We’re in Goes which is pronounced in the way Lord Rockingham would say ‘house’
No sign of moose so far!
It’s been a bad day for manoeuvring.
We left the secluded island and had a nice sail to the huge lock at the eastern end of the veerse meer. There were lots of boats waiting but as we approached the lights turned green.
So far so good!
An hotelboat had gone in just before us so half the lock was taken up anyway
All was going ok until the boat in front, which in fairness was single handed, started messing about and preventing us getting a line on. Of course we were then being blown sideways. However a quick blast up the middle had us rafted next to a large motorboat who not only knew eastbourne, but was going to Goes… as many others were. Perhaps it’s moose season!
The entrance to the Goes canal is impossible to see from sea so you need to have it marked on your plotter (or follow a local) we did both.
This time the lock went to plan though they started closing the gates as we were going through. You have to be quick!
The canal is very picturesque with picnickers and someone actually swimming along with the boats.
She might have been drowning now I think about it!
So into Goes onto the town quay through a little lifting bridge
And a cannon they’re refurbishing for after Brexit
It had been very hot this afternoon. Sun at last! But I was overheated at this stage and though we had successfully moored against a ‘pontoon’ that was less than a foot wide, our power cable wasn’t long enough, and so we cast off and headed for the Box Berth!!
Stern to. With a cross wind. Without enough channel width to get steering way on astern. With gongoozlers (spectators) of course!
Well we made it finally but it wasn’t my finest demonstration of boat handling.
In this picture there looks to be loads of room, but you’ll have to trust me on this 🤡
So showers (50c a go) and hot water at last. I’m shaved, showered and looking rather pink, if I say so myself.
More on Goes tomorrow.
#### scrabble update. I won 279 to 276 so it’s two games all.
This Sailing Life 