Voyage Facts & Figures

Voyage Facts & Figures

Start Date:                   Saturday 3^rd June 2015

End Date:                    Sunday 26^th July 2015

Days on board:            54

Days under way:         9 ½  

   

Days alongside:          44 ½

Days weather-bound:  3

Engine running:          157 hours

Distance travelled:      900 nautical miles

Night hours at sea:     28

Ports visited:              26

Bridges:                      61

Locks:                         11

Marinas                                                          Cost per night

Scarborough - UK                                           £21.12p

Ijmuiden – Holland                                          21 euro

Haarlemsche                                                     11 euro 25 cents

Haarlem                                                            12    “

Heemstede                                                         8      “

Kaag Island                                                       16    “

Leimuiden                                                         10   “      80    “

Amsterdam night convoy                                  Free

Six Haven                                                          12 euro 80 cents

Almere                                                               12 euro 50 cents

Spakenburg                                                        10    “     50   “

Harderwijk                                                         8      “     80    “

Elburg                                                                11    “     40    “

Ketelmond                                                         12    “     20    “

Urk                                                                    13    “     80    “

Enkhuizen                                                         14    “     50    “

Medemblik                                                        14    “     38    “

Stavoren                                                            20    “     50    “

Makkum                                                            14    “     40    “

Harlingen                                                          17    “      10   “

Oudeschild – Texel                                           18    “      50    “

Den Helder                                                        15    “      08    “

St. Aanloop – Oost Vlieland                             19    “      58    “

Dellewal – West Terschelling                           21    “      55   “

Whitby - UK                                                     £21.36 p                                 

Day 54 - Blyth

Sunday 26^th July 2015 – Blyth – Day 54

Within the marina there were other boats preparing to leave, they appeared to be from the local yacht club, most probably going out for their Sunday morning racing.

We left the pontoon at 10.00 and with our prior knowledge of the bridge opening times called the operators and we were through ten minutes later, the only boat to go through at this early opening.

Depart Whitby

Out of the harbour by 10.30 and with full genoa only and engine running, we headed north, in a moderate sea and swell. 

The inshore forecast had south east winds backing easterly 4 to 5 occasionally 6.

We settled into one hour watches, passing the imposing Yorkshire high Ravenscar cliffs and entered Tees Bay with the ships at anchor, awaiting their time to enter.

Around 15.00 off to the north, we could see the smoke trails of the RAF red arrows display team, as they performed at the annual Sunderland air show.  Half an hour later and they past us, nine aircraft flying low in an arrow formation, heading south to their home base, these are very special and known, as the best aerobatic display team in the world.

The ‘Typhoon’ euro fighter also was taking part in the show; we could not see it but certainly good hear the roar of its engines.

By 16.45 there was light rain and it was cold, an hour later, the rain was heavier and persistent.

Dolphins off the Tyne

Off the Tyne a pod of dolphins came alongside to see what we were up to, amazingly we had spent a while in the North Sea, this was the first time we had seen any sea life and we were nearly home.

Also off the Tyne we watched as the Fred Olsen passenger cruise ship ‘Boudicca’, made her way through the piers and into the port.

Blyth North Pier

At 19.15 we entered our own port of Blyth and alongside our pontoon at 19.30. 

There was no welcoming party in this inclement weather but we were all happy to have made it back.

Dave’s wife arrived at the car park to take him and Jack home, she said “you are all mad”, and we agreed. “He will not be doing it again next year”, she said, I replied “neither will we”.

Apart from the problems of the last week, it had been a wonderful adventure; the weather for the best part of this summer had not been in our favour.  Holland is a lovely country to sail; its many advantages are its places to visit and sights to see, friendly people and marinas where the facilities are far superior to the UK.

Now this voyage is complete, we can only dream and plan for next year’s adventure.

Day 53 - Whitby

Saturday 25^th July 2015 – Whitby – Day 53

The day is bright with a fresh north easterly breeze and the town very busy with an influx of weekend visitors.

I spent the morning cleaning the heads (toilet) and galley, while Jack went off to the supermarket and Dave sightseeing.

I contented myself in the afternoon catching up with paperwork/computer and checking every weather forecast I could find.

Whitby Bridge

Ashore in the evening and the first stop was at the swing bridge to enquire from the operators, when the first bridge would be in the morning.

The bridge opening is guided by the tides, usually two hours before and after high water, at half an hour intervals. 

With the correct time for the morning bridge, we set off up the hill to the ‘Elinor’ pub for in a pint in very good surroundings, an all nautical theme, with many pictures of the local fishing boats.

Across the road and into the ‘Little Angel’ pub which was quiet but later on it filled up with all sorts of weird characters, time to leave, after enquiring the best place for a meal, we were directed to the ‘Granby’ pub further up the hill.

Here we were not disappointed, with a very large Yorkshire pudding filled with beef, potatoes, vegetables and thick gravy; it was lovely and great to be having good old English grub.

Back down the hill to the harbour and into the ‘Golden Lion’, another quiet pub before the visitors started arriving; we left them to it, as we wandered back to our favourite last stop in the ‘Station’ pub.

Here they had live entertainment, a singer who was not very good but he had attracted his fan club, most of which appeared to be male and limp-wristed.  We enjoyed our gin and tonics and headed back on board for midnight.

The wind had been easing off during the evening, looking forward to setting off again tomorrow for last part of the northward journey.

Day 52 - Whitby

Friday 24^th July 2015 – Whitby – Day 52

At 01.30 the wind died, as it slowly moved round to the nose, engine on and headsail dropped.

I enjoyed the show for the rest of the night watch; the northern sky never really darkened with a ribbon of light on it's horizon.  The sky was clear and the stars bright when the show began, a meteor shower, they were criss-crossing the sky, mostly in a south to north direction.  For a finale the sky was lit in the east by a huge shooting star with a very wide tail which stretched for miles, at the head of which this huge glowing white blob hurtling through the sky.  Eventually the head was snuffed out and the tail faded.  I have seen many meteor showers at sea but this one was the best and will always be remembered.

The morning weather forecast was not very good at all, with the wind supposedly to veer round to the north, north east and increase to force 5 to 6 occasionally 7.  This is not want you want to hear on a small boat in the North Sea.

The decision was made to head for Scarborough 46 miles away where you can find shelter in the bay behind the castle, if you cannot enter because of the tide, while Whitby was 47 miles away; it is a tricky entrance especially in a swell, if the sea builds up from the predicted direction.

In the afternoon, we sighted land, the Yorkshire coast.  An hour later we re-rigged the genoa with its sheets, reefs removed from the main and as the wind had not changed direction, sea conditions the same, we altered course for Whitby.  For us the facilities at Whitby are more favourable and nearer to our home port of Blyth.

I called the marina at 18.00 and they thankfully replied there would be berth available for us, though we would have to go to the waiting pontoon before the swing bridge would open.

The mainsail was dropped at 19.30 and ten minutes later we were passing the welcoming north cardinal mark at the entrance to Whitby.

Whitby North Cardinal Mark

   

West Pier

The entrance through the piers was not a problem with very little swell and very relieved to see the river open as you turn and the town opens out before you.

At 19.45 we were alongside the waiting pontoon.  The swing bridge opened at 20.30 and all secured in the marina by 20.45.

A half an hour later we were in the shower block which was great and all polished we set off for the nearest Weatherspoon’s, the ‘Angel Pub’ for a meal of fish and chips meal and two pints of beer, this was wonderful, as we had very little to eat on the way across and of course no beer while at sea.

Finished off the night in the nearby ‘Station Pub’, with gins and tonics; before arriving back on board for midnight; then straight to bed.

Happy to be back in Whitby, one of our favourite ports on the north east coast of England, after completing a not too pleasant crossing of the North Sea.

Day 51 - At Sea

Thursday 23^rd July 2015 – At Sea – Day 51

Running through the early hours with the engine on and heading for another traffic separation zone off Botney Ground and around 02.00 passing the buoy BG1.

Here encountered a large fishing vessel when looking at her stern, she was lit up like a Christmas tree, while another small ship was lining up to cross the traffic zone here, so this helped to pass the time, keeping a close watch on their respective courses.

By 07.00 we were over the traffic zone and the wind began to pick up from the west, hoisted the main sail with two reefs and up went the number two headsail.  Engine off at 07.45 and we were again sailing but not necessarily in the right direction.

The noon BBC radio 4 long wave shipping forecast gave for this area, winds south to south west force 4 to 5 occasionally 6, ideal for us, but it never did and the wind stayed from the west, force 4 to 5.  Again the forecast was not as predicted but we were making our way towards the UK in lumpy seas.

The afternoon visibility was very good and we were seeing less of the oil/gas production platforms though fishing boats were now in the vicinity, as we were over the southern end of the Dogger Bank.

These trawlers were very interesting as they made their way from west to east, all vessels must to give way to these while they are fishing.  If at all possible it is best to pass across their bows or give a very wide arc around the stern.  This was my afternoon’s entertainment.

The reefs were taken out of the main at 20.00 as the wind began to ease.

     

We were treated to a magnificent sunset as the navigation lights were put on at 21.00 and the two reefs were put back in the main, just in case the wind picked up during the night.

The engine was also run for an hour to charge up the batteries, as we settled into our second night at sea.

Day 50 - At Sea

Wednesday 22^nd July 2015 – At Sea – Day 50

Awake at 05.30, engine started at 06.00 out of the harbour ten minutes later and hoisted the main with two reefs in, shortly afterwards we passed buoy VS8, now known as Jack’s buoy, the one we had bounced off on the way in.

By 07.00 we were making good progress down the channel with the outgoing tide and wind in the west force 3 to 4 with a slight to moderate sea, at 08.00 we shook out the reefs from the main.

By 08.30 we were beginning to cross the main shipping separation zones, this is where the larger ships mostly on passage in and out of the Elbe follow this particular route, we are obliged to cross at ninety degrees to the lane and the oncoming traffic.  These lanes are three miles wide and separated by two miles.

The first lane we came to was the north bound lane, on this clear day it was easy to spot the ships coming towards you and with the AIS (automatic identification system) on the chart plotter, this gives you the information on the ships, name of vessel, speed and course, more importantly the closest point it will be when it passes and at what time.

'Heulan'

This invaluable information made us slow down and alter course for one ship, ‘Heulan’ until she was safely past.  I am a great believer in, when on a yacht, plastic gives way to steel.

At 10.30 after crossing both shipping lanes, in the southbound lane there was very little traffic, the engine was stopped, and we set course for Blyth, now 240 miles away.

We settled into our four hours on and eight hours off watches.  I took the 12 to 4, Jack the 4 to 8 and Dave the 8 to 12.

As the afternoon progressed the wind slowly began to ease until at 18.30 the engine was once more started and the headsail dropped.

Dave's night watch attire

Westward Bound

By 20.00 there was no wind at all, mainsail dropped, as we headed westward for the UK coast.

At 21.00 the navigation lights were switched on, as we began our night hours and take in the enchantment of being at sea, the motion of boat on a slightly rolling sea, the stars in the sky breaking out behind the clouds with the occasional light on the horizon of other ships passing by.

Day 49 - Vlieland

Tuesday 21^st July 2015 – Vlieland – Day 49

The wind reached its peak at 03.00 with viscous gusts which pushed the yacht over about 10 degrees onto the pontoon.  There were some of us about making sure there was no damage being done.

At walk ashore in the afternoon took us back to the village, where we visited the church graveyard and found a section being well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The headstones’ inscriptions told of the allied airmen who lost their lives on this island in the Second World War, a remainder of those troubled times, in this tranquil area of the village.

Village Square

Onto the high street and into the Co-op where we purchased our stores, then sat outside an ice-cream shop, enjoying our cornets in the warm sunshine and shelter from the now decreasing wind.

Back to the marina and into the shower block which was full of youngsters from the many now moored Dutch sail training barges.  They were getting themselves all polished for a night on the town, while we settled to stay close by.

Into the marina ‘De Dining’ restaurant which was also full, we waited some time for our meal of broccoli soup, followed by pork satay which was most enjoyable.

We were back on board and in our beds for 23.00 anticipating, an early start tomorrow and another attempt at the North Sea crossing.

Day 48 - Vlieland

Monday 20^th July 2015 – Vlieland – Day 48


At 10.00, boats started moving out of the marina but not for us, we moved off and found ourselves a vacant pontoon berth to stay for the day.

Spent part of the time carrying our repairs to the damage caused yesterday.  The engine cooling water pump was opened up and impeller found to be in a good condition, the sea suction strainer removed and cleaned.

The cabin port side locker door which had parted company with the hinges was drilled and new bolts fitted, while the port side dodger (canvas wind-break) which had pulled out some of the islets was re-secured.

Along with all of the other facilities in the marina was a hamburger bar, frequented mostly by the youngsters.  Myself and Dave gave it a try but it was not too our liking and we wandered off disappointed towards the village.

 

In the street behind the main thoroughfare we came across these wood carvings in an old tree, amazing piece of art and delighted to see it.

We made our way to the ‘Oord Hotel’ not far from the ferry landing and had very enjoyable evening, drinking the local beer and ould genevers.

Walking back to the marina, the wind which had been blowing all day was now increasing in strength, as we climbed on board around midnight.

Day 47 - Vlieland

Sunday 19^th July 2015 – Vlieland

The shipping forecast looks manageable with winds from the south/southwest quarter and dropping.

With a distance of 256 miles to our home port of Blyth, we decided to go for the crossing of the North Sea.

We bade farewell to the other yachts we had been lying alongside and headed out of the marina. 

With the tide near its highest, we moved along the channel to the slenk over the sand bank.  We kept very close to the small yellow buoys and after half an hour of tense navigation, at 11.45 we were into the main channel and headed for the open sea.

Unlike the forecast, the wind and swell were increasing from a westerly direction and we were making no headway on our intended course.  Decision was made to head southwards towards Texel to find shelter in Oudeschild.

At 14.00 with the tide and wind combination, we were being pushed towards the Eirlandsche Gat with its imposing lighthouse on the north of Texel.

Tacked out to sea, to give us more sea room, after another two hours we were not really achieving very much and the decision was made to return to Vlieland.

Now we were running with a very strong breeze and in a two metre swell which was becoming more and more uncomfortable. 

We passed once more this oil platform and at 18.30 the tide was changing in our favour, as we were running in the Terschelling Gat and rounded the top of Vlieland at 19.00.

  

We hurried down the narrow channel towards the marina, while I was dropping the hanked on No.2 foresail on the front, the helm’s man misjudged the combination of wind and tide, allowing us to drop onto the port side buoy channel VS8 marker.

I attempted to kick it away, not a very good idea, as I still bear the scars today.  V68 bounced down our port side very quickly, while the engine lost sea suction and was stopped.

Turned the yacht around and headed back out to sea, while the engine cooling water was re-primed  and engine started.  Dropped the mainsail and called the marina for permission to enter, thankfully they said it was OK.

At 19.30 we were just inside, on the far side of the marina, alongside a large Dutch replica barge ‘Woeswater’.

Very, very pleased to be back in harbour, it had been an awful day at sea and we were now storm-bound.

Day 46 - Terschelling

Saturday 18^th July 2015 – Terschelling –Day 46

The weather forecast is not too good again, so decided to stay another day on this island.

    

In this crowded marina we did not see anything moving out but there were a few stragglers come in.

Wherever they had started from, looking relieved to be here.

Back into the town to revisit the shops and found one devoted entirely to cranberries, it was to be found in all different disguises in drinks, jams, lotions and potions.  I was fascinated by this and made some purchases but never got to identify on the island where it was all grown.

Sat in the square under the lighthouse admiring the purchases drinking iced tea before moving on to the ‘Zeenight’, a restaurant overlooking the working harbour with fishing boats and day trip barges going about their business.  We dined on schnitzels, salad and chips, all very pleasant in the late afternoon sunshine.

We returned to the yacht in the evening for supper on board. With a slightly better forecast, we made preparations for hopefully leaving tomorrow for the UK.

Day 45 - Terschelling

Friday 17^th July 2015 – Terschelling – Day 45

The shipping forecast is not too good with an increase in wind speed with showers but armed with the Harbour Master’s information on the new route across the sandbank, which would half the distance to our next port, we made ready and left Vlieland marina at 09.00.

Three-quarts of an hour later with our little chartlet, we approached the new slenk (channel) entrance, marked by small yellow buoys, with half hour before high water, we made our way across the sand bank keeping very close to the buoys.  In half-hour we were across the bank and congratulating ourselves, when a little further on, the depth sounder reading began reducing until zero, bump and we touched bottom, stopped the engine, bump again and we were aground. 

Engine full astern and we slowly slide our way backwards until we were afloat again.  Ninety degrees to our right, we could see other yachts and a sailing barge heading towards us and further on, another little yellow buoy.  We headed towards them and when passing the sailing barge their skipper hailed, keep the buoys on your left side.  Sheepishly, I replied, ‘I know’.  Our navigator lost all of his brownie points that day.

At 11.00 we were entering the Dellewal marina on the island of Terschelling, the marina appeared full and trying to find a berth, heard over the tannoy system, garbled messages, so headed for the vacant fuel berth.  A gentleman came strutting down from the office, shouting, if we understood English.  He had spotted our British ensign and it was he, the harbour master, who was giving us instructions on where to go.  I told him, I did understand English but not his quick firing statements.  After we both calmed down and re-addressed the situated, he told me where to park the boat.

Dellewal Marina

  

School Holiday's Parking

We duly went down the correct waterway and ended up on the outside of three other yachts, who thankfully all turned out to be very friendly. 

When, I went to the office to clock in, even the harbour master was more at ease and when enquiring where to go for the night, he told me, it was all around the lighthouse.

Town Centre Lighthouse

The rest of the afternoon was spent tidying up the yacht before venturing ashore at 19.00 and it was only a ten minute walk to the lighthouse. 

First stop the ‘Bandaris’ restaurant where we dined on lamb cutlets with cranberry sauce and the local beer, which was all delightful.

Found our way into another establishment and sat at the bar with a Dutch couple, who were from Den Helder and just there for the weekend, who gave us all the information we needed for these parts and thoroughly enjoyed there company.

Around midnight even more people came into the bar, looking as though they were going to stay for a while.  For us, there had been enough excitement for one day and headed back on board for 01.00.

We had only travelled 7 miles from one island to the next; a lot had been packed into the journey, never to be forgotten.

Day 44 - Vlieland

Thursday 16^th July 2015 – Vlieland – Day 44

This morning it is warm and sunny, quite a few boats are on the move out of the harbour with confirmation from the harbour master in his rib, we hurriedly find our way to a vacant box and all secured for 09.30.

Jack not wanting to exert himself declined the offer as me and Dave hire bicycles at 10.30 for the day.  The normal sit up and beg with seven gears to play with.  Armed with the local cycle map for the island, we set off along the north coast line, through a wooded area which contained holiday homes, camp sites and a hotel in amongst the sand-dunes.

Beach

   

Beach Hotel

The beach near to the camps was deserted, maybe a little too early or the campers or they were hiding in the dunes.

Cycling from this part of the beach, we managed to miss our turning on the track and ended up near to the lighthouse on the south side of the island.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse is situated on the highest point on the island, so an ideal spot to take some pictures.

I left Dave watching over the bics, while I began ascending the hillside towards the tower.

My ascent was blocked by a one metre high fence, it looked as though it was electrified but no notices.  I gingerly touched the top wire, nothing, so I straddled the fence touching the fence with both hands and wallop, I was flat on my back with one foot jammed in the bottom wire doing a St. Fettise dance, extracting my foot, the sensation stopped.

There is nothing like being electrocuted on holiday.

Lesson learnt, I circum-navigated the fence and found the correct route up to the lighthouse.  With a visitor’s platform and a friendly guide, I managed to get the panoramic view of the island, which is basically a huge sand mass with a covering of coarse grass and low trees.

Now following the main road on the south side on which there are very few motor vehicles (only locals allowed vehicles on the island).  We passed only two small cultivated fields which appeared to grow fodder for the horses.  The island literature tells of an abundance of wildlife, so far we had seen, one pigeon.

Hotel Posthuys

We arrive at our destination of the Hotel Posthuys with a lot of people here taking lunch.

A little further to the south, it is a no-go zone for tourists, as the military has taken over the rest of the island.  Therefore, this is the last place to take on food and drink.

I was happy with a small lunch, while Dave unknowingly, ordered a hamburger, which ended up the biggest one I have ever seen, though he did manage to munch his way through it.

Beach Truck

Outside the hotel were two large people carriers which take the tourists off down to the beaches for party time, we had our own transport.  We set off down the correct cycle path on the north side of the island.

Cycle Path

   

Circling Gulls

Along here there was more bird life to be seen, with nesting sea birds in the dunes, we stopped for a while and walked across to one of these sites and rested on the soft mossy dunes while watching the gulls circling above.

White Sands

Further along we came to another idyllic spot with fine views across the white sands, lying back on the top of the dunes in the warm sunshine, sleep came very quickly.

Alex's Bicycle

   

Dave's Bicycle

  

We managed to get ourselves along the rest of the cycle path and back into the village.

Parked up the bics and wandered in and out of the shops, before residing in one of the bars for some refreshing beers.

A short ride to the hire shop and we handed back the bicycles at 19.30, returned to the boat, where we had supper on board, tucked up in bed for 23.00.

It had been an adventure, a well recommended cycle tour of the allowed part of the island.  The beaches are in pristine condition and miles of it to enjoy, with an inviting village to relax.