Ostende trip this weekend, hints and advice required please

1) speak English: you'll get a better reception than when speaking french in the flemish part of the country. The Ostend accent is laced with english words anyway, as they have a long history with the mailboats leaving for Dover and Ramsgate.
2) have mussels in "De Kombuis" ("the galley"). But then again, 't is not the season yet.
3) LEARN YOUR PORT ENTRY LIGHTS. Do not try to enter when the ferry is coming out or when traffic is stopped. Port control *will* slap you with a fine if you ignore them. Last time they got bitchy when I called them to ask whether I can proceed. "can't you see the lights?".
4) Stand at least 2 miles out from Zeebrugge. The 2 mile long harbour wall causes a nasty chop.
 
Flags no problem, but don't have a name on the boat as I had it taken off as it was the wrong font, is that a proble, could always use a marker pen if it is /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Stangate creek is a noisy place with all the ducks, better to get some shut eye in the marina, a nice shower in the posh ablutions block, then head up the medway with bacon roles and coffee.

What would you do for the return trip, another early? I mentione the trip to swmbo last night and she was not impressed, thought it was daft to go so far for a night, that's why I have tried to give her as much of Belgium as possible, she doesn't need to get up until we arrive /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I have bought some fairy lights in long plastic tubes a bit like a hose, I thought if I wrap them all around the boat and get power from the generator I would be easily seen, the disco ball is a cracker and easy to spot from a distance /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Can't wait, chips and mayo for lunch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Please PM me some more detail about the querks and proceedures, sounds fascinating and I don't want to cause a diplomatic row on my first trip abroad now do I /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Pete,
Welcome to Oostende, my home port /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif, we have a BBQ with some friends Sunday 13.00 in front of the casino if wind/waves permit, you can moor alongside so we can "meat" you in the "flesh" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif cant make it on saturday, dinner obligations at home /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif but wil be in the port from sunday morning 10.00 we are in the Mercatordock

hope to meet you there!

Tom VC
 
'Meat', BBQ, me? or 'Eat' me? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I hope you meant meet /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On the return I would want to leave about 1400hrs to take advantage of tides, but still not committing to the trip until the forecast is as certain as it can be, I have important meetings Monday and don't want to be stuck with a load of boring Belgiums for a few days /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
"I have important meetings Monday and don't want to be stuck with a load of boring Belgiums for a few days "

You havent seen our ladies then...think you would stay permanently on this side of the channel, i do...

You havent seen the drunk Brits so far in Ostend then... and how boring they can be... anyway if you spot us on the way out come to say hello always welcome /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I'm sure it will be wonderful, especially the sights you talk about :-)

I am quite shy so be easy on me :-). I will be on best behaviour as I've heard how the cells over there have no windows! ;-)
 
Hi Terry, I had a long conversation with my insurance company Mardon earlier today, I am well within my cruising limit and they have noted my intention.

I mentioned about the stern gear mentioned in a thread above and they told me that people should be aware of the contents of their policies, they often get people who opt for a cheaper quote and they find stern gear is not covered. I'm also OK for my CI trips next month, they just want to know that all possible precautions were taken and you had the correct equipment. I mentioned I was a Cat C boat, they said they don't go by Cat groups, it is down to conditions and planning.

Thanks for your concern.
 
[ QUOTE ]

we can be there to assist in taking your lines & generally give a hand if that would help an offshore newby.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That would be a FIRST /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Last time I went 2 years ago didn't realise you have to supply your own hose for water and also at Ostend you can only fill up min 500litres of diesel via tanker
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

O
“The Dog that Didn’t Bark:” Yanmar. 4L HASTE.
Replies
2
Views
277
oldgit
O

Share this page

Top