A bridge too far? From Flushing to Hell's Gate

During the 80s and early 90s we regularly sailed to Holland for our annual cruise but had never explored the ‘Staande Mastroute’, so the plan was to enter Holland at Vlissingen and sail the canals, rivers and lakes to Den Helder. Our intended start from Beaulieu on 22 June 2013 was delayed by gales so we left Gosport on Monday 24 June for Dover arriving at 2230 to find HMS Puncher and Dasher already tied alongside in the outer harbour. An early start saw us leave first for Ostend but we were quickly overtaken before the shipping lanes. We arrived off Ostend harbour after an uneventful passage to find it closed for an hour to allow Goliath, a wind turbine construction barge to leave fully laden and under tug (pictured below).

Ireland 2010

RCYCHave you ever thought of sailing your yacht to the beautiful south west coast of Ireland? Now is your chance to join a select group of members who after the Scillies Cruise from Falmouth on 26th June will sail on to Cork and ultimately Baltimore.