Return to Bruinisse

This weekend we need to bring Mekicevica from Zierikzee back to her berth in Bruinisse. We are so lucky that the wind is forecast to be moderate from the SW and high water around 1630. That means we'll have wind and tide with us. Moreover it is going to be warm for the time of the year.

We started the weekend with a delicious (and huge) Thai dinner in Zierikzee. On Sunday, I went for a morning run to warm-up and check the waves on the Oosterschelde. The wind is weaker than last weekend, but we have no appetite to repeat the experience.
Without any rush we managed to leave just after low water and motor down the harbour canal. It was interesting to note that even with Yoyo-Ma giving all of his 2.5HP we were slower going down the canal that last weekend using just half of the jib. That is how windy it was then.
Once out we hoisted full main and full genoa and off we go... very slowly. What a difference! Now the Oosterschelde had only the slightest of ripples. The only challenge was to estimate our course so that with our low speed over the water we did not drift into any obstacles, like the bridge pylons.

Passing under the Zeeland bridge in light airs.

Going on a very broad reach, we found that dowsing the main and using only the full genoa was more efficient than struggling to prevent it from collapsing in the wind shade of the main. This is a peculiarity of the new rig with swept-back spreaders.

Classic Dutch boat on the Oosterschelde.

As we approached the Keteen and prepared to turn a bit more into the wind, it also started to freshen a bit, so we hoisted the main again. We cut a lot of the corner out of the shipping lane, as we were on a rising tide and on port tack, so it would not be serious if we happened to touch the bottom. We didn't and it was all plain sailing towards the Grevelingen lock, with the wind gradually veering North. We were lucky to be so well timed that we only started to be headed as we were almost in front of the lock, so we did not even have to change course to douse the main.

A small Dutch boat going down the Keteen.

Soon Mekicevica was settled back on her berth and the crew enjoying a drink and dinner in Bruinisse.

On Sunday, as forecast, there was more sunshine but no wind whatsoever. So we decided to go home. A short weekend, but very, very satisfying. The arranged date to take Mekicevica out of the water is approaching quickly. Could this have been the close of the season?