arrived.

28th July – Saturday

Heavy rain overnight brought cloudier skies.

We walked the dijk and into town.  The town is quite modern, but small, a few shops and a very nice cafe in the centre.  We stayed for 5 nights as the wind blew up on Monday.

Bruinisse Marina

Sailors Info.

Bruinisse Marina is attached to a holiday resort and therefore has a small supermarket, good facilities and great facilities for children.  A large on site chandlery. Good wifi. 29 euros per night.  The harbourmasters stand at the end of the pontoon after a lock release ready to direct the flock to their moorings, very well organised chaos.

The town itself is small and a good 20 minute walk from the marina, under the underpass.  Turn left on Oudestratt for Albert Hein located just past the main square (which is oval) on Nieuwstratt. 

31st July – Tuesday – Bruinisse to Brouwershaven

We were ready for a move and so took a chance with the 20 knots of wind forecast.  We left at 10:10 for the quick 8 mile and 2 hour trip.  The wind was very flooky and was gusting to 28 knots.  We had some comedy waves over the bows, which we took turns in catching.  We quickly dried off in the heat.

Wild horses on an island.

Through the lock the harbourmaster asks questions about length and width of the boat over a two way tannoy, which is currently broken, so we could hear him but he could not hear us.  We moored up on a hammerhead and walked back to ask for directions to our mooring.  Moored perfectly, no one watching, typical.

The marina extends around a corner and into town.

This is the town, all of it!  Pretty much.  There is also a very large and empty church.

Brouwershaven Old Town Hall.

See George Clooney in the top window.

View from the back of the boat.

1st August – Wednesday

Walked to the big church.  In the evening we walked to Den Osse along the dijk.  It is a small holiday town with large camping and holiday bungalow resorts.

Sailors Info

Brouwershaven Marina 22 Euros per night.  Good facilities.  Poor wifi.  Spar supermarket in the town square, excellent baked goods.  Best Oozy sausage rolls yet.

2nd August – Thursday – Brouwershaven to Scharendijke

Only 3.2 miles and less than an hour to the end of the Grevelingenmeer.  The promise of a Plus Supermarket clinched it.

Mick expertly moored between two other boats on the waiting pontoon, then we were directed to our overnight berth.

We walked to the supermarket and stocked up a little.  Another hot day and another evening walk later when it was cooler.

A guy on a small motor boat asked us to put his champagne in our fridge, went out for dinner and then collected it later, glad to be of service.

Sailors Info

Scharendijke marina is a good size and has OK facilities.  27 euros per night, 50 cents for a shower.  The marina issues a map to the Plus supermarket as it seems to be the only reason people visit.  There are a few restaurants at the bottom of the very large, oppressive dijk. 

3rd August – Friday – Scharendijke to Herkingen

We decided not to go the Port Zeeland, which is also a Centre Parcs site, as it is peak season.  Maybe next time.

13 miles in 3 and a quarter hours.  Not a breath of wind, but beautifully still and very hot.

Passing by the islands where you can moor up for the night.  A 7 night ticket can be purchased for approx 12 euros.  There are pontoons and bins on some of the sites.  Others find it better to anchor.

The Grevelingenmeer has many attractions. If you like anchoring, swimming in the lake, canoeing etc this would be your idea of heaven.  But especially in this heat, I need to be able to walk around and find some shade.  The families here seem to be loving it.

A nice bit of shade under a tree which had been trained into a perfect umbrella.

Herkingen Centre, was the fish market and historic site.

Herkingen particularly and the other towns we have visited were badly affected by the flood of 1953.  These all used to be coastal fishing towns.

Again Herkingen is a small town with a marina, beach and holiday bungalow village.

Sailors Info

Herkingen Marina has a very friendly harbourmaster, who informed us we could have a 25% discount after visiting other lake marinas.  17 euros per night.  A supermarket is located through the flood gates at the harbour entrance, turn immediate right.  Pass the excellent chandlers and turn left for the supermarket, under the holiday flats.  Good facilities, good wifi.

Next stop Hellevoetsluis, a larger town.