In Peter Willis’ final report from his week onboard Nancy Blackett, he writes…

We’re on the train back to Hook of Holland and John Millward and his crew are now aboard Nancy Blackett.

Yesterday (Friday) we had a long day, getting up early to leave Zierikzee and catch the tide to the lock through to the Veerse Meer which was opened specially for us. Then we decided to stop at Kortgene for a break and some shopping. Free bikes were available there, so we all rode round to the village and had coffee and apple cake.

We then went on to Veere at about 4pm, where our Dutch OGA friend Eric found us a berth in the beautiful harbour and introduced us to the fine Yacht Club where we dined. Excellent mussels.

Today (Saturday) we awoke to heavy rain and high winds, gusting to force 6. We briefly considered rearranging the handover for Veere, but the rain stopped and the wind abated a bit, so, encouraged by Eric who volunteered to accompany us, we braved the short ‘sea’ voyage from the harbour to the canal.

We were rewarded for our skill and courage by a splendid triple cannon salute from a re-enactment group. We were also able to sail along the canal under jib and arrived at the waiting pontoon in Middelburg at exactly the same time as the relief crew.

Then we were finally and inescapably allocated what we had avoided all week – a dreaded box mooring – bow or stern on to the pontoon between two posts. What followed was an entertaining marine ballet of repeated and decreasingly successful attempts to line up reverse-ins, brought to an end only by kindly offers from neighbouring boats to take ropes.

This resulted in even more enjoyable farrago of competence, semi-competence, etc, including the classic thrown rope, expertly done for once by guess who, but which turned out to not be attached at our end! Anyway – we got moored without any damage. A fitting end to an extraordinary and lucky little cruise…

And we have a new member, Eric…

And we’re now on the ferry watching the sunset.

Header photo: Grace Oga