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Ep1 – Off sails Turadh to France

Finally, the time has come to leave. Marieke takes us to Kats on Wednesday evening. It takes some searching to place the last items on board.

Thu 23/5 Kats – Veere

Take-off on Mick’s birthday. It’s dry but relatively chilly, and hopes for an early summer haven’t materialised. There are two ways to head south from Kats, the one along the Roompot lock across the sea and that along Veere and Middelburg along the Walcheren canal. As there is little wind, we take the shortcut motoring over the Veerse Meer to picturesque Veere, with its lovely town square. Veere has long been open to the sea, and was an import trading port to East Anglia.
Browsing the shops on the lovely square in Veere is a must, followed by a nice meal on a terrace in the old port.

Fri 24/5 Veere – Middelburg

Plenty of time is taken because the destination is Middelburg, just around the corner. The city of Middelburg dates back to the late 8th or early 9th century and the first mention of Middelburg was as one of three fortified towns erected on Walcheren to guard against Viking raids. Well worth a visit, especially on a saterday, the market day.
At departure at 1pm it is sunny and pleasant. At arrival in Middelburg an hour later it starts raining and continues until evening, so a walk into the city results in an important purchase, being two umbrellas.

Sat 25/5 Middelburg – Cadzand

The plan is to visit Vlissingen, but the weather is not brilliant. We decide to sail on through the lock to the Scheldt and crossing to Cadzand becomes the new plan.
The marina in Cadzand is almost empty due to winter siltation, a rather dystopian view in this time of season. Arrival shortly after high tide allows for entering the marina. The always friendly harbour master Arno welcomes us personally. The weather clears up, leading to a walk in the dunes and a visit to De Zeemeeuw terrace, with a view of the sea and enjoyment of the sun. We buy ourself freshly smoked eel for dinner on board. You have to treat yourself once in a while 😉

Sun 26/5 Cadzand – Nieuwpoort

Casting off early at 7 o’clock to leave the harbour. The initial plan to go to Blankenberge is abandoned as we arrive by low tide, and the harbour master advises waiting. Instead, we sail on to Ostend, where the event “Oostende voor Anker” leaves no berths available. So we continue to Nieuwpoort. The journey is marked by rain and cold. Upon arrival in Nieuwpoort, the weather clears up. A place for two nights is booked, and a tram ride to Nieuwpoort Bad follows. Linde swims, rewarded with a Brussels waffle on a sunny terrace.

Along the harbour channel and on the Kromme Hoek, you can enjoy the colourful view of “Le Vent Souffle Où Il Veut” by French artist Daniel Buren. One hundred flagpoles with as many weathercocks attached form the imposing work of art that is also visible to the crews of boats sailing in and out of the channel. If you then walk or play between the masts like a child, you get a completely different view of the work, as if you were in a coloured forest.

Mon 27/5 Nieuwpoort

Monday is our day of Spanish online classes. We convert our cabine into an online classroom.
The plan to visit Ostend and James Ensor in the afternoon is canceled due to time constraints, leading to staying in Nieuwpoort.

Tue 28/5 Nieuwpoort – Dunkirk

The trip to Dunkirk starts at 8:30, with a confusing VHF call about shooting exercises in Lombardsijde. The weather is bleak and rainy upon arrival in Dunkirk, but spirits are lifted with a nice meal in “Protocol.

Wed 29/5 Dunkirk

Adverse winds delay departure, allowing for a visit to the “1940” museum. The Dunkirk 1940 – Operation Dynamo Museum invites you to discover Operation Dynamo and the Battle of Dunkirk. In short, too many people died.
Afterwards we enjoy some time on a sunny terrace behind glass. A walk along the boulevard and a free bus ride back to the marina concludes the day.
We were pleasantly surprised that public transport within Dunkirk is completely free. Buses run on a regular basis and, on time!