Day 26 Dunkerque to Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tuesday 28 May Nearly 40 miles to cover today, although Calais was an option at about half the distance if the weather was poor. The first half of the passage was excellent making a good 6 knots close hauled with…
Day 25 Oostende to Dunkerque
The forecast was about right in predicting a westerly, and despite wanting to go South West, it was an uncomfortable journey with wind over tide, so we pulled in early at Dunkerque rather than battling on to Calais. This was…
Day 24 Cadzand to Oostende
Sunday 26 May This was definitely a day of two halves. Firstly the 5 hour, very lumpy passage, dead into a 20 to 25 knot wind, allegedly with the tide, covering the 20 miles in 5 hours, arriving in the…
Day 23 Scheveningen to Cadzand
Sat 25 May This was going to be a long day on the engine. No wind and 55 miles to go. The only 'excitement' being the sighting of a couple of seals and the necessity to get permission to cross…
Day 22, Amsterdam to Scheveningen
Friday 24 May A fairly early start at 0800 as the 12 mile leg to the Sea is along the Noordzeekanaal (no prizes for the translation) was going to be engine powered. At about 1100 we reached the final Dutch…
Day 20 and 21 Amsterdam continues
Wed 22 and Thur 23 May A couple of relaxing days catching up with chores and ambling in Amsterdam. We also took the opportunity to dine at Ron Gastrobar, a recommended Indonesian restaurant above a large department store, and what a…
Day 19 Amsterdam arrival
As the lights changed, the Schinkelbrug railway bridge started to open and the midnight passage for the convoy of the 5 waiting yachts had started. Railway bridge, lock, 10 road bridges and a final railway bridge to go. The actual…
Day 18 Gouda to Amsterdam
The rail bridge opening just north of Gouda dictated our departure time, either 0627 or 1027. So it was mid morning when we left, heading north through very picturesque towns and once 3 boats had formed a small convoy we…
Day 16 and 17, Gouda
Two days for the price of one in Gouda. We unpacked and unfolded the bikes and headed out to Gouda, avoiding the very many other young and old cyclists. No need for helmets here apparently as cyclists seem to rule…
Day 15 Dordrecht to Gouda
Well we survived the night, and despite appearances, the harbour master in Dordrecht couldn't have been more helpful. So we radioed through to get the marina Bridge opened at 0930 to catch the 1015 bridge opening at Verkeersbrug Alblasserdam and…