White dreams

March 23, 2008

I am dreaming of a white...Easter. No, not really, it has become reality! All forecasts showed this early Easter Linssen tour would be harassed by storm, hail and even snow. Frankly, when starting of this Friday-morning we still hesitated to go. But we have a Linssen after all with all comfort on-board, so between the showers and the heavy blows we left Cómplice's winter home at Van der Laan to Linssen harbour. Surprisingly all other 9 participants had done the same - no cancellations. One English, one Swiss, one German, and 7 Dutch skippers tempting nature. First day a few hours and 2 locks via kanaal Wessem-Nederweert to Weert. Not too bad between the showers, but "of course" when entering both locks on this short trip a burst of rain & hail made us long for the cosy fire place with a glas of whine at home.

Second day, from Weert to Maastricht, following the Zuid-Willemsvaart through Belgium. A stretch of about 7 hours and with 4 locks to take. Despite all poor weather conditions as announced, with still warnings out for hail & storm & snow, obviously not this part of the continent. Low temp (3-5 C) but under the hood and behind the screen steering on the upper deck well doable. It is amazing how fast one getting used again to the relaxing way of going on the canals, with this time of year not any other traffic. Engine running smoothly, as all technology on-board worked fine after the 5 months rest. Testing this before our 2-3 day return to home-base Maurik was exactly main reason for participating in the very early season trip.

Myöbe towed by Serious Pleasure

Our companions on board of Myöbe - a just delivered 299AC like ours but with a blue skin - unfortunately proved to be less lucky on their maiden trip. Halfway our tour they experienced the diesel filter not to be fitted tight, so they had to be towed by tour leader André Suntjens to Maastricht, where the mechanic already was waiting to fix the trouble and get rid of the lost diesel in the bilge. Unfortunately such things can happen when sailing on the waterways, but fortunately in this case so many Linssen people around, and it reminded us even more to check the most critical nuts & bolts every time before we leave.

Whilst snowing in the western half of Netherlands, first Easter day in Maastricht/Limburg with clear blue sky already looking like a bit of Spring - though minus 7C during night! Of course, harbour master showing up in his Easter Rabbit outfit - though shivering from the cold (on the news later on that day even snowman in form of Easter Rabbit!).

Part of the Linssen pack in 't Bassin Maastricht

We had to leave the Linssen pack now and return home. On our route back from Maastricht to Maasbracht, we fancied a nice & lovely sun on the aft deck - a good start of the new season! With a nasty surprise at our last lock Maasbracht. After having entered the lock, another small vessel came in with a man shouting on front deck. No engine, no steering, no stop capabilities. In a split second we fixed Cómplice, jumped off board and had a chance to grab some lines, stopping this polyester Marco yacht less than one meter behind Cómplice. Fortunately no damage. Well... When towing the unfortunate skipper with his light ship blowing to all sides out of the lock we touched the lock-quay with our anchor, leaving some scratches. Season now really has started...

On Monday-morning, second Easter day, we woke up in a white world. White Easter, after all.

Early wake-up call

March 6, 2008

Easter really is early this year. Earlier than any year during my life-time, and we won't survive another such an early easter rabbit, as explained in the news. So we really hesitated when invited for the traditional Linssen easter tour. But convinced by Linssens' André Suntjens, we decided to go for it. What the heck! Hadn't there been some nice days already, even with 15C?

So we called Van der Laan Yachting to have Cómpliced baptized again in week before Easter. No problem. We expected de-winterizing by Erwin Schuller not to be an issue either. Surprise, Erwin, doing quite some maintenance for Linssen in France as well, not being available the 2-week period before Easter. Tried to find solutions, which ended up in his call that only solution would be to de-winterize on March 6. Well, Linssens' are made for poor Dutch wheather conditions, so why not?

We had not thought about our bimini still standing up in the shed, but where reminded by Van der Laan at first Spring storm. And by the time the second one announced, the night rest was over. We had to take the 2-hours drive to Maasbracht, to rescue our sunroof, and fix some extra lines. Cómplice was ok, but we were soaked when taking down the bimini at force 8 and cold, cold rain. But we managed.

One advantage of an early Easter is the winter-season seems really short! In in the meantime on several occasions our Linssen-Experience popped up. Once again, early December we participated in Linssen boatshow, as well at UK Association Owners Dinner. And together with Yvonne Linssen, we are preparing for the foundation of a Dutch Linssen Skippers Association. You will hear about that soon.

But now, first, we will have the Linssen Easter Tour. Or? Forecast announces less than 5C during the day and even some frost during night. Would we really want to go? Ratio struggles with emotion. On one side, why leave the warm home. On the other side we want to have that 'serious pleasure again'. Will keep you posted. Season is on!