vacation

52'36.6N 002'53.9 E 21:35 UTC
After 4 weeks of vacation the Tecla is sailing again. Port of departure
is Enhuizen, with destination Enkhuizen. We have 12 days to go where
ever we want and how ever we want. No race this time, not even against
the clock. The crew is a mixture of people from the municipal of
Enkhuizen. They have been granted this opportunity by the local
government.
On the 27th of September the wind is light and variable. This does not
seem to be a problem for our new arrivals. We set the main, jib and
staysail and leave with out use of the engine. Later the mizzn and
topsails follow. We continue this slow start and after a small detour
make for the old fishing harbor of Den Oever. Before we can enter the
harbor, we have to pass the Stevin lock that keeps the salt water of the
Wadden Zee from entering the IJsselmeer. All goes well, and satisfied we
belay the last mooring line to call it a day at 18:00.
The next day the wind is still very weak. We try the best we can but
this time she totally abandon's us. When the tide threatens to take us
out to sea, we have start the engine. Once in Oude Schild, the main port
of the island of Texel, we are surprised by the amount of ships in the
harbor. Most of them flat bottom ships who used to trade general cargo
around Holland, Scandinavia, and the UK. This makes for a nice and cosy
atmosphere.
That evening we decide that the next port of call will be Lowestoft,
England. The eb tide won't be running befor 13:00 the next day, leaving
us plenty of time to do some last shopping. All goes as planned. The
wind SE force 4 bf and with all sails set we are making good progress.