Willemsted to Sint Annaland

Well we were sorry to be leaving Willemstad as we've had three good days with excellent company next door. Check out Worzel Wooface blog - he was our neighbour - his family were okay too!

We ended leaving in a bit of a rush as the harbour master was busy reordering the boats and wanted someone in our place. This meant that I didn't write down time of departure and we didn't do all our normal checks. As we were coming out of the harbour John realised the water that cools the engine wasn't coming out of the side. The boat immediately went into tick over and we edged forward to the river. The fault was quickly located - it was my fault as when checking the water trap this morning I didn't screw it down tightly enough afterwards. Two lessons learnt this morning and only five minutes or so into the journey but that wasn't the end of our action packed day. We had two locks and an incident at each.

We quickly got to lock number one - there is also a road bridge over this - although you know there is room for you to go under, it is always a bit of a scary moment looking up as you feel you won't fit under.

As we got into the lock and were moored up to the wall when suddenly there was some shouting. Not the watch out shout you will often get but angry shouting - lock rage. One boat had obviously upset another either they were to slow, to indecisive or in the wrong place. But one woman was having a right go at them. The offending boat rafted on to us and they seemed very nice but the lady behind was still having a good rant. I just stood and smiled -not often you see any boat rage, though John swears blind I was involved in some many years ago in a queue for fuel at the end of a flotilla holiday. I was just explaining to others the British concept of queuing and waiting your turn.

Once through the lock we were able to put the genoa out and sail. We were getting a good 5 knots average on this. It's a lovely feeling when the engine goes off and you are powered by wind. Although there were some barges we were now on a less industrial route. Loads of yachts sailing, which is something we've not really been able to do up to press.

Super sail down to the next lock and we moored up to wait with no problem. We got inside and were very near the front, immediately in front of us was a very small yacht with an out board and to our port and in front was a 38/40 footer. Behind us like all other locks it was full. All went well until the lock gates opened to let us out, they were huge metal gates that opened to starboard, the same side of the lock as us, there was a lot of turbulence as they opened. The little yacht went first, he had a hairy moment as his engine stopped and it took him a minute to get it to go. Then the yacht to our port went, then us. It was text book - I released the front ropes John the back we were away. I had got to the back of the boat to help John if needed, then all hell let lose. The boat in front stopped dead and either something was wrong with its steering or one of it's port fenders had caught on something. Not only did it stop but it also swung round 45 degrees right in our path, blocking the exit of the lock. For those who don't sail we don't have brakes, there is also not a lot of manoeuvring room in a lock. I shot forward and managed to secure a middle line to a bollard and hung on for grim death, John put the boat in reverse. Which brought us right up against the lock wall but the fenders and plastic cover of the Dan Buoy took care of that, the front end went into the lock gate but gently I think, we hope (can't see any damage). After what seemed ages but could only have been a couple of minutes the boat in front managed to straighten up and move so we could follow suite. This meant I could let go of my rope but had to 'fend off' the lock wall as our previously controlled departure was a thing of the past. Still not sure what had happened to the leading boat but as soon as she was clear she moved to the pontoons and moored up.

The rest of our journey to the marina was uneventful, on the buoyed channel to the marina there were withies. I've not seen them for ages, a good reminder not to cut any corners. I rang ahead to book a berth - we though it was going to be box moorings, so imagine our delight when we discovered it was pontoon moorings.

We have just had a very late lunch and will have a stroll and explore the surrounding area. As I have some laundry to  do we've booked in for two nights.

Meant to say earlier - Summer has arrived - Mr Gee has his shorts on. Mine went on yesterday but I have worn crop trousers all the time we have been here.