Splitting up

23 May 2009

Back to work again, pleasure needs to be taken seriously! We have planned for a rather early departure with our convoy today. But first, we of course first a suitable group picture needs to be taken. So we all collect on the front deck of Vivente and Adje Nooitgedagt, mobilise the harbour master in his dinghy for two cans of beer, and shots are taken.

Looking around, one could easily imagine that it will hours to set us free before being able to leave Terschelling harbour. Because of the long weekend and excellent weather, our Linssen group is fully packed around. But with an amazing organizational talent, moving around with his dinghy and blowing the whistle, the harbour master makes a path for us to leave.

One outside the piers of Terschelling-West harbour at around 08:30 AM - again taking advantage of the tidal current, I can't stop taking pictures. At the tail of the convoy, curving around the sand banks, all the time we have a different view on the cord of Linssen yachts. This return trip is a kind of countdown, like the story of the ten little children. Very soon GiGi, the DS45 of Dick Moerman leaves us. Dick will take the route between the islands of Terschelling and Vlieland, going around the north side of Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. It is amazing to see him walk the aisle board with remote control, no other crew aboard.

Arriving at Kornwerdersluis within 2 hours, and lucky (again), no waiting time, both locks in parallel on our side opened, half of our pack in one lock, and other half in the other one, and almost at the same time leaving the locks again. Now the countdown continues. First Adje Nooitgedacht heads west to Medemblik. A few miles further on we say goodbye to Amphitrite and Vivente. They are heading to Enkhuizen. And next is our turn. With three of us - together with Beluga and Serious Pleasure - we take the direction to Workum.

To our surprise, the waiting area before the lock is very crowded. We expect a long waiting time for this rather small lock. But the lockkeeper probably was very good in jig saw puzzling in his childhood, and still practices this when filling up the lock. He waves us to enter as the last at the third turn. The lock door only can close, with our bow on one side, and our stirn on the other side of the lock. No damages, but I do have some concerns!

When we are mooring at cosy place with Workum churchtower on the background, we see dozens, no more than 100 very antique cars pass by. They are having a Antique car tour this day, visiting all eleven Frisian cities that are famous for the "Elfstedentocht" (the well known skating tour).

Though we still have a week ahead for our way back home, the Linssen Owners Group "Waddentour" ends here.

Muscle power

22 May 2009

In addition to being a cyclist paradise and having a beautiful nature, Terschelling is well-known for two major events. One of them being the "Oeral festival", an annual event with dozens of modern artistic performances (mainly on the beaches), attracting thousands of visitors. The other one is the HT Race, which is taking place today. It is regarded to be the heaviest rowing boat races in the Netherlands, the "race of races", bridging the distance between Harlingen and Terschelling. Fighting a sheer 34 kilometers the tidal currents, wind and waves with a crew of 8 to 10. First race was organized in 1975, and ever since yearly. This year over 130 rowing boats participate, but not all succeed to arrive in time or even at all. It typically takes about 4 to 5 hours muscle power, but also clever strategy. Taking advantage of the tidal current of course, where-ever possible, and making short cuts over the sand banks as long as the tide permits. If you are too late, making not the progress you calculated, you're done, getting stuck on the sand.

As our group has a "day-off" for today, available for exploring the island on our own, most of us walk to the piers around the main harbour entrance to watch the show of the first arrivals at around 11:00 AM. They must have started very early this morning. It is a fantastic view to see them coming, accompanied by all sort of (sailing) ships, and the encouraging crowds on the piers. Of course we do as the islanders do, and have a raw herring with onions in the meantime.

For the remainder of the day we take it easy, walking the crowded small streets of West-Terschelling, taking a drink at one of the sunny terraces at the foot of the Brandaris - the characteric lighthouse which originally was the first lighthouse in the Netherlands (the original was build in 1323, which disappeared into sea in 1570. The current one originates from 1594, since 1907 electrically powered).

We end the day with our "captains dinner" with our Linssen Owners Group, to share our "seamans stories" , which become more heroic by the minute when day ends.

Cycling around

21 May 2009

Each of the Frisian islands are cyclist paradise. Actually, "Frisian" is a deceptive English label. Not all Dutch "Wadden eilanden" resort under province of Friesland. And there are German islands as well. But let it be. For all cycling is the name of the game. Bringing a car is expensive, and on some of the island even prohibited (except for the inhabitants), and everything is close by. The island Terschelling counts approx. 87 square kilometers of land, has less than 5000 inhabitants, and the second largest of the Dutch islands.

No wonder today we have a cycling program with our Linssen Owners Group. Preliminary bycicles reservations are made for all of us, for some of us with electronic support. In main town West-Terschelling, like on all the other islands, dozen of rental shops each with hundreds of bicycles for rent, probable advance reservation is not needed, unless you are with a large group.

Our start today at 10:00 AM brings us, straightaway and within 20 minutes, to the ... coffeepot. Typically Dutch, can't do without. In free nature, surrounded by the typical island woods, a coffee table is set up for us, loaded with coffee and all sorts of cranberry cakes. The cranberry is a typical berry for Terschelling. The story goes that in 1845 a barrel of cranberrys washed ashore, and because of the ideal climate florished in its new habitat. Currently they are commercially exploited.

We continue our way after this delicious treat, direction north east, to another stop with guided walking tour (and climb) to the highest dune of Terschelling, where one can oversee the full island in all directions, and the clear blue and sunny sky mirroring in the sea. Another 30 minutes of cycling, visiting the Wrakkenmuseum, where we have lunch. The museum shows all kinds of remainders and washed ashore belongings of ships that wrecked over a long period of time. By the way, around Terschelling - even at main port - one finds several towers of WW 1 German sub marines, sunk in that period of time (probably got lost between the sand banks), found by divers during the last decades, and hoisted ashore for exposure.

A bit morbide, visiting a shipwreck museum, with a group of ships owners! So let's have a bit of a laugh. We do so, at our next experience: playing beach golf at our next stop. A very strong wind blowing sand dunes, and causing unexpected changes of direction of the golf balls making such a funny experience.

Cycling back to our Linssen's in Jachthaven Terschelling, a last surprise for today. On a windsheltered place between the dunes we have a cranberry liqueur tasting party. In the meantime our tour guide for today, being a tug boat captain for his day-to-day living, tells some horror stories about unfortunate skippers to be rescued around the wonderful island.

Customs custom

20 May 2009
Second part

What a difference compared to the brusk short breaking waves at the IJsselmeer! When leaving the lock Kornwerdersluis, entering the Waddenzee, a relative quiet sea enrolls, with a relaxing long swell. The sun creating an array of bright blue colours on the salt water, across the depth variances. Indeed, the Waddenzee with its sand banks, and strong tidal currents, can be very dangerous in poor weather conditions, one should not forget, but this time she is a 'sleeping beauty'! I put some extra power on the throttle - not just because I am tempted to do so because of the magnificient feeling of freedom, but (down to earth) Cómplice hardly can cope with the pace of the larger Linssens. It feels strong and stable, what can happen? A few seals are noticed at the front of the pack, taking the ships lane from the opposite site, marineradio's crack to ask everyone's attention.

Seals ahead!

We almost forget paying attention to the basic rules. Watch the other traffic on the 'road'. Actually we had seen it coming from a long distance. A very large, robust and fast Customs vessel at high speed. Right on the spot of our portside turn, opposite Harlingen, taking the direction to Terschelling, its tremendous waves hit us, more or less on the side. Too late to take the bow to waves. If one thinks everything is under control, and all belongings are safe and fixed, there are always forgettables. The binoculars, the mobile phone, the handheld marineradio, a coffeepot and even the navigation computer leave their place. This is where the trail on the map above stops... We have to come to grips again, stupid me. But Cómplice itself only shudders a bit, puts herself in the right position again, and continues her way. Bye bye customs. We pick our belongings together, I restart the navigation computer, and from now on pay attention to not only nature, but also to the large fishing boats, and the huge ferry that is approaching us.

GiGi rides the waves. One of the few build Linssens of this type

A cosy come together in West-Terschelling yachts harbour

On the map, from Harlingen to Terschelling seems such a short way. From a long distance one can see the light house, which is deceptive to estimate the time to go. The way to Terschelling is a curving experience, around the sand banks, but not a very difficult one. Very well marked buoys, and with additional help of GPS and map, one can't go wrong. Some make shortcuts, but I won't give it a try. As simple as that: the low tide is coming, and hitting the ground would mean for the next few hours the fix will get worse.

Arriving at Terschelling roadstead at 13:30, mooring places kept free for our Linssen pack close together, at the huge yachts harbour, which gets more crowded by the minute with this long Ascension day weekend and excellent weather forecast coming. Ready for our 'jetty drinks'. But first, quite a few of us, wash the salt away first.


Jetty drinks, at last

Roller coaster

20 May 2009

first part

A very early wake-up this morning. As our teamleader Sjouke Jan Dijkstra explained the night before, we should not leave later than 07:00 AM from Hindeloopen, in order to enter the Waddenzee just in time to optimize our advantage of the tidal current. Wind increased during the night to a Bft 5 or 6, also being the forecast for the day. No reason for concerns, we thought, but the Harfie crew hesitated because their young dog(s) on board, and decided on last minute not to join the pack. As soon as we left the shelter of the pier of Hindeloopen, we acknowledged this to be a wise decision.

We leave the harbour as the latest one of convoy, and with the St. Jozef vlet staying behind, as the smallest of the group. A kind of frightening view before us, seeing the stirn of most of the Linssen's moving minus 200 to minus 200 (or more) from port to starboard side. Except, of course, the GS 430 of Sjouke Jan and the GS 500 of Jos Kempers, because of their stabilisators, and the a-typical Linssen DS45 of Dick Moerman. At least we could predict what to expect in the next few moments.

Cómplice, still in sheltered waters with Hindeloopen churchtower

The IJsselmeer as such by itself already is rather "famous" for its nasty, short waves. But especially on the low wind site (with the SW wind blowing all the way from Amsterdam) and the shallow coast breaking the waves on our course, in addition to the waves coming in half (port) side, half stirn, such becomes even nastier.

Not a comfortable ride, but after first 15 minutes one gets sort of used to it, not the least because trust increases that even the smallest Linssen can stand the waves without a moment of doubt. But without stabilisators and/or an auto-pilot, it is hard work at the steering wheel to keep her on course.

When we arrive at sluis Kornwerderzand, entering the relative quiet shelter its piers guiding you to the lock, we feel like hero's. We've done it so far, but we would not have done it without the presence of so many companions.

Entering the lock at Kornwerderzand

An armada steaming up

19 May 2009

Part 2

Right after our depart from Woudsend this morning we pass Harfie, the St Jozef vlet of Theo and Ada Winnubst. They are registered as participants for the Waddentour as well, but have decided to moor for the night at one of the Marrekrites (instead of in a yachts harbour), so create a better opportunity for their dogs to have their morning run. We feel a bit relieved. Together with Harfie, we are the smallest Linssen's to cross the IJsselmeer and enter the Waddenzee. So if they can, we can. Sounds maybe odd, but we are still very aware - based on earlier experience - that one should not underestimate the nasty short waves of IJsselmeer, especially on the low (wind) side, we will be experiencing very soon. Though the wind is increasing, it is still no more than 4 Bft, but despite we start packing in crates all our 'loose stuff', from oranges & apples to the coffee machine and portraits around.

Very soon we enter the narrow canal through Workum, a pittoresk little town with its typical Friesian church tower, surrounded by six yacht harbours (mainly sailing ships) and quite some municipal mooring places along the sides. Amazing that the lock one has to pass before entering the IJsselmeer is as small as it is, just fitting our 2 Linssen's as it seems (on our return route, it is even more amazing how many more ships fit in!).

Harfie arriving in Hindeloopen

When we exit the canal Het Zool, just passing the dyke (pier), upon entering the IJsselmeer, with a view on our destination Hindeloopen, we suddenly have an amazing view on an armada coming. Our view through binocolars confirms: it is an armada of 6 Linssen's, steaming up! These are our participants taking the cross IJsselmeer route from Amsterdam. Almost together we arrive at Hindeloopen harbour, where have been made arrangements to find a mooring place close together. Most of us haven't met before, but sponteneously some bottles of wine arrive, as well as a beer tender. Linssen flag is put on top of the Smient of our tour leaders Sjouke Jan and Janny Dijkstra.

This afternoon we all have our walks through the tiny town of Hindeloopen, even visiting an old captains house, only to be used during his 'on shore/on leave' days. When at sea, his wife and family had to move to another, much smaller house at the outskirts of town. Those were the days!

Early drinks in Hindeloopen

By the end of afternoon we have our tour instructions and some (another) drinks. A very early rise tomorrow, taking advantage of the tidal streams. Walking back to Cómplice, the wind has increased to 5 Bft, and it looks like it will increase further. As a precaution we bring up the hood again.

A teaming experience

Tuesday 19 May 2009
part 1

At 09:00 sharp this morning we leave the moorings of Jachthaven De Rakken in Woudsend, but not before we have enjoyed some pastry because of our wedding anniversary. The weather is bright and sunny, hardly any wind, so we decide to take of the hood. In our tail is the Vivente, a brand new GS 40.9 AC of Jan and Joke Tammer. We had agreed to meet them the day before in Vollenhoven. Together now we are on our way to the starting point of the first tour of the "Linssen Owners Group (LOG) Nederland-België" which will bring us to the Wadden (in English named Frisian Islands, though they do not all resort under the province of Friesland).

Big brother Wolfie & little sister Cómplice in Hattem

This is our fourth season with Cómplice. The meter shows 850 engine hours now, so we really take our pleasure seriously! Unfortunately I did not find the time to continue the blog with our 2008 experience. Not only because of the time we spend on board, but also because of many other interests. We have founded the LOG (with close to 60 members now), I am the president now of the Yachtsclub Maurik, and last but not least, our beautiful granddaughter Elise, sister of our grandson Bram, came to world. To mention just a few "time constraints".

But now I will pick up again with this Blog, and will no longer disappoint so many readers.

Vivente & Cómplice nose to nose in Vollenhoven

Our route this morning will bring us from Woudsend to Hindeloopen. For us, this is our fourth day since we left our home mooring in Maurik. Taking the east route via the Neder-Rijn to Arnhem, than picking up the IJssel up north with a first night stop in Giesbeek. The difference of Speed Over Ground between Neder-Rijn and IJssel is amazing: my GPS shows 8 km/h difference: 3 km/h against on Pannerdens kanaal (the connection from Neder-Rijn with Waal and IJssel, southwest of Arnhem), and + 5 km/hour on the tail when taking the U-turn going down the IJssel). Our second stop has taken us to Hattem mooring, where we find (to our surprise) "Wolfie", which is the Grand Sturdy of the food company in Maasbracht which caters all Linssen Yachts events. We moor next, and take a nice picture of big brother Wolfie and little sister Cómplice. On our third day our target is Vollenhoven, where we have arranged to meet the Vivente. We arrive almost at same time, and moor nose to nose. We are very curious to discover all ins & outs of this new 40.9 and Jan & Joke's experience so far. One day we might be in a position to afford this beautiful ship ourselves!

So now together we are on our way to Hindeloopen. Just a few hours to go, a relaxing tour - not too busy yet, watersport season hardly has started, but in high season Woudsen area can be very crowded! We pass Heegermeer and Fluessen, taking care that we stay within the buoys - outside too shallow for our Linssens! We plan to enter the IJsselmeer at Workum. From there it is only a few miles heading south to Hindeloopen. This is where we will meet the crews of the other 10 Linssen yachts that will participate in our Frisian Islands tour.