The Other End of the Grevelingen

We are having great, late-summer weather, with temperatures still reaching 30°C at times. This cannot last forever, so let's use it for another weekend of sailing while we can.
Friday was spent messin' about in the boat and in the afternoon a mighty shower came down, with hail and thunder. I nearly gave up and headed home, but I am glad I didn't because it turned into a fine evening.
Saturday morning started cloudy, but blue patches to the West promised better weather to come. However, with light winds and unfavourable tides on the Oosterschelde, we decided to stay in the Grevelingen. The usual plan: let's head NW and see how far we can get.

With main sail and full Big Jenny the genoa, we sailed away on a beam reach and quickly leaving Bruinisse behind. If it keeps like this, we thought, we'll make it all the way to Scharendijke. This is the harbour on the N end of the Grevelingen, as far from Bruinisse as we can get this side of the lock. Previous attempts to get there were foiled by weak winds and we ended-up in Brouwershaven by the umpteenth time. Not this time! the wind even freshened-up a bit and veered more W, such that we even had to put a few rolls on the genoa to beat up the Geul van Bommenrede.

We meet this boat often, and always find her worth a photo.

By the time we were tied up at Scharendijke the sun was fully out and we went for a walk over the Brouwersdam, the dyke closing the Grevelingen from the North Sea.

View on the Grevelingen from the Brouwersdam.

In fact, it is not completely closed, there is a constant stream to keep the quality of the water. The turbulent waters make this a favourite spot for fish, fisherman, and seals.

Seals hunting their dinners where water comes into the Grevelingen.

Despite the fact that Mekicevica spent the 2012-13 Winter in Scharendijke and with all the keel works I practically lived at the boat yard, we had never been to the town. We were surprised that it has few but very good cafes and restaurants. We selected Zee and Meer where we were served a delicious dinner of fish and mussels prepared in a very original and delicious way. Highly recommended!

During the night it rained again, and Sunday started a bit dull and with little wind. It did pick up a bit and we left Scharendijke making good progress, on a broad reach in a SW breeze. We started to think that we would make Bruinisse on the same tack. Then the wind died.

The rest of the day was a variation of motoring for a bit, sailing for a bit, then becalmed. Repeat.

The wether was also on and off, some nice sunny spells, and some brief, weak showers.

Just before Bruinisse we could sail a good while in an afternoon breeze, unfortunately from the SE.

It was a long return back (five hours!) but still pleasant. How many more such weekends will we have this year, we wonder.