Saturday was a great day for the departure- great weather and we were all set. The morning was a little frantic with final packing of the kayaks, kit checks, food shops and a last chance to eat as much as possible.
After the inevitable hanging around on Methersgate Quay, and a number of interviews with both BBC and ITV we were off. Zircon acted as the launch, and infront of lots of friends and family we headed down the Deben to meet Marie at a deep water ankorage off the Rocks.
Marie is a great boat- built in the 1960's, the skipper, Art has managed to keep all of its original character. It is totally functional, and comfortable for those who are not fussy. We headed across the mouth of the Deben around 3 pm, headed north and then west towards the Netherlands. Evening coditions were pretty choppy, and Marie did bounce about somwhat, but it calmed during the night, and most of us managed to get some sleep. Vicks cooked us up a storm, and as a result only managed to sleep about 2 hours so today has been a struggle. During the night we had a taste of what was to come with some HUGE tanker ankorages between us and home- its going to be interesting navigating through them for sure, but Art and Tom (co-capt.) were amazingly good with the charts, AIS and Radar and kept our course good.
On arrival at Schevenigen (sp.) before dawn we had a breakfast on the beach and waited for the 3 Peteri brothers to come get us. Loading bags and not kayaks we then met with George Moller and B&B that Henri and Willem Peteri waited in 70 years ago, and then went back to Rotterdam for some sleep and more food- we're really eating for 2 now!
This evening Ben and Chiel came to see us and discuss the weather and our plans. All I can say is that they conform to the Dutch sterotype- they are so laid back that they are almost horizontal- I think they will bring a calming effect to our team which after yesterdays quite brash bravado has now become a little more tetchy with last minute nerves. Meeting the Peteri family has been great, and they are so pleased and proud of what we are doing- its great to have their support.
tonight- DINNER!! Thai takeaway which I wasnt expecting and am praying wont upset the stomach- kayaks are no place for anything but a very stable stomach.
Tomorrow we have final kit checks and the final food prep. We aim to have this done by 1pm, whith an after lunch snooze before we meet some original Engelandvaarders (aged 91) at the press conference. I think it will be quite a moving afternoon.
Weather has changed- update to follow...
Harry
Engelandvaarder 2011
