The last day of our trip started at 07:00 with no wind in the marina.
But as soon as we were outside the marina on the green water of the IJsselmeer, we noticed a good and increasing wind form the South.
By the time we set our sails, the wind had increased to 14 knots, a very good wind to have full sails: mainsail and Genua.
During the day that wind would further increase and at a certain moment it reached 24 knots.
The sweet water form the IJsselmeer came over the front deck and washed all salt of the last weeks from the Boekanier. For the first time it was welcome.
It seamed the boat wanted to show us that it liked the sweet water better then salty, because it gave us the best speed of the whole period. We did touched 8,0 knots which is not bad for this kind of yachts.
At 14:00 PM we landed the Boekanier in her own berth at the Flevo Marina and in stead of the usual steigerborrel we treated ourselves on a nice lunch.
Then we realized that the trip was over. This was the end station and all that was left was cleaning and packing.
Therefor it is time to thank my crew members for the fantastic time we spend together, their valuable advises, the nice discussions we had, the good meals that have been prepared and friendships that have been created.
Skipper Cees wishes you all have had a good time and surely want to see you back on board soon.
Have a nice summer and please do stay in contact. You know my e-mail address.
Dear Followers:
We will not longer keep you updated: as this is the last blog from a very successful and happy Trip to St. Malo and the English South Coast.
Skipper Cees
C'est Live
maandag 11 juli 2011
vrijdag 8 juli 2011
July 7, 2011
July 6, 2011: Ijmuiden – Den Oever.
As we are one day ahead of schedule, we decided to take the long way home:
Ijmuiden – Den Oever – Lelystad. This rote is known as the North-Holland tour. (or in Dutch: rondje Noord-Holland)
We started or day quite early in order to benefit fully from the current in the Northerly direction.
The rather strong wind was South to South-West.
We had both sails fully employed and with a nice speed we raced to Den Helder.
There we had to turn East and at the same time the wind deminished.
At the end of the bouyed channel “Het Vissersgaatje” the wind was completely gone.
We landed in the fishing harbour in Den Ever, which is not open for yachts, but we convinced the harbourmaster that we only wanted to eat some fresh fish and then leave for the marina.
We suspect the harbourmaster has family relation to the fish restaurant, because not only did he happely agree that we would raft up to the “Wieringen 142”, a local fisherboat, but he also recommended a restaurant...
Anyway, the fish was excellent and after dinner we went to the most boring marina in the Netherlands: Den Oever.
A very nice sailing day ended with 46,5 mile on the log.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
As we are one day ahead of schedule, we decided to take the long way home:
Ijmuiden – Den Oever – Lelystad. This rote is known as the North-Holland tour. (or in Dutch: rondje Noord-Holland)
We started or day quite early in order to benefit fully from the current in the Northerly direction.
The rather strong wind was South to South-West.
We had both sails fully employed and with a nice speed we raced to Den Helder.
There we had to turn East and at the same time the wind deminished.
At the end of the bouyed channel “Het Vissersgaatje” the wind was completely gone.
We landed in the fishing harbour in Den Ever, which is not open for yachts, but we convinced the harbourmaster that we only wanted to eat some fresh fish and then leave for the marina.
We suspect the harbourmaster has family relation to the fish restaurant, because not only did he happely agree that we would raft up to the “Wieringen 142”, a local fisherboat, but he also recommended a restaurant...
Anyway, the fish was excellent and after dinner we went to the most boring marina in the Netherlands: Den Oever.
A very nice sailing day ended with 46,5 mile on the log.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
donderdag 7 juli 2011
July 6: Roompot (Zeeland) - IJmuiden
July 6, 2011: Roompot - IJmuiden.
The barometer had dropped overnight from 1022 h Pa to 1015 h Pa.
This meant that a low pressure cyclone had come our way and that we could expect strong wind.
Nevertheless we left Roompot outside shelter harbour for IJmuiden at 05:00 AM.
The first part with help of the motor to get us through the buoyed channel and in order to come in open water.
We first set our Genua but when that wasn't giving enough power, we also set our mainsail. When we had to turn North we regretted that we had set mainsail because it now took the wind away from the Genua.
The current was in Northerly direction for the first 6 hours so we maintained a good speed over the ground of 7,0 miles.
The passing of the Maasgeul, the entrance of Rotterdam harbour went smooth too and at 05:30 we arrived at IJmuiden with a wind that had increased to 7 Bf.= 28 – 30 knots and waves of 1,5 meter.
This were the ideal circumstances for Sam for kiting on the beach of IJmuiden.
For him the sailing for the day wasn't over: he wanted to do another kind of sailing also.
At 10:00 in the evening he came back, fully exhausted by the waves of the open sea at IJmuiden.
Oscar had prepared an excellent spaghetti bolognese for that evening and Sam just attacked that meal as he was starving.
A very nice day with 71,5 miles on the log.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
The barometer had dropped overnight from 1022 h Pa to 1015 h Pa.
This meant that a low pressure cyclone had come our way and that we could expect strong wind.
Nevertheless we left Roompot outside shelter harbour for IJmuiden at 05:00 AM.
The first part with help of the motor to get us through the buoyed channel and in order to come in open water.
We first set our Genua but when that wasn't giving enough power, we also set our mainsail. When we had to turn North we regretted that we had set mainsail because it now took the wind away from the Genua.
The current was in Northerly direction for the first 6 hours so we maintained a good speed over the ground of 7,0 miles.
The passing of the Maasgeul, the entrance of Rotterdam harbour went smooth too and at 05:30 we arrived at IJmuiden with a wind that had increased to 7 Bf.= 28 – 30 knots and waves of 1,5 meter.
This were the ideal circumstances for Sam for kiting on the beach of IJmuiden.
For him the sailing for the day wasn't over: he wanted to do another kind of sailing also.
At 10:00 in the evening he came back, fully exhausted by the waves of the open sea at IJmuiden.
Oscar had prepared an excellent spaghetti bolognese for that evening and Sam just attacked that meal as he was starving.
A very nice day with 71,5 miles on the log.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
dinsdag 5 juli 2011
July 5, 2011 From Zeebrugge to Roompot (NL)
Yesterday evening when we entered the Marina of Zeebrugge, we saw that the local yacht club was having a party. We were however too eager to find us something to eat, that we didn't bothered to disturb the party with our presence.
However, one of the guests had seen us enter the harbour and came to us to compliment us with this boat. He called our boat a pearl under the yachts.
Unfortunately, he didn't made me an offer for the ship that I couldn't have refused, so we were still obliged to continue our trip.
We started today rather late as we had to do some shoppings and waited for the harbour master to pay our duties.
So we left the Zeebrugge harbour at 09:45.
Hardly any wind and visibility. On motor and with the help of our radar and AIS screen we could safely cross the shipping lane to Antwerp.
We crossed the Dutch boarder at 12:40 CET.
During the day the wind increased till 15 knots, but the heading wasn't favorable for us: N.E.
That meant that the target (Hellevoetssluis) could not be reached and we landed in the Roompot and stayed outside the lock.
Thefore we can have an early start tomorrow and benefit from the North going current for six hours.
Sam isn't entousiast about it, but we simply don't care.
The target for tomorrow is IJmuiden, outside Marina.
However, one of the guests had seen us enter the harbour and came to us to compliment us with this boat. He called our boat a pearl under the yachts.
Unfortunately, he didn't made me an offer for the ship that I couldn't have refused, so we were still obliged to continue our trip.
We started today rather late as we had to do some shoppings and waited for the harbour master to pay our duties.
So we left the Zeebrugge harbour at 09:45.
Hardly any wind and visibility. On motor and with the help of our radar and AIS screen we could safely cross the shipping lane to Antwerp.
We crossed the Dutch boarder at 12:40 CET.
During the day the wind increased till 15 knots, but the heading wasn't favorable for us: N.E.
That meant that the target (Hellevoetssluis) could not be reached and we landed in the Roompot and stayed outside the lock.
Thefore we can have an early start tomorrow and benefit from the North going current for six hours.
Sam isn't entousiast about it, but we simply don't care.
The target for tomorrow is IJmuiden, outside Marina.
July 4. To Zeebrugge from Dunkerque.
July 4, 2011: Dunkerque - Breskens.
It was 06:30 AM when Sam went to buy French Bagettes and Croissants at the local bakery.
After our breakfast we started our trip out of France in the direction of Belgium.
The wind was as forecasted just 4 knots headwind, so we had to use the motor.
At 11:30 the wind had increased to 9 - 10 knots and at Oostduinen (B), South of Nieuwpoort, we set sails.
The course was changed to North-West and we sailed with 4,5 knots against the current.
Our goal for today is Zeebrugge (B) or even Breskens (NL).
After 17:00 CET we headed for Blankenberge as we liked that city better then Zeebrugge, but we received no information about the depth of the waterway.
Therefore we changed course to Zeebrugge, where we arrived at 19:00.
We didn't managed to get Proximus internet working, so publishing our blog will have to wait till tomorrow.
Then we will be back in Holland and there our internet should work.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
It was 06:30 AM when Sam went to buy French Bagettes and Croissants at the local bakery.
After our breakfast we started our trip out of France in the direction of Belgium.
The wind was as forecasted just 4 knots headwind, so we had to use the motor.
At 11:30 the wind had increased to 9 - 10 knots and at Oostduinen (B), South of Nieuwpoort, we set sails.
The course was changed to North-West and we sailed with 4,5 knots against the current.
Our goal for today is Zeebrugge (B) or even Breskens (NL).
After 17:00 CET we headed for Blankenberge as we liked that city better then Zeebrugge, but we received no information about the depth of the waterway.
Therefore we changed course to Zeebrugge, where we arrived at 19:00.
We didn't managed to get Proximus internet working, so publishing our blog will have to wait till tomorrow.
Then we will be back in Holland and there our internet should work.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
July 3: Back to the Continent.
July 3, 2011: Dover - Dunkerque.
A short blog today as most of the day we had to use the motor, due to lack of wind.
We started from Dover at 10:15. Tried to sail to the Shipping lanes with the Spinnaker.
That went well.
In the shipping lanes we had mainsail and Genua, but the wind disappeared totally.
The last part of the day, we used the motor.
Dunkerque is known to us and described before.
Tomorrow we will sail to Zeebrugge, Belgium, but the forecast gives us headwind.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
A short blog today as most of the day we had to use the motor, due to lack of wind.
We started from Dover at 10:15. Tried to sail to the Shipping lanes with the Spinnaker.
That went well.
In the shipping lanes we had mainsail and Genua, but the wind disappeared totally.
The last part of the day, we used the motor.
Dunkerque is known to us and described before.
Tomorrow we will sail to Zeebrugge, Belgium, but the forecast gives us headwind.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
zondag 3 juli 2011
July 2, 2011: Eastbourne - Dover.
The destination for today is Dover, a trip of 45 miles.
Again the weather is beautiful when we leave the Sovereign Harbour of Eastbourne. The passing of the lock went very quick. As we left with low tide, the channel from the lock to the sea was a challenge as on many places the depth meter indicated 0,0...! This means we have no water under the keel, but we didn't got stuck.
Once at sea the wind was 10 knots and at 09:00 we set our half-winder sail.
As we have no pictures from the ship under the half-winder, we asked Sam again to make a reportage of the Boekanier from the dinghy.
Sam was more then happy to do it and the result of this expedition can be seen in the picture show at the bottom of the blog-page.
The half-winder has bright red and blue colours so you can't miss it.
Later that day the wind disappeared and we had to motor the last part to Dover.
We arrived in Dover at 19:00 CET.
Sam cooked our meal: rice with stew and tomato sauce
We had decided to drink our steigerborrel ashore and after dinner we went into town, close to the beach.
We suddenly saw a nice bar, but it was the bar of some kind of club.
It turned out to be the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club. We, as fellow yachtsmen, invited ourselves to this club and once inside this very old and traditional establishment (founded in 1872, it is the fifth oldest yacht club in England), we were very cordially received by the chairman. He asked us to write all our ship details in the guest-book and then he told us: Make yourself feel at home and the bar will be your oyster for the evening. We didn't needed any more encouragements and attacked the bar and the beer pumps.
It turned out that the Club had that evening their annual BBQ and so we were also invited to join that event. (Yes, we had a double meal that evening..)
We had a very nice evening, talking to all these fellow yachtsmen who had great interest in our journey. Also they told us that there would b a nice fireworks later that evening and that that was the reason for all the crowd on the beach.
At 11:00 o'clock we left the club after having thanked out hosts for their great hospitality.
We watched the fireworks from the deck of our ship and were very grateful to the community of Dover to offer this nice welcome.
Tomorrow we will leave England and cross the Channel for France again.
We will keep you updated
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
Again the weather is beautiful when we leave the Sovereign Harbour of Eastbourne. The passing of the lock went very quick. As we left with low tide, the channel from the lock to the sea was a challenge as on many places the depth meter indicated 0,0...! This means we have no water under the keel, but we didn't got stuck.
Once at sea the wind was 10 knots and at 09:00 we set our half-winder sail.
As we have no pictures from the ship under the half-winder, we asked Sam again to make a reportage of the Boekanier from the dinghy.
Sam was more then happy to do it and the result of this expedition can be seen in the picture show at the bottom of the blog-page.
The half-winder has bright red and blue colours so you can't miss it.
Later that day the wind disappeared and we had to motor the last part to Dover.
We arrived in Dover at 19:00 CET.
Sam cooked our meal: rice with stew and tomato sauce
We had decided to drink our steigerborrel ashore and after dinner we went into town, close to the beach.
We suddenly saw a nice bar, but it was the bar of some kind of club.
It turned out to be the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club. We, as fellow yachtsmen, invited ourselves to this club and once inside this very old and traditional establishment (founded in 1872, it is the fifth oldest yacht club in England), we were very cordially received by the chairman. He asked us to write all our ship details in the guest-book and then he told us: Make yourself feel at home and the bar will be your oyster for the evening. We didn't needed any more encouragements and attacked the bar and the beer pumps.
It turned out that the Club had that evening their annual BBQ and so we were also invited to join that event. (Yes, we had a double meal that evening..)
We had a very nice evening, talking to all these fellow yachtsmen who had great interest in our journey. Also they told us that there would b a nice fireworks later that evening and that that was the reason for all the crowd on the beach.
At 11:00 o'clock we left the club after having thanked out hosts for their great hospitality.
We watched the fireworks from the deck of our ship and were very grateful to the community of Dover to offer this nice welcome.
Tomorrow we will leave England and cross the Channel for France again.
We will keep you updated
Cees, Sam and Oscar.
July 1, 2011
July 1, 2011: Brighton - Eastbourne.
The destination Eastbourne is only 30 miles.
Again the weather is beautiful, but little or no wind to sail on. That's how we ended our blog yesterday.
Once we out of the harbour there was indeed very little wind so we decided to sail far out at the sea to find more wind.
Indeed we found some wind 5 to 6 miles from the coast line.
The wind was again coming from behind and therefore we put on the spinnaker sail after precise preparations. We found out that our boom didn't have a down-holder line so we invented one.
With the spinnaker the speed increased and with a bright sun, we really enjoyed the ride.
After some time the idea came up to make pictures from the spinnaker from outside the ship. So, we send Sam in his little dinghy on the open sea with a camera. He made some very nice pictures and even a small movie.
We have put the pictures on the blog already.
By 19:00 we arrived in the nice new harbour of Eastbourne after passing the lock.
By the time we landed the boat we received the message form Monique that she was already at home.
That evening we had our dinner in a small American restaurant.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
The destination Eastbourne is only 30 miles.
Again the weather is beautiful, but little or no wind to sail on. That's how we ended our blog yesterday.
Once we out of the harbour there was indeed very little wind so we decided to sail far out at the sea to find more wind.
Indeed we found some wind 5 to 6 miles from the coast line.
The wind was again coming from behind and therefore we put on the spinnaker sail after precise preparations. We found out that our boom didn't have a down-holder line so we invented one.
With the spinnaker the speed increased and with a bright sun, we really enjoyed the ride.
After some time the idea came up to make pictures from the spinnaker from outside the ship. So, we send Sam in his little dinghy on the open sea with a camera. He made some very nice pictures and even a small movie.
We have put the pictures on the blog already.
By 19:00 we arrived in the nice new harbour of Eastbourne after passing the lock.
By the time we landed the boat we received the message form Monique that she was already at home.
That evening we had our dinner in a small American restaurant.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
vrijdag 1 juli 2011
June 30
June 30, 2011: Yarmouth – Brighton.
Yarmouth is a very nice, small and typical English town on the Isle of Wight.
The harbour is small too with hardly any room for manoeuvring. We were berthed on a pontoon with no connection to the shore.
After the steigerborrel we took the water-taxi and went into town, where we took a lot of pictures and enjoyed a nice meal.
The following morning we started early again as our next harbour, Brighton, was 60 miles away.
Beautiful sunshine, clear skies, but no wind, forced us to use the motor all the way around the Isle of Wight.
On the other side of the island wind was waiting for us and we sailed with a stern wind till Brighton. We used all sails, with and without success and arrived in the city of Brighton about 20:30 CET.
There Monique decided to leave us the next morning. From Brighton she could enjoy an easy connection to London and from London fly back to Amsterdam.
The destination for today, July 1, is Eastbourne, some 30 miles East of Brighton. The three men will have to do it without the good care of Monique.
Again the weather is beautiful, but little or no wind to sail on.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
Yarmouth is a very nice, small and typical English town on the Isle of Wight.
The harbour is small too with hardly any room for manoeuvring. We were berthed on a pontoon with no connection to the shore.
After the steigerborrel we took the water-taxi and went into town, where we took a lot of pictures and enjoyed a nice meal.
The following morning we started early again as our next harbour, Brighton, was 60 miles away.
Beautiful sunshine, clear skies, but no wind, forced us to use the motor all the way around the Isle of Wight.
On the other side of the island wind was waiting for us and we sailed with a stern wind till Brighton. We used all sails, with and without success and arrived in the city of Brighton about 20:30 CET.
There Monique decided to leave us the next morning. From Brighton she could enjoy an easy connection to London and from London fly back to Amsterdam.
The destination for today, July 1, is Eastbourne, some 30 miles East of Brighton. The three men will have to do it without the good care of Monique.
Again the weather is beautiful, but little or no wind to sail on.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
donderdag 30 juni 2011
June 28
June 28, 2011: Plymouth – Weymouth.
A very early start of the day: We got up at 04:45 and after a nice shower in the luxurious facilities of the Sutton Marina, we left Plymouth at 05:15 CET.
This was the beginning of our return journey home.
We had reached the most Westerly point of our five weeks sailing enterprise.
The town of Plymouth was a bit of a disappointment from a touristic point of view.
There is a very small old part of the town and a very large shopping centre.
The food however was very good. We tried one of the Indian take-aways and it was very delicious and hot.
Anyway, as we were a very early morning starter, passing the lock wasn't any problem. We asked the lock-keeper to be prepared for us and indeed as we approached the lock, it was already open and the pedestrian bridge was being opened as we entered the lock.
We set our sails in the wide port entrance and took off in a South-West direction.
The whole day we had a stern wind. In the beginning of the day very strong, but later in the afternoon it became more moderate so we decided to test our Spinnaker skills.
After a long day of sailing we reached Portland peninsula at 21:30 CET.
Then it is still 7 miles to Weymouth harbour.
The sun gave us a nice show when going underand We took some nice pictures.
At 23:00 we were in Weymouth harbour, which is a nice old town with little berths possibilities. We rafted up with two other yachts, but the skipper of the outside yacht told us that he planned to leave at 06:00 in the morning, so, rafting up with him was a bad idea, he said.
Having only one other option left, we decided to raft up with him anyhow and we promised him to be up at 06:00 UK time to let him out.
June 29, Weymouth - Yarmouth (Isle of Wight)
The fast ferry boat between Weymouth and Guernsey lay close to us and made quite some noise the whole night. Nevertheless we slept well till 05:45 UK time.
Monique and I were out on sitting on our deck at 06:00 AM but there was no activity to be seen on the neighbouring yacht. We waited for 15 minutes and I decided then to take my camera and shoot some nice pictures of the awakening town of Weymouth instead.
Our neighbour eventually got up at eleven o'clock. He apologised for not mentioning to us that he would not leave in the morning. Oscar, Monique and I ate a large breakfast and they took off exploring the city and doing some grocery shopping and Sam and I went to the ship chandler.
Around noon we left for the Isle of Wight.
will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
A very early start of the day: We got up at 04:45 and after a nice shower in the luxurious facilities of the Sutton Marina, we left Plymouth at 05:15 CET.
This was the beginning of our return journey home.
We had reached the most Westerly point of our five weeks sailing enterprise.
The town of Plymouth was a bit of a disappointment from a touristic point of view.
There is a very small old part of the town and a very large shopping centre.
The food however was very good. We tried one of the Indian take-aways and it was very delicious and hot.
Anyway, as we were a very early morning starter, passing the lock wasn't any problem. We asked the lock-keeper to be prepared for us and indeed as we approached the lock, it was already open and the pedestrian bridge was being opened as we entered the lock.
We set our sails in the wide port entrance and took off in a South-West direction.
The whole day we had a stern wind. In the beginning of the day very strong, but later in the afternoon it became more moderate so we decided to test our Spinnaker skills.
After a long day of sailing we reached Portland peninsula at 21:30 CET.
Then it is still 7 miles to Weymouth harbour.
The sun gave us a nice show when going underand We took some nice pictures.
At 23:00 we were in Weymouth harbour, which is a nice old town with little berths possibilities. We rafted up with two other yachts, but the skipper of the outside yacht told us that he planned to leave at 06:00 in the morning, so, rafting up with him was a bad idea, he said.
Having only one other option left, we decided to raft up with him anyhow and we promised him to be up at 06:00 UK time to let him out.
June 29, Weymouth - Yarmouth (Isle of Wight)
The fast ferry boat between Weymouth and Guernsey lay close to us and made quite some noise the whole night. Nevertheless we slept well till 05:45 UK time.
Monique and I were out on sitting on our deck at 06:00 AM but there was no activity to be seen on the neighbouring yacht. We waited for 15 minutes and I decided then to take my camera and shoot some nice pictures of the awakening town of Weymouth instead.
Our neighbour eventually got up at eleven o'clock. He apologised for not mentioning to us that he would not leave in the morning. Oscar, Monique and I ate a large breakfast and they took off exploring the city and doing some grocery shopping and Sam and I went to the ship chandler.
Around noon we left for the Isle of Wight.
will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
maandag 27 juni 2011
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 of June
Sunday June 27, 2011: Torquay - Plymouth
Actually this blog should start with Saturday the 26th, but due to bad weather we decided to stay another day in Torquay.
We used the Saturday for further exploring the small city of Torquay and treated ourselves to a old fashion real English breakfast in a authentic English café : Weatherspoon.
Very nice breakfast with everything an English breakfast should serve: eggs, toast, brownies, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes etc etc.
Later that day Monique and Oscar went sightseeing, while Sam and I did some small repairs and cleaned the boat.
In the evening we went to the local theatre and saw the Calendar Girls.
Sunday morning started off very foggy, with no wind.
We didn't wanted to stay for another day so as soon as the wind arrived we left the harbour for Plymouth.
The visibility was maximum 300 meters so within minutes we lost contact with the shoreline. But with the help of our instruments and GPS we were able to find our way, although the track we left behind was very winding and far from a straight line...
At 14:00 hours we arrived at the rock called Start Point and we changed our course West in the direction of Plymouth. Still the same dense fog surrounded us.
Finally at 16:00 hours the sun was powerful enough to break through the clouds and we saw where we were: close to Bolt Head, Salcombe.
With a good wind from the back we sailed towards Plymouth with a prefender to prevent our mainsail from swinging from one side to the other.
Suddenly the line we used for the prefender broke and the boom smashed from one side to the other. Luckely it didn't hit anyone and no damage was done to our mast.
At 21:00 hours we reached the Breakwater of Plymouth and by 10:00 we landed the boat in the Marina.
Tomorrow, Monday will be a day was washing and exploring Plymouth.
will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
Actually this blog should start with Saturday the 26th, but due to bad weather we decided to stay another day in Torquay.
We used the Saturday for further exploring the small city of Torquay and treated ourselves to a old fashion real English breakfast in a authentic English café : Weatherspoon.
Very nice breakfast with everything an English breakfast should serve: eggs, toast, brownies, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes etc etc.
Later that day Monique and Oscar went sightseeing, while Sam and I did some small repairs and cleaned the boat.
In the evening we went to the local theatre and saw the Calendar Girls.
Sunday morning started off very foggy, with no wind.
We didn't wanted to stay for another day so as soon as the wind arrived we left the harbour for Plymouth.
The visibility was maximum 300 meters so within minutes we lost contact with the shoreline. But with the help of our instruments and GPS we were able to find our way, although the track we left behind was very winding and far from a straight line...
At 14:00 hours we arrived at the rock called Start Point and we changed our course West in the direction of Plymouth. Still the same dense fog surrounded us.
Finally at 16:00 hours the sun was powerful enough to break through the clouds and we saw where we were: close to Bolt Head, Salcombe.
With a good wind from the back we sailed towards Plymouth with a prefender to prevent our mainsail from swinging from one side to the other.
Suddenly the line we used for the prefender broke and the boom smashed from one side to the other. Luckely it didn't hit anyone and no damage was done to our mast.
At 21:00 hours we reached the Breakwater of Plymouth and by 10:00 we landed the boat in the Marina.
Tomorrow, Monday will be a day was washing and exploring Plymouth.
will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
vrijdag 24 juni 2011
Thursday June 23
Thursday June 22, 2011: St. Peter Port, Guernsey to Torquay, U.K.
The crew of the Boekanier got up very early this morning: 05:30 CET.
We wanted to leave the harbour at six o'clock in order to have the favourable current around the South part of the island.
Monique was brought ashore with the dinghy by Sam and waved us goodbye from the pier.
Indeed we took off at six, together with three other yachts and in no time we were sailing with full sails in South direction.
As soon as we rounded the South-West corner of the island, the waves hit us.
The wind was more North then expected, so we ended up far to South-West, before we could turn in a more Northerly direction.
Soon we understood that due to the high waves we could not keep the course direction Plymouth.
With reefed sails, fighting the, what the English call: “a choppy Channel” we finally set our course for Start Point.
Close to Start Point we connected again with our telephone providers and we could get in touch in Monique. She was at that momemt still in Weymouth, waiting for her train. We told her that we shall land in Torquay.
It was after sunset that we entered the bay of Torquay.
We arrived safe and sound in the Torquay Marina at 00:45 on June 24.
A quick steigerborrel and then all of us went to sleep immediately.
Monique's story of her trip was quite different. She waited till the Boekanier left the harbour and then set off for a big walk to South Guernsey. She walked for about 7 hours. At first she saw a sign for a Manor, so she zigzagged through many lovely streets really enjoying the country side and cottages. The manor was off course closed so early in the morning, but she saw another sign with Huet mill and pottery and went that direction. It was a beautiful road through the woods with a little stream alongside the road. From there she took the cliff path to St. Peter Port and had a stunning view over the sea and cliffs. She even saw the Boekanier fighting against the waves. Back in St. Peter Port she asked if there was a earlier ferry to Weymouth, but unfortunately not. At 4.30 pm she left St. Peter Port with the fast ferry and arrived in Weymouth at 6.00 pm. At the railway station the only train to Plymouth should depart at 20:21 hrs. Unfortunately the conductor of the train was ill, so she had to wait for 22:00 hrs until a train came. With two gentlemen she got into the train and the train headed for Bristol. Our connection to Plymouth was already gone. We travelled about 1,5 hrs north and at a station the conductor ordered a taxi for us (British railways pays!!)taking us along tiny roads through the country side to Torquay. I arrived at 01:30 hrs. UK time in Torquay.
After several calls to the crew Sam answered his cell phone and opened the gate of the harbour for me. Finally I was back on board and fell sound asleep.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
The crew of the Boekanier got up very early this morning: 05:30 CET.
We wanted to leave the harbour at six o'clock in order to have the favourable current around the South part of the island.
Monique was brought ashore with the dinghy by Sam and waved us goodbye from the pier.
Indeed we took off at six, together with three other yachts and in no time we were sailing with full sails in South direction.
As soon as we rounded the South-West corner of the island, the waves hit us.
The wind was more North then expected, so we ended up far to South-West, before we could turn in a more Northerly direction.
Soon we understood that due to the high waves we could not keep the course direction Plymouth.
With reefed sails, fighting the, what the English call: “a choppy Channel” we finally set our course for Start Point.
Close to Start Point we connected again with our telephone providers and we could get in touch in Monique. She was at that momemt still in Weymouth, waiting for her train. We told her that we shall land in Torquay.
It was after sunset that we entered the bay of Torquay.
We arrived safe and sound in the Torquay Marina at 00:45 on June 24.
A quick steigerborrel and then all of us went to sleep immediately.
Monique's story of her trip was quite different. She waited till the Boekanier left the harbour and then set off for a big walk to South Guernsey. She walked for about 7 hours. At first she saw a sign for a Manor, so she zigzagged through many lovely streets really enjoying the country side and cottages. The manor was off course closed so early in the morning, but she saw another sign with Huet mill and pottery and went that direction. It was a beautiful road through the woods with a little stream alongside the road. From there she took the cliff path to St. Peter Port and had a stunning view over the sea and cliffs. She even saw the Boekanier fighting against the waves. Back in St. Peter Port she asked if there was a earlier ferry to Weymouth, but unfortunately not. At 4.30 pm she left St. Peter Port with the fast ferry and arrived in Weymouth at 6.00 pm. At the railway station the only train to Plymouth should depart at 20:21 hrs. Unfortunately the conductor of the train was ill, so she had to wait for 22:00 hrs until a train came. With two gentlemen she got into the train and the train headed for Bristol. Our connection to Plymouth was already gone. We travelled about 1,5 hrs north and at a station the conductor ordered a taxi for us (British railways pays!!)taking us along tiny roads through the country side to Torquay. I arrived at 01:30 hrs. UK time in Torquay.
After several calls to the crew Sam answered his cell phone and opened the gate of the harbour for me. Finally I was back on board and fell sound asleep.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
woensdag 22 juni 2011
June 22: St.Helier - St. Peter Port, Guernsey
Tuesday June 22, 2011: St.Helier to Jersey.
You might be surprised to read our blog today as we announced in the last blog, that we intended to sail direct from Jersey to Plymouth.
The weather however was too bad for a crossing:
Wind force 6 to 7 Beaufort with waves up to 15 feet. (=>5 meter)
We started very optimistic. We left St.Helier at noon after refuelling. We had two reefs in the mainsail and two in the Genua, but as we left the last rocks of the island behind us, the wind was still a moderate 11 to 13 knots.
The moment we decided to reduce the number of reefs and loosened the sail, a wind gust of over 33 knots hit us.
We almost lost complete control over the ship, but luckily we still used the motor at that moment. The batten holder broke loose from the mainsail.
This caused another tear in the mainsail but this time it looks that the tear is beyond repair. So tomorrow we will have to use the new mainsail which we have with us already since three years.
Anyway, at 15:00 hours we saw the fast ferry with Monique on board passing us and at 17:30 we arrived in St. Peter Port on Guernsey for the second time this journey, but this time at low tide.
We were given a nice berth outside the marina, so we can leave any time we wish tomorrow for Plymouth.
Monique found us and Sam used the dinghy and picked her up.
This evening we will have to prepare our crossing for tomorrow again.
Monique will take the 15:30 Ferry to Weymouth U.K. from St.Peter Port and join us later this week in Plymouth.
As we told you before: you can real time follow our progress at sea at:
www.marinetraffic.com . Area: English channel, ship: Boekanier.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
You might be surprised to read our blog today as we announced in the last blog, that we intended to sail direct from Jersey to Plymouth.
The weather however was too bad for a crossing:
Wind force 6 to 7 Beaufort with waves up to 15 feet. (=>5 meter)
We started very optimistic. We left St.Helier at noon after refuelling. We had two reefs in the mainsail and two in the Genua, but as we left the last rocks of the island behind us, the wind was still a moderate 11 to 13 knots.
The moment we decided to reduce the number of reefs and loosened the sail, a wind gust of over 33 knots hit us.
We almost lost complete control over the ship, but luckily we still used the motor at that moment. The batten holder broke loose from the mainsail.
This caused another tear in the mainsail but this time it looks that the tear is beyond repair. So tomorrow we will have to use the new mainsail which we have with us already since three years.
Anyway, at 15:00 hours we saw the fast ferry with Monique on board passing us and at 17:30 we arrived in St. Peter Port on Guernsey for the second time this journey, but this time at low tide.
We were given a nice berth outside the marina, so we can leave any time we wish tomorrow for Plymouth.
Monique found us and Sam used the dinghy and picked her up.
This evening we will have to prepare our crossing for tomorrow again.
Monique will take the 15:30 Ferry to Weymouth U.K. from St.Peter Port and join us later this week in Plymouth.
As we told you before: you can real time follow our progress at sea at:
www.marinetraffic.com . Area: English channel, ship: Boekanier.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
dinsdag 21 juni 2011
Part 2: the English South Coast.
Tuesday June 21, 2011: from St.Malo to Jersey.
So, we completed the first part of our journey.
We have seen St. Malo and now we want to explore the South coast of England.
After the birthday dinner on Monday evening in St.Malo we decided to depart n Tuesday morning to Jersey, St.Helier.
We left the marina at 09:45 and passed the lock at 10;00 AM.
Once we were outside the approach channel, we set full sails.
In the beginning the wind was very favourable, but later that day the wind decreased to a meagre 5 knots.
The last part to St. Helier we wee helped by our motor.
We arrived in St. Helier at 20:00 hours and decided to stay o the waiting pontoon and not enter the Marine.
Then we do not loose time tomorrow when we will make the big jump to England.
That will be a route of 110 miles so that could take 24 hours. Meaning sailing through the night and crossing the busy shipping lanes.
Monique might want to take the ferry instead as she fears to become seasick.
We will hear her decision tomorrow morning.
Anyway an exiting prospect for tomorrow.
No phone connections, no internet, just marifone.
For those who want to follow our progress: see www.marinetraffic.com
Find ship Boekanier in the English Channel.
Tomorrow, no blog as we will be out of reach.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
So, we completed the first part of our journey.
We have seen St. Malo and now we want to explore the South coast of England.
After the birthday dinner on Monday evening in St.Malo we decided to depart n Tuesday morning to Jersey, St.Helier.
We left the marina at 09:45 and passed the lock at 10;00 AM.
Once we were outside the approach channel, we set full sails.
In the beginning the wind was very favourable, but later that day the wind decreased to a meagre 5 knots.
The last part to St. Helier we wee helped by our motor.
We arrived in St. Helier at 20:00 hours and decided to stay o the waiting pontoon and not enter the Marine.
Then we do not loose time tomorrow when we will make the big jump to England.
That will be a route of 110 miles so that could take 24 hours. Meaning sailing through the night and crossing the busy shipping lanes.
Monique might want to take the ferry instead as she fears to become seasick.
We will hear her decision tomorrow morning.
Anyway an exiting prospect for tomorrow.
No phone connections, no internet, just marifone.
For those who want to follow our progress: see www.marinetraffic.com
Find ship Boekanier in the English Channel.
Tomorrow, no blog as we will be out of reach.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Monique and Oscar.
maandag 20 juni 2011
20 juni
Today was a leasureday.
We started with a french breakfast on board. Then coffee in St. Malo "intra muros" (the old citadel). Followed by a guided tour for Cees and Sam by Monique and Oscar.
Included in the tour was a visit to a "supermarche" for some grocery shopping.
In the afternoon Cees and Sam tested the dinghy and Monique and Oscar went out by tourist boat to Dinard for some sightseeing.
Tonight a birthdaydiner for Cees in town.
We started with a french breakfast on board. Then coffee in St. Malo "intra muros" (the old citadel). Followed by a guided tour for Cees and Sam by Monique and Oscar.
Included in the tour was a visit to a "supermarche" for some grocery shopping.
In the afternoon Cees and Sam tested the dinghy and Monique and Oscar went out by tourist boat to Dinard for some sightseeing.
Tonight a birthdaydiner for Cees in town.
Trip Guernsey - St.Malo
Sunday June 19, 2011: to St.Malo
Sam and I cleaned the boat on Saturday evening and prepared for the last part to St.Malo.
We had calculated that we could leave the Marina basin at 08:48 because then there would be enough water over the threshold (or sill as it is called officially).
On Sunday morning Sam was the first to congratulate me with my 64ththbirthday.
We made a last check on the weather and it appeared that the crossing t St. Malo was possible: Westerly wind, force expected to be 20 knots with 3 meter waves, later diminishing wind till 12 knots.
So, we were quite happy when at 09:00 AM we passed the sill as it felt we were regaining our freedom after being forced inside the basin for three days.
We sailed perfectly and Sam registered the highest speed till now: 8,2 knots, which is maybe not fast for a modern ship, but for the Boekanier it is fast.
The current however was against us most of the day. Eventually we calculated that we had lost some 11 miles because of the current.
I received a lot of telephone calls with congratulations and my grandchildren song for me “Happy Birthday” through the telephone.
In the meanwhile Oscar and Monique travelled the whole day by train (Thalys and TGV) and arrived at 6 pm in St. Malo. At the information desk they asked if there were ferries to Guernsey that evening, so they could surprise the skipper and crew of the Boekanier. Unfortunately that was not possible and after a long search they found a hotel for the night.
By midday the wind reduced to only 5 knots so we had to start the motor in order to be in time in St.Malo. I had given our ETA of 21:00 at the lock in St.Malo.
By the time we were 10 miles from St. Malo the wind increased however from the wrong direction and brought us a horrible rain and no visibility.
In pouring rain we found the entrance of the approach channel to St.Malo
At exactly 21:00 we arrived at the lock. There we heard the voice from Monique and we took them on board on a pontoon, next to the lock. Of course two French officials came to tell that it was “interdit”, but good Dutch sailors just ignore that kind of nonsense..
Monique and Oscar enjoyed a French breakfast at a terrace and explored St. Malo and its outskirts for the rest of the day. At ca. 9 pm they decided to go the locks and there they saw the Boekanier!!!!
We will keep you updated.
Cees and Sam.
Sam and I cleaned the boat on Saturday evening and prepared for the last part to St.Malo.
We had calculated that we could leave the Marina basin at 08:48 because then there would be enough water over the threshold (or sill as it is called officially).
On Sunday morning Sam was the first to congratulate me with my 64ththbirthday.
We made a last check on the weather and it appeared that the crossing t St. Malo was possible: Westerly wind, force expected to be 20 knots with 3 meter waves, later diminishing wind till 12 knots.
So, we were quite happy when at 09:00 AM we passed the sill as it felt we were regaining our freedom after being forced inside the basin for three days.
We sailed perfectly and Sam registered the highest speed till now: 8,2 knots, which is maybe not fast for a modern ship, but for the Boekanier it is fast.
The current however was against us most of the day. Eventually we calculated that we had lost some 11 miles because of the current.
I received a lot of telephone calls with congratulations and my grandchildren song for me “Happy Birthday” through the telephone.
In the meanwhile Oscar and Monique travelled the whole day by train (Thalys and TGV) and arrived at 6 pm in St. Malo. At the information desk they asked if there were ferries to Guernsey that evening, so they could surprise the skipper and crew of the Boekanier. Unfortunately that was not possible and after a long search they found a hotel for the night.
By midday the wind reduced to only 5 knots so we had to start the motor in order to be in time in St.Malo. I had given our ETA of 21:00 at the lock in St.Malo.
By the time we were 10 miles from St. Malo the wind increased however from the wrong direction and brought us a horrible rain and no visibility.
In pouring rain we found the entrance of the approach channel to St.Malo
At exactly 21:00 we arrived at the lock. There we heard the voice from Monique and we took them on board on a pontoon, next to the lock. Of course two French officials came to tell that it was “interdit”, but good Dutch sailors just ignore that kind of nonsense..
Monique and Oscar enjoyed a French breakfast at a terrace and explored St. Malo and its outskirts for the rest of the day. At ca. 9 pm they decided to go the locks and there they saw the Boekanier!!!!
We will keep you updated.
Cees and Sam.
zaterdag 18 juni 2011
Saturday 18 June
Andrej and Dima have bought their tickets and left us and the island of Guernsey without problems. They are now on they way home.
Sam and I cleaned the boat and prepared it for our next trip: St. Peter Port, Guernsey to St. Malo on Sunday with fair weather and a good wind.
We will keep you updated.
Cees and Sam.
Sam and I cleaned the boat and prepared it for our next trip: St. Peter Port, Guernsey to St. Malo on Sunday with fair weather and a good wind.
We will keep you updated.
Cees and Sam.
June 17, 2011
Again we found out that the weather will be too bad to sail: Strong stormy wind from the South still, exactly the direction we have to go.
This made it impossible for us to sail so we decided to stay for another day at St. Peter Port, Guernsey.
We spend the day maintaining our outboard motor and therefore attached it to the pier. (finally when the motor was 100% we started it and almost pushed the pier through the whole Marina ;)
Andrej and Dima set out for further discovery of the island.
Later that afternoon we decided to turn the boat in the outbound direction.
Due to the fact that many ships were now rafting up in the channel where we had found a berth and passing these ships through the very narrow passage that was left in the reverse would be very hard for us.
The Boekanier doesn't sails easy in the reverse.
Therefore we had to turn the ship around in a narrow canal.
Anyway we waited till high tide where there would be some more room to manoeuvre and then we did the turn in no time after careful preparation.
As soon we were all back on board, Sam announced that we all deserved our steigerborrel after this safe landing! We more and more get addicted to our 'Steigerborrel'!
The information about the weather for the next day wasn't very promising.
Again the wind would be 7 to 8 Bf, which meant storm with waves of 9 to 13 feet.
So, we decided that Andrej and Dima should start inquiring after ferry tickets to St. Malo as they have to catch their plane on Sunday.
A complicating issue was the fact that we were in the U.K. And that Andrej nor Dima possessed a valid visa for the U.K.
Tomorrow Sam and I will have to sail the Boekanier together to St. Malo on Sunday. Our new crew will have to wait for us one day, for which we are very sorry, but it is beyond our control.
This made it impossible for us to sail so we decided to stay for another day at St. Peter Port, Guernsey.
We spend the day maintaining our outboard motor and therefore attached it to the pier. (finally when the motor was 100% we started it and almost pushed the pier through the whole Marina ;)
Andrej and Dima set out for further discovery of the island.
Later that afternoon we decided to turn the boat in the outbound direction.
Due to the fact that many ships were now rafting up in the channel where we had found a berth and passing these ships through the very narrow passage that was left in the reverse would be very hard for us.
The Boekanier doesn't sails easy in the reverse.
Therefore we had to turn the ship around in a narrow canal.
Anyway we waited till high tide where there would be some more room to manoeuvre and then we did the turn in no time after careful preparation.
As soon we were all back on board, Sam announced that we all deserved our steigerborrel after this safe landing! We more and more get addicted to our 'Steigerborrel'!
The information about the weather for the next day wasn't very promising.
Again the wind would be 7 to 8 Bf, which meant storm with waves of 9 to 13 feet.
So, we decided that Andrej and Dima should start inquiring after ferry tickets to St. Malo as they have to catch their plane on Sunday.
A complicating issue was the fact that we were in the U.K. And that Andrej nor Dima possessed a valid visa for the U.K.
Tomorrow Sam and I will have to sail the Boekanier together to St. Malo on Sunday. Our new crew will have to wait for us one day, for which we are very sorry, but it is beyond our control.
donderdag 16 juni 2011
June 16, 2011
A sunny day in St. Peter Port, Victoria Marina.
When we woke up, much later then normal as we decided to stay for one day in St. Peter Port, the sun was shining.
We used the day to explore the island and discovered that it is indeed a beautiful place.
See the pictures we made form Guernsey.
Later that day we managed to get internetnd post the last two blogs.
When the skipper started to prepare the trip to St. Malo for Friday he found out that a Channel rat is on our route.
This means: there will be a real storm on Friday with winds up to 35 - 40 knots and to make things worse the wind will be coming from the direction we will have to sail.
After checking all the websites with weather forecast for this region, the skipper decided not to sail tomorrow, but to sail to St. Malo on Saturday.
Then th winds should be West, which is much better and have calmed down to
a force 5 Bf. That we should be able to handle over 55 miles.
Nevertheless it will not be an easy ride.
The only problem is, that Dima and Andrej have to be in Paris on Sunday as Dima's Schengen Visa will expire on Sunday.
So, in case the storm hasn't settled down by Saturday, there is no alternative anymore: we will have to go.
On Saturday, our new crew will arrive in St. Malo too.
It might be that they will have to wait for us as our ETA will be late in the evening.
Anyway, this evening Dima is cooking a nice meal with Salmon steaks.
After dinner we will visit the jazz cafe we discovered in town and have some extra pints to drown our disappointment.
Keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
When we woke up, much later then normal as we decided to stay for one day in St. Peter Port, the sun was shining.
We used the day to explore the island and discovered that it is indeed a beautiful place.
See the pictures we made form Guernsey.
Later that day we managed to get internetnd post the last two blogs.
When the skipper started to prepare the trip to St. Malo for Friday he found out that a Channel rat is on our route.
This means: there will be a real storm on Friday with winds up to 35 - 40 knots and to make things worse the wind will be coming from the direction we will have to sail.
After checking all the websites with weather forecast for this region, the skipper decided not to sail tomorrow, but to sail to St. Malo on Saturday.
Then th winds should be West, which is much better and have calmed down to
a force 5 Bf. That we should be able to handle over 55 miles.
Nevertheless it will not be an easy ride.
The only problem is, that Dima and Andrej have to be in Paris on Sunday as Dima's Schengen Visa will expire on Sunday.
So, in case the storm hasn't settled down by Saturday, there is no alternative anymore: we will have to go.
On Saturday, our new crew will arrive in St. Malo too.
It might be that they will have to wait for us as our ETA will be late in the evening.
Anyway, this evening Dima is cooking a nice meal with Salmon steaks.
After dinner we will visit the jazz cafe we discovered in town and have some extra pints to drown our disappointment.
Keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
June 15
June 15, 2011
Trip: Cherbourg to Guernsey.
We left Cherbourg three hour for the stat of the wild current around Alderney.
This current which is called "The Race of Alderney" can reach speeds of 8 knots.
The weather was good, nice wind from the South-West.
We were in time for the Race and then it really took us in the Bay of St. Malo with incredible speed.
The weather however became worse, visibiliy went down to 1 mile and Andrej was lucky enough to find himself steering in heavy rain.
Suddenly however the ky broke open and by the time Dima took over from the soaked Andrej the sun was shining again.
We arrived in Guernsey at 20:00 our time (19:00 UK time and 17:00 UTC)
Anyway we arrived at High Tide so the entrance to the Marina was easy.
Nice Marina in the middle of town. Marks & Spencers just 50 meters away from us.
Also here we saw the first Palmtree.
Next morning: sun was shining brightly and it is going to be a fine day of rest.
Keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Trip: Cherbourg to Guernsey.
We left Cherbourg three hour for the stat of the wild current around Alderney.
This current which is called "The Race of Alderney" can reach speeds of 8 knots.
The weather was good, nice wind from the South-West.
We were in time for the Race and then it really took us in the Bay of St. Malo with incredible speed.
The weather however became worse, visibiliy went down to 1 mile and Andrej was lucky enough to find himself steering in heavy rain.
Suddenly however the ky broke open and by the time Dima took over from the soaked Andrej the sun was shining again.
We arrived in Guernsey at 20:00 our time (19:00 UK time and 17:00 UTC)
Anyway we arrived at High Tide so the entrance to the Marina was easy.
Nice Marina in the middle of town. Marks & Spencers just 50 meters away from us.
Also here we saw the first Palmtree.
Next morning: sun was shining brightly and it is going to be a fine day of rest.
Keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
June 14
June 14, 2011
Boekanier: a day in Cherbourg.
After our wild ride yesterday with late arrival in Cherbourg, we had a longer then normal sleep.
The day was spend with some repairs, laundry and food shopping.
The Genua was repaired by the local sail repair shop.
While going to the laundry I met our friend from St. Malo again and asked him what time he had arrived in Cherbourg.
Then he told me the story which was my biggest fear yesterday: he had hit a lobster net and got the ropes in his propeller.
He then had to be rescued and towed from Barfleur to Cherbourg.
So, we have been lucky yesterday.
Later that day a hobby fishing boat from the U.K. Landed next to us.
After having a nice conversation with the happy fishermen, they offered us some fish, which we accepted happily. Dima cleaned the fish and then they started to bake the fish.
In town we found out that the
Boekanier: a day in Cherbourg.
After our wild ride yesterday with late arrival in Cherbourg, we had a longer then normal sleep.
The day was spend with some repairs, laundry and food shopping.
The Genua was repaired by the local sail repair shop.
While going to the laundry I met our friend from St. Malo again and asked him what time he had arrived in Cherbourg.
Then he told me the story which was my biggest fear yesterday: he had hit a lobster net and got the ropes in his propeller.
He then had to be rescued and towed from Barfleur to Cherbourg.
So, we have been lucky yesterday.
Later that day a hobby fishing boat from the U.K. Landed next to us.
After having a nice conversation with the happy fishermen, they offered us some fish, which we accepted happily. Dima cleaned the fish and then they started to bake the fish.
In town we found out that the
dinsdag 14 juni 2011
June 13. From Fécamp to Cherbourg.
June 13, 2011
Boekanier: Trip from Fécamp to Cherbourg, 85 miles.
Yesterday evening we started the planning and tide calculations for our trip from Fécamp to Cherbourg.
We found out that 10.41 was the best time to be in front of the coast of Barfleur, on the Cotentin peninsula. This town is 20 miles from Cherbourg and with a strong current (2,5/3,5 knots) we would need 8 hours to negotiate that distance.
This would mean that we had to leave at 01:00 AM, but that was not an option. No way!
The wind for today was predicted South and going West at 15.00, exactly the direction we had to go!
So we calculated that the elements where against us!:) And we just had to go at 03:00 AM.
So we did. We had a short briefing on the best way to leave the narrow berth.
That helped us to a perfect start.
At 03:00 AM the sea is pitch dark and a ferocious waves were waiting for us.
The wind was much stronger then expected and the waves much higher, but in that kind of weather the Boekanier shows it is a well build ship.
Our biggest risk was hitting one of he many lobster nets which are placed at random for the coast. We tried to keep a sharp lookout for the flags attached to those nets. Anyway we managed to reach the deep water area and motored our way in the night.
Sunrise came later then we had expected mainly because of the heavy clouds.
Finally we had daylight again and we could take sleeping turns.
From 09:00 we could set our reefed sails and with a strong South wind we made good progress and speed.
During the afternoon the Genua sail was torn on one of the spreaders, so we had to drop that sail.
That was the main reason why we were not in time to catch the favourable tide at Barfleur. Secondly, the wind shifted to West and that was exactly our course.
So we did end up motoring from Barfleur to Cherbourg which took all evening.
The current was much stronger then described in the Almanac.
Anyway, we entered Cherbourg harbour under the delightful light of the undergoing sun. Dima made some nice pictures of it.
Landing our ship goes very quick now and I was proud of my crew. Very efficient.
At 11:00 we were ready to drink our well deserved steigerborrels.
Tomorrow we will have a look at the 'parapluis de Cherbourg'.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Boekanier: Trip from Fécamp to Cherbourg, 85 miles.
Yesterday evening we started the planning and tide calculations for our trip from Fécamp to Cherbourg.
We found out that 10.41 was the best time to be in front of the coast of Barfleur, on the Cotentin peninsula. This town is 20 miles from Cherbourg and with a strong current (2,5/3,5 knots) we would need 8 hours to negotiate that distance.
This would mean that we had to leave at 01:00 AM, but that was not an option. No way!
The wind for today was predicted South and going West at 15.00, exactly the direction we had to go!
So we calculated that the elements where against us!:) And we just had to go at 03:00 AM.
So we did. We had a short briefing on the best way to leave the narrow berth.
That helped us to a perfect start.
At 03:00 AM the sea is pitch dark and a ferocious waves were waiting for us.
The wind was much stronger then expected and the waves much higher, but in that kind of weather the Boekanier shows it is a well build ship.
Our biggest risk was hitting one of he many lobster nets which are placed at random for the coast. We tried to keep a sharp lookout for the flags attached to those nets. Anyway we managed to reach the deep water area and motored our way in the night.
Sunrise came later then we had expected mainly because of the heavy clouds.
Finally we had daylight again and we could take sleeping turns.
From 09:00 we could set our reefed sails and with a strong South wind we made good progress and speed.
During the afternoon the Genua sail was torn on one of the spreaders, so we had to drop that sail.
That was the main reason why we were not in time to catch the favourable tide at Barfleur. Secondly, the wind shifted to West and that was exactly our course.
So we did end up motoring from Barfleur to Cherbourg which took all evening.
The current was much stronger then described in the Almanac.
Anyway, we entered Cherbourg harbour under the delightful light of the undergoing sun. Dima made some nice pictures of it.
Landing our ship goes very quick now and I was proud of my crew. Very efficient.
At 11:00 we were ready to drink our well deserved steigerborrels.
Tomorrow we will have a look at the 'parapluis de Cherbourg'.
We will keep you updated.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
zaterdag 11 juni 2011
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June
June 10, 2011
Boekanier Trip from Boulogne-sur-mer to Dieppe: 55 miles.
- The day started at 7:00 AM with hardy any wind.
So, we doubted whether to go or not to go...
The weather was disappointing: rain and cold.
- When the rains turn on the wind turns off and we motored till 12 o'clock.
- Nice views on the white cliffs (Stolen from England?) for a few miles.
As soon as the wind shifted and came in sidewys, we set up "de Bolle Jan" (or in English: Halfwinder (65m2)) for 10 miles and we reached a maximum speed of 7.1 knots.
We arrived in Dieppe Harbor at 20:00 hours and that was too late to meet the harbor master.
So, we found ourselves a nice berth for the boat and went out for dinner.
Dieppe is a very nice, typical French town with the Jehan Argo Marina just in front of the boulevard with hundreds of restaurants.
We had Moules and the Ukrainian guys were served a Marmite de Dieppe: a small pot with differend cooked fish.
People say: in Dieppe the Marmite is the best in the world, but without any reference that's difficult to confirm.
Actually we ordered something else: grilled fish, but due to our bad French (or the even worse listening of the French waiter) they were served the marmites.
We decided over dinner that June the 11th will be a day without sailing so we stayed in Dieppe.
As it is Saturday: there is offcourse a market in Dieppe, but we didn't expected the market to be so large.
It more or less covered the whole city center.
We bought some nice cheese and sausages for the five o'clock "Steigerborrel".
Even our Ukrainian fiends now know what "Steigerborrel" means and can even pronounce this Dutch word correctly.
After some hours trying our I.T. experts managed to get our pictures on PPicasa. The link to see our pictures is: https://picasaweb.google.com/108899198578355108092
We'll keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima
Boekanier Trip from Boulogne-sur-mer to Dieppe: 55 miles.
- The day started at 7:00 AM with hardy any wind.
So, we doubted whether to go or not to go...
The weather was disappointing: rain and cold.
- When the rains turn on the wind turns off and we motored till 12 o'clock.
- Nice views on the white cliffs (Stolen from England?) for a few miles.
As soon as the wind shifted and came in sidewys, we set up "de Bolle Jan" (or in English: Halfwinder (65m2)) for 10 miles and we reached a maximum speed of 7.1 knots.
We arrived in Dieppe Harbor at 20:00 hours and that was too late to meet the harbor master.
So, we found ourselves a nice berth for the boat and went out for dinner.
Dieppe is a very nice, typical French town with the Jehan Argo Marina just in front of the boulevard with hundreds of restaurants.
We had Moules and the Ukrainian guys were served a Marmite de Dieppe: a small pot with differend cooked fish.
People say: in Dieppe the Marmite is the best in the world, but without any reference that's difficult to confirm.
Actually we ordered something else: grilled fish, but due to our bad French (or the even worse listening of the French waiter) they were served the marmites.
We decided over dinner that June the 11th will be a day without sailing so we stayed in Dieppe.
As it is Saturday: there is offcourse a market in Dieppe, but we didn't expected the market to be so large.
It more or less covered the whole city center.
We bought some nice cheese and sausages for the five o'clock "Steigerborrel".
Even our Ukrainian fiends now know what "Steigerborrel" means and can even pronounce this Dutch word correctly.
After some hours trying our I.T. experts managed to get our pictures on PPicasa. The link to see our pictures is: https://picasaweb.google.com/108899198578355108092
We'll keep you posted.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima
donderdag 9 juni 2011
Thursday June 9:
Today: June 9, 2011
Calais - Boulogne-sur-mer, France.
We started our day early to catch the 06:28 bridge opening in Calais.
There was no time to change mainsail and besides the wind wasn't helping either.
Full 5 Bfr wind from the opposite direction.
So we had to use the motor for a couple of hours before we could make use of the Genua.
Then we went faster (6,0 kn) and we arrived early afternoon in Boulogne-sur-mer.
Dima was at the steering wheel most of the time.
As soon as I took over in the harbor of B. we almost got stuck in the mud, due to my misinterpretation of the buoys.
In Boulogne our mainsail was repaired and good internet solution for the French part of the trip was acquired.
So, we will have less problems publishing our blogs.
Sam went kite surfing on the beach again.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Calais - Boulogne-sur-mer, France.
We started our day early to catch the 06:28 bridge opening in Calais.
There was no time to change mainsail and besides the wind wasn't helping either.
Full 5 Bfr wind from the opposite direction.
So we had to use the motor for a couple of hours before we could make use of the Genua.
Then we went faster (6,0 kn) and we arrived early afternoon in Boulogne-sur-mer.
Dima was at the steering wheel most of the time.
As soon as I took over in the harbor of B. we almost got stuck in the mud, due to my misinterpretation of the buoys.
In Boulogne our mainsail was repaired and good internet solution for the French part of the trip was acquired.
So, we will have less problems publishing our blogs.
Sam went kite surfing on the beach again.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Wednesday June 8
Today: June 8, 2011
Calais, France.
We decided to start our trip for today about 08:00, just in time to catch the tidal stream South.
The weather forecast spoke about a South-East wind force 4-5.
We left the harbor with one reef in the mainsail and no reef in the Genua.
However it showed soon, that we and the weatherforecast had been to optimistic.
At the sea, between the coast and the Shipping Lane the wind turned out to be at least 6Bf
and not 5 with wind gusts to 32 knots.
Wave heights were 3 meter, some even reached at least 4 meter.
So we reduced sail to the maximum, but still we made no progress.
Half way Gravelines (The French version of Fukushima nucleair plant) we decided to ask the
help of our motor in order to get anywhere.
After hours of stamping and bouncing in the heigh waves we gave our destination up and set
for Calais harbor.
In the meantime Cees lost his favourite cap and just before the harbor entrance channel the mainsail started to tear.
So, tomorrow the reserve mainsail will be used.
The Marina of Calais has no decent internet fascility which means we have to send this blog a bit later.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Calais, France.
We decided to start our trip for today about 08:00, just in time to catch the tidal stream South.
The weather forecast spoke about a South-East wind force 4-5.
We left the harbor with one reef in the mainsail and no reef in the Genua.
However it showed soon, that we and the weatherforecast had been to optimistic.
At the sea, between the coast and the Shipping Lane the wind turned out to be at least 6Bf
and not 5 with wind gusts to 32 knots.
Wave heights were 3 meter, some even reached at least 4 meter.
So we reduced sail to the maximum, but still we made no progress.
Half way Gravelines (The French version of Fukushima nucleair plant) we decided to ask the
help of our motor in order to get anywhere.
After hours of stamping and bouncing in the heigh waves we gave our destination up and set
for Calais harbor.
In the meantime Cees lost his favourite cap and just before the harbor entrance channel the mainsail started to tear.
So, tomorrow the reserve mainsail will be used.
The Marina of Calais has no decent internet fascility which means we have to send this blog a bit later.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
dinsdag 7 juni 2011
June 7, 2011
Today: June 7, 201
Dunkerque, France.
Yesterday we deided to move the boat from the inner harbor of Oostende to the waiting
in the front of the Marina.
By doing so we could get an early start from Oostende expecting that the new crew from
the Ukraine would arrive in time.
Unfortunately however, they suffered from a lot of delays with their flight from Warsaw.
We exchanged a lot of SMS messages and during the evening we understood that they managed to catch the
last train from Brussels to Oostende. The train was due in Oostende around 02.00AM but it finally
arrived 02:30AM with two exhausted Ukrainians. We all had too little sleep that night.
We therefor didn't started as early as we had agreed, but nevertheless we set our sails at 08:00.
Fairly good sailing weather but very cold.
We indeed sailed the whole distance from Oostende to Dunkerque against the SSW wind without
using the motor.
At 16:00 we entered the harbor of Dunkerque where we found a nice berth in the YCMN Marina.
There Andrej shaved his friend Dima completely bold, whch they apparently had agreed before.
So now it looks as if we have two bold ukrainian maffiosi on board....
better keep low profile in our next harbors.
Totmorrow the journey continiou to Boulogne sur Mer.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
Dunkerque, France.
Yesterday we deided to move the boat from the inner harbor of Oostende to the waiting
in the front of the Marina.
By doing so we could get an early start from Oostende expecting that the new crew from
the Ukraine would arrive in time.
Unfortunately however, they suffered from a lot of delays with their flight from Warsaw.
We exchanged a lot of SMS messages and during the evening we understood that they managed to catch the
last train from Brussels to Oostende. The train was due in Oostende around 02.00AM but it finally
arrived 02:30AM with two exhausted Ukrainians. We all had too little sleep that night.
We therefor didn't started as early as we had agreed, but nevertheless we set our sails at 08:00.
Fairly good sailing weather but very cold.
We indeed sailed the whole distance from Oostende to Dunkerque against the SSW wind without
using the motor.
At 16:00 we entered the harbor of Dunkerque where we found a nice berth in the YCMN Marina.
There Andrej shaved his friend Dima completely bold, whch they apparently had agreed before.
So now it looks as if we have two bold ukrainian maffiosi on board....
better keep low profile in our next harbors.
Totmorrow the journey continiou to Boulogne sur Mer.
We will keep you informed.
Cees, Sam, Andrej and Dima.
zondag 5 juni 2011
Today: June 5, 2011
Oostende Belgium.
Yesterday and today are waiting days.
Our new Ukrainian crew will arrive in Oostende on Monday evening.
We used the time for some clothes washing, repairs (anyway we tried to find the pressure loss the water system)
and to find internet acces.
The internet sim-card we bought from Base only works for my IPhone, not in the laptop nor on Sam's phone.
Monday we will try again at Belgacom.
Anyway for sending our blog we can use some free hotspots in town. (While testing some Belgian Beers)
For the rest we devoted our time to the route to sail on Tuesday: Oostende - Dunkerque (F).
It seams we have to expect wind from the South-West, so it will not be an easy ride.
The trip covers some 28,7 miles against a fair wind.
The tide will be favourable as from 06:00 in the morning, so our new crew will have a short first night.
We will keep you informed.
Cees and Sam.
Yesterday and today are waiting days.
Our new Ukrainian crew will arrive in Oostende on Monday evening.
We used the time for some clothes washing, repairs (anyway we tried to find the pressure loss the water system)
and to find internet acces.
The internet sim-card we bought from Base only works for my IPhone, not in the laptop nor on Sam's phone.
Monday we will try again at Belgacom.
Anyway for sending our blog we can use some free hotspots in town. (While testing some Belgian Beers)
For the rest we devoted our time to the route to sail on Tuesday: Oostende - Dunkerque (F).
It seams we have to expect wind from the South-West, so it will not be an easy ride.
The trip covers some 28,7 miles against a fair wind.
The tide will be favourable as from 06:00 in the morning, so our new crew will have a short first night.
We will keep you informed.
Cees and Sam.
Today: June 3, 2011
Trip: from Roompot (outside harbor) to Oostende (B).
We had decided not to hurry in the morning, as we progressed so well the day before.alcheren.
The weather was good: a nice North Easterly wind force 15 - 18 knots.
Monique behind the steering wheel and Cees and Sam set the Genua with the boom,
and were we managed to reach a good speed and we were able to stay with a large field of competing yachts.
After two hours we made a cours change more to the south (South-West) for approximately 5 hours.
The waves become higher when we reaged a less lower part (Wenduinebank, dept 1m).
We where surfing on those waves, so not only a sailingboot but olso a surfboot!
During the day the wind increased to a real 7 Beaufort.
We arrived at the harber of Oostende at 18 O'clock, After waiting half an hour for the lock and two briges, we saw the place we had assiged was way to small,
probably only for Mister Dingy (oure inflatebel small boat), so we bumed a few bouts and find another place for the next three days.
Total distance: 48 Nautic Miles (six of them where free becouse the good direction of current)
Average speed: 5 knots.
This was wroten on friday and uploaded today...
We had decided not to hurry in the morning, as we progressed so well the day before.alcheren.
The weather was good: a nice North Easterly wind force 15 - 18 knots.
Monique behind the steering wheel and Cees and Sam set the Genua with the boom,
and were we managed to reach a good speed and we were able to stay with a large field of competing yachts.
After two hours we made a cours change more to the south (South-West) for approximately 5 hours.
The waves become higher when we reaged a less lower part (Wenduinebank, dept 1m).
We where surfing on those waves, so not only a sailingboot but olso a surfboot!
During the day the wind increased to a real 7 Beaufort.
We arrived at the harber of Oostende at 18 O'clock, After waiting half an hour for the lock and two briges, we saw the place we had assiged was way to small,
probably only for Mister Dingy (oure inflatebel small boat), so we bumed a few bouts and find another place for the next three days.
Total distance: 48 Nautic Miles (six of them where free becouse the good direction of current)
Average speed: 5 knots.
This was wroten on friday and uploaded today...
donderdag 2 juni 2011
Thursday June 2nd.
Trip from IJmuiden to Roompot (Zeeland)
Dear followers,
This morning our alarms went off, the moment most of you probably just went to bed: 04:30 AM
We managed to be outside of IJmuiden harbor by 05:10 and there we noticed that it was indeed high tide,
but the South bound current hadn't started yet.
However that was not our biggest problem: again there was not a trace of wind....
So, motoring again in the direction of Scheveningen or further.
The wheather was despite the absence of wind glorious: sunny and warm.
By 10:00 O'clock the marifoon refuged further services, but Sam and I managed to fix the problem.
Thus we could cross the Maas Entrance of Rotterdam, where pleasure crafts do have to report their
presence so that they will be guided over the very busy shipping lane to Rotterdam harbour.
Anyway, the problem was fixed and we crossed rather quick.
At the otherside of the crossing lane we were surpised by a nice north east wind.
We inmediately set our Half winder sail and that produced a speed of 7 knots in no time.
We sailed fantastically and became even so optimistic that we believed we could reach Zeebrugge in belgium
today, but calculating the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) we discovered that we would be too late
to find any berth. (= landing place for our boat)
So we then decided to land in Roompot outer harbour and stay there over for the night.
Sam took advantage of the situation and decided as soon as we were moored with our landlines to the
shore, to go out for some kite-surfing.
From both events we have made some pictures which we have attached to our todays blog.
Some facts: max wind speed: 25 knots.
Total distance: 72,5 Nautic Miles
Average speed: 5 knots.
Dear followers,
This morning our alarms went off, the moment most of you probably just went to bed: 04:30 AM
We managed to be outside of IJmuiden harbor by 05:10 and there we noticed that it was indeed high tide,
but the South bound current hadn't started yet.
However that was not our biggest problem: again there was not a trace of wind....
So, motoring again in the direction of Scheveningen or further.
The wheather was despite the absence of wind glorious: sunny and warm.
By 10:00 O'clock the marifoon refuged further services, but Sam and I managed to fix the problem.
Thus we could cross the Maas Entrance of Rotterdam, where pleasure crafts do have to report their
presence so that they will be guided over the very busy shipping lane to Rotterdam harbour.
Anyway, the problem was fixed and we crossed rather quick.
At the otherside of the crossing lane we were surpised by a nice north east wind.
We inmediately set our Half winder sail and that produced a speed of 7 knots in no time.
We sailed fantastically and became even so optimistic that we believed we could reach Zeebrugge in belgium
today, but calculating the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) we discovered that we would be too late
to find any berth. (= landing place for our boat)
So we then decided to land in Roompot outer harbour and stay there over for the night.
Sam took advantage of the situation and decided as soon as we were moored with our landlines to the
shore, to go out for some kite-surfing.
From both events we have made some pictures which we have attached to our todays blog.
Some facts: max wind speed: 25 knots.
Total distance: 72,5 Nautic Miles
Average speed: 5 knots.
woensdag 1 juni 2011
Wednesday 1st June 2011
The skipper picked up his crew at Lelystad station at 10:00 hrs. On board we stored all our shopping items and luggage. After a cup of coffee we left for Amsterdam. Today was sunny with no wind at all. We tried the halfwinder, but we had no luck at all. After a smooth trip passing three locks we reached Seaport Marina IJmuiden. The eldest son of Cees with his wife and two kids came for a drink. Afterwards we went to bed early, as the next day we have to leave the harbour at 05:00 o'clock in order to have some favour of the current southwards.
Sailingtrip St. Malo, Channel Islands and South Coast of England
For 5 weeks the sailing vessel Boekanier will sail from Lelystad along the Belgian and French coast to St. Malo. From there to the Channel Islands and along the South coast of England back to Lelystad.
Crew members:
1st June - 4st June: Skipper Cees Speets and crew Monique Smits van Oyen and Sam Krikken.
6st June: Crew change. Dima and Andre will (two friends of Cees from the Ukraine) will come on board. They will sail to St. Malo and leave on 18th June.
Then Monique and Oscar Dekker will join Cees and Sam and they will sail the vessel back home.
Please find below our report of our trip.
Enjoy reading!!
Crew members:
1st June - 4st June: Skipper Cees Speets and crew Monique Smits van Oyen and Sam Krikken.
6st June: Crew change. Dima and Andre will (two friends of Cees from the Ukraine) will come on board. They will sail to St. Malo and leave on 18th June.
Then Monique and Oscar Dekker will join Cees and Sam and they will sail the vessel back home.
Please find below our report of our trip.
Enjoy reading!!
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