Early July 2018 – Nieuwpoort, Belgium

26th June – Tuesday – Gravelines, France to Nieuwpoort, Belgium.

We left Gravelines at 10:40 after waiting until the lock had opened and the digital depth gauge indicated it was safe for us to leave.  Remember we have a lifting keel, take care as the channel is shallow in parts.

Digital Depth Gauge at Gravelines lock.

The coast here is quite industrial, but I now know they have saved the best bits for the tourists and beaches further along.

The high rise flats on Nieuwpoort seafront and the entrance to the Nieuwpoort channel.  It was quite a bumpy ride into the channel.

Very large crane in the channel which decided to overtake us!!  Talk about timing in an unfamiliar place.

We arrived in Nieuwpoort marina at 16.30 after 30 miles of bouncy seas.  The wind gusted to 20 knots, we had two knots of tide with us and the wind on the nose.  If we had waited for the winds to change direction, for a more comfortable ride, we would still be there.  It is the largest marina on the west coast of Europe which has positives and negatives.

27th June – Wednesday

Big walk today.  The marina is at the end of the channel into town and across from the new and old towns so every trip out involves a big walk.  Bikes are available and free for the first hour.

Old town which is the first area you come to.  Nice shops and lots of restaurants on the harbour-side.

The new town is a good hour further.  We went up the main road which felt like forever.  There is a boardwalk along the side of the channel, which is easier to find on the return journey.

The two streets back from the sea front have lots of good quality shops and cafes.  The promenade is very long and the beach is extensive and well kept.

We then walked all the way back on the boardwalk, which was much more pleasant.

28th June – Wednesday

Short walk to get Diesel and resting while finishing my Rag Hooking Mat, which has taken several weeks.  It was supposed to be a welcome mat, but I need to make another which is bi-directional.

The words are only the right way up when we enter!

30th June – Friday

It has been hot but very windy.  So sitting out has not been that pleasant.

We decided to go back to the new town and beach and were going to take the tram.  The tram terminal is just across the bridge from the marina.

We asked for two tickets and the lady said it was the same price for a day pass.  We looked at each other and asked the lady how far we could go with the ticket.  All the way to the end, she said, which was at the Netherlands border in Knokke.

Well you know us by now.  We hopped onto the next tram and had ourselves an impromptu day out.

The tram goes all the way along the sea front so we went through Middelkerke, Oostende, Bredene, DeHaan and decided to have a coffee in Blankenberge after an hour and a half and seeing several smaller towns too.

Blankenberge is more of a seaside town, very high rise, with extensive beaches, portioned into areas with seats and bars and many restaurants.  It was a hot day and Belgium was sunning itself.  We walked along the promenade and returned to the tram at the Pier terminal.

DeHaan tram stop.  We had noticed DeHaan on our way and it looked much smaller and quaint.

The seaside at DeHaan is low rise and there are lots of nice shops and restaurants in the pretty town and on the promenade. 

My mum and dad used to holiday in camp sites in Bredene and DeHaan, pre me and it was lovely to see these places for myself.  They took our caravan to Blankenberg when I was a child, but I did not recognise anything.

We travelled back to Nieuwpoort beach and then caught the tram back. 

To say we got our monies worth out of our 6 euro tickets is an understatement.  Great Day Out.

2nd July - Monday

Trevor and Vanessa friends from home rang to say they would be staying nearby in their caravan and would pop by to see us.  They came for lunch on the boat and we had a lovely few hours catching up and swopping travel stories.  They are touring for a few weeks now.  They gave us and the trolley a lift to the supermarket, as they were leaving, which was a great help.  Happy travels x.

3rd July – Tuesday

I noticed one sign for an ‘Avond’ market which means Evening.  I looked it up and it was on the evening of my birthday in the new town on the promenade.  After a lazy day we walked the boardwalk to the Beach.  No signs.  We walked about half a mile and faith was justified as the market started and then went on and on and on.

The very long evening market which occurs every Tuesday night in July and August.  I suppose they don’t have to advertise it much, as it was well attended.

Neptune made of flowers as part of a flower display in the old town.

We caught the tram back from the beach after walking the very long market.  Birthday tea, Boudha Chinese.  Not much to look at outside but excellent food.  The Thai I had my eye on was closed.

Sailors Info

Nieuwpoort is a huge marina at the end of the channel and it is a 20 minute walk to the old town.

Alberto the third Memorial is a prominent landmark.

View towards the bridge and memorial from the marina road.

Pyramid which houses a shop and bakery, (bit pricey, but convenient and fresh) open every day in July and August.  The facilities which are free and excellent are located to the rear.

Marina office, restaurant and café.  180 Euros for 8 days.  Easy enough free wifi with password.

The nearest large supermarket is a Carrefour Market on the main harbour-side in the old town, which was not that easy to spot.  Lidl and Aldi on the big main road.  Colyrupt, cash and carry style.

All the facilities of a large marina but due to the size and location the walk to town was a bit tiresome. 

Next Stop Breskens, Netherlands

Late June 2018 – Gravelines

19th June – Tuesday – Sail to France

We waited in Ramsgate until the wind changed direction, which turned into a WSW.  Our 8 hour journey started at 0800 to complete the 37 miles.  At first the wind was very cold and the sea quite wallowy, as it always is around Ramsgate.  The wind picked up to 15 to 22 knots and we sailed for more than 4 hours.  At points we reached 7.2 knots and had to reef both the Main and Genoa, as we were getting ahead of schedule, for the High Tide arrival, to enter the channel and lock at Gravelines.

The sun came out later and we had good visibility for crossing the shipping lanes, which were quite busy.  We radioed one ship to make sure of his intentions, and as always, to volunteer to go astern of him.  It was a big ship which seemed to have a heavy load.

The entrance to Gravelines has sand banks parallel to the coast.

A tricky entrance is always made more interesting when small sailing boats hog the centre of the channel, especially in an unfamiliar port.

Wide channel to the Gravelines Lock

The Spiral Black and White Lighthouse can be seen from a great distance.

The lady in the marina office could not have been more kind.  She gave us a good welcome pack with lots of useful info.  We had to show our boat registration papers and passports as it is the first time we have visited here.

20th June – Wednesday

Gravelines (pronounced Grav, like you are clearing your throat and Lines like Washing Line), is a Vauban Cinque Port.  It has a fortified wall and moat and a large town square with a museum.

We had a good walk around and headed back to the boat as we had invited Peit and Margreet from yacht Osprey for drinks.  Really lovely people on a 53 year old steel board with beautiful wood interior.

Evening visitors.

21st June – Thursday

We walked to Super U supermarket and Mick bought oil for servicing the engine which he did in the afternoon.  Peit and Margreet invited us on board Osprey and we enjoyed a lovely evening in the sunshine.

22nd June – Friday

Friday is market day in Gravelines. 

A large market fills the large market square.

The beauty of our long summers is that we are in no rush.  So we spent a good half hour watching this young Artisan weaving a new seat for a chair.  Sadly we have no need for chairs and he seemed to appreciate that, and our interest.

We continued walking to Petit Fort Phillipe which is a small town on the East side of the channel.

The large sandy beach was being used for sand yachting a few days later.

We were tempted at Moules for lunch but at 14.50 euros each plus drinks but we went back to the marina and bought wine, moules and a bagette for 5 euros.  Please excuse the butter dish, Satellite dish and Dish wires, which frame this happy scene!!

23rd June – Saturday

I spotted a sign for a local festival.  ‘Du Son Sur Les Flots’, The Sound on the Waves, taking place in Grand Port Phillippe located on the West side of the channel.  We think the channel marks a regional boundary, as Grand and Petit Ports seem to ignore each other.

These giants puppets are used in carnivals, see the peep holes in the front.

The local choir started up with a song to the tune of ‘Dirty Old Town’ and we felt right at home.

We purchased Mango and Violet Ice Creams (pronunciation was hilarious), and settled down to watch Les Romain-Michel.  They are a troupe of Theatrical Circus Performers, with more than a touch of slapstick.  Even without understanding the language we could understand the intentions.

Uni-cycling, three person juggling with 12 clubs, impressive.

They jumped over a ‘volunteer’ on a bicycle, then balanced it, which was immediately out done by the troupe leader balancing a full sized road barrier on his chin.  All this took 1 and a half hours with lots of intermittent silliness.  Definitely a French spectacle.

The next two days were hot and windy.  Jobs were done and a good stock up took place.

In the continuing series of boat names and signs here are two additions.

The good yacht – Funky Shit.  We would love to hear them call the coast guard.

The sign post indicating Centre Ville with a hand symbol, on a sign pointing at the sea.

Sailors Info: Gravelines Marina

Very friendly welcome.  Welcome pack.  Free Wifi for 3 hrs per day. 

The water inside the locked marina was a bit smelly at low tide.  It was Spring Tide as we got there and the low water was very low.  This may put some people off visiting, but it was fine.

Lidl on the harbourside.  Stocking up was a doddle.  106 Euros for 6 nights with the 7th free.  With hindsight we should have left on the 6th day as the weather and wind were more calm, but a bargain is a bargain. 

We left for Nieuwpoort on the 26th.

Early June 2018 – Chatham and Ramsgate

We arrived in Chatham on the 7th June after 50 miles from the Tower of London.  We left the lock at 07:30 and arrived 16:00, details in last entry.

8th June – Friday

Just a jobs day.  Mick was running the engine so I walked to the nearby outlet.  Then we both walked to the nearest Asda for Diesel, aprox 30 minutes each way.

We had drinks with Liz and John as they were leaving the following day.  We may meet in Holland later in the year, hopefully.

9th June – Saturday

The marina was holding a breakfast get together on the pontoon, with coffee and pastries, which we had been invited to.  The local Border Force ship ‘Hunter’ was in port and their crew were holding an open day. 

What a fascinating hour we spent with them.  The crew member we spoke to, Ben, was from St Annes, near home.  They spend 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.  They live in a crew house together and are called out for all sorts of reasons at any time.  The technology on display was first class.

Later on we walked into Chatham town centre, which has a modern High Street and Shopping Centre.

We stumbled upon Old Brook Pumping Station and its band of volunteers, located behind Halfords.

They were very welcoming and started up the 50 Hp, Single Cylinder Diesel Pumping Engine which had been used for pumping Sewage!! 

The volunteers plus one.

There were lots of other exhibits including detailed models of Mills and Windmills and a working printing press.  The whole display was a credit to them.  Thanks Gents.

11th June 2018 – Chatham Historic Dockyard

The dockyards were the reason for this visit to Chatham.  It’s not a place you pass on the way to somewhere, you really have to make the effort.  It is £24 each to enter and £3.50 for a guide book, and the ticket lasts for 12 months.  We went in when the doors opened at 10:00 and left as they closed.  It is the 400 year anniversary of the dockyard this year.

You enter through the Mast Houses and Mould Loft which we decided to leave to the end.  During the week there are tours and demos in the Rope Walk and the Submarine, entry times for these are booked on arrival.  We spent the first hour in the Steam Shed and then looked around HMS Gallant.

HMS Gannet built here and launched in 1878, dwarfed by the 3rd Covered Slip behind. 

HMS Cavalier launched in 1944 is a CA-class Destroyer.

Mick at the helm, in a small room, which was locked whilst at sea and there are no windows.

The ship is directed using Port and Starboard buttons from this chair and the helm is moved accordingly in the room below, no distractions I suppose.  But it would take an iron stomach to helm in that closed room.

The Ropery or Rope Walk is the most famous part of the dockyards and was established in 1618.   It is still used by a private company to make rope.  All the latest films, Bond, Pirates etc all had their rope made here.  HMS Victory required 31 miles of rope.

The rope twisting machine is at one end.

The rope walk is a quarter of a mile long.

Rope makers ride the rope making pulley at some speed to the end of the building.

Then they ride back to enable the rope to be curled into a spool.

HMS Ocelot launched in 1962 is the last submarine made at Chatham.  She is an O-Class diesel-electric submarine, in service until 1991.  We had an excellent tour guide whilst on board.

Inside the 3rd Covered Slip built in 1838, it was Europe’s largest wide-span timber structure.  The roof of the first third is made of wood, a beautiful intricate pattern, the rest is iron and steel.

It is difficult to give an impression of how big this building is.  These boats look like toys.  There is a display of full sized life boats inside too.

There were two other display buildings, so by the time we arrived back at the first building we had about an hour to go.  The Mould Loft was where the ship designs were laid out and the precise measurements were taken to enable the carpenters to prepare the correct sized pieces of timber for the next ship.  A projected image of a boy and his grandfather, leads you through the building, as the boy decides whether to join the Navy or work at the dockyards.

Sailors Info – Chatham Marina

Great facilities near the outlet village.  Not the cheapest at about £35 per night but we stayed for 8 nights so one night was free.  Chatham Marina has the best Washers and Dryers.  £2.50 for a wash and £1.50 for a dry.  Outlet – 30 shops plus numerous restaurants.  Co-op near the outlet.  Asda was a 30 minute walk, Aldi in Gillingham was a 40 minute walk.  Wifi was OK.

The height variation in the lock was just less than 3 metres as we left…. Going Down.

15th June – To Ramsgate

A 10.00am start for the 46 miles to Ramsgate, we arrived at 19.15.  It was a very warm day, with a constant wind and quite wallowy.  We followed the Medway to the Thames and into the Princes Channel going South between the sandbanks.

Red Sands gun emplacements at the mouth of the Thames near the London Array of 37 windmills.

Fish and Chips on arrival as a reward for a long day.

We stayed in Ramsgate for four nights.  We have been before so we just pottered around.

Found the Saltworks shop in a back street courtyard.  The nicest shop I have been in for a long time.  Perfectly arranged.

And the Petticoat Lane Emporium, which houses many small stall holders in the old Skating Rink.

Wetherspoon’s have done a great job of the restoration of the Queens Royal Pavilion on the Sea Front where a Fathers Day pint was enjoyed.

Next Stop – Gravelines, France – Between Calais and Dunkirk