Summer Cruise 2024 31st July - 10th August: The Grevelingenmeer with our Dutch friends

 Wednesday 31/07/24 Goes to Mosselbanken (17Nm)

The Dutch were keen to get moving as they’d been in Goes since Saturday. There were limited bridge openings but the 1pm bridge looked like a good bet and would just about give us time to get up to the Grevelingenmeer, our favourite Dutch cruising ground. We still had work to do on the holding tank and to be honest also the headsail but that was less time critical. We also had to stock up with groceries and water, not forgetting having a last goodbye pastry breakfast with Steve and Dee. 

Martijn kindly gave Steve and Dee a lift to the station and then very quickly we were ready for off. The kids requested a crew swap so Jazz came with us while AJ took the opportunity to jump on Lynan. AJ got the better sail, partly because Lynan is faster but also because we were nursing our damaged headsail. 

After going through the Bruinisse Lock we pulled in to the big Bruinisse Marina to by chips and our weekly ticket for the Grevelingenmeer (Brilliant value at just over 25 Euros) so we could moor up on the islands. We then headed over to Mosselbanken to chill out and watch a lovely sunset.

Thursday 01/08/24: Mosselbanken to Stampersplaat (7Nm)

Another crew swap and another motor for Laurin with AJ delighted to be on the boat that actually sailed. At Stampersplaat we initially came alongside a beautiful Dutch Barge with a lovely family on board and rewarded their hospitality with a box of Lego that was now surplus to requirements on Laurin and taking up space. We then set to dropping our Genoa and starting the repair. I dug out my trusty speedy stitcher and the repair tape from Jos Boone and spent the next 2 or more hours sat in the sun repairing the UV strip on the sail. It was slow work but I did get faster with time and had lovely company not only from Monique and Martijn but also some of the other people moored on the island, particularly Katja who was a fountain of knowledge on Ooltgensplaat, but more of that later!

Once the sail was repaired we moved Laurin alongside Lynan who had found a spot next to the wall and enjoyed a chilled out evening.

Friday 02/08/24: Rest Day on Stampersplaat 

Nothing much to report for Friday other than Martijn turning on the engine to recharge batteries and noticing he had VERY little diesel in the tank. We scrabbled around and found a litre or so in the bottom of one of our jerry cans and he headed off to Brouwershaven to fill up, holding his breath and having all fingers and toes crossed! Patrick and I enjoyed a well earned rest day, whilst Esme and Jazz enjoyed watching the wild horses on the island. The paddle board was pumped up and the kids played. Bliss!

Saturday 03/08/24: Stampersplaat to Den Osse (3Nm)

We were quite keen to get to Den Osse as we’d met some people in a lock who’d said that the waiting list was now 1 to 2 years rather than the 5 years we were quoted last year. AJ yet again jumped ship but this time Laurin managed to get some sailing in… testing out my repair! Once there AJ very quickly borrowed one of the club Pico’s and enjoyed a very breezy sail.

On chatting with the Harbourmaster, we found out that the waiting list was indeed 1-2 years (which will suit us fine) but we need to apply to be members and put on the waiting list. The board then need to approve us! I figured it might be good to meet members of the board so that they could put a name to a face and as luck may have it, there was a pot luck supper that evening! The kids were a bit nervous to just rock up so Patrick and I went, taking our best English Lancashire Bomb cheese and leaving the kids to hang out with our Dutch friends. We very quickly made some new German friends but nobody seemed too sure about needing the board approval to join the waiting list. We eventually identified a member of the board and said hello but were left with the impression that approval was just a formality. 

Sunday 04/08/24: Den Osse, shopping and Jeanzz

Patrick, Esme and I got an earlyish start to borrow some bikes (way too big for me with scary backwards peddling brakes) to go get shopping at the Plus supermarket in nearby Scharendijke. I may have nearly run Esme over and did I say… I really dislike those bikes! Once back I did a bit more laundry, enjoyed a chill and shower, and then we all headed over to Jeanzz for dinner. We’d eaten here a couple of times last year and it didn’t disappoint. Awesome mussels, ribs and waffles for desert!

Monday 05/08/24: Den Osse to Haven West Repart (3Nm)

Esme’s Dyslexia Tutor, Sarah and her family were holidaying close by so we arranged to meet them at the South West Corner of the Grevelingenmeer. Patrick and I had spotted the stagings last year when we had driven to check out Helevetsluis as a potential home port and I had been intrigued by what seemed to be a kids playground in the water! The little harbour was VERY busy but Martijn spotted a 10m boat coming out of a tiny gap on the pontoon and suggested that I moor there and then he raft alongside. I did a first pass, trying to measure up and wasn’t sure… not helped by the the guy on the boat behind telling us there wasn’t enough space. With our port prop kick there was no escape route should it all go wrong so  I bottled it and then Martijn proved the point by putting the slightly bigger Lynan in the gap. He did have the decency to say that he only did it as his prop kick is the other way!

I went to explore the climbing area with E and Jazz and no sooner had we got there than Sarah text to say she’d arrived. We spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in the slight bit of shade we could get from some bushes next to the inland beach, chatting and watching the girls.

All too soon Sarah and family left us (it was really hot and it would have been really challenging getting their dog, Tilly across both boats to chill out on board). However we made plans to take them out for a sail later in the week. In the evening we all walked over to the North Sea Beach for a drink at the beach bar and to watch the sun set.

Tuesday 06/08/24 Haven West Repart to Archipel (6Nm)

A short sail to the lovely (and AJ’s favourite) islands of Archipel. Lots of chilling out, paddle boarding and swimming to get out of the heat.

Wednesday 07/08/24 Archipel to Bruinisse and a joy ride with the Bramhams (15Nm)

An earlyish start to get into the big marina at Bruinisse to make sure we got a place. We rafted up alongside Lynan and waited for the Bramhams (complete with dog Tilly). It was a bit of a mission to get her across Lynan and on to Laurin but once we were under way she loved being on board. 

That evening the girls played in the big paddling pool at the marina reliving their early childhood and we enjoyed take away pizza from the marina shop.

Thursday 08/08/24 Bruinisse to Goes (19Nm)

With heavy winds forecast for Friday and our Dutch friends needing to be back at work on Monday we decided to accompany them back to Goes in order to maximise our time together. Esme also wanted to go to the swimming pool at Goes with Jazz. We retraced our earlier steps (this time minus the crew swap) and enjoyed a pleasant sail back. The only slight concern was that Goes was very busy and there was no guarantee of a berth for us (meaning we might need to go to the marina in the centre rather than our favourite club where our friends would be). In the end they made space for us even thought it was quite “interesting” getting in.

Friday 09/08/24 and Saturday 10/08/24

A bit of boat shuffling, paddle boarding, swimming, games nights, shopping and jobs followed by a visit to the fairground which was enjoyed by some more than others!

 

Summer Cruise 2024 24th -30th July: Burnham to Goes

Wednesday 24/07/24 Burnham to Brightlingsea (19Nm)

A 1pm departure having said goodbye to the Marina Staff and we were on our way…. Sadly not bound for Oostende yet but happy to be on our way to Brightlingsea for a change of scene and the possibility of seafood at The Rosebud Pub! Motored all the way to the Ray Sand buoy, introduced the Tulley’s to the joys of East Coast Sandbanks and then “enjoyed” a wallowy, roly sail across the wallet towards the Colne (it’s not called vomit alley for nothing). Managed to just squeeze into the marina with 20cm to spare and quite a lot of cross tide. Went for a walk up to Batemans Tower, watched a bit of Wednesday night racing before Dinner on board!

Thursday 25/07/24 Brightlingsea

A windy day in port so took the opportunity to visit the big chandlery there and have a late lunch at the Rosebud which didn’t disappoint. Much discussion about exactly what time to set the alarm and how early we could get away with leaving. We decided to set alarms for 2:30am and aim to leave at 3. 

Friday 26/07/24 Brightlingsea - Oostende (85Nm)

Woke at 2:30am to the wind howling in the dark outside the boat. Leaving our marina berth seemed very unappealing but we got up and prepared to leave. Once we were up and moving I could see that the wind sounded worse than it looked. We checked the weather forecast and eventually left at 3:45am.

I was keen to get Dee on the helm as soon as possible and she dutifully obliged. As the least experienced crew member, recently recovering from a brain tumour, and hadn’t yet helmed Laurin I wanted her to feel comfortable helming as a way to ease any potential queasiness! The sunrise wasn’t quite as magical as we’d hoped but the transition between darkness and the warmth of the day is always something I enjoy. It was an absolute blast of a trip, allowing us to sail whilst still making good speed for most of the journey, arriving 7:30pm local time (just under 15 hour passage). It was also a massive achievement for Dee who as part of her recovery had set herself the challenge of “being braver”!

We were all shattered but despite the savoury mince having been cooking in the thermal cooker all day we opted to head up to the Royal North Sea Yacht Club for a celebratory drink and to see if Moules were on the menu. We ascertained that Moules were not on the menu so decided we’d eat out the following night, however one Duvel down and really fancying another we ordered some hefty snacks to mop up the alcohol. The Clams were amazing and as always Esme loved the bread. Back to the boat for a “main course” of savoury mince and then much needed sleep!

Saturday 27/07/24 Oostende

After pastries from our favourite bakery, and the compulsory visit to customs to get signed in, we had a  “rest”day consisting of walking, shopping, waffles, go-karts, Moules and fountains.

Sunday 28/07/24 Oostende to Middleburg (35Nm)

We delayed our start slightly to give Steve chance to get more pastries and then headed up the coast towards Vlissingen. Steve was skipper for the day and navigated us safely past Zeebrugge, through the shipping of the Westerschelde, into the Vlissingen lock, and up the Middleburg canal, learning “how not to act English” through the bridges before handing over to me for my first ever attempt at backing Laurin in to a box mooring. Got it first time!

Monday 29/07/24 Middleburg to Goes (20Nm)

An early alarm for Esme as we had arranged for our Dutch friends to pick her up and take her to ride Icelandic Ponies on a beach…. Something she has been wanting to do for over a year! She had an amazing time with Jazz and Monique whilst we took the boat to Goes.

Patrick and I took advantage of the local Chandlery Barge, Jos Boone to replace our furling line which broke on the North Sea crossing, buy sail tape to repair our UV strip on the Genoa and grab some up to date charts before we left. We then enjoyed a very crowded but beautiful Veerse Meer before locking out into the Oosterschelde and into the Goes Canal where we were dismayed to hear there was a problem with one of the bridges. The guy on the boat behind us told us that we would have to wait at the marina at the top of the Goes canal and didn’t know how long for! I messaged Martijn and just as I was juggling lines to exit the canal he phoned back to say that he had called the lock keeper and the bridge was currently stuck open… he didn’t know how long for so suggested we motor quickly towards it to see if we could get through! Once we’d left the lock it seemed most of the rest of the boats had a similar idea so it was full steam ahead with fingers crossed! We were in luck and managed to make it through (with no clue when we’d be able to leave but at least we would be with our friends!)

It was so lovely to be back in Goes (on Laurin unlike last year), to see our friends and to chill (except for the looming problem of a blocked holding tank, but after a stern word from Steve, that was a problem for another day).

Tuesday 30/07/24 Holding tank woes in Goes

Not going to go into too much detail but Tuesday we kicked Steve and Dee off the boat to explore, sit in a cafe/bar and not return until we had hopefully fixed our blocked holding tank. The kids were delighted to catch up with Dylan and Jazz while Patrick and I dealt with our problem. Multiple trips to the DIY store next to the marina, a bike ride to a boat repair shop and lots of sweat and swearing meant that by the end of the day although we weren’t quite finished, the end was in sight. We celebrated with a shower and another BBQ this time cooked by Dylan and AJ. We were still unsure about how long the holding tank would take to fix and also unsure about when the bridge would be opening so, as Goes is pretty good for public transport Steve and Dee decided that Wednesday would be a good time to start their journey back to the UK. It was sad to say goodbye and we’d have liked to show them the Grevelingenmeer but they’d enjoyed their 10 days on board and hopefully they’ll be back.

Summer Cruise 2024 18th - 24th July: Boat Prep

Last year’s failure to get Laurin over to the Netherlands made us realise that as AJ & E are growing up, we potentially don’t have too many family summer cruises left and that we want to make the most of them. AJ already isn’t particularly interested in sailing our old East Coast Cruising Ground and I’m guessing E won’t be far behind. What they both absolutely love though, is sailing in the Netherlands and meeting up with our Dutch friends. In 2022 we met a family from Kent who had decided to keep their boat in the Netherlands and had a Channel Tunnel Season ticket which allowed multiple cheap visits. With Laurin a 5 hour plus drive away we really only get to visit her in school holidays so we started to investigate if we could do similar. At some point I’ll detail our rational, research, roadblocks and solutions but the result is we’ve now sold our berth in Burnham Yacht Harbour and this year are moving Laurin to the Netherlands for the foreseeable future.

The financials around selling our private berth meant that Laurin hadn’t been sailed this year and had been out of the water for a couple of months so needed quite a lot of prep to be ready for our summer cruise. A plan for me to come down early with some friends to get her ready and then have a mini cruise soon morphed into a plan for AJ and I to come down first, our friends to join us a couple of days later and stay for the trip over to the Netherlands. Patrick and E would arrive with the boat already prepped and ready to go as soon as they got here.

As we weren’t going to be coming back to Burnham, our friends Steve and Dee offered to bring all our kit down in their van so that we could get the train. AJ and I travelled down after he finished school, delays right at the beginning of our journey from Leeds meaning a changed route, and us not getting in to Burnham until about 11pm, missing our optimistically planned ASDA food delivery. It was a long, hot and tiring journey but at least the delay meant that 100% of the cost of our trip was refunded!

During the next couple of days AJ and I worked hard putting the boat back together and giving her a good clean as well as re-arranging a food delivery! We got the mizzen and Genoa on, put the log in, checked safety equipment, fixed connectors for the solar panel and Saturday morning we finally tried the engine. All was good until I ran it for a while at higher revs in order to get some kind of confidence that we wouldn’t have the same over heading problem as last year (paranoia as we’d cleaned the heat exchanger out last year and hadn’t done much motoring at all since then). To my dismay the oil pressure alarm came on and the oil pressure gauge was reading zero! Much discussion with various parties including our good friend Paul and the conclusion was that if it wasn’t a wiring problem then it was most likely the oil pressure sender needed replacing. I checked the wiring as best I could and then Paul suggested going out for a curry to cheer us up. Paul and Paula have been good friends for a lot of years. Paul especially has been around Burnham the entire 25 years that we have been sailing out of the marina and has not only seen our kids grow up but also me grow from a newbie sailor to a Yachtmaster (still with nowhere near enough confidence) to the sailor I am now (although he still thinks I’m a wuss when it comes to sailing). We’ll miss his presence and advice although hopefully we’ll catch up in the Netherlands sometime. We tried to keep our goodbyes low key, but the friends we’ve made in Burnham will be greatly missed.

Sunday Steve and Dee arrived and over the next couple of days we filled up with gas, diesel and more food. We got rid of out of date flares, put the main on, enjoyed amazing food cooked by our friends and ordered and fitted the new oil pressure sender. Wednesday morning we went for a test run and invited AJ’s old friend George along for the ride.

We had a lovely motor up the Roach and even saw some seals. AJ then had some time ashore with George before Patrick and Esmé arrived ready for a quick departure after a very brief (alcohol gift laden) goodbye to the staff at Burnham Yacht Harbour.

We’d hoped to be leaving for an overnight passage to Oostende but I was a little cautious about the sea-state towards the end of the trip, along with building wind speeds throughout Thursday which would be uncomfortable if we didn’t make good progress overnight. Add into the mix that it would be Steve and Dee’s first North Sea crossing and Dee’s not a very experienced sailor regardless, it seemed prudent to delay the crossing. However whilst mulling over our options I noticed that Brightlingsea would knock an hour or so off our passage time and may potentially be less impacted by setting off a couple of hours before high water. As it was springs, if we set off pretty much  immediately after Patrick and E got here we should just about make it across Ray Sands to get there for a change of scene.