Nancy Blackett and her crew were back in Middelburg on Friday, at the end of a week when we visited and revisited favourite places, writes skipper Jon Millward.

On Tuesday we arrived in Zierikzee from Goes after an uneventful passage, with no wind, having passed closely under the Zeelandbrug. We moored overnight in Wemeldinge on Wednesday night, with excellent facilities and great food on site.

Wemeldinge dinner, 5th July 2017. Photo: Tony Clarke.

On Thursday we were back in Veere by popular demand of the crew, having arrived just moments before the heavens opened. With various minor repairs requiring attention, we were having dinner in Veere Yacht Club when Erik Frenks walked in offering tools and assistance – a top bloke and a true friend to Nancy Blackett.

Nancy Blackett was back safe and sound in Middelburg on Friday, with all tanks fully refuelled, plus some spare cans. The crew worked hard this week, turning to polishing, cleaning, tidying and re-stowing, without complaint, with evident delight in the results obtained.

Tony Clarke cracks on with some Bluebell on the brightwork, 5th July 2017. Photo: Jon Millward.

Overall we achieved a reasonable amount of sailing with reefs and without, reaching under full sail at 5-6 knots at times in glorious sunshine. We have visited and revisited places which we have loved.

It has been a privilege to do this week and, on the basis of this, I for one will come back again with, or without, Nancy Blackett. Congratulations to John Smith for such a well organised expedition. I take my hat off to you. Far more like ‘we actually meant to go to sea’!

Nancy Blackett in Middelburg, 7th July 2017. Photo: Jon Millward