The Royal Dutch Metereological Institute (KNMI) announced that the heat wave of recent days is over. It came to an end with a mighty Summer storm that we watched approaching from Mekicevica's cabin. First the sky turned darker and darker with weird stripes of lighter grey across the sky advancing painfully slowly from the south. At the some time we could see the distant lightning and feel the roaring of thunder. Than the wind freshened-up and turned 180 degrees from NE to SW as a light rain started. This developed gradually to a downpour with lightning all around and gusts of wind that reached 50 knots. We wouldn't have liked to be out sailing in these conditions. Good thing we checked the weather forecast and gave-up the idea of starting early to catch the ebbing tide down the Keteen.
 |
| The storm over Belgium, photo of the Royal Metereological Institute (KMI). |
We nearly went home, but the promise of sunshine after the storm made us decide to stay. It was not until 1500 that we cast off in a light to moderate SW wind and sunshine, but still with suspiciously-looking clouds all around that we kept monitoring nervously. Fortunately they came to nothing and even a few showers we could see towards the West dissipated. It turned-out to be a lovely late afternoon with a gentle breeze from about the beam, filling the main sail and the genoa pushing us lazily up the Grevelingen. Now THIS is my idea of sailing, not the adrenaline-saturated ride I has a few weeks ago!
 |
| Interesting craft on the Grevelingen. |
We had no more defined plans than heading NW until dinner time and hope by then to be near a harbour with a restaurant serving mussels (the season just started).
The wind decided to call it a day just as we were in front of Bommenrede, so the right thing to do was start our reliable but noisy outboard, know as Yoyo-Ma, and head for Brouwershaven old harbour.
We found a place rafting along a nice 20-something-foot family-cruiser with German flag, the restaurant did have a table for us that soon was decorated with mussels and white wine. The only inconvenience was that the harbourmaster had already gone home and although the restaurant usually keeps some keys for the shower building for late-comers, all had already been handed over.
During the night there was another storm, lighter than the previous. This time the strong winds persisted and I worried all night if we were going to have some epic adventure returning to Bruinisse, or even be pinned-down in Brouwershaven.
In the morning, although it was still blowing at about 5 Bf, the forecast was that the SW wind would weaken further and the sun would come out. We had a late start and caught the wind just right to get us going at 3 to 4 knots on a beam-reach, with some gusts that Mekicevica took in her stride with full main and a shortened genoa. By 3 pm we were settled back in Bruinisse and could enjoy the rest of the afternoon in the warm sunshine.
 |
| Under a tyrant skipper, life is hard for Mekicevica's crew. |
