Bob on watch
A later start today but still the first ones to exit the marina at 0700hrs, sailing out of the channel with a 3 knot tide saw us making 7 knots.......was this to be a great days sailing, first time with the engine off since leaving Cuxhaven. A gastronomic masterpiece was produced from the galley, sausage sarnies and tea. Everything going well.
Then the wind drops and it's back to the dreaded engine, with the drone of the engine a passage of on a yacht doesn't quite hold the same appeal. Sue managed to start her career as an artist as she sat down below with her watercolours.......quite what she was painting will no doubt be revealed later.
Our 1st Northsea offshore platform
After lunch we headed towards a black looking sky and the rain soon appeared. A bored study of Reeds Almanac informed us that in the Netherlands, motor sailing without a cone is not tolerated and apparently a rule that is strictly enforced......so up it went.
I’m sure it’ll be seen from miles away!
We arrived at Vrieland at 2000hrs and yet again were warned about the dangerous cross current entering the marina ......to be honest it was running at 3 knots and unless you decide to enter at rowing boat speed you will be ok. Vrieland is a lovely marina and our first stop in the Netherlands has shown the Dutch to be very welcoming. Looking forward to more cruising in Holland. Although we only spent a short time in Vlieland we were immediately struck by the friendliness of the locals and fellow boaters. The beaches really are beautiful and it is definitely a place we would like to return to in the near future
Not only was Vlieland and pleasant stop but we also found this beautiful old motor yacht that was part of the fleet of little ships involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk
Amazone of London one of the fleet of “Little Ships” that helped in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of Dunkirque in 1940