Sep. 10, 2007 - A Bridge Too Late

Arrived at the marina at 19.10, unpacked, ate our evening meal and generally had an enjoyable - if raucous - evening.  On Sunday morning we motored to the fuelling pontoon and topped up the tanks prior to our passage through the Zandkreeksluis and into the Oosterschelde.  Sailed up towards the bridge, beating with the genoa only.  20 knots of wind over the deck, 4.5 - 5.5 knots  over the ground.  Tacked most of the way up to the bridge, then put the engine on for the last half hour.  Thought we might make it for the 5.30 opening but a mere hundred metres from the bridge and the bu**ers shut it!  Started motoring around for what we thought would be the 6 pm opening, when Wendy decided it would be fun to radio them up, just as well as we found out that the next opening wasn't until 7! 

Net result was that we didn't reach Zierikzee until about 8.  Havenmeister had long since gone to bed, so chose a suitable looking Bav 37 to raft alongside and executed a highly professional example of team work - ably assisted by the complete absence of any wind!  Gourmet meal of traditional British mariners' fare - Fray Bentos pies with roasted vegetables.  Took ages to cook but we bravely whiled away the time drinking beer and laughing - but not too raucously!

Crashed out after very successful and pleasant day.