decisions time

We'd promised the kids a run the the Veersemeer, but knowing that we needed to be back in the UK Friday night.. so we watch the weather forecasts closely....

FRiday is looking bad, with no wind forecast, and what little their is, to be on the nose for a crossing back.... so we opt to go Thursday instead.... this clearly mucks up plans for the Veersemeer, but the kids are magnanimous in defeat.

It also leaves one other conundrum... getting out of Holland...

Its a few miles up the coast before you can turn North East, and this isn't a bit of water in which you would chose to plug the tide.... so timing is everything.... however, the bridges don't start opening until 09:00 at this time of year, so we need to get out of the canal system....

So a decision is made to leave Wednesday, through the bridges, out of Vlissingen, and take the short hop across to Breskens... Its only just across the estuary

So, with at least 6 other boats, we muddle our way up the Walcheren canal, and into the lock at Vlissingen... this proves interesting, as its now pretty windy, and the lock keeper asks us all to use the 'big' lock.... its VERY big.... again, its bollards... and we tie up without too much drama, but one or two boats have a little more fun.... at least the lock is big enough to motor around in.... so no harm done...

We lock out to see (again) 35kts of wind.... its a lumpy bumpy run across to Breskens..... and we are grateful to be tied up...

Sadly, the main saloon hatch decided to leak, so we have a bit of water below.. nothing serious... but annoying...

On the way over, we are followed by a customs vessel.... M announces.... "look... he's taking photos of us!"

And sure enough.... once we are in a tied up, then along they come, and ask to see the paperwork.... nothing onerous... just Part 1 certificate, and passports.... and all over in 10 mins... very friendly. He asks if we have any contraband... at which point both SWMBO and I point at M, and say... "take him away".... smiles from everyone... except M!!!!!

Breskens proves to be completely unremarkable in every way.... a nice enough marina, but a complete absence of anything else... still its just an overnight staging post

Miles logged 7nm
Miles this trip 116nm
Miles this season 188nm
Miles since this blog started 4,085nm