Krabbenkreek. 1. Slow Lock, Fast Sailing

The weather forecast for the weekend was not too bad. Still very cold for the time of the year, but dry, some sunshine, 4 Bf NW wind on Saturday, backing to the SW and decreasing speed on Sunday. That is just right for us.
Friday evening we had dinner aboard and woke up on Saturday to find the wind blowing harder then expected. For a warm-up we did a bit of sailing on the Grevelingen. Full main sail, a couple of rolls on the genoa and we did the first upwind beating of the season. Mekicevica behaved brilliantly. The new centre-plate and the extra ballast, improved a lot her upwind performance. We stopped for a rest at the Mosselenbank, the island in front of Bruinisse.

Mekicevica having a rest at the Mosselenbank.

During this break we discussed our plans. Is it wise to venture out in this wind? After much hesitation we concluded that apart from being blown onto the path of a container ship nothing could happen to us. Encouraged by this positive thinking we headed for the Grevelingen lock.
Maybe it is because it is so cold, but there are not many yachts around. Only one other boat with us in the lock. After the usual excitement of entering the lock with wind from behind and a motor without reverse, we waited eagerly holding the lines. Than we waited some more. Suddenly nothing happened. Than after a while, nothing happened again. After one hour I decided to turn on the VHF radio to check with the control post, and overheard the explanation being given to someone waiting outside that there was a technical problem and they were trying to solve it.

Long wait at the Grevelingen lock.

Finally after one and a half hours, the lock gates started to open and off we go. The long wait meant that my efforts to determine the best moment in the tide to depart were a complete waste of time.
The sailing down the Zijpe towards the Krabbenkreek turned-out to be absolutely delightful. Beam reach, full rig, and the waters not very busy with either pleasure craft or commercial shipping. We could cross towards the East with a jibe midway at our leisure.
Once in the Krabbenkreek it got even better. No other boats in sight, running downwind, watching the birds on the sandy banks and the brilliant afternoon sun shimmering on the water. How can anyone not love sailing?
We pulled into the yacht harbour of Sint-Annaland just in time to catch the harbourmaster before we went home and got a good berth, close to the club house. Another advantage of sailing a small boat is that you are always given the cosiest and best placed berths that big boats cannot get into.
Sint-Annaland yacht harbour was once used to load farm produce onto barges, so we expected something basic. It turned-out to be a modern, very comfortable marina.

The pontoons of the St.-Annaland harbour are patrolled by the most friendly goose I have ever seen. Offer him a morsel and he will eat it from your hand. 

The club house is superb! The wall facing the Krabbenkreek is full glass, and offers a view to the sandy beach. The food is excellent. Highly recommended!