In the summer of 2013, we embarked on another unforgettable voyage aboard our Legend 466, an eight-week journey that began in mid-June from Portsmouth and wrapped up by mid-August.
Crossing the Channel once more, we slipped into the scenic waterways of Southern Holland, ready to explore at our own pace. Unlike a tightly planned itinerary, we let the canals and weather guide us. The trip unfolded slowly and beautifully, from lively locks and historic harbours to quiet stretches where we seemed to have the water all to ourselves.
This summer held a few extra twists. We welcomed two sets of visitors along the way, sharing parts of the journey with friends, always a treat to introduce others to the cruising life in Holland. There were also two quick trips back to the UK for work, where we swapped sailing gear for laptops and deadlines, before returning to pick up where we left off.
It was a summer of contrasts, working days and lazy evenings, visitors and solitude, bustling ports and wide, empty stretches. What follows is our cruising log, capturing the rhythm, surprises, and simple joys of a summer afloat in one of Europe’s most rewarding boating regions.
Portsmouth to Eastbourne 20.06.13
June 21, 2013
Updated
2025
We headed for Goose first thing in the morning. Lots to do on the way, like collect new chart plotter
Eastbourne to Calais 21.06.13
June 21, 2013
Updated
2025
We locked out of Eastbourne at 6am and carried the tide pretty much all the way to Calais, arriving about
Calais to Breskens (Holland) 25.06.13
June 25, 2013
Updated
2025
We left the buoy outside Calais marina around 9am. Journey pretty uneventful apart from running aground just outside Calais crossing
Breskens to Middelburg 27.06.13
June 27, 2013
Updated
2025
Bridges Between Vlissingen and Middelburg Between Vlissingen (often mistakenly called Vlissingham) and Middelburg, in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands,
Middelburg the Island of Mosselplaat 29.06.13
June 29, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Middelburg and traveled the couple of miles to the lock at Veere. The island of Mosselplaat is just
Veere
July 1, 2013
Updated
2025
The town of Veere is a step back in time. In fact to the Middle Ages when we were there
Veere to Idyllic anchorage Spieringplaat in the Veerse Meer 3.07.13
July 4, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Veere on a rainy damp early afternoon with the promise of better weather in the afternoon. We were
Anchorage to Delta Marina in the Verse Meer 04.07.13
July 4, 2013
Updated
2025
Just a couple miles down the Verse Meer is a well equipped marina on the north bank called Delta Marina.
Delta marina to anchorage by Zandkreeksluis 06.07.13
July 6, 2013
Updated
2025
Position 51°32.466N 3°51.611E We left Delta marina early and decided to anchor before the Zandkreeksluis there is a pontoon here
Zandkreeksluis anchorage to Goes 07.07.13
July 7, 2013
Updated
2025
Got up fairly early to avoid the major rush of boats that we knew would be jostling for a space
Goes to Mosselbanken Island in Grevelingenmeer 10.07.13
July 10, 2013
Updated
2025
A Hidden Wonder We left Goes on the 10am bridge heading for the Grevelingenmeer which is the lake above the
Island to Stampersplaat Pontoon Near Brouwershaven 11.07.13
July 11, 2013
Updated
2025
We left the island mid morning, travelling to virtually the other end of the Grevelingenmeer, to a pontoon near the
Anchoring places in the Grevelingenmeer
July 11, 2013
Updated
2025
In the Grevelingenmeer, there are several well-known and protected anchorages that are popular with sailors exploring the area. Here are
Brouwershaven to Port Zelande marina 12.07.13
July 12, 2013
Updated
2025
The best way to describe Port Zelande marina is it is very like Port Solent in Portsmouth. It is a
Port Zelande to Ossehoek island a couple of miles to the east 13.07.13
July 13, 2013
Updated
2025
Position 51°45.60N 3°52.95E We left Port Zelande late afternoon on the Saturday on a lovely sunny afternoon an surprise surprise
Ouddorp 15.07.13
July 15, 2013
Updated
2025
We intended to go into the marina when we reached Ouddorp, just 2.8 miles on from the pontoon we spent
Ouddorp to Oude Tonge 16.07.13
July 19, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Ouddorp Jachthaven on a sunny morning around 11am. The harbour itself is well-sheltered, peaceful, and has that classic
Oude Tonge to Tiengemeten 18.07.13
July 19, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Oude Tonge at midday and took a gentle trip through the Volkeraksluizen but by the time we got
Tiengemeten to Middelharnis via Hellevoetsluis 19.07.13
July 19, 2013
Updated
2025
We upped anchor at 9am as our friends left the ferry at Calais at 8am and were arriving at 11:30am
Middelharnis to Hellevoetsluis 21.07.13
July 26, 2013
Updated
2025
It was due to be very hot today so we decided to spend the day at anchor before heading on
Hellevoetsluis to Ooltgensplaat 27.07.13
July 27, 2013
Updated
2025
Sailing from Hellevoetsluis to Ooltgensplaat After returning from the UK, we left Hellevoetsluis and made our way to Ooltgensplaat. Updated
Ooltgensplaat to Oude Tonge 28.07.13
July 28, 2013
Updated
2025
The trip was only a few miles with no locks or bridges so pretty uneventful. We returned to Oude Tonge
Oude Tonge to Yerseke 30.07.13
July 30, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Oude Tonge at lunchtime and headed through the Krammer lock, which means we are back in the salt
Yerseke to Delta Marina (Kortgene) 31.07.13
July 31, 2013
Updated
2025
We have covered Delta marina before this year see previous post. This time however because we had been to Port
Delta Marina to Veere 01.08.13
August 1, 2013
Updated
2025
Position: 51°32:99N 3°40:105EWe new the day was going to be very hot and sunny 30°+ so we planned to go
Veere to Middelburg 04.08.13
August 4, 2013
Updated
2025
We have once again returned to Middelburg for our return leg of our journey. I fly home on Tuesday to
Middelburg to Breskens 09.08.13
August 9, 2013
Updated
2025
We left Middelburg on the 10:15 bridge knowing that we had 3 more bridges and a lock to negotiate before
Breskens to Oostende 10.08.13
August 11, 2013
Updated
2025
After yesterday’s debacle with the tide times I asked the harbour master when the tide set in the east going
Oostende to Dunkirk 11.08.13
August 12, 2013
Updated
2025
The trip to Dunkirk was straight forward run down the Belgium coast. However, as usual the wind was on the
Dunkirk to Boulogne 12.08.13
August 13, 2013
Updated
2025
The trip from Dunkirk to Boulogne was much faster that I had the tides right and we flew down the
Boulogne to Chichester 14.08.13 – 16.08.13
August 16, 2013
Updated
2025
From Boulogne we went across channel to Eastbourne, Brighton and the finally Itchenor in Chichester harbour. We are not going