Neiuwpoort, Belgium

Just after 7 a.m., we pulled up anchor in the mouth of the Medway on Saturday morning (May 23) and headed out into the English Channel, where the water color changed from muddy green to gray-blue. It was warm and sunny with a haze along the horizon from which cargo ships emerged on a regular basis all around us, and the VHS radio was in constant use. For a couple hours we were able to sail, but with little wind, we were forced to motor-sail most of the 14 hours, arriving at Yacht Club WSKLum at the mouth of the Yser River around 11 p.m. local time. The light wind made it easy to tie up. We had a very late and light dinner and then went to bed. 

Peter on the dock in front of Mantra

The next morning, after breakfast, we headed to the showers and then walked to the border police office to clear in. Peter set off to wander about while I returned to get laundry started in the club house. Despite instructions in four languages, including English, I could not figure out how to get the machines to operated, so I took the sheets back out of the washer and returned to our boat where, fortunately, we have a washing machine and the sun and breeze would be perfect for drying items on the life lines. When Peter came back, we got out hoses, buckets, brushes and sponges and completed a thorough cleaning of the  deck and the hull. By then, it was quite warm and for the first time in a long time, we were able to open--actually needed to!--open all the hatches. The washing cycle had finished, and I hung out the sheets and other small pieces of clothing to dry. Then I set to cleaning the interior and making beds in anticipation of the arrival of Sam, our former exchange student and now second son, and his 7-month pregnant wife Emi, who planned to spend the night with us. They arrived around 4:30 p.m.

Clean decks and open hatches

We sat down to snacks and refreshments, exchanged family news and played a game of Take 5, a card game they introduced us to a couple years ago. Then we went into town. Nieuwpoort, in Flanders, has two parts, Nieuwpoort Bad, which is the resort along the long sandy lined with hotels and condominium properties for vacationers about three months out of the year. The other section is Nieuwpoort Staad, the main small city where most people live. Established in 1163, its center is the market square where caramel-colored brick buildings face the open space. Dating as far back as medieval times, most are only three or four stories high, although the belfries of city hall (the former grain hall) and the church rise higher. 

Stadshalle (Market Hall)

Peter, Emi, and Sam in the town square

Buildings and decorations in Nieuwpoort Staad

Emi, Sam, Peter and Sherri out for dinner

The four of us enjoyed a leisurely dinner at a restaurant on the square, totally un-rushed in typical European style. Afterwards, we drove back to the marina and fell into our beds.

Peter's cousin Desmond contacted Peter yesterday about a childhood friend who lives with his family in Brussels but also have a second home in this town. We arranged for them to come by this morning and go out for a short sail. Graham, his wife Lola, their son Henry and his mate Camille arrived around 9 a.m., just as I was finishing up making a huge omelette, with bread, pastries, cheeses, fruit, juice and fresh-from-a-farm milk for breakfast, which we had not expected. We re-set the table in the saloon for eight and had a companionable meal before casting off the dock for a two hour sail. Graham, Lola and Henry all have experience sailing, so it was great to have a lot of knowledgeable crew on board. We took turns at the helm and were able to travel at three to four knots under sail. It was a shame to have to return to the marina, but our guests all had to get back to their homes.

Camille, Peter, Henry and Lola in the cockpit

Sam and Graham on the foredeck

Emi in the pilot house

Graham and his family left immediately when we docked at 12:30 p.m. Sam and Emi stayed for a small lunch and another game of cards before they left. It was marvelous to spend time with them again, and we will visit them later this summer after our first grandchild arrives!

Peter and I both took nice naps after we tidied up and are planning to walk later in the nature preserve right beside the marina. There is a lot of birdlife. A coot is nesting under the next pontoon. 

Nesting coot