At the end of her penultimate week in Zeeland, skipper John Dixon reveals how Nancy Blackett once again worked her magic…

On Thursday we awoke to torrential rain. With a force 7 gale forecast for later in the day, we just had a short but delightful 3-sail reach to Goes in flat seas and sunshine. Paul skilfully manoeuvred us into a prime berth in StadtHaven, just as the heavy rain and squally wind arrived.

We spent a leisurely afternoon showing people around Nancy Blackett, brought aboard by our Public Relations Officer Barry, before indulging in an excellent three course “Finish-All ” meal served up by Keith.

After Barry’s “Sailing” evening serenade to Goes, Nancy Blackett’s musical talent continued to be demonstrated on Friday morning as Keith gave a forceful rendition of the “Port Mahon” whilst we waited for the lifting bridge to be raised. Once clear of the canal we gently sailed to the monster lock into the Veerse Meer under wall-to-wall sun.

We stopped for a leisurely lunch just after the lock, and then dropped Keith ashore on a pontoon to take some sail-past photos. Due to his exceptionable culinary skills, it was agreed by the rest of the crew to pick up the marooned Keith. In a force 1 breeze (but gusting up to force 4) we free-wind sailed back towards Veere, hitting 6.2 knots in one of the puffs.

It was soon all too quickly over. We were back in Middelburg thinking about tidying and jumping ship, and Dave Hart of the next crew found us in the yacht club finishing a rather indifferent meal.

Saturday again dawned bright and clear and sadly, that was it for three of us. Our excellent Mr Mate Paul and Dave however have more to come and the fun of bringing Nancy Blackett home.

All-in-all it was a great week, where four complete strangers, from four very different backgrounds, were pulled together into a harmonious and able crew. The magic of Nancy Blackett had again delivered.

Header photo: Nancy Blackett in Middelburg/Veronica Frenks.