Day 43 - Vlieland

Wednesday 15^th July 2015 – Vlieland – Day 43

From the information received last night, I called Oost-Vlieland marina, who informed there would be a berth available on arrival.

Jack is feeling better today, so we left our pontoon in Noorderhaven, headed through the bridges and out of the harbour for 10.30.

It is raining by 11.00 with mist and poor visibility, as we headed up the narrow channel between the sand banks with a favourable tide underneath us.

Terschelling Fast Ferry

Vlieland Fast Ferry

On passage we were passed by the fast ferries either plying between the islands of Terschelling or Vlieland.  They are operating at over twenty knots, while at our more leisurely pace, we still move outside of the channel to feel a little safer.

     

While buoy hopping along the channel we also pass some interesting local sailing craft, a fine sight and more to our liking.

In between the islands you enter the Vliestroom where the tide is at its strongest and enjoyed the ride until turning into the Vliesloot, here the tide is against you, heading for the marina entrance with engine doing its best to make head way into the harbour.

True to his word, one of the harbour masters met us in his rib inside the harbour entrance, and guided us alongside the Dutch yacht ‘Buiteorus’.  At 14.00 we were all secured after making it to another Frisian Island.

Village High Street

Off to the Harbour master’s office at 15.00 but it was closed, so after a 15 minute walk along the shoreline came to the village, bustling little high street and adjoining narrow thoroughfares. 

Lots of people milling around in the many shops,bar/restaurants, maybe they are all on holiday, or day-trippers off the ferry.  In amongst the many stalls there was a jazz band playing which was a joy of listen to, while enjoying the warm sunshine. 

The office was open when I returned to the marina and received all of the tidal information, times for leaving and more importantly, the position of a new route over the sandbank to Terschelling.

At 18.00 a German yacht ‘Lazy Day’ came alongside us for the night, the marina was now almost full.

Ashore again for 21.00 and went to the marina restaurant ‘De Dining’, where with a fine view over the harbour, dined on mussels, chips and salad, an excellent meal with the local beer, finished off a successful, interesting day.