Departure delayed

[miket]

Original departure for Holland from Sonning was 31 May.
Stayed on board, optimistcally hoping that the river would subside, until yesterday when we finally admitted defeat.
Now probably returning to the boat Saturday, but not really expecting to see the river sufficiently reduced.
Very boring, although understand that Holland is no better!
Perhaps we should turn right at Longnose instead of left?!!

 

[Brayman]

Turning right out of the marina may be a better option

 

[jecuk]

Original departure for Holland from Sonning was 31 May.
Stayed on board, optimistcally hoping that the river would subside, until yesterday when we finally admitted defeat.

Sorry to hear that Mike. A bit of a worry when on a decent sea trip you are thwarted by the non-tidal Thames!

Good luck for the weekend.

 

[miket]

Partial success

Free!!!!!
Departed Sonning 06.00 Bank Holiday Monday and had a fantastic but tiring run all the way to Teddington by 18.00. Bridge heights no great problem with everything down.
Thought that the height of the Olympic bridge at Windsor was a bit of a liberty. Why was it not just a little higher so biggish boats could pass under without hassle?
Left Teddington at 05.00 this morning and now tucked up in Ramsgate. Sadly will probably remain here until Friday unless we awake early tomorrow and sea still quiet. Forecast to be F5/6 "later" on the 17.54 forecast, so not looking good.
Ho hum!

Friday looks good but not convinced the forecasting is that good.

 

[apollo]

Free!!!!!
Departed Sonning 06.00 Bank Holiday Monday and had a fantastic but tiring run all the way to Teddington by 18.00. Bridge heights no great problem with everything down.
Thought that the height of the Olympic bridge at Windsor was a bit of a liberty. Why was it not just a little higher so biggish boats could pass under without hassle?
Left Teddington at 05.00 this morning and now tucked up in Ramsgate. Sadly will probably remain here until Friday unless we awake early tomorrow and sea still quiet. Forecast to be F5/6 "later" on the 17.54 forecast, so not looking good.
Ho hum!

Friday looks good but not convinced the forecasting is that good.

Great news, very very jealous!! Oh well back to work.

 

[oldgit]

Free!!!!!
Departed Sonning 06.00 Bank Holiday Monday and had a fantastic but tiring run all the way to Teddington by 18.00. Bridge heights no great problem with everything down.
Thought that the height of the Olympic bridge at Windsor was a bit of a liberty. Why was it not just a little higher so biggish boats could pass under without hassle?
Left Teddington at 05.00 this morning and now tucked up in Ramsgate. Sadly will probably remain here until Friday unless we awake early tomorrow and sea still quiet. Forecast to be F5/6 "later" on the 17.54 forecast, so not looking good.
Ho hum!

Friday looks good but not convinced the forecasting is that good.

Catch the bus round to Margate and visit the Tate.Good Display of Turners at the moment.

 

[miket]

Made it!

Left Ramsgate Saturday morning and had a very uncomfortable crossing 1st to Dunkirk (DW29) and then on up the Belgian coast and into the Westerschelde.
After 9 hours we were tucked up in Goes supping a scotch on the aft deck with the sun beaming down and feeling pretty pleased with ourselves.
From reports by Upper Thames friends we may still have been stranded in Sonning had we not escaped when we did!

The poor boat looked as though it had gone 10 rounds with Neptune! N'ere a sq cm not covered in salt. Now all clean and looking good again.

Currently in Dordrecht having come via Zierikzee. Never stayed in Dordrecht but very nice, although a pretty wet day today. Tomorrow we move on to Schoonhoven and then Maarssen, just north of Utrecht, where we meet up with friends who are staying a few days. A few days cruising down the R Vecht, which we are told is beautiful, to Muiden and then on to our summer mooring at Jachthaven Naarden.

At least we should now make our return flight on schedule, even if we have had a rather less relaxed first cruise.

Thanks for the good wishes.

 

[Gavi]

Congratulations

 

[miket]

Now at Naarden

Well we made it.
Now tucked up in Jachthaven Naarden with wonderful sunshine.
Plenty of grey and rain too but each afternoon it turns warm and sunny.
Nice run down the R Vecht, stopping at Weesp and Muiden. Still don't understand how the Dutch get away with not accepting major UK credit and Debit cards. Positively archaic. VISA and Mastercard accepted in Carribean, Maldives and Timbuck too, but not Muiden Jachthaven van de KNZRV, home of the Dutch Royal family's trad' boat. Only Micky Mouse Dutch cards. Staggering.
Fortunately, here at Naarden they seem more broadminded.