EXPLORING EUROPE BY BOAT

RAMSGATE TO VLISSINGEN

Raring to start our summer in Belgium and The Netherlands, it was with some frustration that we were held up in London for 8 days due to stormy weather at sea. However we eventually were able to leave on Friday 31 May with my sister and her husband on board. We could hardly believe what a smooth trip we had and right on schedule we steered into Ramsgate Harbour in a calm sea.

The following morning we listened to the early morning Shipping Forecast. It was one of those "shall we/shan't we" forecasts with a prediction of 3-4, 5 later. As it was early morning and the present conditions were OK we decided to set off and if necessary make Dover or Calais our destination.

As we reached our decision point, conditions, although not as perfect as the previous day, were acceptable to all of us. All went well, even though there were numerous vessels in the Shipping Lanes and we stopped twice to allow a couple pass in front of us, until we passed Dunkerque. Then the wind blew up, the waves increased in size and our journey became uncomfortable. Everyone had to concentrate on holding on tight, especially as we were being hit by a beam sea as we turned to join the armada of boats entering the channel into Nieuwpoort.

Soon we were tied up on the Visitors Pontoon at the VVW marina. We spent the evening relaxing by strolling into Nieuwpoort and enjoying a meal in one of the local restaurants. Just what the doctor ordered !!! Our R & R continued the following day when we took a tram trip and spent a pleasant day in a sunny Ostende.

Then we filled up with water and duty free fuel (thank you, Belgium). Can anyone explain why that fisherman chose to fish out of sight just metres away from the fuel pontoon? Forget International harmony, he was told what I thought of him and his lines which wrapped themselves round our props. Having cleared the props and calmed down, early the next morning we were inside the Gravensluislock at the start of our cruise to Brugge. Ian bought the necessary vignette and we flew the required red and white burgee at our bow. We were on our way.

The Gent-Oostende Canal out of Nieuwpoort	Waiting to go under a lift bridge

The poppy edged canal provided us with a pleasing introduction to Belgian canals. Even the bridges during the first half of the trip were opened promptly, though just before Brugge we had a long wait in Dampoortsluis whilst we waited for other private boats and a large barge to join us. It didn't matter, we all treated it as part of this new experience.

An even better one materialised when we turned towards De Coupure moorings - the way was blocked by a footbridge. After a call on the radio we all watched fascinated, as this bridge was raised so we could pass underneath it. The cables holding the bridge wound around the cylinders running above. The mooring was perfect, a few minutes walk from the city centre and local shops.

The weather stayed fine during the few days Joan and Clive stayed with us in Brugge. We made the most of the time and explored the many cobbled streets thoroughly. There is so much to see in this attractive city. The rain only appeared as they set off on their journey back to England.

The Footbridge into De Coupure Moorings	Our mooring in Brugge

The Burg Square in Brugge

We stayed in Brugge another two days, catching up on the shopping and laundry, before setting off to Gent. This section of the Gent-Oostende was without much interest. The banks were high, obscuring most of the view, so it was a relief when we turned onto the Gent Ringvaart and then into our mooring for the weekend, the GLV Club. Although this was a little way out of town, we had to catch a bus then a tram into the city centre, it was a good place to stop with lots of other boats and boaters to observe. Gent itself, is an interesting city with its ancient buildings and historical quays. On the whole we preferred Brugge, but were pleased we had made the effort to see Gent.

Our mooring at the GLV Club	Looking over to the Graslei

From Gent we joined the Kanaal Gent-Terneuzen. This was like a six lane motorway, so wide and so much traffic, but because of the width meeting the barge traffic presented no problem at all. We were able to increase our speed and so before long we were in Terneuzen. We spent an evening listening to broadcasts on the VHF radio trying to decipher the weather forecasts before making the decision that we would cross the Westerschelde to Vlissingen. It had been breezy all day but the following morning was much calmer so having plotted our course we decided to go. We headed round to the Locks. Normally private boats use the Oostsluis, but we were told to slip into the Middelsluis behind a huge Hamburg registered ship. We wish we had taken a photo of this monster which towered way above our heads, but we were too busy holding our lines and hoping it wouldn't send us back the way we had come when it started its engines. Fortunately its captain called for us to go out first. What a relief!

The cruise along the Westerschelde went well. The narrow southern channel was well buoyed and the sea state was reasonable. Things only turned unpleasant when we turned north to head for Vlissingen. Another beam sea, more holding on tightly !! However we arrived safe and sound, went though the lock quickly and were once more in the canal system. Despite having crossed the Dutch border on the Gent-Terneuzen Kanaal the previous day we felt Our Summer in The Netherlands is really beginning now !

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