Arrival at Scheveningen

Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Fri 11 Aug 2017 12:14
52:05.8N 04:16.0E

The HM at Borkum very politely told us at 0730 that the wharf we had selected at 0030 was for commercial vessels only, and that we'd have to move. Not to worry: we spotted that while we were asleep the wind had noted Mr. GRIB's instructions to veer to N, so to avoid faffing about we decided to sail. Probably a good move as a  another rather unhelpful official wouldn't even let us put a bag of gash in the commercial receptacle!

We successfully navigated a somewhat sporting subsidiary channel: this gave us a head start in the desired direction. Once outside the approach shallows we enjoyed a lovely reach in the N3 and bright sunshine. Progress was markedly better than yesterday! 

As night fell the courses took on a SW component, and the asymmetric made an appearance until 0140 when the wind died off Den Helder. So the donk took over, taking us past Amsterdam at dawn.  By just gone midday we secured in Scheveningen as the wind filled in from SW.

We'll spend about 24hrs here until the wind veers W. No doubt there will be a forray ashore tonight....