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.
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