Aug. 25, 2007 - Out of the Comfort Zone

We've finally ventured out of the Veerse Meer - and it's only taken us 18 months!

We booked an extra day's holiday (the Friday) for the Holiday and caught the 6 pm ferry on Thursday night.  Friday morning we had a trip up to the bank in the village to arrange opening a Dutch bank account (we need to do this in order to get our digital TV subscription).  After victualling the boat (not very well!) we headed for the Zandkreeksluis and into the unknown (the Oosterschelde), destination Goes to buy a digibox for our TV. 

First hurdle: the Zandkreeksluis lock, which we negotiated without incident in the company of various other boats, including an enormous barge.  We proceeded out into the Oosterschelde and turned right and after about half a mile, all under power, we then entered the Havenkanaal via the Sas van Goes lock, and then continued up the very pretty canal, negotiating 2 bridges before mooring up just on the edge of the town centre. 

Saturday morning we went shopping and bought our digibox, as well as a Dutch pay-as-you-go mobile phone, before going to the supermarket to finish off the victualling properly.  We left Goes at 12 noon and had a brilliant sail all the way up to Sint Annaland (12 miles), arriving just after 5.  Mooring was interesting and tricky, as it was between piles (not a particular problem, but there was very little room either side of the boat as we went through), and also because, as this marina is tidal, we had to get our stern lines around vertical wire sliders, which was a bit of a challenge when only 2 up. 

However, all made up for by fast and free WiFi internet access, hence this update to the blog whilst we are still here!

Tomorrow's plan is to head out under the Zeelandbrug, destination Zierikzee and a well-deserved plate of mussels and chips!

(Photos added 28th August 2007)

Aug. 27, 2007 - Bank Holiday

Aug. 28, 2007 - Havenkanal