pks1702

As I said earlier Wi Fi is a bit sporadic but can report we made Neiwpoort by unconventional means. While Ostend to Niewpoort presented a fairly straight forward 9 mile blat down the coast David had a 'cunning plan' to liven things up. He had seen their was a canal running from Ostend to Niewpoort and after seeking the advice of the Harbour Master both ships decided this was an altogether more interesting test. We locked out of the Marina into the harbour om Monday lunch time and proceeded to lock into the canal but not before having to hold station for half an hour next to a cross channel ferry that was about to depart. After getting the sea lock side out of our way the canal staff had indicated we needed to make Niewpoort lock by the half tide before the basin dried out. Allbridges opened on approach (BA learn how to treat paying boaters) of which there were around twelve. Each bridge keeper knew we were coming and urged us to get a move on to get to the Niewpoort Lock, who were we to argue Even Fishermen who we indavertantly caused wet feet waived merrily, they really do have a different approach to boating here! We arraived at Niewpoort locked through and got berthed in KYCN Marina after topping up with fuel. In the evening we sampled the Yacht Club the seafood once again was out of this world, the Mussels without doubt are the best I have ever had. If you don't like seafood you don't know what you are missing. Today we got off down to Bruges what a really classic place this is, I can thouroughly reccomend a stop here.

Thanks Ian. Had a very enjoyable day the seafood was out of this world. Phone and Wi Fi connection is not great though

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

RYA Advice here: http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatin ... broad.aspx Got copies of our Fuel Bills showing duty paid, engine hours are logged. Quote from a person in another place: RYA take as David alluded:

Lower Deben http://keepturningleft.co.uk/index.php

At least you had a hand brake to do this with. My apologies clearly it was the rudder stock not contact with the bottom.

Wow Paul that is some ding You have my sympathy but you know what they say about East Coast boating and going aground.......

Lets hope the weather gods are with us this year The last couple of years have been against us but backup plans A-Z are at the ready

This one bites back

Thanks for popping round Paul it was good to meet you. Perhaps give us a shout if you are down again and we can have that pint. Good to hear you had an enjoyable weekend R&R.

A pretty lazy weekend given the heat and SWMBO being in recuperation from her surgery, the first mate had no chance of much boating given her operation, but just being ship board seems to aid her recovery. I had intended to service Kiki's engine but the thought of a hot engine room on a day with 30c plus temperatures was not attractive David busied himself by starting to turn Kingfisher into a Russian Trawler; before and after photo's to follow Saturday evening saw the crew's of Kingfisher and Tamara attend a Last Night at the Proms event in Ipswich. This was unplanned but given the weather Ian & Liz suggested it might be of interest and as it turned out it was a most enjoyable experience. http://www.suffolkproms.com/Suffolk_Proms/Home.html On Saturday I thought I caught sight of Brigid Mary heading up towards Wrabness and when we heard the lock communicating with Paul in the evening this was confirmed. It was good to meet Paul on Sunday when he popped round albeit fleetingly as he had a tide to catch. Perhaps catch up for a pint soon Paul.

An excellent set Simon

Looks like a Red Breasted Goose Simon

Excellent Simon, The Leopard shots are especially good

News to me too Great photo's Simon I can feel the warmth of the sun

Well spotted Gav Unfortunately I can't edit it

One more Nav issue to dodge for those around Harwich 30th/31st July and 1st August http://www.thepowerfestival.co.uk/ See page 15/16 for course http://www.boatmad.com/SEPA/harwich-com ... ctions.pdf

Great photo's again Carol

Thanks Jill

Very nice shots Carol thanks for sharing them. Not sure what 'hairstyle' the Blackbird was trying for

They are very good Luke and the battery life incredible. The fit on ours is snug but no over tight.

Glad you enjoyed your trip round to the Thames Merlyn & Lorraine. All that debris sharpens you up for East Coast Pot spotting Glad you enjoyed your brief stay at Shotley if you are down again give us a shout for a beer. Thanks for your thoughts re Tina we will have to make do with the Shotley Webcam from the hospital this weekend

Having had a bit of time with this now I am impressed by the lens correction/aberration feature and noise reduction algorithms, a very worthwhile upgrade IMHO.

MMM that maybe confirms why Suffolk folk around that area have extra fingers

Thanks Ian, hopefully this is the last large operation, she needs to be fit for mooring duties by the end of July as our holiday is planned then Yes a very good weekend thanks.