Ipswich to The Netherlands – June 2022

We set off late this year.  We went to The Lakes with Laura and Damien and the girls, Evie and Amelia in May, I went walking in Spain with friends in May and my Cousin Nicholas and his partner Christine got married in June.

We had a fun day, Thanks.  Stay just as you are.

We had planned to pootle around the South East Coast for the summer, but Mick spotted AIS movement on the Yacht Colne Rose belonging to our friends Jane and Adrian.  They are Cruising Association experts and were path finding, regarding immigration procedures etc.  An email to Jane and Adrian sealed the deal and the decision was made to head for Holland.  We are now limited to 90 days in Europe and I have used 7 days going to Spain, but this still leaves us 80+ days to play with.

For immigration there are now two steps following Brexit.  Tell immigration we are leaving via email using the Form C1331 which is an excel spreadsheet, containing details of the boat, all the crew, and departure and arrival details.  Secondly the Dutch immigration Form IMO FAL Form 5, which requires the same details but via a PDF form.  These were both emailed and acknowledgments received the day before departure. 

As a very pleasant surprise we ran into Jo and Ian from Yacht Sun and Air, having a drink outside the Marina bar.  They showed us around their new boat and gave us a lovely lunch.  We were meeting John and Liz that night from yacht Rascal and decided to all go for a pizza together.  Great to see everyone before we set off.

15th and 16th June – Wednesday and Thursday

We set sail at 12.20pm, as the marina lock went into Freeflow (both lock gates are open).  We proceeded down the River Orwell until we got to Felixstowe and hung a left down the small ships channel.  It was a beautiful day with a steady 10 knots of wind.  We didn’t need a fleece til 8.00pm when we ate our Lasagne, hot from the oven.  I always make plenty of sandwiches, but hot food does hit the spot.

As it was spring tides and very calm we routed via Long Sands Head, South Galloper, crossing the shipping lanes, skirting the Big Ship Anchorage off Zeebrugge and along the Belgian Dutch Coast to Breskens (South Holland, very close to Belgium).

I went to sleep first this time (10.30pm to 12.30am), as we were approaching the shipping lanes and Mick was better suited to negotiate this area.

We headed North East for a short while up the side of the shipping lane, as a number of very large vessels were heading our way (above left, we are the red boat).

Mick says he now knows what a frog feels like crossing the road.

When they had passed we crossed the shipping lane at a heading of 90 degrees to the traffic as required by law.  Then we proceeded towards the Ship Anchorage.  A cluster of 33 ships can be seen anchored.  Approximately half were cargo ships and half tankers, probably waiting for the prices of fuel to change.

We only saw one other Dutch sailor, heard a ferry on the radio which lost and then regained electric power, and heard calls for 1 empty dinghy sighting and 1 full dinghy sighting.  The VHF radio was very busy all night.

Mick slept from 12.30 to 4.30am, I only got him up once when I had to decide how to get round a large vessel which was changing direction.

We both had the company of a large full moon, which enabled us to see most vessels clearly.  The light of the full moon meant we did not see so many stars, but the calm flat sea made up for it.

Sea windmills at dawn.  During the night they flash red lights in one large synchronised flash.  We passed 3 windfarms in total.

We made our way along the Belgian coast to Breskens in the morning, with many large vessels making a continuous convoy.

We arrived in Breskens at 11.40 UK Time.  23 hours to make the 105 miles.

The yellow duster, Quarantine flag, has to be flown until the Customs Officers have visited.

The immigration process starts with Mick ringing the Dutch Customs number and arranging a time for them to visit, sometime today they said.  Mick went to the marina and booked in, but we did not venture out until after their visit.  Although they did say they would ring prior to arriving.  We tidied up and had a snooze.  They rang and we told them our berth number and they boarded soon afterwards.  They stamped our passports and checked our crew list.  They had travelled from Vlissingen 45 minutes by car through the river tunnel. 

17th to 20th June – Breskens

Most people remember Breskens for the Penguin Sculpture on the harbourside.

The 1980s Miami Vice flats mark the entrance to the marina.

The new additions to the skyline are these three blocks of flats on the harbourside, and from the ground work there are more to come.

Never ceases to amaze me how big these Channel Buoys are.   This one is sat next to the marina office.

New homemade Rope mats in situ.  36m of 12mm Braid on Braid rope.  We had replaced the Genoa Halyard (Front Sail Rope).  It looked pretty rough, but after soaking for a week in a bucket and two cycles in the washing machine in a pillow case, it brightened up.  There was a worn section in the middle so it could not be salvaged.  Our neighbour Mark on Yacht Midday Sun inspired me to try again.  He makes them from skip finds in various patterns.  I had previously tried with thinner shorter rope, but now I had the right rope for the job.  I started the pattern and completed 4 rounds.  It is hard work as each piece has to be pulled through at least twice per round.  I went to book club and when I got back Mick said, hope you don’t mind I finished the mat, I was pretty grateful as I had already made the red mat, below, earlier as a trial.  My arms were aching.  

The red mat was a half faded Main Sheet (the non faded part had been inside the mast) and then an extra piece was added to fill in the gaps.

If you fancy a try Google, Ocean Plait Mat Tutorial Pattern.  Watch several videos and pick one that starts the pattern in the middle of the rope, it is easier to pull through shorter lengths.

Also new crewmate Hugh the Salty Seadog.  A Luna Lapin pattern.

Two days of high winds meant we stayed put for a few days.  Planned departure for Monday the 20th was postponed.  We spent the day sewing Non Slip rubber to the backs of the mats.  They are fine for Pontoons but lethal inside on wood flooring.

Sailing Info

Breskens marina has good facilities and at 24.50 euros a night, pretty reasonable.

Wifi good.  ‘Plus’ Supermarket on the harbourside.  Plenty of restaurants and Bars.

We went to Brugge from here by bus last time.

Next Stop Middelburg.