Zeeland 2012 - when and where
Some of you have been asking "what is the programme for the Zeeland Cruise?" - well the answer is that the details are still being worked out by our dedicated cruise planners. However, we do have an intended itinerary and the programme will look something like this:
Date: Saturday 30 June
Leg/location: Oostende
Distance/route: c60 nm from Ramsgate say 12 hours
Mooring: Montgomery dock or for those leaving their boats for some time before the cruise the Mercator Basin may be better. Both are managed by the Royal North Sea Yacht Club. Access at any state of the tide.
Planned events: Drinks and canapes welcome reception at the Royal North Sea Yacht Club.
Transport links: Railway station adjacent to the marina with connections to Brussels Airport and London via Brussels. Ferry from Ramsgate for vehicles and their passengers (no foot passengers).
More: Brugge and Gent (or Bruges and Ghent) are easily accessible by rail (10 mins/30 mins) for sightseeing if you arrive early.
Date: Sunday 1 July
Leg/location: Oostende to Vlissingen
Distance/route: 28 nm depart 0900 say 4 to 5 hours
Mooring: Jachthaven Michiel de Ruijterhaven (he was a famous admiral). This is the old fishing harbour in the centre of town and is accessible at about HW +/- 4.5 hours
Planned events: none
Transport links: Railway with connections to Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Amsterdam & Schipol Airport
More: Afternoon free to explore the town or visit the maritime museum. Guided tours of the town are available from the museum.
Date: Monday 2 July
Leg/location: Vlisssingen to Goes
Distance/route: Westerschelde 19 nm - Kanaal door Zuidbeveland 5nm (1 lock) - Oosterschelde 3 nm - Goes canal 2 nm (1 lock). Depart 1000 ETA 1700/1800
Mooring: Stadshaven. This is the old town harbour located in the middle of the town with all facilities nearby.
Planned events: none
Date: Tuesday 3 July
Leg/location: Goes to Zierikzee
Distance/route: Goes canal 2nm - Oosterschelde 7 nm - Zierikzee canal 1.5 nm. Depart 1300 ETA 1700
Mooring: Nieuwe Haven. This is the town quay in the centre of town with all facilities nearby.
Planned events: none
More: Morning at leisure exploring Goes (it's market day).
Date: Wednesday 4 July
Leg/location: Zierikzee layday.
Planned events: drinks and canapes reception. How about fancy dress to celebrate US Independence Day?
Date: Thursday 5 July
Leg/location: Zierikzee to Veere
Distance/route: Zierikzee canal 1.5 nm - Oosterschelde 7 nm - Veerse Meere 9 nm. Depart 1000 ETA 1500
Mooring: Veere Yacht club
Planned events: none
Date: Friday 6 July
Leg/location: Veere to Middelburg
Distance/route: Kanaal door Walcheren 4 nm
Mooring: Arne Yacht Club
Planned events: Closing cruise dinner
More: Sailing in the Veerse Meere before going to Middelburg. Possible lunch stop on an island. Middelburg is the capital of Zeeland and the largest town in the region. We may be able to plan a city tour.
Date: Saturday 7 July
Leg/location: Middelburg to home
Transport links: Railway with connections to Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland and Amsterdam & Schipol Airport.
And if you have stuck with me this far down the page... try the Tourist Zeeland website here. Select the interactive map and when you get there zoom in on some of these places and have a look at where we are going.Try not to panic about the sandbanks.