We drove to Bruinisse together on Friday evening and after a drink at the Sailor's inn had dinner aboard.
Saturday, 18 of June: Fast and wet downwind-sailing
When I first woke-up on Saturday morning it was sunny and the wind was very light. But the western skies clearly showed that things were about to change. And change they did. Fast. It started raining, and since First-Mate had to catch on some sleep, we had a proper weekend lay-in. Anyway, we were only planning to do a short, downwind trip to De Heen.
It was nearly noon when we finally motored to the Grevelingen lock, counting on the weather forecast promise that it would get gradually drier. In the lock we chatted to a group of blokes in a beautiful, old long-keeler with very elegant lines. (I really am fascinated by long-keelers.) Once out, we had a fresh breeze behind-us, so we hoisted almost all of Big Genny and sailed towards the Kramer lock. In the meanwhile the rain was getting more persistent, and the wind stronger.
We went through the lock without waiting, and than unfurled just about a third of Big Genny. Still we were moving really fast. Rolling a lot as well, as the strong wind was building-up big waves. "Big" seen from Mekicevica's cockpit, less than half-metre above the water. We followed along and just to the north of the shipping lane until it was time to cross. We were moving so fast, I was hoping we could sail across. Unfortunately it was too busy; I decided it would be best to motor. It was probably the right thing to do, as we had to slalom around a few ships.
Once it the Steenbergse Vliet, we briefly considered sailing, but the weather was not for hanging around too long, so we motored to the charming Schapenput harbour.
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| Schapenput harbour. The skipper dreaming about boats. |
Sunday, 19 of June: The sun is shining, the weather is fine...
A sunny morning, with a light westerly wind. It felt so nice to sit in the sunshine and let the cold and wet be burnt away.
We motored up the Steenbergse Vliet, together with two other sailboats, and then across the shipping lane. As soon as we were out of the way of "the big guys" we switched-off the motor and hoisted main and Big Genny, preparing for a long beat.
The wind was really weak, and variable in direction; we were making very slow progress, also because in such weak winds, Big Genny needs a lot of help to change tack: clear the shrouds, not let the sheets be fouled in stanchions and other obstacles...
In front of Oude-Tongue we had to give up and motor back to Bruinisse.
