The first thing you learn when you start sailing is to make sure that sand doesn't get in the Vaseline, and the second thing is never to leave lines unattended in a lock! Perhaps I was so busy contemplating the first rule that I completely forgot the second. As nothing seemed to be happening I … Continue reading The first thing you learn

Browsing through the Wateralmanak as one does in between scrabble goes (last night I won 333 to 274, tonight Lynn won 332 to 269 but she had lucky letters) I mentioned to a friend that I was having trouble understanding it (the wateralmanak, not that I was losing, though come to think of it I … Continue reading Genius

We woke to the sound of rain and looking out the first thing I saw was a tour boat full of people all holding umbrellas. A great picture that I just missed. Here's the tour boat later when the rain had stopped. Everyone has to duck to get under the bridges The harbourmaster said it … Continue reading Middelburg

We're here at last!! In Middelburg moored in the middle of the town. Our first attempt at box berthing went completely according to plan (thanks for the advice Gill) and on a quick walk round it all looked very nice indeed. We may stay here tomorrow so more pics then. But most importantly we have … Continue reading Mission not impossible after all

We're through the first huge lock from the sea and now waiting for the bridge for the actual canal. We're tied up at the waiting pontoon with the next lift due in one hour. We'd just started making lunch when I looked up to see the bridge opening! Big scramble to start the engine, cast … Continue reading So nearly there

If there turns out to be a Dutch town called Tiffany's I'll be most put out ! We leave for the Canals. Just 3nm away across what appears to be an aquatic M25 at rush hour.. Holland: Land of the Dutch Masters (painters not golf tournaments), Tulips and Caps ! We're setting sail any minute … Continue reading Breakfast in Breskens

Shorts and Tshirts. Sun Decent steady wind on the beam It's looking like one of those yachting brochures now! Here are the actual readings 7kn over the ground 5.4kn through the water 10kn of wind over the deck We were headed for zeebrugge but as all was going well we carried on to Breskens only … Continue reading Happy days are here again

As Leonard Cohen said when he sailed up the North Sea. Sunny day all looking good But No Wind. How I'll miss those waves. Perhaps summer is here at last. Watch this space !!! ############# 7kn on the beam. Tide in the right direction. Smooth sea. Sunshine. Motor sailing cone hoisted. Making good progress. All … Continue reading First we take Zeebrugge.. then we take Vlissingen

Weather bound so today was the tram to Oostende. This coast seems like one long beach with one town merging into another and many people huddling together in flats You would certainly hope the residents on the ground floor are careful with their chip pan, especially as they're famous for double frying their chips here. … Continue reading Oostende. Much the same!

Yesterday. Shore day. Sunny, lightish winds, very pleasant. Today. Sailing day. Awoken by howling wind in the rigging and rain on the cabin roof!! So though the wind is now SW which is much better and means the end of this lee shore and with limited fetch, much smaller waves, it's still cold, wet, too … Continue reading I should never have shot that albatross