Middelburg

Well we have been in the Netherlands for five weeks and this is the first time we have revisited somewhere from last year. We knew it would be a safe, nice place to be in the high winds. We met Terry and Chris from Muffin 111, they too were there because of the winds forecast. It is nice to find out that other people had the same idea as you and you weren't being silly. In the event it was a good choice and we knew we would find plenty to do. A super town with lots of walks etc etc. The forecast was right - very blowy and wet.

There are also excellent rail links and we took the train to Vlissingen and explored. We walked 9 miles that day! The train ride was only eight minutes and quite reasonable at 2.20 euros each, each way.

Until we went there I had not realised that there had been big battles there at the end of  the 2nd world war - I will now look up Uncle Beach and find out more. Was shocked to find the population at the end of the war was only 3000. Of the houses that still stood only one was undamaged. That explains why it is mainly a modern town, but well worth an explore.

The most moving thing was the memorial to the Jewish population that had been deported and murdered - so sad and the ages some of the victims was heartbreaking. Whole families were just wiped out - it is something we must never forget or let happen again. I was so moved by the memorial I didn't take a photo.

Look at the size of the people to get an idea of the size of the boat.

As we walked along the sea from it was amazing how close the buoyed channel was to the beach and equally amazing to see such large ships very close to the shore. Looking at the sea we were glad we weren't crossing over to Breskens today.



While we were there we had a sneaky look at the lock we would be going out of tomorrow - it looked as if they weren't using the small lock so I checked the mooring faculties in the big lock  - it could be fun.

The marina is based round the harbour and the facilities are clean and well kept. The age of some the buildings in Middelburg amaze me. There were buildings from 1560 - over a hundred years before the Great Fire of London.

In the end we stayed there four nights - we left by the 8.15 gate today. This was so we could fuel up before heading home. We needed to go at that time as the gates opened every hour, we wanted to be at the railway gate by 9.20 am as that was when the 'blue wave' began. Although the railway bridge was only five minutes away we couldn't refuel and get there in time.

Our gate opening, to let us out of our mooring.

The fuel pontoon outside the famous Jos Boone.

John has just been inside to pay the bill. He's not actually saying how much, but looking at a free map we got.

The 'blue wave' is where a convoy of boats go through all the bridges together - saving an awful lot of time. Although after refuelling we had time to kill it was no problem as we moored up on the waiting pontoons and made tea and had my cornflakes.

One of the hotel boats.

Breakfast!

The bridge at the marina opened at 9.15, at about 9.18 all these boats came piling out.

Railway Brug

Brug 2

Boats jilling around between the two bridges.

Going up. Note on the next pictures there are actually two bridges here as it is a duel carriageway.

The charge into the lock at Breskens. We were nearly at the front of the queue when the blue wave started, now we are nearly at the back. 

Couldn't resist this happy chappy.

View of Vlissingen from the sea.

This system worked, although the start was late we were locked out of Vlissingem by 10.50, in Breskens waiting to be issued a mooring and moored up drinking tea by 12.05.  A very hot afternoon, after putting our course into the chart plotter and buying supplies for tomorrow's journey there was nothing for it but to throw myself into the water.

Sint Anniland

It was funny being back in tidal waters - it was quite a shock to be how much the levels went up and down in one day.

The wifi at Sint Anniland was a bit hit and miss as was Middelburg - hence the lack of blogs. (Apologies to Gill!)

Sint Anniland isn't in the Cruising guide nor the CA almanac, but we found it a nice marina complete with visiting bread van in the morning. (Fresh croissants for breakfast.)  There isn't really much in the town, but we found plenty of walks on the sea front. The marina is very modern with a very nice restaurant.  (We don't always eat out - I cook two or three meals and then we have a night out.)

Evening walk

Sunset at Sint Anniland

Tide out

Rascal in Sint Anniland

As always we were having a look at the weather and we knew in a few days it wasn't going to be good, so we decided that we wouldn't go to Goes, but head straight for Middelburg and hunker down there for a few nights. Having made the decision we then decided to stay in Sint Anniland an extra day as the weather was so good. In fact it was so good I decided if you cant beat them join them and had a swim in the marina.

The last morning at Sint Anniland was slightly different. I had just had my shower and was finishing cleaning my teeth when I hear 'Madam, madam'. To cut a very long story short, a lady's back had gone and she needed me to fetch her husband. Now imagine being in absolute pain and trying to converse in a foreign language. She gave me rough directions and I knew her boat's name began with W. Luckily I had the presence of mind to ask for her husband's name. Bear in mind this is a large marina, with sketchy directions off I went looking for a boat beginning with W and a man called Hans. No real luck in my first sortie so off I went back to the showers. I realised I had been looking on the wrong pontoon but the poor lady could not call to mind the pontoon letter or berth number. Off I went again, having narrowed it down to two pontoons. I accosted quite a few men, none of whom were called Hans. I did get some strange looks. On my final sweep, thinking I would be putting my 'Moving and Handling' course to good news, I found a boat beginning with W and knocked calling Hans Hans. I bemused man popped up and luckily I had found the correct husband. I quickly explained the situation and took him to the showers and left them to it.

On my return to our boat, I asked John if he'd been worried as I had been gone a long time. He wasn't, he just thought I'd had to queue for a shower!

In a moment of madness the day before, when there were many gaps around us I said I would take the boat out. I don't like doing this in marinas but do feel occasionally we need to swop roles just in case we need to in an emergency. Even though the marina had filled up considerably John kept me at my word and I had to reverse the boat out and manoeuvre round some other boats - all in reverse. But I did it and once I was in forward gear I felt happier.

I need to be a couple of inches taller or shorter. To see over the canopy I need to stretch and stand on tip toes. To see through the window I need to duck down. Perhaps platform deck shoes could be the answer. Joking apart we often take the canopy down to make life easier.

As the tide was low when we left it was amazing to see how the navigable channel was surround by mud flats.

For us it was quite a long day as we were on the move for nearly 7 hours and covered 27.9 miles - two locks.  Although we arrived at Middelburg at 16.40, we were not moored up until 17.30 as we had to wait for the bridge to open. We had decided to stay three nights until the weather had settled.

My facebook friends will remember that last year the mooring at Middelburg caused a Mrs Doyle moment as I had to jump off the front until a neighbour lent us a stool. Well this year John elected to reverse in - which is not easy in traditional Dutch moorings. We went and cased the berth while we were waiting, the boat next door but one was another British boat and they very kindly came and helped with our ropes. Which was very nice as the heavens had decided to open.

Last year my undignified getting off the boat - prior to the steps, I jumped.

This year John made life so much easier.

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.

Willemstad

Well we are staying for a third night - because we can! After two relaxing days here we decided we would stay  a third night. The sunshine has been glorious, the cockpit tent is up and we have chilled. A couple of jobs got done - John had to change the joker valve in the toilet. Luckily the chandlers is bang opposite the boat so the part was easily obtainable. So I felt I ought to do something constructive so I teak oiled half the seats and half the cockpit floor. This was not laziness - you need something to sit and stand on while the oiled bits dry.

Speaking of the chandlers opposite I have bought a chair for the cockpit. I have been coveting one since we have arrived, having spied them on several Dutch boats. Basically it's a seat that doesn't have to be leant up against anything. It has 14 different positions and it's brilliant. I have been trying it out all day as I have read my book. I have been able to move around and stay comfortable. Him indoors doesn't reckon he needs one. But there was a sale on at the chandlers so it was a bargain. If I see them cheaper at the boat show - what the heck.

Willemstad continues to be busy - the first night we were in a raft of four boats. Night two a different raft of three boats. We had to move when the first boat in our raft departed and there wasn't enough room on the wall for us to moor up, so we slipped back to moor to the boat behind. Tonight it looks like it will be a raft of four. Three from last night plus one.

The town harbour is lovely but has slight disadvantages as Saturday night was quite noisy because of the live music which finished at midnight but then people were hanging round until about 2 am. However last night was much quieter - although it is full of boats a lot of day visitors disappear in the evening. We ate out last night, there is a large choice of restaurants and we chose well with the Belle Vue.

Both days we have managed pleasant walks in the afternoon when the sun has gone down a bit. Sadly we can't get any live coverage of the Olympics but are keeping up via the BBC web site. I think I would be glued to the telly if I was at home.

Tomorrow we will definitely move on -to Sint Anniland we think - but we will make our minds up tonight as we look at passage plans. Now we are moving off the rivers and canals, we will be moving into tidal waters again. We did have a bit of tide on the rivers from Rotterdam onwards but now we will have to think more about the tide.

Just a few pictures of the harbour and surrounding area.

View from the back of the boat, Saturday night.

This windmill is visible virtually wherever you go in Willemstad. 

You can just about spot Rascal through the hedge.

View from the back of the boat on Sunday and Monday. A bit nearer the windmill.

From one of our walks - as I said you can nearly always see the windmill. This is a pump windmill not the type that grinds wheat.

A different view of the harbour.