2023 - The summer cruise that wasn't - Alternative transport and accommodation!!!

Back on  Laurin our focus returned to watching the weather and we became increasingly frustrated at the unpredictability of the weather and ever disappearing possible weather windows to cross to the Netherlands. We started looking at alternatives both for getting to the Netherlands and for where to stay when we got there. This wouldn't be the first time (and probably won't be the last) that we made crazy plans in order to meet up with our fantastic Dutch friends. We costed out Ferries vs Le Shuttle, checked car insurance and argued with the RAC about the cost of European cover,  and in the meantime our Dutch friends came back with an accommodation solution. 

They borrow Martijn's Dad's boat which is based in De Werf in Goes. The club also rents out it's tiny harbourmasters cottage to members and their close families so the solution was for them to move into the house (kids on newly purchased airbeds) and then we could use the boat. We'd figure the rest out later!

Ran round packing and getting stuff for driving in Europe.... both of us feeling surprisingly nervous about this but accepting that it would be good to see how we felt about this if we were going to seriously consider leaving Laurin in Holland. In the meantime we had met a lovely Dutch family who were stuck in Burnham and swapped advice on the UK East Coast for ideas about potential low cost marinas to keep Laurin in over the North Sea.

Early start Thursday up to Harwich to get the Ferry to Rotterdam. It was a bit rocky and rolly (hence why we weren't sailing over).... no flying crockery but I counted at least 3 young children running into walls as they stumbled along walkways. Esmé found a comfortable seat near the window.

It took us over an hour to get through customs and out of the port in Rotterdam and then about an hour 40 minutes to get to Goes where we were warmly greeted by Martijn, Monique, Dyland and Jazz. They helped us unload essentials and then ordered us take away. It was sooo good to be with them in Goes!

The weather wasn't forecast to be anything special until maybe Monday so we spent time catching up, playing games, shopping (kids bought diablos) and swimming and paddle boarding, all the time hatching the next part of the plan. We all really wanted to go up to the Grevelingenmere but accommodation would be an issue. Although the Lynan is technically 8 berth, as with all yachts, filling her to capacity would be a squeeze. We looked for accommodation up there close to a marina but the only options were camping which required a tent. Not to be deterred we found a tiny  tent that could be delivered Saturday and ordered it...... only it was delayed until Monday! Monique was busy researching beach horse riding for the girls, the fact that some of us would stay behind to collect the tent and then drive to the Grevelingenmere actually meant that getting to the horse riding would be less of a problem. Despite the challenges it was amazing to be together again.