Middelburg, Netherlands – June 2020

21st June – Tuesday

After delaying for a day due to high winds we left Breskens at 08.20am, to cross the estuary to Vlissingen.  Again many large ships crossing, so steady away.

We entered into the Sport Lock, which is smaller than the commercial lock, but still impressive.

Then we proceeded along the canal and moored up before the first bridge.  The ‘Blue Wave’ is still in operation as a way of navigating through the first 5 bridges before Middelburg.  It makes sense to hold everyone and take us all through at the same time.  Much less disruption for the locals, as the roads are closed (or rather, up in the air) when the bridges are up.

There were 8 boats in total.  The electronic sign said the bridges would open between 11 and 12.00, we had been told 10.47 the day before, but we actually went through at 11.47.  Time for a brew and a chat to another British boat which rafted onto us while we waited.

Stationsbrug outside the train station.  With large commercial barge heading the opposite way.

The five bridges open as the flotilla arrives.

We moored in Middelburg at 13.00.

Fleur in the middle.

Time for a shower and a nice meal at ZanziBar in the town square.

22nd to 27th June – Middelburg

It is lovely to sit on the back of the boat and watch the world go by.

Middelburg is a university town, so student high jinx are the norm.

9 rowing boats full of students enjoying themselves on the water.

The man who runs Rondvaart boat tours is doing very well thank you.  The boat passes several times a day with up to 48 people per trip.

Thursday is Big Market day which includes a Bric-a-brac market too.

Near the cathedral.

On Saturday there is another Bric-a-brac market in the main square.

We also decided to go up the Lange Jan (Tall John) tower, located at the Abbey and Church.

View from pretty street.

View from the tower.  4 euro each to climb the 207 steps.

The viewing gallery is enclosed by windows with markers detailing significant landmarks.

It is a narrow spiral staircase with few passing places and no rest stops.  A large man approached at speed as we were going up.  He had momentum and was not stopping.

The reward after was Kebbeling (fried Fish bites) and chips with special sauce.  Mayo, Curry and Onions.

Sorry poor photo due to impatience.

Middelburg has 1200 historically notable buildings.  They are obviously very proud of them and their marker stones are worth looking out for.

Above a door near the marina.

Above a door near the marina Restaurant, which is very good with reasonable prices.

We have noticed the prices are increasing here too.

Three cats playing on a windowsill.

Keep looking up.

Another in the occasional series of amusing findings.

Made me splutter in the supermarket.

Sailors Info

Middelburg marina is excellent.  The harbourmasters are very friendly.  Facilities are very clean, and free, with plug sockets.  Wifi is OK.  Obtain a keyfob from the harbourmaster to put rubbish in the communal ‘Restafel’ bins.

Albert Hein supermarket is at the opposite end of town, there is a Spar in the town centre, which has lots of shops and restaurants.

7 nights for the price of 6,  163 Euros. 

There are more Brits arriving now.  Glad people are coming back.

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.

Aug/Sept 2021 – Ramsgate and Ipswich

22nd August – Sunday – Eastbourne to Ramsgate

Another 06:00 start to make the passage to Ramsgate, past Dungeness Power Station in choppy sea.  We pushed the tide for 4 hours, the sea state was rough, and we got a drenching with a sharp quick shower of rain.  After Dungeness we caught the tide and surfed past Dover at 8.8 knots.  Dover was an option but the tide was with us so we pressed on to Ramsgate.  Arriving with yacht Enixus, who we shared a lock with early in the morning.  9 and a half hours to make the 62.5 miles.  We prefer to set off early and arrive in the afternoon.

We then spent 12 nights in Ramsgate waiting for a weather window.  We wanted a good day for the last big sail of the year.  The Northerly winds have been relentless around the South-East this summer and so it proved to be.

23rd August – Monday

After a relaxing day, our friends Mark and Dawn came to Ramsgate for a meal and a catch-up.  We realised it had been 5 years since our last meet up in Ramsgate, so lots to talk about.  We went to an old fashioned Italian Restaurant on the promenade.  The other two Italians were fully booked, as was the Thai.  The food and company were great.  The waiting staff was a little ‘Two Soups’ but made for a leisurely meal.  Thanks for taking the time to visit, it is appreciated.

24th to 26th August

Ian and June from ‘Enixus’ came for drinks and then they reciprocated 2 days later, when they recommended the Hornby Museum.  We had lots of sailing stories to swap.

Coastal walk and Fish and Chips at Sunrise, on Queen St, much better than the one on the promenade.

27th August – Friday – Hornby and Margate

We caught the ‘Loop’ bus (£9 for 2 all day) to the Hornby Visitor Centre, the stop after the Westwood Shopping Centre.

The next few paragraphs will appeal to some, more than others.  It you have any interest in model railways, Triang, Scalextric, Pocher Models, etc., this is the place for you.  As an only daughter I was the proud owner of a trainset or two.  So the nostalgia button was pressed.

Well lit display cases of classics like The Flying Scotsman and Sir Nigel Gresley.

Scalextric display with large track to play with, of course we did.

Bond Cars

Several large layouts. 

And the ultimate Pocher Model Cars, with a Yellow Lamborghini.

We spent a couple of hours at Hornby, at only £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions it is good value, with a huge shop, if that is your thing.

We then hopped back on the bus to Margate for lunch.

From the bus we went for a quick look around the Turner Contemporary Gallery, which is not weathering well, currently displaying truly bizarre exhibits, saved by the Turners and a very interesting set of dozens of paintings of ‘Things you can no longer see’  eg. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, very clever and moving.

The Old Town is thriving with food outlets and quirky shops.

Lunch at a promenade café.   Then walked the length of the beach to Dreamland.

How we missed this on previous trips I have no idea.

An old fashioned pleasure garden with rides and stalls, the rides are currently limited due to Covid, it is now being used for open air concerts.  It was nice to just walk around, I used to love walking round Blackpool Pleasure Beach before the new ticketing came in, and we always bought a drink and something to eat.

A Grand Day out.

28th Aug to 1st Sept

29th August - We walked the coast the other way (left from the marina) to Pegwell Bay.

This replica Viking ship ‘Hugin’ was sailed here in 1949 by 53 Danes to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of Hengist and his brother Horsa, two Saxon Chieftains who landed in nearby Ebbsfleet.  Hengist became the first Saxon King of Kent.

The cliffs at Pegwell Bay, two nice pubs greet the weary walker.

More seaside humour on the walk back.

31st September – We walked to Broadstairs, two miles from Ramsgate.

Broadstairs from the cliff path.

On the Timeout website it says, ‘If you only do one thing in Broadstairs….’ Morrellis is a must.  Serving Ice Creams since 1932.

Knickerbocker Glory for him, Black Forest for her…..lunch.

Thank goodness it was 15k steps round trip today, to walk some off.

2nd September 2021 – Ramsgate to Ipswich

We had originally intended to go to Brightlingsea from Ramsgate, but as the days passed and the wind stayed strong Northerly the option disappeared. 

After 12 days on a windy, rocky mooring we departed at 06:00 to make our 62 mile trip to Ipswich.  14 hours in total, the first 11 were the worst.  Despite waiting for the best day we still had North Easterly winds, cross tides across the Thames Estuary, cold wind, and several wettings as the sea spray came over the bow.  The wind had been relentless and the sea was very churned up.  We rocked, rolled, bucked and were tossed around for several hours.  We then got a good tide into Harwich, but still rocky.

We passed Felixstowe docks and thought we saw a famous ship.

But no, it was the Sister ship to the famous Ever Given, the Ever Goods.  Still massive and impressive.

We finally had a peaceful, calm and uneventful trip up the River Orwell and under the Orwell bridge into the lock at Ipswich.  We were issued with a temporary berth and moved the day after.

This marks the official end of our circumnavigation of the UK, through the Caledonian Canal, that we started in 2019.  With two enforced stops in Troon, Scotland and then Conwy, N. Wales due to Covid.  After 35 Ports, 1,830 nautical miles, we congratulated ourselves.

We have visited 15 Ports, and completed 702 nautical miles this year.

It has been a different year to normal.  Due to the vast increase in staycations, everywhere has been busy.  Marinas have been full and have needed more forward planning to make sure we had a mooring to go to.  Restaurants have been full and have also needed booking.  The spontaneity of life at sea has been restricted.  The increase in camping has led to shortages in Gas supplies.  We have also witnessed some shocking sailing and maneuvering from novice sailors, who have decided to buy a boat.

But despite that we appreciate how lucky we are to spend the summer afloat.  Lots of blue sky days and smooth seas, along with the choppy ones.  So many Dolphins.  Great catch-ups with friends old and new.  3 months of doing what we love doing.

Thank you for reading.  Until next time….wherever that might be.