Commodore’s End of Cruise drinks were held on the harbourside at Willemstad. Thanks to Brainwave, Etta, For Pete’s Sake, Home Run, Juno of Dart, K-Ser-A, Maigret, Miss Hardy, Oleata and Speedbird for making the evening happen.
What did not go unnoticed were all the other pre dinner drinks parties going on at the same time!
So our Virtual Cruise comes to an end and its goodbye from me and goodbye from him.
Plan for June 5th 2020 We are off to our final destination, Willelmstad. We will leave Den Osse at 0900 and travel back down the Grevelingenmeer for 10nm until we reach that huge Grevelingen Sluis again. Once through that we have another lock, a much smaller one, the Krammer Sluis. This will require all of us to breathe in as it is only 9m wide and 75m long. Just get in side by side if you can to get as many in as possible. After that we sail up the Volerak for 11nm to the Volerak Sluis, a much bigger lock. The speed limit on the Volerak is 10.8kn. Once through the lock it’s a right hand turn into the Hollands Diep tidal waters and into Willemstad
And we queue up for the first lock of the day
But its a bit of a squeeze in the Krammer Sluis
One more lock to go
But at last we are moored up in Willemstad
And we are all very happy to be here.
the next day the weather is looking a bit iffy
But the intrepid cruisers investigate the sight and sounds of Willemstad anyways..
Lunchtime in Willemstad…
And now a little rest before the last gat together of the Virtual Cruise.
Plans for June 3rd 2020
We have a long day. We will leave at 9am, and travel east on the Veersemeer for 10nm until we get to the Zandkreek Sluis. The speed limit is 8kn. Once through the lock we enter the tidal Oosterschelde and head towards the Grevelingen Sluis, a further 16nm. There is no speed limit in the buoyed channels, otherwise 10.8kn. Once through the lock, which will take an hour or even two, we travel a further 10nm up the Grevelingenmeer to Den Osse. The speed limit is 8kn again. So 2 large and slow locks, and 36nm. It is likely to take 6 hours.
There are numerous islands in the Grevelingenmeer should you wish to overnight there.
Leaving the Veeresmeer
And into our first lock
We sail past the magnificent Zealandbrug in the Oosterschelde. Unfortunately time does not permit us a visit to Zierikzee, which is just under the bridge and on the right. But next year….
At last we reach the Grevelingenmeer, its a sight to behold with boats of all types out having fun.
After sailing 10nm across the meer we are safely moored up at Den Osse
But what an idyllic place this is. Looking forward to exploring tomorrow.
In the meantime it’s a quiet dinner on Etta
Plans for June 4th 2020
A day of rest in Den Osse. A very quiet location. Lots of healthy walks. It’s a 4 mile walk to the Brouwersdam if you are feeling energetic. And a PDD on Brainwave to look forward to at 6pm.
Lots of us are off for a walk around Den Osse and the surrounding countryside
Whilst on the Grevellingenmeer all is calm
And some people pop over to an island , to moor up for a bbq lunch
And in the evening we had a PDD on Brainwave
With some simple and elegant food
and gate crashers on Brainwave’s extended aft deck!
And talk about the weather
as the PDD ends and darkness descends Brainwave becomes radioactive
And tomorrow we look forward to iffy weather and 3 locks. We must be boating! We had better get the wet weather gear ready.
Plans for June 1st 2020
The Harbour Master is raising the bridge in Middelburg at 0930 and as we are rafted out please start casting off at 0915 to ensure we are all ready to go through as soon as we get the green light. It is only 4nm to Veere, but we do have this bridge and a lock to go through so it could take an hour or two. Those who want to moor up in the quaint harbour at Veere please follow Etta when we come out of the lock, the town is just on the left. Those who want to moor on the islands please let me know before we leave Middelburg.
June 2nd is a day of rest in Veere. And its market day! Lots of goodies to buy from the market and the shops.
And then a wander round the the old town and its environs
And we finish off with a great PDD on Oleata of Hampton. Thanks George and Chris. Great nibbles.
And Oleata turned out to be even grander than we thought. But sorry about the left over bottles.
Plans for May 30th 2020
We have an early morning weather window. We will leave Blankenburg at 08:00 when the tide is west to east. The wind is an Easterly 3. So wind over tide but given its only a F3 and neaps it should be OK. We will then go through the lock at Vlissingen, and wait in convoy for the bridges that take us up to Middelburg. Vice commodore is holding a party at Middelburg and I will send you the zoom link on Saturday.
Our early morning trip started off with some un forecast fog. That’s good. Fog means no wind.
The fog cleared and the sun came out and the seas were glorious (this is a Virtual Cruise). Our resident photographer captured the jubilant mood through pictures of our boats
Brainwave catching up.
Once we reached Vlissingen we waited for the lock (very quick today) and then travelled up the Kanaal door Walcheren to Middelburg. What a glorious trip.
First thing to do is get the electrics on…
And then there is an afternoon left to wander round Middleburg
Then a day of rest in Middelburg and a chance to catch up with more sights and sounds
Plans for May 27th 2020
We will leave Nieuwpoort at 13:45 and head up the coast to Blankenburg , some 20nm away. We are in the old harbour, on the long mooring under the SCYB clubhouse.
Plans for May 28th and May 29th 2020
Two days of rest in Blankenburg.
Sights out and about around Blankenburg
Lots of fun to be had in Blankenburg!
Lots of food choices in Blankenburg
But Oleata and Mis Hardy decide to eat on Board
But for some a man’s work is never done….
Great PDD Speedbird and good to see some visitors from the UK. Welcome Odyssea and Asteria!
Friday night was a lot quieter with a group meal at the Scarphout Royal Yacht Club overlooking our moorings. Yet more visitors from UK. A warm welcome to Adrienna, Severa and Vivacious!
Plans for May 30th 2020
We have an early morning weather window. We will leave Blankenburg at 08:00 when the tide is west to east. The wind is an Easterly 3. So wind over tide but given its only a F3 and neaps it should be OK. We will then go through the lock at Vlissingen, and wait in convoy for the bridges that take us up to Middelburg. Vice commodore is holding a party at Middelburg and I will send you the zoom link on Saturday.
Plans for May 26th 2020, High Water Dover 13:59
We will leave Ramsgate at HW-2 , at noon, and head for Nieuwpoort. The trip is approx. 40nm so we should get there for 16:00 local. Moorings have been booked at YCMN and dinner booked in the club house for 20:00. Solettes and frittes for me 😊
And all too soon we are moored up at Niewpoort:
The next day there is time to reaquaint ourselves with Nieuwpoort
The plan now is :
Plans for May 27th 2020
We will leave Nieuwpoort at 13:45 and head up the coast to Blankenburg , some 20nm away. We are in the old harbour, on the long mooring under the SCYB clubhouse.
Plans for May 28th 2020
A day of rest in Blankenburg.
At the Cruise Briefing the plan for May 24th was shared:
Plans for May 24th 2020 , High water London Bridge 03:37 and 15:54
I have consulted our Met Office contact, Mrs Braine, who advises the low that was due to disappear today has, in fact, not disappeared yet. The fallen oak tree on Hamm Court is testament to that! Coupled with that the tides are a bit too early for some of us (me). So if you have one too many at the Commodore’s reception this is not a problem, as we will not be leaving the club until around 15:00 hours on Sunday. I have booked the fleet into Imperial Wharf for the evening and reserved dinner at The Waterside for 20:00 https://www.watersideimperialwharf.co.uk/ (if only)
Plans for May 25th 2020, High Water London Bridge 04:12
Etta, ably single handedly skippered by Andrew (I will be in bed) will be leaving Imperial Wharf around 04:00 . Dawn is an hour later so hopefully he will be able to find his way, and indeed London at dawn is a beautiful sight. We should arrive at Ramsgate 6 or 7 hours later, in time for lunch.
The Virtual Cruisers were up bright and early raring to go. Phil’s trumpet did NOT go down well, and Derek had complaints (what’s new Derek?!). The VHF banter was endless. Marilyn was very worried about not getting her bacon butty as George had the cheek to be on his own boat.
Ramsgate at last
George and Chris were very impressed that the Commodore was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and that he had organised a fly past and a band. Peter spotted there was also a full parade through Ramsgate. As the Commodore said “That’s TMYC for you”.
With Marilyn recommending ice creams from Morellis, and Peter organising a Fish and chip delivery from Shakey Shakey, and Alastair hosting the PDD the day ended on a high.
And before the PDD deteriorates any more, just a reminder that we depart for Nieuwpoort at noon tomorrow.
Saturday May 23rd.
Our Virtual Cruisers joined the Commodore at his Pre-cruise Reception in the Club House
Andrew opened the meeting with the totally new Coronavirus inspired Health and Safety Notices required for every get together. Apart from the mandatory 2 metre social distancing , from now on we all bring our own drinks, glasses ,tables, chairs, nibbles, wall and flooring. It will also help if you bring your own Fire Exits as then you will know where they are.
The Commodore thanked all the boats for making the effort to participate – Brainwave, Etta, Home Run, Juno of Dart, K-Ser-A, Maigret, Miss Hardy, Oleata of Hampton, Silver Sceptre and Speedbird. For Pete’s Sake was unable to make the reception but will be catching up. Derek is crew for Home Run and Antonia will be boat hopping.
We all managed to logon successfully to Zoom.
We have been preparing for this cruise for weeks obviously, so tonight was a time to catch up. It was reported that all is well on the moorings and that Conway Star is yet again hosting the local coots.
Silver Sceptre advised that they have coots around their boat in Windsor Marina but have sent them down river to join the family on Conway Star (and the rest they have roasted). Hon Sec is providing twigs at the Clubhouse should anyone want to help increase the size of the nest.
Our boats are spread out along the river – Windsor, Penton Hook, Weybridge, on the hard at Shepperton. Some people even have two boats. And of course we have some boats on the moorings
Last but not least, the Commodore thanked Etta for organising the cruise:
“Thank you for organising the Virtual Summer Cruise 2020 and allowing time for the Commodores Reception before departure. I was delighted to that everybody entered into the spirit of the fun and games. Even if Tim did forget to put his shirt and tie on!!!
Looking forward to seeing everybody next Saturday.“