After two very sunny weeks in Emden it was finally time to go on. New mast within 5 weeks is fast, but 5 weeks is still 5 fucking weeks. Did we mention that we had new crew? Claudi was motivated enough to exchange the promised Portugal for rainy Holland. Weather was not in our favor – after all it is fall 😀 – so we opted for the Staande Mastroute. A canal route passing the northern Netherlands inshore, giving us a chance to make progress while out on the North Sea storms are going nuts in our absence.
The route is not only a bad-weather-ditching-option it is also crazy beautiful. All bridges crossing the route can be tilted or turned which can be pretty spectacular and in general is a rather unique to watch. Half of the route is a historic small canal – not one of these huge canals with shitloads of cargo nono it is pure nature, the real deal. Passing through Groeningen, Leeuwarden, Dokkum, Grou and other smaller towns. And since only “sports and historic sailing yachts” ride this channel it is seamed with real estate from another world. This must be some of the Netherlands finest places to have a house. Or maybe we don’t know shit and the Dutch are just kick ass architects. But seriously …. forget Venice…. the Staande Mastroute is the thing to do.
Since our reverse gear likes to be asked for, doing the route technically was not so easy. Because 7,5 tons with a looong keel are hard to maneuver already. Let us give an example: When approaching a bridge sometimes you know which VHF channel to call, sometimes you don’t. Usually there is an operator who can see you coming but sometimes there is just cameras. Sometimes they can open the bridge only at certain times, or maybe operator is on lunch break. Sometimes they seem to be sleepy, sometimes super pro-active. So in general… most times the bridge opens as you approach it but sometimes it just doesn’t. So whenever you get to one, you need to be in full “docking” mode. Considering that in a day you sometimes do like 25 bridges it is not all that relaxing.
The best thing – and this is actually where we write this article right now – there is always small docks just somewhere in nature. And since corona leads to closed toilet facilities along the routes harbors anyhow this is just as good as it can get. We usually have fuel and food for at least an entire week on board, internet is mobile and electricity is very available with solar and alternator.
Anything else is just pictures – for good reason, because there was a lot to see.
Next chapter is going to be SAILING. YES. ACTUAL SAILING …. testing out the rig in the IJsselmeer 🙂