Ever since Marinthe and Sam have been in a relationship, the plan has been to take a boat to London one day to visit Sam's parents and childhood home. But then again, when is there a week that we can all go? Better said, that Marinthe and Sam can in their busy student lives and that it will work out at Sam's parents. From 10-15 June appears to be the only possibility for the time being and we set it a while in advance. We have done this before, so it should be possible, at least if the weather cooperates a little.

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In 23 hours we sail from Flushing to St Katharine's Dock in London. Luckily it is sunny and at night there is a big full moon. The first part with bft 3 against us, then with bft 4-5 and reef 2 and the cutter sailing high with the engine running. When the wind blows bft 6 for a few hours it is just possible to sail high without engine. Exactly when we cross the shipping lane and have to make way for large ships three times. It is spectacular sailing; Sam enjoys it fully and has no problems with seasickness at all. At the beginning of the estuary of the Thames, the wind decreases again but also becomes more adverse, so we start the engine again.

In the afternoon, we went with Marinthe and Sam by subway and train to his parents' house in Richmond. A beautiful area in the south of London near the narrowed Thames and the large Richmond Park. Sam's parents love to cook ... the food is really delicious ... slow cooked beef briefly broiled on the BBQ, with a spicy potato salad and vegetable dish (Ottolenghi's recipe). I immediately asked for the recipe. That evening we went to bed early. We hardly slept at all last night and Toine is still not feeling well and coughing a lot.

 

 

Tuesday afternoon and evening we get a wonderful tour from Sam via the South Bank to the heart of London. In the evening we have dinner in a great little Australian restaurant in Soho that Marinthe picked out. Really nice with the four of us.

 

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