We had considered going to Excel on the train this year. We thought it might be fun to go by train and to go on the DLR, however when we saw how much it was going to cost and how long it would take, decided on the car after all. In fact the journey there was a doddle, it took about an hour and a half and there was plenty of car parking.
We spent the morning looking at various boats and finally settled on the Grand Soleil 39, a very nice Italian Cruiser/Racer.
We then went off and had a Cornish Pastie each for lunch whilst pondering our chances of winning the lottery!
After lunch we wandered around the rest of the show. Kim bought a pair of trousers and that was about it. Before we new it, it was 17.00 and time to head home. We thought the traffic might be bad at that time of night, but in fact we had a good trip home and stopped off at the Fish & Chip shop in Folkestone to pick up a take-away, getting indoors at about 19.00
Saturday, 7th January 2012 – More Ikea Than Kortgene
We’d booked the 08.20 Shuttle, but got away early and so caught the 07.50, arriving at Delta Marina at 11.00. We spent about an hour on the boat checking things over, but mostly having a mug of coffee and a hot-cross bun! Having satisfied ourselves that the boat had suffered no ill-effects from the recent high winds and was entirely secure as far as any further adverse weather was concerned, we headed off to Ghent, where we had planned a lunchtime stop over at Ikea.
We were a bit disappointed that: a) we had only planned a day trip; and b) that the boat had been winterised, as the weather was glorious and we both wanted to stay longer. Both the neighbouring boats had disappeared so Emjaytoo was looking a bit lonely.
Ikea was just like any other Ikea, except they all spoke Dutch! We had a pleasant and well-priced lunch and then wandered around for an hour or so before heading off to Calais. We finally arrived home just after 18.00.
It was a pleasant trip and it satisfied Kim’s mind that the boat was okay. Of course it also served to remind us that the winter layup is a long time. It will be twelve weeks now before we return at Easter to recommission Emjaytoo, as this early trip to check things makes our usual wedding anniversary trip in mid-February a bit superfluous. However, we already have a very acceptable alternative in mind!
On Monday we are off to the boat show for some more “therapy”!
Thursday, 5th January 2012 – Any Excuse For A Trip Over To Holland
A couple of weeks before Christmas we got a text from the marina to warn us about expected strong winds – “Friday Force 10 forecast, is everything on your boat secure?” This was the first time the marina had used text to contact us and we assumed that it was a general text broadcast to all berth holders. There wasn’t a lot we could do and in any event we were sure the boat was safe enough, so we didn’t give it much thought. However two days ago we got another text saying Force 9 winds were forecast and suggesting that we might like to ask them to check the boat over for “peace of mind”. More like lining their pockets retorted Wendy!
Anyway it got us thinking. It has been particularly windy over the last few days and if any damage did occur to the boat and we were to suggest that the marina had a duty to check our boat, they might try to hide behind the text. Anyway the upshot is that we are booked on the 08.20 Shuttle, Saturday morning. We are only going for the day, just to check everything is okay. We will probably do a bit of shopping whilst passing through Belgium, have some lunch and generally make a day out of it.
On Monday Kim has a day’s holiday and we will be going to the London Boat Show – tickets, courtesy of Jean (Christmas Present), so a bit of a boaty few days.
Wednesday, 28th December 2011 – Review Of The Year
We have now completed five seasons with Emjaytoo and this year has been quite an “up and down” year – mostly down!
Because Wendy broke her leg at the end of last year she missed out on the annual trip to the Boat Show, Kim going instead with Stewart. Whilst at the show Kim invested in an Ultrasonic Antifouling System, which got fitted to the boat in April. It’s a bit early to say, but in spite of some early doubts, it does appear to be working, although the final proof will be when the boat is next lifted.
Our February trip to Kortgene to check on Emjaytoo, started to go awry when we found that the Korenbeurs had lost our booking and there was no room for us. We had been looking forward to a repeat of the previous year’s St Valentine’s Special that they put on. In the event, we went over to Wissenkerke and got a room in De Kroon where we have stayed a couple of times previously. In the end it turned out a good weekend and we shall be going back to De Kroon next year.
April saw Emjaytoo re-commissioned including a lift out for a scrub and full polish of her hull. Kim had two weekends of glorious weather staying on Emjaytoo whilst she was on the hard.
We didn’t have her antifouling re-done on the basis that the Ultrasonic Antifouling System would negate the need for antifouling. However the iron keel was showing signs of pitting and corrosion, so we had that painted.
At the beginning of May we got back into the sailing, well, we had a weekend sailing which turned into a near disaster after trying to berth the boat in a very strong Easterly wind which resulted in a collision with our neighbour and a small amount of damage to each boat. There then followed two months of really windy weather during which we got no sailing in at all, including a weekend when Kim went over with his friend Andy. At one point we came close to packing the whole thing in, with Kim seriously suggesting we sell the boat and get a campervan - he even started building a new website!
Fortunately this depressed state of mind was short lived and at the beginning of July we finally managed some sailing. At the end of July, we headed up to the Grevelingenmeer for a week’s holiday. The weather was not great, some rain, grey, but at least we sailed without any hiccups.
In August we again took Kim’s Grandson over for a flying visit and that was a great success. We were however, feeling that the season had been a bit disappointing and so in September, we went for a week’s non-sailing holiday in Greece. The holiday was great, but it meant that we did not sail again until October.
Kim went over at the beginning of October with his friend Clint and whilst there was no wind, it was so warm that they were able to swim in the Veerse Meer. October actually turned out to be a good month and we got two further trips in before finally clearing the boat away the first week of November. By the end of November, the marina had winterised Emjaytoo and the season was over.
Overall it was a disappointing season, although it did improve towards the end. By comparison with the previous year we had spent 18 nights on board against 32 and clocked up 184 miles against 293. Is there a picture to sum up the year?
Grey and Windy!
Monday, 7th November - Clearing Away
This year, as Kim had some un-used holiday, we decided to go over on Sunday returning Monday. This meant we had Saturday at home to sort things out like putting the roof box on and ensuring we had sufficient bags and crates. We had, on the previous trip, brought quite a bit of gear home so this time was a bit easier than in previous years.
Sunday morning we set off to get the 8 o'clock DFDS ferry. We haven't used the ferry since the summer when it was over crowded and we couldn't get a seat. At this time of year the ferry was quieter, but unfortunately the departure was 30 minutes late from Dover due to refuelling problems in Dunkerque on the inbound trip. There were no announcements as why there was a delay and we only found out by asking a member of staff. We have been rather spoilt of late using the Shuttle. We will not be booking any bulk purchase crossings for next year with DFDS.
By the time we arrived at the boat it was 1.30pm so not too bad. It was grey, windy & cold. The sort of weather that doesn't leave us feeling sorry we are putting the boat away for the winter. At least it didn't rain so we got the sails down and the sprayhood off and into the car.
Last year when clearing the boat away, we took her round to the fuelling pontoon to fill up, so we could leave her over the winter with a full tank. This helps to reduce condensation in the fuel tank, the presence of which ultimately creates water in the tank. The problem with this practice is that we probably can't actually fill the tank right up as the fuel starts spewing out of the breather vent before the tank is full. Given that diesel is not very ecologically friendly to have spreading out all over the Veerse Meer, the man at the fuelling pontoon stops the moment the fuel comes out the breather. This means the tank is not full. Last time we were over, Kim checked the hours since our last fill up and reckoned we probably only needed about 10 to 15 litres. This really did not warrant a trip to the fuelling pontoon. So that idea was knocked on the head. However, Kim decided that it might be an idea to top the tank up from a jerry can (not that we had a jerry can!). Work quickly provided the jerry can and a few quid on Ebay produced a fuel syphon kit. So, on Saturday evening Kim proceeded to try filling the tank. It was very successful, if a little slow. In fact, being slow meant that he was able to fill the tank without it spewing out of the breather or overflowing from the filler. So, all in all, a success.
In the evening after having a beer we headed off to Iets Anders for our "Laying Up" supper. Unfortunately Iets Anders had run out of food! It transpired that they were about to shut down for a few weeks for major renovation/redecoration works and had only put on a very limited menu which had quickly sold out. When driving into the village, Wendy had noticed that the Overstaag had under gone a transformation and had become "de Zilte Zeeuw", so we wandered up to have a look. There were about three or four groups of people inside eating so we decided to give it a go. Whilst not quite on a par with Iets Anders, we certainly had a very nice meal and reasonably priced.
Sunday morning we had a leisurely start and slowly cleared the rest of the boat and cleaned the inside. The weather was now even more unwelcoming - grey and misty and quite windy, also a good bit colder.
Finally, everything was done and Emjaytoo, with all her external embellishments removed and her mooring lines doubled up, was ready to face the winter.
As we drove out of the village with the car loaded right up, all the leaves were falling off the trees and it looked as if winter was well and truly setting in.
In the next week or so the marina staff will carry out the winterising and that will be Emjaytoo tucked up for the winter. We will pop over in early February (our annual Wedding Anniversary/Valentine’s Day trip) to check her out, but otherwise, that is that until Easter.
Incidentally, as we passed Iets Anders, the builders were in and ripping the inside out, it would seem that perhaps, part of the old charm of Iets Anders may disappear. We will find out next year!
For earlier entries go to the Blog Archive