MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
Get stamped out in Vlissingen.
Off to the Netherlands we go...
- Thread starter MagicalArmchair
- Start date
DanTribe
Well-Known Member
Can I do that? I thought it had to be the last EU port.
It would make life simpler as we planned to stop in Vlissingen
Pye_End
Well-Known Member
No, you can't. But it must be better than not getting stamped out at all.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
If you have already booked out at flushing . Make last stop Ostend & do not put your ensign up. Lay it on the deck. If anyone says anything say you had to take it down whilst setting berthing lines & forgot to put it back. You are hardly likely to be challenged & it is a one tide trip from Flushing. You can then book out there or flushing. Ostend is very easy to exit schengan as it is 24 hour manned
MagicalArmchair
Well-Known Member
We made it to Nieuwpoort on Wednesday and have been enjoying it here ever since. The police at the check in office were so friendly - I would check if they will be open for you also @DanTribe, I have heard of them hanging on for yachtsmen or they might open early for you if you asked? Also, the published opening times I found online appeared incorrect also, so I would put in a call. The officer printed out some fun activities the kids might like in the local area and was nothing but welcoming.
We'll wait for the Westerlies on Wednesday to make a bit further East to Blankenberge so we can take the train in to see Bruges. We will see if we can make Cadzand to say we truly made it to the Netherlands, before we start heading back West.
Three of the kids did turn rather green, my eldest girl being the only one apparently completely immune. There was a nasty confused beam sea - not large, just very lumpy and the wind died for the last 9 hours or so, making it a chug in. Chugging, plus lumpy seas = grumpy children... I'm glad we packed four buckets!
We'll wait for the Westerlies on Wednesday to make a bit further East to Blankenberge so we can take the train in to see Bruges. We will see if we can make Cadzand to say we truly made it to the Netherlands, before we start heading back West.
Three of the kids did turn rather green, my eldest girl being the only one apparently completely immune. There was a nasty confused beam sea - not large, just very lumpy and the wind died for the last 9 hours or so, making it a chug in. Chugging, plus lumpy seas = grumpy children... I'm glad we packed four buckets!
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DanTribe
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the kind thought. In fact we made better time than expected so arrived in time to pay the police a visit. He couldn't have been more helpful and friendly.
Regarding your Bruge trip, one year we caught the coast tram Nieuwpoort to Ostend then train 1 or 2 stops into the centre of Bruge.
Very simple, cheap and the kids may enjoy the tram ride.
Plan to punch on to Ramsgate tomorrow if the Easterlies hold.
John_Silver
Well-Known Member
If you time your arrival off Cadzand for the Westerschelde flood, the 10nm on to Breskens will be done in a little over an hour. And you’ll be in a secure & pleasant harbour with frequent ferries over to Vlissingen / Flushing…..Which feels properly Dutch (and is of significance to anyone who has read ‘We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea’). Also gives an opportunity to recce the locks. For a potential trip inland, another time….
(Haven’t been in to Cadzand; But, short tacking past it, the pontoons are clearly visible, through the entrance. Imagine it may be a bit swell prone, with any E in the wind. @westhinder will know, for sure)
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westhinder
Well-Known Member
Cadzand is primarily a good weather harbour. The space inside is restricted, so you have to drop or hoist the sails and arrange lines and fenders outside, which is a pain if there are serious waves. In winds from NW to NE waves and swell roll in and it can get uncomfortable.
On the plus side, there are often berths available and it is a great place for walks or bike rides. The Zwin nature reserve which straddles the Dutch-Belgian border is well worth a visit. And if you are into upmarket shopping, Knokke is within easy reach on the bike (but is even closer to Zeebrugge harbour)
