Paradise Regained. The last post.

Getting Mekićevica's mast down and putting her on the trailer was easy, with the help of the cheerful guys of the marina. They have now nicknamed me Ronaldo, after the Portuguese football player.
Once she was on the trailer I started the task of emptying her and preparing for the long way home. I was devastated at the thought that Mekićevica was leaving the Adriatic after performing so fantastically well and being complimented at every harbour and bay we visited. I was talking to her all the time and maybe my brain is getting soft with the age because I could swear that she told me that she would like to stay and that we had a wonderful together but time has come to move on.
So I breathed deeply, took courage, walked into the sailing school office and asked: "Do you know of anybody I could make happy by giving them a small sailing boat?"
Emil, the man I was talking to, didn't find my question strange at all. He seemed to read my every thought and feeling and assured me that he had done exactly the same thing with some of his previous boats. Before long, I was talking to a very enthusiastic guy named Hrvoje who was absolutely over the moon at the prospect of taking over Mekićevica.
The next morning, we dealt with the paperwork of the ownership transfer, and then drove Mekićevica to his family's place in the outskirts of Split where she was craned onto wood blocks.
So it was that I granted Mekićevica her wish to stay in the Adriatic, moreover in the hands of someone who will take good care of her. On top of that I made good friends in Split and received a life-long invitation to come and visit and sail Mekićevica whenever I want.
But I will miss that beautiful little boat....

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THE END

Paradise Regained. Alone.

In the morning I drove First-Mate to the airport, all the time feeling a knot in my throat at the thought that this wonderful vacation is over. Then I went to position the trailer for easy towing next morning and I set about preparing Mekićevica to be taken out of the water. It was as hot as when I first arrived,  and I re-entered the usual routine of finishing the day with a swim, a beer from the marina shop, and dinner.

Paradise Regained. Return to Split

We had a leisurely start and after breakfast aboard and a cappuccino in the marina bar we got out of the marina and immediately hoisted full main and genoa. Following the usual pattern, in the morning the wind was light and took a while to exit the Splitska Vrata. After that we were becalmed and had to motor for a bit, until the ripples on the water announced the arrival of the maestrale. For the rest of the way we made good progress and soon we were sailing into Split harbour. We still had time to go to the beach, and prepare to visit Joško and Duška at their Split home.

Paradise Regained. Leaving Hvar.

Our last morning in Hvar. With a heavy heart we dedicate ourselves to cleaning the house and loading the boat. There is still the sailing back to Split to enjoy and we were trying to leave the Paklenski Kanal before the maestrale kicks-up. All went well and we made it past Rat Pelegrin in a light southeasterly that continued with us until we entered the Splitska Vrata. There we decided to head for Milna on the island of Brač and sailed until we were right in front of the Vlaška marina. This is a very nice marina, reasonably priced and with a dock attendant who even speaks Portuguese!
We were still in time to go for a swim.

Paradise Regained. Good-bye to Jerolim.

The end of the vacation is approaching fast. Time to say our farewells to friends and family in Jerolim. We still passed a wonderful day there, and met some new people. For example the skipper of the beautiful Red Coral, who turns out to own also a beautiful gajeta I often admire in Križna Luka.
While swimming I noticed that Mekićevica's anchor was wedged in some rocks and sure enough when we tried to leave it was stuck. We immediately got help from several people and the situation was resolved by brute force: the speed boat of Mare's friend with its huge motor just whacked the anchor out of the rocks. We still had time for a short but enormously relaxed sail in the late sunshine, and weakening maestrale.
Tomorrow is departure day, so we payed the exorbitant price the sailing club charges for mooring at their peer overnight.

Paradise Regained. Solina.

The weather is back to the usual pattern and the temperature is rising again. We left Hvar sailed past the point of Jerolim and headed west along the Pakleni islands, close hauled into the light southwesterly with full main and jib. Had to tack a couple of times, and in front of Dobri island turned downwind to enter Solina bay. There were a few charge boats there, but we found a good place to anchor near flat rocks with good shade nearby. We took our stuff ashore with the dinghy and only than I realised that what I thought was a deep bay was actually a rather open bay and an island. Our anchorage would be exposed to the afternoon maestrale. That didn't take long to kick-up and suddenly there was mayhem as our anchorage became a lee shore. We left in a hurry, with the only casualty being the dinghy that got punctured by sharp rocks.
We sailed eastwards to the next bay, the well sheltered and fly now familiar Taršće, where we spent another relaxing day.

Paradise Regained. Return to Hvar.

I was up early, but First-Mate was longing for a lay-in, so I went for a walk, guided by a local dog who took on himself the mission of guiding me. After breakfast we motored out of the bay, under the somewhat amazed looks of the crews of the big yachts who were not daring to go out.
We motored straight into the wind until we were sheltered by the hills of Hvar, and then hoisted main only with one reef. Close to shore there were no waves to seek of, but the NE wind was terrible gusty.   One minute we were becalmed, the next the wind was howling in the rig with Mekićevica heeling like mad while I hurried to ease the main-sheet. In one particularly vicious gust we had the boom in the water and we were as close as we have ever been to broaching. When the gust passed and Mekićevica was on her legs again, a very shaken skipper put the second reef on the main. And then the wind died. So, we motored into Dubovica bay for a swim and wait for some wind. After a while we were surprised to see cousin Mare arriving with her friend in their boat.

View from the cockpit in Dubovica bay.

Eventually we saw some movement in the pine trees and decided to proceed. Not enough wind, so we had another stop in Zoraće.

It didn't take long for the afternoon maestrale to kick-up and we set-off again. I had hardly finished setting the sails when another vicious gust had me putting second reef in a hurry and reduce the jib to the balance point. From there it was challenging sailing, but with everything under control, beating into a gusty northwesterly, with reefed sails. At the lighthouse we decided we had put-up a decent fight and it was time to start the motor for the last few hundred meters.

Paradise Regained. Sailing again.

The weather continues to improve, although the northerlies are still pretty stiff. We went to Palmižana again and were pleased to see that the waves are nothing like the monsters of yesterday.
In the marina I had a pleasant chat with Josip, the skipper I helped dealing with the charter havoc of yesterday. He was full of compliments for Mekićevica and crew, but when I asked his advice about setting off for Šćedro, he thought we shouldn't go. We decided to give it a try anyway. We could always take shelter in one of the bays on the south coast of Hvar.
We motored out of the marina, and hoisted main with one reef. The wind was about 5Bf and aft of the beam, so we were going well. The only problem was that the waves continually increased, to the point when careful steering to avoid a gybe was becoming very difficult. So we decided to stop in the small harbour of Sv. Nedelja and wait for the waves to calm, as they usually do in the afternoon.
We had some light meal in the restaurant (octopus salad and a delicious, local ham), chatted to people in other boats and by 6pm we decided the sea was calm enough to proceed.

Sometimes, sailing a small boat in big waters requires patience: waiting for the sea to calm-down in Sv. Nedelja.

We started cautiously with two reefs on the main, but soon we were back to first reef and even some jib for the final, beam-reach approach to Šćedro.

Šćedro used to be out of the beaten track, but somehow it has been "discovered" and there were many boats at anchor. Little Mekićevica motored past them all, moored at the peer among their dinghies, and we just had to walk a few steps to be served a delicious dinner of freshly-caught, grilled fish.

During the night I was awaken by the slap-slap noise of waves on the hull. Waves coming into this deep bay in the middle of the night can only mean one thing: the bora is back.

Paradise Regained. Still trapped in Palmižana.

In the hope of setting sail, we took the taxi boat to Palmižana, but the waves we saw on the way there clearly showed that would not be a good idea. Some of them would have capsized Mekićevica if they had caught her on the beam.
Instead of sailing we just went for a walk along the island to Taršće.
Back in the marina we watched the usual Sunday chaos as the freshly out of Split, Kaštela, Trogir, and other harbours on the mainland arrive to Palmižana. A huge Beneteau with inexperienced crew arrived with a jammed roller-furler and a piece of genoa out. In the fresh wind, that was too much for the bow trushers and they caused havoc in the marina. They ignored or didn't understand the advise to release the genoa sheets, and ended-up with a mooring line fouling their keel. By then the professional skipper from the neighbouring boat had jumped aboard and was trying to regain control of the boat. I saved the situation by going into the next boat, releasing the mooring line and freeing their keel.

Paradise Regained. Waiting for better weather.

The gale passed, but left colder temperatures, still a lot of wind and big waves. We took the taxi-boat to Palmižana and spent most of the day reading in the boat, with just a short walk to the bay on the south side of the St. Clement island.

Paradise Regained. Gale.

The bora continues to freshen-up and is forecast to raise to gale force, so we are staying in Hvar. I am a bit nervous about Mekićevica's anchor, and keep going to the harbour to check it. It seems like sixth sense, because eventually I find that one of the fishing boats displaced our anchor with theirs and Mekićevica is banging against the store harbour wall, with a friendly passer by, trying to move the fenders. Moreover, the fishing boat than tied his line behind her, pinning her to the wall. Unravelling that mess in the freshening wind was a hard task, even with the friendly help from the staff of the restaurant where we were the previous evening.
Eventually we got Mekićevica free, decided we had had enough of the mess of Hvar harbour for now, and motored to the Palmižana marina.
That evening the gale came down and we arrive for dinner with Šime and Zuleika completely soaked.

Paradise Regained. Bora, Vrboska, and Stari Grad.

Overnight the yugo turned into a fresh bora and it is forecast to get stronger. It cooled down a lot as well. So we decided to take a bus to visit two places on the North of the island: Vrboska and Stari Grad.
Vroboska is at the end of a very sheltered bay and it a charming place. After all the crowds in Hvar it was blissfully quiet.

A very sun-tanned First-Mate in Vrboska.

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The Skipper is always fascinated with traditionally-rigged craft.

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Another nice corner of Vrboska.

After Vrboska we went to visit Stari Grad. This is a larger town and the capital of the island but rather interesting.

While walking along the harbour we had the following exchange of exclamations.

      — Skipper: Look, a small boat with Belgian Flag.

      — First-Mate: It's a Marieholm!

      — Skipper: It's Dreamer!

Dreamer is the boat of an Italian internet friend who has very similar tastes in boats and cruising destinations. Check his website: http://www.marieholm26.org

Dreamer, a beautifully maintained and upgraded Marieholm 26.

Back to Hvar to have dinner out with local friends, Joško and Duška.

Dinner with friends in Hvar.

It is always nice to meet people who share the same attitude to life.

Paradise Regained. Yugo.

Anticipating a freshening Yugo, I changed the headsail from Big Genny to the small jib. It turned out I was too eager and we were under-canvassed. Sailing towards Mekićevica was a sedated affair. This time, to avoid inflating the dinghy I dropped First-Mate with our stuff at the small cement peer. Just at that time big waves from the wake of a ferry rolled in. Result: another small scratch on Mekićevica's side. After that I picked-up a buoy and we spent a relaxed day at the beach.

Another great day at our favourite spot.

We had arranged to go and visit Šime and Zuleika. that evening, so we left early. We shouldn't have. The Yugo was now definitely freshening-up and we were back in record time.

As we were in a hurry, I dropped Sandra and started morning in a different place than usual. Just as I had finished, a boat arrived claiming that was their place and I had to find another place. Just to be kicked-out again. In desperation I remembered we have an offer to leave the boat in Jerolim whenever we want. So I motored to Jerolim. By than the wind had kicked-up big waves that were coming right into the bay and breaking on the beach. Jerold was not an option, so I returned to Hvar and finally managed to find a place, with First-Mate's help who by now had come back to the harbour looking for me.

Paradise Regained. Mlini.

There is no doubt: jugo conditions are developing. Temperatures rising, horizon getting hazy, and the southerly wind almost imperceptibly strengthening. Beating out of Hvar bay was hard work with all the traffic. Eventually we made it past the eastern tip of Jerolim, sailed towards Mlini beach and dropped the hook. Another relaxing beach day.

Anchored in Mlini.

On departure we tried another trick: weigh anchor under sail. It worked really well.

Paradise Regained. Another day in Jerolim.

The weather continues great. Little sailing today. We just went to Jerolim to visit Mare, Šimič, and friends.

Paradise Regained. Return to Hvar

In the morning, after the usual jump in the water, we motored to a small peer in the village to have a cappuccino ashore. After that we sailed the short distance to the Green Cave, on the small Ravnik island. There were a few boats around, but nothing like the madness of Stivina. First-Mate swam into the cave while I stayed at anchor watch duty.

The entrance to the Green Cave.

Then we started our return to Hvar. At first there was little wind right behind us, and it was very hot. We almost gave up when the maestrale kicked-up. From then on was great sailing to Hvar. That evening we had dinner at home.

Paradise Regained. Blue Cave and Stivina

One of the famous attractions near Komiža is the Blue Cave, on the Biševo island. Rather than sail there, we decided to join an organised excursion by RIB. It was my first time on a speed boat and I am not impressed. That they are fast is the only thing to be said for the damned things.
But the Blue Cave really matched the expectations.

The surreal Blue Cave.

Back in Komiža, we sailed out of the bay and then eastwards along the south coast of Vis. The next intended stop was the Stivina bay, a small pebble beach behind a narrow gap in the rocks. Apparently it is very popular and the space in front of the bay was a real traffic jam of boats. With some regret, we turned around and continued our route.

The ridiculously crowded Stivina bay.

After the southeast tip of Vis, we sailed between Vis and the small Ravnik island and entered a nice bay where we picked-up a buoy under sail. The rest of the afternoon was passed swimming, lazying in the afternoon sunshine and then having dinner aboard and sleep afloat.

Paradise Regained. Vis to Komiža.

We sailed out of Vis bay under genoa only, and in the open we found a moderate northwesterly. Under full main and with a few rolls in the genoa we made good progress along the north coast of Vis island, as the wind backed to the south. It was fun tacking between Rat Barjan and the small islands, then continued close-hauled away from land until we had the Komiža bay behind the beam, tacked and sailed into the bay.

Sailing past the old monastery in Komiža.

 Komiža is home to the famous gajeta Lisboa and her sister.

Komiža harbour.

That evening we looked for a more modest restaurant where I had the best grilled sardines I have had for a long time. Since the ones I had in Jerolim two years ago, to be precise.

Paradise Regained. Hvar to Vis

For this vacation, we planned to stay around Hvar... except for two short trips. One of them was to go to Vis. Even First-Mate who in her childhood spent many summers in Hvar, has never been to Vis.
The forecast was for weak NE wind, giving way to the a northwesterly afternoon maestrale.
Sailing along the south side of the Pakleni islands we noticed that yesterday's wind had left an agitated sea, which became more disturbing as the wind got weaker. We almost gave up the idea of sailing to Vis, but decided to check if the waves got smaller as we got into deeper water. And smaller they did and we were rewarded with great sailing, accompanied part of the way by dolphins.
Around 2pm the maestrale started as suddenly as if someone had flicked a switch, and we scrambled to reduce the genoa and continue towards Vis, now at a much higher speed.

Sailing into Vis harbour under mainsail.

View to the west side of Vis bay.

We even got there in time to walk to the beach on the opposite side of the bay for a swim. In the evening we treated ourselves to a huge, grilled San Pietro in the best Dalmatian restaurant.

Paradise Regained. Zoraće.

It is a sign of ageing that I like routine in my holidays: get up and seven, have a glass of juice and shave, and than go to the vegetable market and meet of few people that became familiar enough to exchange greetings. All the time trying to use as much Croatian as I can (which is very little).
Than breakfast followed by cappuccino at the cafe frequented by the locals, a couple of them rapidly becoming friends. This morning the only unusual thing was than the wind started to turn gusty.
As we sailed out of Hvar harbour heading east, we could feel the freshening west wind behind us. We were sailing under main sail only, going pretty fast and feeling over-canvassed.
Soon we were in the Zoraće bay, the ideal shelter from westerlies. A local offered us to moor at the peer, and we settled to another day of swimming, sun-bathing, and reading in the shade during the hottest part of the day. One of the local restaurants looked so nice that we decided to go there for a light meal (octopus salad, yummy) and chat to the very friendly young lady who owns it. She generously complimented my Croatian and reciprocated with a few words in Portuguese.

My beautiful crew in the restaurant overlooking Zoraće bay.

Getting away from the peer was a bit troublesome. Local boats overlook the fact that unlike them we have a keel and a mast and freely put mooring ropes in ways that unintentionally cause us trouble. Trying to disentangle us First-Mate had a nasty fall over the pulpit, for which she had blue bruises for the rest of the holiday. Ouch!
The return was great, challenging sailing. With one reef in the main and a very reduced genoa Mekićevica was slicing trough the waves. The big chartered boats were all motoring and one of them, crewed by a bunch of big guys, came really close to give the thumbs-up to Mekićevica's performance.

Paradise Regained. Mekićevica.

Another sunny day. Today we are going to Mekićevica, the bay our boat is named after. There was only a weak wind, that vanished completely when we passed between Hvar and the lighthouse. We had to motor the rest of the way. In Mekićevica we were offered to pick-up a buoy, took a few things ashore in out little dinghy and spent the day swimming, sun-bathing, reading. Very relaxing. In the middle of the day we went to say hello to the people in the restaurant, who of course were puzzled by our boat's name.

Mekićevica bay.

The sail back was really fun. We waited until the maestrale had decreased to just the right strength and then sailed in two long tacks with full main and genoa.

Paradise regained. Taršće.

Another sunny morning with weak winds. After my routine trip to the vegetable market and breakfast we set-off to sail south of the Pakleni islands to Taršće. This is beautiful and well protected bay where small boats with good skippers can find good anchorage deep into the bay. we moored with bow anchor and line ashore next a beautiful, local boat: Red Coral. I complimented the skipper on his boat and in turn he asked why did we have a Belgian flag but a local name. During this whole trip Mekićevica turned-out to be a good way to meet local people. Her good looks, good sailing and name got us apart from the average tourist.
Than it was just another great day enjoying the sunshine, the clear water and the beauty of this place.
The return was a run in the afternoon maestrale, and then an attempt to negotiate the strange winds between the islands of Marinkovac and Planikovac. Despite trying to copy the sail setting of a local skipper we had to give up and motor the last bit. In my defence, I'll say that he had a taller mast and was better able to catch the "cleaner" airs above the trees.

Evening back home, enjoying the view from the balcony: full moon over the arsenal and the happy crowds in Hvar.

Paradise Regained. Jerolim

Our aim for the day is the south side of Jerolim, a bay where Mare, First-Mate's cousin has the most delightful beach bar: Kordovan. In the hustle and bustle of modern Hvar this is an oasis of calm. No loud music, just the sound of the cicadas and the sea. And being one of the oldest and best nudist beaches means you can wear whatever you want or nothing at all.
Jerolim is right in front of Hvar but we still sailed around the island in weak wind, entered the bay under sail, dropped the anchor and took a line ashore, mediterranean style.

The lighthouse in front of Hvar.

For the rest of the day we enjoyed the company of the fantastic bunch of people who gather there to... well, enjoy each other's company in a relaxed setting.

Paradise Regained. Settling into beach life

I called it magic island but many promote it as party island. During the night the whole town of Hvar turns into a wild party with loud music, lots of drinking and the resulting, incoherent shouting. We are right in the centre and refuse to install air conditioning, so we sleep with open windows and exposed to all the noise. It takes more than that to prevent me from sleeping after a day out in the sun, and I go up at 7am to go to the market. I love markets and doing the shopping is an excellent opportunity to practice and improve my rudimentary Croatian.
As in a typical day in Hvar we check the weather forecast and decide where to go that day. The nice thing this time is that instead of taking a taxi-boat we sail there.
There is a weak northeasterly, so we decide to go along the south of the Pakleni islands and pull into one of the many bays. In the weak wind progress was slow and the sun biting our yet not acclimatised skin, so when we were passing in front of Stipanska we decided to go no further. Dropped the anchor,  look a line ashore, inflated our little dinghy to take stuff ashore and settled for our first day at the beach.
This involves a lot of swimming and sunbathing until early afternoon when the sun becomes too hot and we shelter in a shade reading to emerge in the late afternoon for more swimming and enjoying the mellow light.

Stipanska: rowing the dinghy ashore.

When it was time to go, we weighed anchor under sail and ghosted back to Hvar harbour to face the usual pandemonium of trying to find a place among the local boats.

Paradise Regained. The crew is complete and we sail to our magic island

On Thursday, First Mate is finally arriving to Split and I met her at the airport. To celebrate the fact that boat and crew are all ready and in holiday mood we went out for a dinner of grilled fish and calamari.

On the next morning we finally are casting off. The weather is on the usual summer pattern around here. Hot sunny, weak winds in the morning, completely dying in the middle of the day before the maestrale, the moderate, westerly, thermal wind starts.
At first we were beating into the weak southwesterly in busy traffic and took a while to get away from Split. At last the wind picked-up a bit and we sailed close-hauled towards the Splitska Vrata, the channel between the islands of Brač and Šolta.

Remembering the wind pattern of our previous times in these waters, we were expecting it when in the Splitska Vrata the wind went from moderate to nothing in less than a second. So we motored through to find that south of the Vrata there was a nice southwesterly. A few rolls in the genoa and off we go to the most delightful sailing in a long time, in a straight course to Rat Pelegrin, with the hills of Hvar to port.

In the Paklenski Kanal the wind was a bit weaker and progress was a bit slow, not least because of the  wake of the many ferries and speed-boats. But eventually we entered the bay of Hvar. Here we are at our magic island.

Entering Hvar harbour and sighting our beautiful, little pink house.

After the expected trouble finding a place among the local boats we unloaded and settled at home. Again we have reasons to celebrate: we are in Hvar and it is our wedding anniversary.

Paradise Regained. Prologue.

It has been two years since we have been to Hvar. On the other hand I was promised that this year I could have a sailing holiday. The solution is obvious: sail around Hvar, not going on big voyages as four years ago, but just use Hvar as a base and go around the many islands and bays in the area.
There are difficulties with this plan, 1750 of them to be precise, which is the number of kilometres between Bruinisse and Split. I decided to bite the bullet: I'll hire the trailer, drive Mekicevica to Split, put her in the water and prepare her to sail. First-Mate will join then fly to Split. This way we will maximise the use of her holidays.
So started the preparations, and some problems as well. In the day I was preparing the car to go and get the trailer it turns-out that the tow-bar was missing. Misplaced or even stolen when the car was serviced. Rush to Ford and try t persuade them to order a new tow-bar urgently.
Then my passport was about to expire and had to have it renewed. The Portuguese consulate takes so long to do that that I had to get the trailer, put mekicevica on it, and than in the last minute return to Brussels to pick-up my passport... in a day when the Belgian railway went on strike. First Mate had to rescue me in Mechelen.
Eventually, on a bright Saturday morning, I left Bruinisse with Mekićevica in tow for the long drive. Even driving slow and with frequent breaks we made good progress and on the afternoon of the second day we entered Croatia, the day after Portugal eliminated Croatia from the football Euro Cup. Near Karlovačko I had the last long rest and last change of motorway. From than there are displays above the road at regular intervals showing the temperature. Starting with 26C near Karlovačko  the readings progressively increased: 27C, 28C, 29C,... by the time we reached Zadar it read 32C, despite being late afternoon. Finally in a warm and quiet Sunday evening we entered Split and were soon in front of a building on which a neon sign read "ACI Marina Split". Arrived!
After finding a place for the car, boat, and trailer to stay overnight, I still managed to shower and have a dinner of octopus salad.

I woke-up on Monday morning and started the preparations to put Mekićevica in the water. They don't have a crane to step the mast but soon what I call the southern efficiency kicked-in: no sophisticated equipment or standard procedures; just four guys with cigarettes in the corner of their mouths and cracking jokes and before I knew it the mast was up. There were a few mistakes in the rigging setup, but with the help of the most helpful guy, Joško I managed to solve them. (He turned-out to be a friend of one of the Hvar cousins.) It still took two more long and hot day of preparations, with some difficulties including smashing the rear window of the car while manoeuvring in the marina. Each day finished with a swim at the beach under the Marjan hill, followed by a cold from the marina shop and dinner.
Finally on Tuesday evening all was ready and on Wednesday I even managed to go for a test sail in front of Split. The moment the motor was off, the gentle breeze filled the sails, and Mekićevica started moving graciously through the water all the troubles were forgotten. The sun was shining on the hills behind Split, while to the South the details of the islands of Šolta and Brač became progressively more distinct.
We went nearly to Šolta before jibing and sailing back, well into the wide Split harbour.

After the Rain the Sun Always Shines

Another weekend with dubious weather forecast. I could still feel my bones wet from last weekend's rain, but First-Mate instigated us to hope for the best and go sailing.
We drove to Bruinisse together on Friday evening and after a drink at the Sailor's inn had dinner aboard.

Saturday, 18 of June: Fast and wet downwind-sailing
When I first woke-up on Saturday morning it was sunny and the wind was very light. But the western skies clearly showed that things were about to change. And change they did. Fast. It started raining, and since First-Mate had to catch on some sleep, we had a proper weekend lay-in. Anyway, we were only planning to do a short, downwind trip to De Heen.
It was nearly noon when we finally motored to the Grevelingen lock, counting on the weather forecast promise that it would get gradually drier. In the lock we chatted to a group of blokes in a beautiful, old long-keeler with very elegant lines. (I really am fascinated by long-keelers.) Once out, we had a fresh breeze behind-us, so we hoisted almost all of Big Genny and sailed towards the Kramer lock. In the meanwhile the rain was getting more persistent, and the wind stronger.
We went through the lock without waiting, and than unfurled just about a third of Big Genny. Still we were moving really fast. Rolling a lot as well, as the strong wind was building-up big waves. "Big" seen from Mekicevica's cockpit, less than half-metre above the water. We followed along and just to the north of the shipping lane until it was time to cross. We were moving so fast, I was hoping we could sail across. Unfortunately it was too busy; I decided it would be best to motor. It was probably the right thing to do, as we had to slalom around a few ships.
Once it the Steenbergse Vliet, we briefly considered sailing, but the weather was not for hanging around too long, so we motored to the charming Schapenput harbour.

Schapenput harbour. The skipper dreaming about boats.

As it was still early we went for a walk to Steenbergen, despite the intermittent rain. Then we went for dinner at the excellent Eetcafe 't Gooileven. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, not expensive, and a very friendly waitress who even speaks Portuguese!

Sunday, 19 of June: The sun is shining, the weather is fine...
A sunny morning, with a light westerly wind. It felt so nice to sit in the sunshine and let the cold and wet be burnt away.
We motored up the Steenbergse Vliet, together with two other sailboats, and then across the shipping lane. As soon as we were out of the way of "the big guys" we switched-off the motor and hoisted main and Big Genny, preparing for a long beat.
The wind was really weak, and variable in direction; we were making very slow progress, also because in such weak winds, Big Genny needs a lot of help to change tack: clear the shrouds, not let the sheets be fouled in stanchions and other obstacles...
In front of Oude-Tongue we had to give up and motor back to Bruinisse.

To Zierikzee and Back, Always with the Wind, with the Tide,... and with the Rain

After a few days of summer weather, there are rumours of "some rain" during the weekend. But the tides and the wind forecasts are perfectly aligned for a trip to the Oosterschelde. The occasion is too good to miss; we're going hoping for the best.

Friday, 10 of June: Single handed to St.-Annaland
As soon as I could, I got on my motorbike and rode to Bruinisse. The fine weather of the previous days is holding, but there is very little wind, and about southwesterly. It is forecast to pick-up a bit and turn northerly in the early afternoon. Anyway, low water is around 2pm, so I am trying to time it such that I sail down the Keteen with the last of the ebb, get to the mouth of the Krabbenkreek at low water, and ride the flood tide to St.-Annaland. The rest of the morning was spent preparing Mekicevica and generally pottering about. At around noon, the flag start to flutter and the Windex was showing a nortwesrterly wind. Perfect timing. I dropped everything, and cast-off towards the Grevelingen lock. After the lock I hoisted the main and Big Genny, and let the weak wind, and the weak tide do their best to slowly push us on a southwesterly course down the Keteen. Progress was slow, but the sun was shinning, there were hardly any yachts or ships around, and it was getting nicely warm. It was so quiet I could even let Mekicevica sail herself while I went down to change into shorts and T-shirt.
I was incredibly lucky with the timing: as I was turning into the Krabbenkreek, I could see a boat gradually turning around the anchor, showing the turn of the tide. It was so quiet I could even hear the breathing of a pilot whale, although I could not spot him.
I arrived in St.-Annaland happy and relaxed, prepared for doing close to nothing for the rest of the afternoon until First-Mate joins for dinner.

Saturday, 11 of June: St.-Annaland to Zierikzee
On Saturday morning there was a light easterly, just as forecast. What was not forecast is that "some rain" turned-out to be continuous rain from middle of the night. We still decided to go ahead with our plan, and soon after high water we were riding the ebb and the light easterly breeze down the Krabbenkreek. In this less-than-perfect weather there were not many boats around, and the Oosterchelde was quiet as we rarely see it. After the Zeeland bridge the wind became even weaker and the final approach to the canal leading to Zierikzee was rather slow, but somehow we managed to sail all the way to the entrance before starting the motor to beat the tidal eddies.
In Zierikzee, we stayed at the yacht club, which does not have the charm of the historical centre but is quiet and you tie-up in boxes, rather than 8th boat in a raft, or so.
The rain finally stopped and we went for a stroll and in search of some fresh herring, since the season has just started.

In the Zierikzee Museum-Harbour, still smiling despite the rain.

After a dinner of a bucket of mussels washed with copious amounts of white wine we went early to bed, because the next day we need to start early.

Sunday, 12 of June: Wet, wet return to Bruinisse
High water was around 10am, and the wind forecast to be westerly to southwesterly and mostly weak. If we don't want to have to motor all the way back we'd better be past the Krabbenkreek not long after high water. So we planned to cast-off at 7am, but when I got-up just before 6am there was not the slightest puff of wind. So we slept until 6:40, when the flag finally become to flutter a bit. After a hasty departure we were soon drifting more than sailing up the Oosterschelde. It was flat and quiet, with only the slightest of ripples on the water and only the sounds of the birds. If we ignore the occasional noise of a car on the bridge, that is. It would be perfect if it wasn't for the occasional drizzle.
Turning into the Ketene, we went into a straight downwind run, and doused the main to allow Big Genny to pull us along in the slightly freshening wind. We made it past the Krabbenkreek not much after 10am, but then the wind weakened, and turned more westerly, so we hoisted the main again. And then the rain started coming in force. Soon we were completely soaked, moving at snail pace towards the red-green buoy in front of Bruinisse that did not seem to get any closer. We started the motor a bit earlier than we normally do, so we could be back in harbour and change into dry clothes.
In Bruinisse we even had a few glimpses of sunshine, before the rain returned to give me another soaking on the motorbike ride back home.

Single-Handed, Discovering a New Harbour on the Volkerak

Friday, 3 of June: Sailing in Fog and Semi-Darkness
First-Mate was travelling again, so I studied the weather and wind forecast and made a great plan for a cruise. Then the weather forecast changed. There was rain, and heavy showers, and thunderstorms, and all sorts of things. At least it was not cold. Finally as the weekend approached there seemed to be a weather window. I decided to leave on Friday as soon as the rain stopped.
Finally, mid afternoon it was dry enough to ride a motorbike, so off to Bruinisse I go. Quickly prepared Mekicevica and around 5pm I was motoring towards the Grvelingen lock in a cloudy afternoon. After a long wait, we finally went trough and hoisted main and jib to sail towards the Kramer lock, reaching into the moderate northerly wind.
Along the way we crossed the Jouet of the bloke from Den Bosch we had met in the lock a few days earlier. He seemed to recognise Mekicevica as well.
Passing the Kramer lock was really quick and soon we were sailing again, now broad-eeaching on a southeasterly course. With the clouds were descending and the daylight fading, I decided that instead of passing north of the Nordplaat, as we usually do, pass by the south side, following the shipping lane, but just out of it. At least there the red buoys have lights and are in a straight line, making navigation easier if we were caught by darkness. Then it was time to cross the shipping lane towards the Steenbergse vliet. By then the visibility was worse, but not dark enough for the lights of the buoys to come on, or to make our masthead tricolour of much use. It all went well at I felt a great relief when I finally sailed past the green buoy on the other side. Finding the entrance to the Steenbergse vliet was not easy, but with local knowledge and a bit of luck I could spot the red-green buoy that marks the entrance. My plan was to motor to De Heen, but just as I was approaching the little lock, the light turned red. I could not see any boat coming from the other side, neither the bridge over the lock operating, so I thought it might have closed for the night. Never mind, I had a plan B which was to stay at another harbour on the outside of the lock, the WSV De Volkeraak.
It was nearly 10pm when I tied-up, with the friendly help of a girl who just happened to be passing on her way from the showers. The harbour is small, but very neat and all the club members I met were very friendly.

Saturday, 4 of June: Morning Walking, Afternoon Sailing
Saturday morning was still foggy. Not wanting to repeat a crossing of the shipping lane in poor visibility I decided to wait in hope that the fog would clear. To pass the time and do some exercise I went for a walk, looking for an old fort (Fort Hendrick) visible on the map as a star-shape. There and back took me nearly three hours of pretty brisk walking, but from the fort there was not much to see. There is no way to cross the moat, and nothing else remains from the fort.
In fact, while walking around the moat I recognised a spot where we had stopped before during a bike ride, unaware that we were right in front of the old fort.

Fort Hendrick. more interesting seen from space than from close by.

When I returned to Mekicevica, the cloud had lifted a bit, so I set off for the return to Bruinisse. Instead of a northeasterly moderate as forecast, we had a weak northwesterly. So, we motored across the shipping  lane and then started a slow beat along the north side of the Nordplaat. Maybe it was the poor weather, but it was unusually quiet. For long periods, the only sounds were from the many birds that live on the island, unmolested by humans who are not allowed there.
It eventually got sunny, and the feared Volkerak midges descended on us in big, thick clouds. And then the wind completely died. So, I doused the sails and started motoring, but shortly the sea-wind kicked in, and we were able to sail nicely, beating towards the Kramer lock. After passing the lock, I felt too tired to continue the beating, especially since now I would be in narrow waters, so I motored the rest of the way to Bruinisse.
Sunday I will have to leave to meet First-Mate at the airport.

Up and Down the Volkerak

First-Mate is travelling for work the whole week. No-way I am going to stay at home if the weather is any decent. Which it wasn't on Monday.

Tuesday, 24 of May: Preparing to go
Finally on Tuesday afternoon the rain cleared and I got on my motorbike and rode to Bruinisse.
The rest of the day was spent preparing Mekicevica, provisioning, and generally pottering about.

Drying-out, after a few, very rainy days.

Wednesday. 25 of May: Afternoon sail to Oude-Tongue
I feel sorry for the meteorologists, working all day with their supercomputers in windowless rooms. They must be windowless, because while they kept asserting "mostly dry weather with a very local patch of drizzle" it rained all morning. Finally just before noon it started to get a bit drier, so we are off for the first single-handed trip of the season. Destination: the Volkerak.
Middle of the week, middle of the day, it was very quiet at the Grevelingen lock. Instead of the many yachts we passed the lock with a cargo ship.

Sailing mid-week: little traffic of yachts but you come across more of the big guys.

Once past the lock, we hoisted full main and the big genoa, and peacefully sailed along the Kramer, with the light NW breeze aft of the beam pushing us towards the next lock.
This time we just went in without waiting, hoisted sails again, and resumed the relaxed sailing.
Initially I had the intention of getting to Dintelmond, or ever Ooltegenseplaat, but with the weak wind it became obvious we were not going to make it that far in any reasonable time. So we turned into Oude-Tongue.
The approach to the town is first through a bird reserve. It is usually very quiet, but much more so on this week-day afternoon. Mekicevica was gliding silently, close-hauled on the weak breeze. The only noise was from the birds. At one moment I realised I was holding my breath for fear of disturbing the peace. We managed to sail until the last pair of buoys before the lock leading to the town centre.
As I was tying-up at in our usual place, the only one sized for a small boat like Mekicevica, a guy who was fishing on the opposite side of the harbour, asked me (in German) if I would rent him my boat the next day. What a cheek! I strongly refused, but gave him the details of Aqua-Vitesse, fro which he was very grateful.

The beautiful harbour of Oude-Tongue.

Thursday. 26 of May: Long, slow beat up the Volkerak
The skies cleared in the early night, and the temperature dropped substantial. I was a bit cold sleeping in Mekicevica, even with two duvets on myself. In the morning there was a shy sunshine, and the wind had veered to the NE, exactly the direction I want to sail to.
Never mind, I thought, I need to practise beating single-handed and this weak wind offers the ideal opportunity. So I changed from the Bif Genny to the Small Jibby, and set off prepared for a long beat.
Encouraged from previous days' performance, I tried to hit sails in the tight space between the first two buoys. I did very well and in no time we had the main-sail full on a beam reach.. but weren't moving. We were aground. The bottom here is only soft sand and weed, so a tittle tug on the centre-plate was enough to get Mekicevica free.
As we started beating towards the east there was a moderate wind and I was happy with the progress and the way my single-handed takes were going. But the wind got progressive weaker and weaker, and our speed lower and lower. And then I was reminded why I don't like to sail on the fresh water of the Volkerak in summer with weak wind: as soon as the boat speed drops the terrible Volkerak midges come for you. They are not the biting type, but like to make straight flights onto your face, Kamikaze style. They are particularly fond of aiming at ears and nostrils. At one point, I saw a familiar, small boat (Katapult) motoring the opposite way while the crew made desperate swating gestures.
Soon I was playing cat and mouse with the wind: become becalmed, switch on the motor until ripples on the water give the impression the wind was returned; switch-off the motor, sail for a few seconds before the wind dies again. Repeat.
After a while I lost patience, and since I would have to motor across the shipping lane, anyway, decided to motor until there was clearly some wind. After a while I finally could see the wind turbines starting to move, and clear ripples on the water everywhere I looked. From then it was nice, relaxed sailing until Dintelmond, where we sailed past the break-waters. In total, seven hours sailing with only a short toilet break, hove-to.

Friday, 27 of May: Great sailing back to Bruinisse... and back to Oude-Tongue again
The weather forecast for Friday called for sunny spells and moderate northerlies. I tried to start as soon as I could, that is as soon as the harbourmaster arrived and I could pay for the stay. At first it was cloudy and the north wind was a bit weak. But gradually the sun came out and the wind picked-up and we started moving faster. I could even use a lull in the traffic to sail across the shipping lane.
After the Nordplaat, it was a straight-line towards the Kramer lock on a beam-reach with main and jib nicely full. At some moment a motor boat came from behind getting really close. A nice-looking mob, by the way, not your average, revolting gin-palace. As I was getting annoyed that it was coming so close, I realised that the skipper wanted to compliment me on the way Mekicevica was sailing. "Beautiful sight" he sad. Mekicevica and skipper went pink with pride.
The delightful sailing continued on the Kramer and soon we were berthed back in Bruinisse. By than it was warm enough for shorts and T-shirt, while I had started the day in thermals and water-proofs.
I had thought of packing-up and going home, but First-Mate had returned home and was not going to miss the opportunity of doing some sailing. So she joined me in Bruinisse, and in the late afternoon we set-out again towards the Volkerak. I am glad First-Mate had this idea, because it was the most delightful evening sailing, even if it was against the wind all the way.

Saturday, 28 of May: Another return to Bruinisse
Saturday morning was sunny but the northerly wind was rather weak. Immediately out of the canal fro Oude-Tongue we hoisted Big Genny. Progress was a bit slow, not least because it seemed to be peak hour for the fishers to return home in their motor boats. Each time Big Genny was starting to fill with the weak breeze, one of those pests would come along and upset everything with their wake. One of them even made us drift out of the channel and run aground. We easily came free but that was it, we motored until open water where the wind was a bit stronger. Than it was great sailing for the short distance to the Kramer lock.

After the lock, on the Kramer the proximity of the North Sea became more noticeable, making the wind a bit more westerly. We still could make it to the Grevelingen lock always on starboard tack. And very nice sailing it was, especially since we don't sail close hauled with Big Genny very often.

A Day-Trip to Bommenede Turns Into an Overnight-Trip to Brouwershaven

The weather continues to be miserable. The forecast gives hope of a dry and warm Saturday, but that is all we can expect.

Friday was rain, and more rain. I patiently waited for it to clear. Finally in the middle afternoon it stopped raining and I jumped on my motorbike and got to Bruinisse. First-Mate was in Leiden for work and joined me in the evening for a drink at the Veerhuis and dinner aboard.

Saturday, 21 of May

After a very calm night we woke up to a shy sunshine and a weak south-westerly wind. Soon we were getting out of the harbour and hoisting main-sail and jib to sail up the Grevelingen on a beam to broad reach. The wind gradually picked-up to just the strength Mekicevica likes and she was flying. It was barely noon when we pulled into the small Bommenede piers.

There are still corners of the Grevelingen new to Mekicevica, like Bommenede.

From there we went for a walk towards Zonnemaire, through typical, rural-Zeeland landscape.

Typical Zeeland landscape: 100% artificial, but pleasant none-the-less.

After a light lunch we returned to the boat with the intention to return back to Bruinisse before the weather window shut. We found that the wind was a bit more southerly and had picked-up a lot. It was now a good 5 Bf and against us. With a few rolls in the jib and a reef in the main we prepared for a hard fight... which we lost.

Mekicevica was still heeling a lot and often I had to ease the main-sheet, which made progress upwind slow. It became obvious we would have to do several tacks. In these conditions, to avoid having First-Mate leaning over the low side of a crazily heeling boat, I bring the boat level during the tacks. In the narrow space we had here that would make progress even slower. We gave-up. Turned around, rolled the jib, sailed down-wind past Bommenede again, and finished with a cowardly motoring to the shelter of Brouwershaven.

To make the best of it, we finished the day with a delicious fish dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday, 22 of May

As forecast, the rain returned during the night, topped-up with occasional showers and wind gusts. But in the well sheltered harbour of Brouwershaven Mekicevica and crew slept peacefully. And long. There was no hurry, since we needed to wait for the squalls to pass.

Eventually they did, and we had a light westerly breeze pushing us on a run along the Geul van Bommenede, than on a broad reach down the Grevelingen that turned again into a run as the wind veered more northerly. Unfortunately we had only the briefest glimpse of sunshine and occasional light rain.

As we were settling Mekicevica in Bruinisse, the rain became heavier and more persistent. I had a very wet motorbike ride back home and has I write this, Monday mid-morning it is still raining uninterruptedly.

Cold Day Trip to Stavenisse

After a wonderful spell of good weather last weekend, the winter made a comeback. Whit Sunday was colder than on Christmas day, with a strong NW wind. Not a pleasant weather to sail. Instead we took our bikes to Bruinisse and went for a short ride to Zonnemaire  and after a break with a hot drink returned to Bruinisse.

Whit Monday,  16 of May 2016
In the morning it was so cold we almost gave-up and returned home. But encouraged by the forecast of sunshine and perfect sailing wind, we decided to go.
After a leisurely start, hoping for temperatures to rise we headed for the Grevelingen lock, went straight in, and tied alongside a small and somewhat battered Jouet sailed by a very nice guy from Den Bosch. After the lock we hoisted sails as soon as the flotilla dispersed enough to give us some room to manoeuvre. I managed to impress First-Mate by hoisting first the jib on a downwind course, let the other boats pass on motor, and then briskly turn into the wind until the jib backed, quickly hoist the main, pass the jib to the other tack and sail away.
Then it was very pleasant sailing down the Keteen, mostly on beam reach to the weak-ish NW wind. We had open plans, and when we passed in front of the Krabbenkreek, decided to continue towards Stavenisse. With the harbour entrance already in sight, we got the more Westerly wind blowing from the Oosterschelde, on the spot where it always blows stronger. It took us a few tacks until we could enter the Stavenisse canal.
After a short break, we set on our way back to Bruinisse. Now we started with a moderate wind aft of the beam, but as we progressed it became a reach. Mekicevica was sailing beautifully. In the gusts she almost seemed to plan. The wind became gradually weaker and more northerly, but even with having to avoid some traffic we managed to make it to the end of the Keteen always on starboard tack.

Sailing past a traditional Dutch ship.

Waiting for the lock we came across two Germans and their cat who have been sailing their Ketch   Wonderwall since October and plan to head for South America.
If it had not been so cold, it would have been a perfect sailing day.

Early Summer Cruise To Veere

A spell of unbelievably nice weather in early May: dry, warm, with light to moderate easterlies.
And falling on a long weekend, moreover!

After studying the tide tables, and wind forecast we decided to try to sail Mekicevica to Veere and back. This involves sailing a large bit of the Oosterschelde, almost the whole length of the Veerse Meer, and then return the same way.

Thursday, 5th of May: Sailing (Most of the Way) to Kats

All our trips out of the Grevelingen start with negotiating the lock. We were lucky to go in immediately, without waiting, but the lock was crowded as we have rarely seen it. After the stewards directed all the boats into place, there wasn't even space for a rubber duck in that lock.

Once on the other side we sailed along the Keteen, with a light easterly wind, enough to push Mekicevica against the weak tide. On the Oosterschlede it would be a different matter altogether, so we made a beak in Stavenisse to wait for high-water at 1540, so we could continue with the ebb.

Waiting for the tide in Stavenisse.

Sailing with wind and tide, we made good progress, until the point we had to turn south and against the tide. Now on a close reach, we were making good progress over the water... but soon we were moving backwards over the ground. No other option but continuing on motor. We still arrived in Kats in time for a stroll to the village and a delicious dinner of fish on the marina restaurant. 

The church in Kats. The pretty village was once an artists colony and the inhabitants retain a taste for arts.

Friday, 6th of May: The Veerse Meer Zig-Zags

On Friday we only had to do a short stretch in tidal waters, before getting into the Veerse Meer. Still, we didn't want to leave too early before low water, to avoid going against the tide. In the early morning there was a lot of activity in the harbour, as lots of boats were going the other way and were rushing to leave as early as their felt comfortable with. Once they left, everything was quiet, until low water when all the boats that were going the same way as us cast off almost at the same time. The southeasterly wind was very light and we were glad to have changed the head-sail from small jibby to the Big Genny. First we sailed away from the coast and then in a few tacks reached the Zandkreek.  From there was plain sailing with wind and tide to the lock. The only annoyance were the many stinkpots and their wakes.

The Veerse Meer has a strange zig-zag shape. Add to that shores that are either lined with trees or empty salt marches, a gusty wind, and heavy traffic and you get very eventful sailing. We made a break along the way to rest and eat something, and after that I managed to impress First-Mate by leaving the peer under sail without using the motor.

As in all the days during this cruise, in the early afternoon the wind veered, increased in strength and became gusty, so soon after the break we were close hauled in a rising wind. Seeing boats ahead of us heeling a lot, we put a few rolls in the genoa, which turned to be the right decision, because we were soon hit by strong gusts. Just before Veere we checked the marina but it was a sad affair: exposed to the wind and wake of boats, out of town, and no facilities. So we headed for the Stadshaven, where we were welcome by a very friendly harbour master who found us a nice, sheltered spot.

...

Veere Stadshaven, right in the historic centre.

The only surprise was that there are no food shops in Veere. Plenty of tourist souvenir shops, but no food shops. Not wanting to eat out again, we had to make do with what we had on board. But we did manage to buy a bottle of cheap wine at the clubhouse. And we had dinner outside, in Mekicevica's cockpit.

Saturday, 7th of May: Long Beat Back, Confused Winds and Crew, and Evening Sail to Colijnsplaat

Having successfully reached our destination, we need to plan the return. Considering the tides and wind forecast, we would like to reach Stavenisse today, leaving the Veerse Meer shortly before the 1711 high water. That means a rather long day.

As we left Veere, in a light southeasterly, it was very quiet. But as we tacked towards Arnemuiden it became increasingly busy. At the narrowest point we had to tack in between several sailing and motorboats, a flotilla of lasers, and a cruise ship.

Leaving Veere in a quiet morning.

We zigzagged along the Veerse Meer to Wolphartsdijk, where we stopped briefly to re-provision and have a little break. We first tried to stop at the harbour of the Royal Belgian Yacht Club, but were very unfriendly shooed away to a pier reserved for short stops.

Around 3pm we set sail again towards the lock in very erratic winds. Although there was a lot of traffic coming in, there very few boats going out.

Then started the big struggle. In the original plan, we would have to sail against wind and tide for a bit, before turning and riding wind and tide to Stavenisse. The first problem was that the wind died and we couldn't make much progress. So, we motored until the turning point. Then a bit of wind came up... from the wrong direction: NE instead of SE. We soon realised we were never going to get to Stavenisse that day, so we turned around, sailed the stretch we had so painfully motored and headed towards Kats. At least now we had a light wind just aft of the beam and the tide helping us. Easy sailing in the falling light and quiet waters was pure bliss.

Delightful evening sailing on the Oosterschelde.

In fact, it was going so well, that we decided to continue past Kats and towards Colijnsplaat. The main reason being that the clubhouse there has better beer than the restaurant in Kats ;-)

The setting sun plays on the Zeeland bridge.

Sunday, 8th of May: Getting a Good Beating Back to Bruinisse

The reason we wanted to reach Stavenisse on Saturday was that the easterlies were forecast to increase in force, and we know from bitter experience that strong easterlies over a flood tide can create havoc in the Oosterschelde. With this is mind we left Colijnsplaat about one hour before low water. The SE wind was light and at first it was a bit of a struggle to make progress against the last bit of the ebb, but gradually the tide turned in our favour and we started approaching the east end of the Oosterschelde away from the water that become choppy in easterlies against flood-tide.

Easy sailing along the Oosterschelde, before all hell came lose.

As were approaching the end of the Keteen, what we usually call "the windy corner", the wind started backing and building-up; first in puffs, that as a moderate east wind with strong gusts. Soon we had to put a few rolls in the jib and a reef in the main. Even like that in some of the gusts I had to ease the main-sheet until the boom nearly touched the waves and Mekicevica dug the toe-rail in the water. Moreover, the narrow Keteen was incredibly busy with yachts and cargo ships. The first part of the Keteen was one of the most difficult things we have done with Mekicevica so far. But as we approached Bruinisse, the wind calmed from its fit of rage, we turned a bit more downwind and everything became peaceful.
Passing through the lock was uneventful and soon Mekicevica was clean and settled to wait for our next adventures.

Opening of the Season

Finally a change in the weather forecast for this weekend! Still cold, but a bit less so on Sunday. The wind is expected to remain NW to N and weak to moderate. We can't wait anymore. We're going sailing.
On Saturday morning I rode my motorbike to Bruinisse, and despite the thermals arrived feeling really cold. A grog of ginger infusion with rum soon fixed that. The afternoon was spent making final preparations and in the evening First-Mate arrived for dinner out.
After a cold night we got up to a beautiful morning with weak wind. We were in no rush to start, waiting for the temperature and the wind to pick-up a bit. Finally just after 11 we were out of the harbour and hoisting sails. It was a beautiful day, but still a skiing clothes affair.

The woollen cap is still a must.

But the sun is shinning, so we're happy.

At first the wind was weak but we were moving along the SE side of the Grevelingen. Than a few inconsistent puffs came along, each one from a different direction. And finally it started blowing a consistent northerly 4 Bf. Sailing close-hauled to round the Mosselenbank, Mekicevica was heeling a lot, but still not really a case for reefing. What became apparent was that the tension of the rigging was not enough. When preparing Mekicevica, I tried to have a less dramatic tension of the shrouds than last year, finding that the mast might have been to bent. It turns-out that was the wrong decision, as the lee-side shrouds were too floppy and each tack made the whole thing shudder like crazy. It also showed that the Windex is a bit loose and I was afraid we might lose it. Given these technical problems and the fact that we were getting a bit cold, we headed back to Bruinisse to warm in the sunshine in the sheltered harbour.

Next weekend is a long one and the weather forecast looks good. But the rigging has to be tightened. As to the Windex, I'll either have to climb the mast or hope that it will hold.

   

Lousy Weather

Mekicevica and crew are ready at roaring to go. Even my motorbike is ready for the summer.
And then the weather turned worse than for Christmas and no improvement in sight.

Where was this weather in winter when we wanted to go skiing?

Caring for the Keel-Bolts

The bits about most sailing boats that make me really nervous are the keel bolts. That is one of the reasons my next boat will have an encased, long keel. I watch very careful for the slightest signs of rusting, so when brown stains started to appear where the keel bolts pop-out in the bilge I got worried. It turned-out it was just dirt accumulating on the irregular surface of the epoxy barrier that cover the bolts. To be on the safe side, I cleaned it thoroughly with acetone and added some more epoxy, this time in a fluid mixture to create a smooth surface.

Bilge-pump and the keel-bolts covered with epoxy to keep water out.