Kingfisher & Kiki left Shotley at 1030 yesterday and were moored at Mercator Marina in Ostend at 1830 which included an hour and a half transiting two locks and three road bridges. Mercator is in the centre of Ostend and an altogether better location with Pontoon berths.
We eat at Royal North Sea Yacht club last night which was as far removed from the othe RNSYC we know.... not an armchair admiral in sight
The easier first point of call for berths would have been Montgomery dock but it is rammed with yachties rafted up to 8 out The Hardy 50 from Royal Norfolk (Lysthia or something like is there and surrounded!
Passage over was a strange mix of chop, 'sloptastic' and glassy calm on the Belgium side but with a big swell.
Passage was: Languard, North Cork Sands, North Roughs, Long Sand Head, North Kentish Knock, South Galloper, West Hinder a bit of jinking the sand banks and in to Ostend.
Crossing two TSS meant dodging around some serously big stuff as ever moving deceptivly quickly but thanks to the Radar it was pretty straight forward to take a target bearing and assess course of action.
Plan at present is to spend a few days here, then move to Niewpoort and on to Blankenberge where we will meet out Yacht Club