Our position is 51:41.788N 04:26.238E

After the traumas of the previous day we were hoping for an easy one. We were up in time to make the 9.15 opening of the small bridge out of the marina and then motored comfortably along the Walcheron canal in company with a Dutch yacht to the first lock of the day at Veere, which would take us out into the Verse Meer.

First lock of the day with the single-handed Dutchman

The wind seemed quite strong and for once wasn’t from the North so we were able to sail under just the genoa down the Meer to the Zandbreeksluis lock through into the Oosterchelde. There were many boats waiting at this one and when we got in the strong gusts made securing ourselves a bit tricky, but only a small scratch ensued! 

Much busier at the Zandbreeksluis lock

Once out in the open water we had a good sail round the many fish farms, managing 6-7+ knots with just the genoa in the force 5-6  winds. There were some interesting encounters, not just with commercial traffic, at one point the ex-Salcombe lifeboat passed us heading South!

Not satisfied with just the one barge!

British lifeboats a long way from home

We reached the Krammersluis locks which allow for passage into the Volkerak, without incident, but while rolling the jib a particularly vicious gust hit and Ted’s hat went flying.  Fortunately we were able to recover it once we turned back to head towards the lock.

You don’t see many traditional Dutch windmills any more round here

The passage along the Volkerak was more peaceful as the wind was dropping, but we were pleased to make it through the Volkeraksluisen lock into Hollands Diep, and enter the marina at Willemstad. Tying up was not without incident – the first berth we were directed to was already occupied – but by 7pm we were tied up safely. I still need a lot more practice with box moorings and the lassoing of the posts though!  It felt like a very hard day. We covered 39Nm, but the complexity of the navigation and our lack of practice together with the difficult, gusty conditions in the locks made it seem a lot tougher. We were filled with admiration for the Dutchman sailing solo, who we met at the beginning of the day and ran with us to Hollands Diep, never putting a foot wrong.

Willemstad marina -  a very welcome sight