Second entry. It has been over a week so again there is a lot to tell. Like Jet already said it is amazing to sail with the Tecla. I have sailed for 17 years but never like this. Everyday seems to be a new challenge for me and for the ship. But let me start by describing last week and some of the so called adventures.
Since the last entry we have had three groups on board. A small week (four days), a weekend and a week. We have been to Makkum, Texel, Medemblik back to Enkhuizen. From Enkhuizen again to Medemblik, Volendam, Amsterdam, and back to Enkhuizen again, and so on and so on. Now we are back in Makkum and will probably go to Texel if wind and weather permit it.
And for the adventures Jet told you we would have, we tried and I think we succeeded!
Wind was a bit slow on the day we went to Makkum last week. Gijs and Jet thought it would be a good idea to try out the little sloop that was on deck. Not with a motor, but under sail (we knew there was a small sail somewhere!), and not just around the corner and back, no they wanted to go to Harlingen, or if the current would be to strong to Texel (at least 4 hours sailing..). They rigged up the little sloop, put on warm clothes and Gijs stepped into the boat. Just for a try he hoisted the sail but then the mast cracked, first just a little bit. We thought we could fix it, but as Gijs set out for a second time the mast really cracked when he was but 5 meters from the Tecla.. he paddled back with the small sail back on board. Gijs and Jet where a bit disappointed, but rallied soon as they thought up a plan for the next time. After this little adventure we decided to take the sloop of the Tecla and first restore her in her old glory before taking her on board again.
A real Tecla adventure would be our trip to Volendam. With a draft of 2,70 meters, the Tecla isn’t the ideal IJsselmeer boat. With bits of just 2,60 m in the fare way we took a chance on going to Volendam. Our group had especially asked to go there, so we did. Just for the harbour we went through some really thick mud, left a trail of brownish water but made it into the harbour. A small fishers village and a real authentic herring logger, it was a perfect match!
On our way back from Amsterdam to Enkhuizen we had to tack our way back up. In half a Gail force of wind we experienced what the Tecla can take, a lot! The Markermeer was almost empty as we crossed it. We set almost all the sails, the topsails stayed on deck, and where in the harbour within 4 hours. What a Super day for sailing!
So enough adventures in the past, now we are looking forward (with great anticipation) on our trip to Ireland. With just two weeks to go, we are sorting out the last small things, mentally preparing ourselves on the great journey and shopping, a lot of shopping! What do you take with you and what do you not, on a 3 month trip..
Cap. Jan Bouwman
