bendyone
Well-Known Member
Back in January I asked a few question about the French / Belgium canals. This is the result.
The first plan was to drop and leave the mast in the marina in Calais but because the sea lock into the canal was broken and no fix date available we needed to change this plan.
Arrived by car at Calais on Saturday lunchtime together with our friends Terry and Jan - total non sailors - who are joining us for the holiday. So with Mrs Bendyone ( Dill) and master Bendyone ( Alex) there would be 5 on board.
Saturday afternoon was a little wet and windy so we went off to the supermarket to stock up with food and drink. The plan is to cook and eat on board most of the time. Cleaned the outside of Kingfisher.
Sunday wet and with a F7 blowing we did the Lace museum which was better that I thought and well worth a visit.
Monday still not very nice weather so we went out by car to have a look at Nieuwpoort, Dunkirk and Gravelines. Later on the weather improved.
Tuesday - SW F3/4 and sun Decided to head up the coast and see how for we could go without any crew problems, first lock out of the marina 10.30 and the start of a good tide up the channel - so off we went.
The conditions were very good, wind from the quarter and sea not bad.
The tide picked up and up to 8.5KN SOG
All the crew fell asleep to I just carried on up the coast to Nieuwpoort, on the way found a vast area of buoys that were not on my chart. Assumed some sort of fishery.
Coming into Nieuwpoort
and the marina
Had to stop at the HM office for a berth and drinks in the setting sun.
Next day crane and mast down, we could have left it there but as we were not sure where we would be coming back to we decided to carry it on deck. €30
There was a nice club house at the marina with a well stocked bar
Terry discovered Picon had its own form of side effects.
Thursday on our way again into the first lock which went well. Had to wait till half tide so it was late afternoon before we could enter.
and onwards for 1km to a water sports centre for the night, loads of children all enjoying the water.
The next day we went along the canal for around 18KM though a set of 7 bridges which were opened by a lock keeper who travelled in a yellow van. All very efferent.
Ending up in the lock which joins onto the Oosend to Brugge canal. We were joind by a big pushed barge in the lock but all very gentle.
On to Brugge loads of bridges one lock and no problems.
Brugge marina
Pontoon right outside the bar.
We spent a couple of night here and explored the town, about a 30 minutes walk away. paid €6 for a bottle of water in the square! 2 days was enough for me.
The first plan was to drop and leave the mast in the marina in Calais but because the sea lock into the canal was broken and no fix date available we needed to change this plan.
Arrived by car at Calais on Saturday lunchtime together with our friends Terry and Jan - total non sailors - who are joining us for the holiday. So with Mrs Bendyone ( Dill) and master Bendyone ( Alex) there would be 5 on board.
Saturday afternoon was a little wet and windy so we went off to the supermarket to stock up with food and drink. The plan is to cook and eat on board most of the time. Cleaned the outside of Kingfisher.
Sunday wet and with a F7 blowing we did the Lace museum which was better that I thought and well worth a visit.
Monday still not very nice weather so we went out by car to have a look at Nieuwpoort, Dunkirk and Gravelines. Later on the weather improved.
Tuesday - SW F3/4 and sun Decided to head up the coast and see how for we could go without any crew problems, first lock out of the marina 10.30 and the start of a good tide up the channel - so off we went.
The conditions were very good, wind from the quarter and sea not bad.
The tide picked up and up to 8.5KN SOG
All the crew fell asleep to I just carried on up the coast to Nieuwpoort, on the way found a vast area of buoys that were not on my chart. Assumed some sort of fishery.
Coming into Nieuwpoort
and the marina
Had to stop at the HM office for a berth and drinks in the setting sun.
Next day crane and mast down, we could have left it there but as we were not sure where we would be coming back to we decided to carry it on deck. €30
There was a nice club house at the marina with a well stocked bar
Terry discovered Picon had its own form of side effects.
Thursday on our way again into the first lock which went well. Had to wait till half tide so it was late afternoon before we could enter.
and onwards for 1km to a water sports centre for the night, loads of children all enjoying the water.
The next day we went along the canal for around 18KM though a set of 7 bridges which were opened by a lock keeper who travelled in a yellow van. All very efferent.
Ending up in the lock which joins onto the Oosend to Brugge canal. We were joind by a big pushed barge in the lock but all very gentle.
On to Brugge loads of bridges one lock and no problems.
Brugge marina
Pontoon right outside the bar.
We spent a couple of night here and explored the town, about a 30 minutes walk away. paid €6 for a bottle of water in the square! 2 days was enough for me.
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