Since we returned from the Wadden we have either been busy, or the weather was not encouraging. Finally on the last weekend of August we firmly decided we were going sailing.
Saturday morning was chucking down, but in view of the weather forecast we still set off to Bruinisse.
It eventually started to clear up, but the westerly wind also started to pick-up. We went out in the middle afternoon put a reef on the main, unfurled a bit of the small jib and started beating along the Grevelingen. The wind was a 4 Bf, but with 5 Bf gusts. If we were trying to get to a new, exciting destination we would have carried on, but since this was just a half-day sail in home waters, we soon decided we had enough and turned back to harbour to enjoy the sunshine and dinner aboard.
Sunday, 31st of August 2014
During the night and early morning it rained a bit, but by the time we ventured out of the sack it was dry and with nice sunny spells. Even the wind had calmed a bit, or at least seemed less gusty. So we went out in the spirit of let's see how far we get.
The wind was more NW now, and we had to beat up the Grevelingen. The 18ft skiffs were having a race, the last of the European championship, adding interest to the day.
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| 18ft skiffs racing on the Grevelingen. |
After a couple of hours of beating, and with the wind continuing to increase we decided to turn to enjoy the downwind ride back to Bruinisse.
Sailing in demanding conditions is tiring but satisfying. However after the intense days on the Ijsselmeer and the Waddenzee, we wouldn't mind a bit of leisurely sailing...
