In the summer of 2012, we set off on an unforgettable five-week voyage aboard our Legend 466 – Ghostly Goose, leaving Portsmouth at the start of July and returning in mid-August.
Our journey took us across the Channel and deep into the intricate waterways of Southern Holland. With time on our side and no strict itinerary, we allowed the rhythm of the canals to shape our days.
From bustling locks and historic harbours to peaceful stretches of inland waterway, the trip offered a perfect blend of adventure, exploration, and laid-back summer cruising. What follows is our log, capturing the highlights, challenges, and charm of a truly memorable passage through one of Europe’s most beautiful boating regions.
The start – Portsmouth to Dover – 27th June
June 27, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Started our summer holiday with dinner at The Castle on Tuesday night which was a fantastic start! Kinda weird to
Dover to Dunkerque – 28th June
June 28, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left Dover at 5 am to catch the north going tide. On the way out we had to dodge
Dunkerque to Middelburg (Holland) – 29th June
June 29, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We set out from Dunkerque at 5am (4am UK time). Once again with gentle 14 knot breeze on our stern.
Middelburg chill-out days 29th June – 2 July
July 2, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Spent 3 lovely days chilling in Middelburg which was heaven! Didn’t really do a great deal; went to the supermarket
Middelburg to Goes 2nd July
July 2, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left Middelburg on the 11:15 bridge opening, just!! Decided to do engine check before and realised were a tad low on oil so Paul went to Texaco garage over the road for some quickly and got back with about a minute to go before the bridge opened up. Everything was ready to go though so we did make it out, although the incoming boats hadn’t realised we were coming out which made leaving entertaining!! Eventually arrived in Goes around 4pm. Weather was beautiful and sea state was also good.
Goes to St Annaland – 4th July
July 4, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
View Larger Map So what can we tell you about the trip to St Annaland? Not a lot really, pretty
St Annaland to anchor spot east of the Krammersluizen – 5th July
July 5, 2012
Updated
April 5, 2025
Although pretty uneventful it was a beautiful sail through lovely countryside where huge windmills prevail over the landscape. It was
From anchor to Willemstad – 6th & 7th July
July 6, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Despite going to bed the night before in windy, wet and stormy weather, during the night it got better. In
Willemstad to Dordrecht – 8th July
July 8, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
View Larger Map We left Willemstad about 11am, which was a bit early as we had to fight the tide
Dordrecht to Alblasserdam – 13th July
July 13, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left Dordrecht at 1:30 as this gives the right time for the bridge, Verkeersbrug, further north. It opened at
Alblasserdam to Rotterdam 15 July
July 15, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left Alblasserdam about 10.30 to a nice surprise in the weather department – it was meant to be windy
Rotterdam to Gouda – 16th July
July 16, 2012
Updated
April 6, 2025
Ah are you the sailing yacht Ghostly Goose? We’ve been trying to contact you. Well we started the day going
Gouda to Dordrecht – 17th July
July 17, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
intrepid travellers never retrace their steps They say “intrepid travellers never retrace their steps”. Well I guess we’re not intrepid
Dordrecht to Oud Beijerland – 19th July
July 19, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Getting out of our box berth in gusts of 30 knots of wind and turning around in a tight marina
Oud Beijerland to Schiedam – 21st July
July 21, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left just after 10, heading back to the Oude Maas river heading north towards Rotterdam. We had a good
Schiedam back to Oud Beijerland 27th July
July 28, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We had to back track a bit today so basically we did the reverse of our previous post. We were
Oud Beijerland to Middelharnis 28th July
July 28, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left after a leisurely morning fitting our new 12v media player, which is most definitely the Mutts Nuts, and
Middelharnis to Numansdorp 30th July
July 31, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Full disclosure here. I had nothing in my blog about Numansdorp although I still have pictures on my phone. So
Numansdorp to Zierikzee – 31st July
August 1, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Well, what started out as a simple trip to Stavenisse a couple of hours away turned into a 6 hour
Zierikzee to Colijnsplat 2nd Aug
August 2, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
Our raft of four boats all dispersed at 10am so it seemed logical for us to make a move aswell,
Colijnsplaat to Delta Marina – 3rd August
August 6, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
The Zandkreek Sluis a double bridge lock, which means they lift one bridge one end and the cars all go
Delta Marina, Kortgene to Vlissingen – oops Blankenberg, Belgium – 4th August
August 6, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
When we left Kortgene we intended to go to Vlissingen and stay the night there, ready to leave for Calais
Blankenberge to Calais – 6th August
August 6, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
The trip from Blankenberge to Calais was a breeze, it’s so much easier and quicker when you have the tide
Calais to Eastbourne 8th August
August 8, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
We left Calais on the last but one bridge opening, on the morning tide which was at 7am, which meant
Eastbourne to Itchenor, Chichester 9th August
August 10, 2012
Updated
March 31, 2025
It was the final leg of our Holland adventure, but that being said it was warm, sunny, calm and easy.