Belgium

Today we traveled to Ostend, Belgium. We traveled southwest threw the North Sea. We covered 74 miles today which took us about 12 hours. We passed Rotterdam, Holland the busiest shipping port in the world. It was fascinating to see all of the tankers anchored outside the harbor waiting to be called in. I counted 18 at one time. Joseph and Peter also explained to me that some ships have to have a specialist from the port known as pilots come out and drive the tankers into the port. 


  Tankers waiting to be brought into Rotterdam!

I had to do some of the driving today too because I felt a little sea sick when we first got going. I think it was the orange juice I slugged first thing in the morning! Joseph has a great remedy of making you steer and look into the horizon so you don't get sick. It worked! I felt much better after an hour or so of driving.

It was a lot of fun being on the open seas although I finished two books already. The Plain Truth by Judy Picoult and The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I need to find some more activites to occupy my time. If anyone has any other book suggestions, well I am open to them. My cousin Abby gave me  the book Devoted by Dick Hoyt which I think I will read tomorrow while we sail onto Guernsey. I also have to learn Portuguese and Spanish by the time we cross Biscay.

Tonight we are in a lovely marina in Ostend Belgium. We got to take showers and had a great steak dinner in the yacht club. This was the first shower in a whole month that I did not have to pay for! I am thinking I might take another in the morning simply cause it is free. All the previous ones coasted a euro or two and were timed!

Tomorrow, Friday we will head to Guernsey. It is a 260 mile journey. We will be doing an overnight sail on the boat. I am excited to keep moving! Joseph has told me that I will do the first night watch from 11pm to1pm. That works great for me because I like to stay up late! The boat will be set on autopilot. I will be responsible for making sure we do not hit any other boats. Seems simple!

Anyway, that is whats going on with us! Hope everyone at home is healthy, happy, and safe!xo









Sailing the North Sea!!!