We'll have dinner on the way. Enjoying a beautiful sunset, we sail under the Zeelandbrug bridge to the Roompot lock. We spend the night on the sea side of the lock. The next morning we leave early for Vlieland, as we have an appointment there with the Valentine. As we have to be in Lelystad later in the week for the installation of the water maker, it's an immediate reason to spend the night and sail to Vlieland in one go. Lovely how self-evident that can be with an ingrained rolling pattern on board and also the children who go there without any problems. Even though it's the first trip at sea this year, it feels like old times and we're immediately used to the life on board again.

 

On Sunday morning we arrive in the new harbour of Vlieland at 4.00 a.m. We have sailed for 20 hours and had a great trip. During the day with a nice sunshine and a weak wind from behind, with the genaker present. For a short while the wind picks up to a thick 5. Then just before dinner it falls away completely and we continue on the motorbike. Unfortunately not on such a flat sea because we roll in all directions because of a confused wave.
The AIS works perfectly, making it very easy to recognise the large ships and it is also easy to see which way they are heading and how fast they are going. Much easier than with the radar. For example, Toine can clearly see in the middle of the night what those two dredgers are planning to do just off the coast of Texel. The entrance at Vlieland is brightly lit with many green and red lights. Together we navigate perfectly in between. The first long trip of this year is over!

 Sunday is a messy day. We clean up the boat, and sort out what will and won't go on the long journey. We also rent bikes and make a small trip to the other side of the island. What a lovely island Vlieland is, right in the middle of nature. At the end of the afternoon the Valentine arrives and we are immediately offered a drink. We exchange the latest news about the preparations. Very cozy!
On Monday in between the showers we make a nice bike ride all over the island. Up against the wind and back on the North Sea side over that nice bike path through the dunes with the wind in our backs. For a while wind force 8 blows and we're lying on lower shore pushing the fenders a bit flatter. At the end of the afternoon the Valentine comes to us for a drink and after that we go out for dinner together. Again very cosy. Toine and Daniel even manage to have radio contact with each other via the SSB.

On Tuesday we leave in time for Lelystad, where we have an appointment with Rob Wink the next day to install the water maker and repair the wind generator. One of the sails is broken (see Easter weekend) and he does not supply enough power. The first part over the mud flats to Harlingen on the engine (against the wind), then sailing to the Afsluitdijk and the entire IJsselmeer to Lelystad. Mostly in the rain, but with a good wind force 4 and a half. A slight panic in the lock at Lelystad; the mooring is not going well and the pecking hook falls into the water (and fortunately can be easily fished out by Toine). The sun has broken through again and the food with the glass of wine tastes great!
The next morning Rob Wink and installer Jack are on the pavement early. They're busy all day and Toine helps. They just can't make it, but it's going much faster than expected. I take the children to the Batavia ship, the Batavia outlet (with all kinds of nice clothes shops) and the Zuiderzee Museum and we don't come back packed and packed with clothes and walking shoes until the end of the afternoon. A pleasant day together with the 'ladies'. At the Batavia wharf we get a nice and instructive tour of the ship. The children are especially impressed by the corporal punishment that was handed out (like keel pulling). And also the toilet with the 'wipe-off brush' impresses.

Queen's Day starts very bright. Jack comes for another hour to test the water maker, and yes, he's doing it! What a beautiful thing, and that you can make clean water with it. That's going to give us a lot of fun and convenience. Around noon we leave for Amsterdam. A wonderful sailing trip on the Markermeer, with wind force 3 from the north-east. So half to spacious and therefore fine 'gennaker-weather'! The last part with jib bin. We've had almost all sails in a short time. Because we have TV on board, we soon know that a drama has taken place in Apeldoorn. What a huge contrast with our own jubilation. Despite that misery, we let ourselves get carried away in the party atmosphere in Amsterdam. We have the last spot in the Sixhaven (where we already have herrings in a barrel close to each other) and cross the IJ with the pound and walk into the city centre. What a hustle and bustle and a gang. Very nice to m

Friday after Konniginnedag we leave for IJmuiden in good time and motorbikes. It's nice sunny weather again, with wind from the north-west (force 3). After the lock of IJmuiden the gennaker goes on and motorbike out. This way we sail up to the entrance of the Nieuwe Waterweg near Rotterdam on a lovely flat sea, and we listen to nice music ('Let's go, the tide is good'). Then the wind drops and we continue on the motorbike. Around 8 pm after 11 am we are back in Zeeland and spend the night in Stellendam.
On saturday we take it easy. we wash the boat and go out around noon. quietly sailing with ample wind (force 3) over the Haringvliet. then through and on the engine (wind against) through the Volkerak and Krammesluis. in the evening we eat tired and satisfied in the Sailor's Inn and look back on a very successful holiday. nice, cozy and useful. enjoying life as we will soon have for over a year. that feels very luxurious!