GENT , Belgium

GENT - CHAPTER 3 OF EELCO'S JOB ON mv AVALON

Gent is a beautiful old city and everything is in walking distance

from each other. I went ashore around 11h00 and only came back to the ship around 17h00. Two shipmates accompanied me and we were picked up by the bus of the wonderful seamen's mission in Gent. They also arranged a good taxi service for us to go back to the

ship. The next day we started to discharge at 06.00 and at 11.00 we were empty. Once empty we had to shift to another berth in the port of Ghent and in that berth we had to load fertilizer for La Pallice, the commercial port of La Rochelle in France. But before we could load again we had to clean the hold very good. This took the whole Sunday and most of the Monday. Monday

afternoon the surveyor checked the holds and they were approved. Loading started Tuesday afternoon by means of a big crane with a grab that shifted the fertilizer from canal barges to our hold. In total there were 4 barges that had together the cargo we were to load. On Wednesday afternoon we sailed for La Pallice where we arrived on Saturday early evening and we went straight alongside inside the small dock, lucky us again. Why?? Because discharge only started on Monday so I could play the tourist once again. 

ALL WEATHER TERMINAL mvAvalon steel loading

CHAPTER 2 OF EELCO'S JOB ON MV AVALON

While alongside in Dordrecht NL, we discharged a part of the cargo of wheat mv Avalon brought from northern Spain. The rest of the load we discharged in Zwijndrecht, a port just around the corner of Dordrecht. Once empty, we received orders to sail for IJmuiden –

also in the Netherlands – to load a cargo of 3480 mt of steel coils. The place we loaded those coils was a special place. Due to the fact that those coils are not aloud to get wet you can not load them while there is a drop of rain. So Tata Steel in Ijmuiden made a shed where ships like the Avalon can go inside up to their accommodation and then they can load whatever the weather. Yes you can guess the name of that place: 'The All Weather Terminal'. The loading goes on 24/7. Once we were loaded we left for our discharge port of Kolding in Denmark, Solvesborg in Sweden and Stettin in Poland. Kolding was our first port and in order to reach it we had to pass through the "Kieler Kanaal". In all the ports the discharging went efficient and quick. 

mv Avalon, where Eelco is.

Hello Family and Friends,

This newsletter I write while working as master onboard mv Avalon in order to earn some freedom chips to keep Mylady and crew going. But let me start with updating you about what happened the last few months. At the beginning of October we came back from our sail to Tonga and Fiji. This time we did not clear customs in Opua, New-Zealand as usual, but in Whangarei. While underway to New-Zealand we booked a spot on the hard at Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei. This time we want to let Mylady dry out and do a proper job on her underwater ship. From the moment she was out I

only had 10 days before I had to join the Avalon. So after a week working on Mylady I left for the Netherlands while MisAle stayed on board before she flew to Corpus Christi in Texas USA. 28 October the Avalon was moored in Dordrecht in the Netherlands and that is where I joined her. 

The Avalon was built in 2008/2009 and came in service in

2009. Her overall length is 88.90 meter and she is 12.50 meter wide. Her gross tonnage is 2545 mt and her summer deadweight 3850 mt. She has a good strong 280 Kw bow-thruster and a 1250 Kw main engine with a big pitch propeller. Her bridge is full of the most modern stuff like two good radars, two ECDIS screens etc. 

If you have a look on www.marinetraffic.com and punch in the following IMO no 9387322, you will not only find out where we are but can also see lots of pictures of the vessel. Now at this stage we have a crew of 7. Master and Chief Mate are Dutch. The Chief Engineer and one of Abs' are both from the Cape Verde Islands. The other AB is from the

Philippines and so is the cadet. The cook is originally from Cape Verde but he has a Dutch passport. Yes a real mix of nations again but we have a good team. The size of the hold is, 62 meter long, 10.12 meter wide, 8.43 meter high. Here the empty hold is being prepared for the next load.

Xmas 2013

Eelco's ship is sailing full steam ahead at the moment to make it in time to Stockvik in Sweden before they close for the xmas holidays. If they are in time, they will off-load and re-load and be on the North Atlantic Ocean during Christmas. If they are too late, they will have a relaxed and cold white Christmas in a harbour in Sweden being unproductive till the beginning of next year.

We wish you a wonderful time during the holiday season and pray that you will be save and healthy. Thanks for your part in our memories. 

 Eelco  and Mi-sá-lê -  blessed & happy  

Pawns in a chess game

One of the green pawns is my dearest earning our freedom chips. I pray his eyes are open.

Norsand Boatyard, Whangarei, New Zealand

Norsand Boatyard will go the extra mile and hang-on to your boat. Really. 

Click the pic for a short video.

sv MYLADY's travels during 2013

Mylady had a great year. Sailing was perfect. Repairs we made before leaving New Zealand for the islands proofed to be well done. I practiced my survival skills and skipper practiced his sea-steading skills. Mylady just quietly rocked, or rodeo-ed. He got a tan and I made some videos. 
Share our wonderful memories of 2013. Click on the picture. Enjoy.

RABI Island, Fiji

In the northeast of Fiji is Ra[m]bi Island. It is officially spelled without the [m], but you have to pronounce the [m]. It is part of Fiji. 1945 the English bought it to relocate the people of Banaba. Or as it is known in English – Ocean Island – in the Kiribati. The English have exploited Banaba to the extend that normal subsistence living was not possible anymore for the locals. There are about 5000 people on Ra[m]bi. We met the people in Nukuritsi busy with the RC Youth Project of a new piggery. Every night choir song would fill the pitch dark night. In the very big Christina Bay were many colourful canoes fishing.
We sailed to Elizabeth Cove and Albert Cove and returned to Christina Bay where we started. And we ended at the capital, Nuku, where we enjoyed being present at a big choir and dance competition. Ra[m]bi has touched our lives.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail

Waypoints Southern Lau Group

Ogea Driki ( Ongea Ndriki )

From outside to the inside of the lagoon.
01 19.10.747 S 178.27.520 W
02 19.10.833 S 178.27.327 W
03 19.10.914 S 178.27.185 W
04 19.10.905 S 178.27.010 W

Oneata
Pass we entered
01 18.24.941 S 178.32.068 W
02 18.25.245 S 178.31.810 W

Our anchor pos
18.25.737 S 178.28.282 W

Fulanga
Pass from out to inside the lagoon
01 19.07.254 S 178.32.347 W
02 19.07.901 S 178.32.401 W
03 19.07.392 S 178.32.465 W
04 19.07.668 S 178.32.588 W
05 19.07.727 S 178.32.587 W

Anchor pos near village visible inside the lagoon
19.07.271 S 178.35.606 W

Anchor pos near anchorage to go by foot to main village
19.08.997 S 178.33.755 W
Entrace to anchorage above
19.08.735 S 178.33.850 W

Pass to east side off the lagoon ( from W to E )
01 19.08.141 S 178.32.693 W
02 19.08.225 S 178.32.575 W
03 19.08.280 S 178.32.471 W


Totoya
18.57.262 S 179.52.989 W

Matuku
Pass from outside inside the lagoon
01 19.09.264 S 179.43.899 E
02 19.09.25 S 179.44.033 E
03 19.09.237 S 179.44.164 E
04 19.09.218 S 179.44.799 E
05 19.09.545 S 179.44.971 E
06 19.09.587 S 179.45.035 E 07 anchor pos 19.09.661 S 179.45.129 E

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

FROM TONGA TO FIJI

Still in the Ha'apai in Tonga. Behind Uiha Island we road out the strong winds of the next days. From there we went to Paradise Island. No, it's not the real name. It's our name for a small island where we had the feeling of being in paradise – many years ago. It's small enough that one can walk around it. It's big enough to give protection. Apart from the south-easter, then we sailed to Tofango again. And that became our circle of sea-steading for the next months. Tofango for the SE, Uiha for the E and N, and Paradise for all the other wind directions. There are no people on Tofanga and Paradise. Uiha has two big villages and a large school.
We cleared out from Pangai in the Ha'apai and left Tonga via Kao Island. It is an impressive cone shaped high vulcanic mountain. Our good fortune for the day was an equally impressive yellow fin tuna. We arrived in FIJI five days later. If we were sailors chasing the wind, it could have been a four day trip.
Savusavu on the northern big island of Vanua Levu in Fiji, is an excellent place to catch up with internet and other commodities like shops, markets and people. Out at the point we spent a few days before drifting to Bakabaka. What a lovely place that was. We walked on somebody's dream island and took a dinghy ride to the salt lake but turned around at the white waters under the bridge.
When there was wind again we sailed to Somosomo at Taveuni. An interessting busride with beautiful views around the northern point took us to the nature park at the otherside of the island. There after we sailed to Kioa Island. Deep water with solid mangrove walls and coral. Our sail to Catharina Bay at Rambi Island was adrenaline pumping. Hard to windward, with the poorest of light, hugging the reefs and stampeding through the gap. We arrived still on our portside ear and are since in contrast, on flat calm water in a windless bay, repairing the engine and meeting the people. Beautiful outrigger canoes colour the big bay.

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Tongan Ha 'apai Islands Sailing

http://youtu.be/_vpaC7W8Mmc

We sailed with calm and good weather from Tongatapu to Kelefesia in the Ha'apai. That means I don't get sick - wonderful! And we had  almost a week of lovely weather and good time there. The beach was littered with coral. It must have been from a bad storm that had battered the island which has done the damage.  But was the coral (in sea) ever so beautiful - fascinating beautiful. It was the first time for me to see the big fans with lace fringes. Unfortunately we don't have an underwater camera yet. Our next stop was Fonoifua where last year they had only one visiting boat and this year we're the first. We had a good time and the children enjoyed the entertainment by the visitors. The highway footpath which winds in the middle through the village will bring you to all the things in the short video. Enjoy.
====
From Fonoifua it was on to Limu which is situated on the outer reef. The beach is covered completely with tracks. Tracks of crabs and snakes. In thirty meters distance three snake tracks.....! The weather turned rough during the night and we left in a hurry to a more protected anchorage. Skipper got soaken wet from a formiddable rainstorm while we sailed. I was allowed to keep dry inside... - isn't he kind? 

Whale POO

The gale was whipping the waters white with foam when we went anchor up midday in New Zealand. The neighbour yachties were all 

on their boats, watching.  We motored out of the port of Opua and then rolled out half of the furling genoa. The gale subsided slowly 

but surely.  Apart from the tall ship Tucker Tomson who had a youth school class on board, we were the only boat out there. Just 

before dark, the yacht Mizar which was going the same direction, passed us. The voyage was good. There was a big high spreading all 

over our sailing grounds and we had light, little or no wind for days. We enjoyed it. An unexpected storm got us in a tight knot, but it 

blew over quick enough. Light winds again but all from a good direction. Then a low popped up, just on top of us. We were two days from reaching our destination. But the low was apparently going to interfere with head winds the last part of our trip. So we decided to sail with the low, round the bottom and up the west side of it, where the winds would be the good direction. 

Unfortunately for us, the low stalled and grew and grew and went a different direction. It pulled us into its hell hole and gave us the ride of our lives. 

Needless to say, my prayer-line to heaven was non-stop open and we received blessings untold. We arrived in Tonga 17 days after leaving New Zealand all in one piece. Just the nameflap on starboard side got a torn in one corner. 

Finalizing to leave for the Pacific Islands

The sailmaker from Willis Sails came onboard at the Stone Store to take the measurements for our new sails. Having fresh water available, we washed the old sails before stowing them.  It was ideal weather for it, lovely sunny and quiet water and Mylady sure looked different with all the cloth sausages draped from her mast. We frequently did the healthy uphill walk to town to buy provisions.  Being pushed down hill on the return trip with our heavily laden trolleys is always fun. And then the stowing dance to find space for everything.

We replaced our water tank with new. It was a thirty-four year old stainless steel. Twelve years ago it got a new bottom in Turkey and a baffle inside. All the crashing we do out on the oceans had the water rush slamming out this barrier and it made the worst noise you could think of.  We feared it would slam a hole in the tank. So we turned the boat inside out. The old water tank is out and the new solid plastic tank (not rubber) is in. All the connections and hoses to and from were also replaced. It was one of those typical jobs suppose to take a couple of days that turned into a fortnight drama.  

As always, never a dull moment and actually not much to show for all our being busy. It’s just us who will enjoy greater peace of mind in the knowledge of all the maintenance and improvements, and Mylady who smiles along.

It’s time for us to sail across the sea. We are off to some sunshine and warmth on the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Wallis and Fiji. 

Take care of yourselves and write us a note. 

On the move again

We have had a lovely time the last month in the Historic Stone Store Basin. Mylady had her anchor out with two aft lines to the shore. Our refit-on-the-go-project had us ended up in Kerikeri to get Craig of Willis Sails on board to measure our new sails. Then the township of Kerikeri was just so handy to do a few more jobs... We replaced the fresh water tank with new made by Hercules Tanks of Tauranga.   Sophie of Kerikeri pumps was ever so helpful in supplying all our hoses and connections and much more. Good weather prevailed with the big man crawling around in small spaces. The wind generator came down for some lubrication and check-up and now swings with less struggle.  Whilst I was rolling thumbs, the polish man came around and gave Mylady a super shine. Oh, and there was also time to meet new people and old friends. The motorman had two long days in the engine room changing all the old for new, supposedly she's 

purring perfect now.  We left the Kerikeri River on a run with lots of wind from behind. The new storm sail was tested and found to be good. And after coming on anchor the little riding sail immediately went up to keep Mylady steady in the wind. We are so happy with so many of our little this-and-that things. Like for instance the furling genoa cover which we finally figured out and now works good. Will be testing our new sails in the coming days.  Following is my easy bread baking on top of the gas stove demo.  Enjoy !

Yacht Captain DUTIES

What are you doing all the time ? The ever familiar question.  Well here's some of the things keeping the captain busy.

Cavalie Islands NZ

We have a wonderful time here at the Cavalie Islands in Northland New Zealand.  Weather is summary and visibility excellent. Slowly heading south.

Swinging around the mast

Skipper gets into the mast of our off-shore going Compass34 cruising yacht Mylady, with the very handy mast steps.  It was time to remove the baggy-wringles after about ten years.  The boson chair is very handy.  He found that the baggy-wringles left a mark on the stainless steel rigging - probably a bit of oxygen deprevation.  I’m fortunate that Eelco doesn’t mind to climb the mast.  Only if my life depends on it will I try it.  

christmas 2012

We wish you a very good Christmas and a happy New Year. In New Zealand the red flowers of the Pohutukawa are out in abundance and the hillsides full of more promises.  It's gonna be a wet xmas but promises to be pretty.  Blessings and love.
Eelco and Mi-sA-lê

Back on Mylady on Kerikeri River, New Zealand

The crew of MYLADY are back on board in New Zealand.  I had a great time with my son and his family in Texas and Eelco had a good, productive time collecting freedom chips.  With the sheets and ropes and sails back on deck and in the rigging, we’re starting to feel and look like a sailboat again.  In the meantime the big man has started to demolish the boat from the inside in order to get to the main bulkhead under the floorboards where we have to do repairs.  Soon we’ll leave the Kerikeri River to go to Ashby’s Boatyard in Opua, Bay of Islands, where we’ll do most of the work.  Weather is good, chilly for us, but by all standards – good.

our backyard. 

mv SAMIRA freedom chips

Eelco left his previous ship in Ceuta and flew home for the night. His luggage showed up a few hours late. The following morning his pre-ordered taxi to take him to the train didn't show up.  On arrival at the port his new ship was in a complete different location than where his transport dropped him off.  All in all a smooth transfer with a lot of hick-ups. Fortunately he's a giant in body and in mind.  mv Samira is loaded with steel and they are underway to Sweden. She handles the rough North Sea well.  Less crew this time therefore longer watches.
photo credit: http://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=837162

Sailing voyages with mv Sirocco

They didn't sit stil.  Sailing loads of rice, or sugarbeet, or steel, or trash or urea. Sailing the Black Sea, the Mediteranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, passed the white cliffs of Dover, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.  In general, weather was fair. and onboard relations good.

mv Sirocco freedom chips

We were preparing to go to the islands when we discovered significant damage below the floor on the main bulkhead.  Combined with that a far gone rusted mast support and keel frame left us with no option other than to arrange for extension for Mylady and do repairs.  Whilst we do the visa dance, Eelco is collecting freedom chips for us again and I’m visiting in Texas.  When we’ll be back in NZ, we have to do serious structural repairs.    

This time Eelco works as relief captain on a Dutch cargo ship m/v Sirocco, the third ship of Dutch owner Geert Tilma.   Geert and his wife have captained and cooked for many years on his ships.  While discharging in the homeport of Delfzijl, in the north of Holland, the ‘family’, that includes other staff members who were on holiday, came all onboard to assist and share in the work and joy of new stores. 

Sirocco is a 2004 model with the vessel’s LOA 111.40 m, Beam 13.40 m and max draft 5,80 metre.  She uses 9 mt of heavy fuel a day if sailed at full speed.  With the wind on the bow the speed drops dramatically.  We can carry about 200 mt of fuel.  In the Mediterranean we can use fuel that has a high Sulfur level (cheaper) but up north in the North Sea and British Channel we have to use fuel with a low Sulfur level. Yes and that is a puzzle if you have only 3 tanks for fuel. Our fresh water tanks are each 25 mt.  This ship has two.  Normal use aboard is between 1,5 and 2 mt a day.  We have a water maker that can make about 2 mt a day so we have to watch the amount and if we go low we have to fill up from shore.
In every port is an agent who takes care of the whole shore organisation like the paper work between ship and shore and immigration and customs.  He pay's the bills like harbour dues etc. After the ship is gone he sends a bill to the operator of the vessel in this case "Wagenborg Shipping".  From the freight agent at the operator, the ship gets info about the cargo and from them the ship also get sailing orders.  The cargo loading plans are made by the chief officer aboard the vessel and captain has to approve it all and take responsibility. 

Next time more about the voyages...   Until then.

Cruising New Zealand

A lot of time has passed.  Sorry for not keeping in touch.  Following is a brief summary of what’s been happening with us.  First and foremost – we are well.  After Eelco’s time on the Janette last November, we spent some family time in Holland.  No it didn’t snow. 

We explored the inland of Netherland by train and had a great time.  I fell in love with the quaint town of Delfts.  Maastricht in the south was super interesting.  For instance the ‘wall of Jerigo’ around the old city – fascinating.  I didn’t realize the walls were so wide.  We walked on top of the wall where they had veggie gardens and fruit trees growing between the canons.  They had bakeries where people queued in the streets and the bread bought by its weight – absolutely memorable delicious.

End of January we were back in New Zealand and did the regular haul out, scrub and paint.  Also some major maintenance like galvanizing the anchor and chain and installed a new anchor winch.  Yes, the old one said ‘ten years were enough’.  And then we could finally take off to explore the northern tip of New Zealand.  We enjoyed our cruising time there.  The Cavalie Islands were great, Whangaroa a sheer delight and Doubtless Bay fascinating.  In Mangonui was an art gallery in the old courthouse where I could stay forever.  The air, the feeling, the life of the place, the paintings, the crafts, were vibrant, different, alive and inspirational.  And there was this Maori goddess swirling from out of the sea with all kinds of sealife mingling with her long wavy hair.  Her features were fine, clear, delightful and powerful – Mother of the Sea.  

I loved it.

 

On our way back we were homesteading in sea anchorages.  In one such place we rode out a severe gale coming from the SSE.   However when the storm decided to turn to the west, we all of a sudden had a problem.  In wind of 50 kn(100km/h) and flattening rain, we scurried to weigh the two anchors back on board and motored to the leeside of the bay.  But there it was open to the sea and big swell was running.  Judged by the onlookers arriving on the beach in their cars in the pouring rain, seeing a yacht there, and especially in those conditions, was not an everyday occurrence.   We survived it all, thank God.   

We connected again with old time sailing friends, caught a few tuna and revisited beautiful bays.  Even Dingo from Oz caught up with us and we were honoured to receive a warm loaf of the best home baked bread.  Mylady is now resting quietly on the Kerikeri River in New Zealand.  I’m visiting my granddaughter in Texas and Eelco is collecting freedom chips for us. 

Whangaroa New Zealand

Whangaroa, north of the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.  It has a high and steep rock wall facing the ocean and guarding the entrance. Inside it opens into a big protected water with good depth and the bottom has excellent holding.  Anchoring can be done anywhere and the choices of bad weather bays are numerous.  We were drawn to the high protruding rocky outcrops on the west side with their eye catching lime green narrow plateaus winding from bottom to top.  Like that should somehow be the walkway enabling one to climb these mountains.  As we turned into this big finger of water, several bays indented it, so we dropped anchor smack in the middle to be able to see all around us.  It is beautiful here.  As the afternoon progressed, sport fishing vessels and yachts trickled in a steady stream passed us and by nightfall the big bay at the end had its own city of lights on the water for the night.  We keep busy with extensive upkeep of MYLADY while enjoying the luxury of the roving life we have.

wings

How time has flown...
I shall be back here shortly.

HIGH SEAS REPORT – FREIGHT

I joined m/v Jeanette in September and were introduced to the frustrating event of waiting (and nagging) for freight.  In a four week period we only made one short trip.  In Dunkerque France, we loaded 5700mt of coal and brought it to Amsterdam.  Finally we got a 5600 mt load of steel coils in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands for Salerno in Italy and two other ports in Turkey. While heading for our first discharging port we made a bunker stop in Ceuta, Spain. To bunker 150 mt of fuel took 4 hours all together from coming alongside till we were underway again.  After totally 8 days sailing from the Netherlands to Italy we arrived in Salerno.  We had hoped for a weekend alongside as the agent mentioned in his mails to ship but the Italians were quick with discharging and we were out on sea again in no time heading for Turkey.  Through the Dardanelle we went into the Sea of Marmara and in the Gulf of Izmit, near Istanbul, to our two discharge ports Rota and Diliskelesi.  From Salerno it was 4,5 days sailing to the Gulf of Izmit.  The pace of off-loading in Turkey was slower than in Italy but in three days time our cargo was out.  Cleaning ship and preparing (paint the holds) for the next load is a big part of the job.  It is frustrating and tiresome though when standards are adjustable from one day to the next.  We took 5650 mt of soda in bulk (also used to make glass) for Tarragona in Spain. This trip took 7 days.  From there immediately on to Barcelona, which was only 4 hours sailing from Tarragona on the way cleaning and preparing ship again from the soda dust, and getting the new paint dry, and ready to load within 12 hrs from the time we were empty.  Everybody involved in this cargo was happy to see the ship ready for loading in such a short time. Maybe you wonder why every time painting again?  Well many times they go with front-end loaders into the hold when discharging which scrape off the paint, and the next load requires no rust, no dust etc.  Now we are underway to Rouen in France to discharge our load of 5600 mt of Potash.  From there we will sail to Scheveningen in Holland for a crew change which is too costly in France and then on to Letland in the Baltic Sea for another load of fine Potash to deliver this time in Kokola, Finland. Then some wood products like pulp and paper from Sweden to Marocco will follow.  Life’s a song if the storms keep at bay.

HIGH SEAS REPORT – TECHNICAL

Some information about Eelco’s professional life for the year 2011.

Motor Vessel Jeanette – belongs to Egbert Bos who also captains his second ship, m/v Anet. (This was the ship I worked on last year).  The owner is Dutch and younger than Eelco.  M/v Jeanette is a general cargo ship  of  6000 mt  DWT, 110  mtr long and 14  mtr wide.  General speed in normal conditions around 11 knots.  She was build in Germany in 2007 and is chartered by Wagenborg Shipping in Delfzijl in the Netherlands who sees to it that the ship gets freight.  Her main working grounds are Western Europe from the Black Sea in the south to the Baltic Sea in the North. 

The crew is from the United Nations.  Captain Eelco is Dutch and works as a freelance relief captain for three months a year.  The permanent captain Wim, now on holiday, is also Dutch and the oldest of the team.  Wim was a fisherman before with his own fishing boat for years.  When the catch became uneconomical he sold his ship and went back to school to get his master ticket for the merchant marine. His is involved in the Jeanette since new-build first as chief officer and later as captain.  Eelco has a good soundboard in him. The Chief mate is Dutch and known to Eelco from his previous job / ship (same owner) where he worked as second officer.  Second mate is Filipino and also he worked with Eelco on his previous ship as boatswain.  The relief Chief Engineer at this moment is from Murmask in Russia and now the oldest crew member.  Communication is not always the best but with the help of hands and feet they get along.  He knows his job. He took over from Dragomir who is original from Croatia but he has a Dutch passport by now and he speaks Dutch with an accent.  Dragomir is just as Wim involved with this ship since new-build in 2007 and knows all the ins and outs of the engine room.  The Filipino cook Joleyn, has supreme culinary qualities.  Eelco say’s, we are growing round and fat but enjoy it all the same.  The two Filipino deckhands – Gilbert and Giovanni - are also good guys.  A positive, productive and good sphere exists onboard and it is a fine team that does their job well.  Not much more for working conditions can be asked.

ON THE TRAIN in NETHERLAND

Mostly the train stations of the well runned rail network are just a peron (an elevated step-off) with a see-through weather shield - practical. Logic has it that the bigger the place the larger the station.  One such station building has a décor theme of old Edwardian style.  Lovely lacework fringes the roof lines and buildings while small decorative post on corners and roof ridges proudly make a statement of presence of an era.  Welcomingly and stylish the benches to wait on, invite for a sit-down.  A whistle sounds, bells ring, the doors close and with an expecting feeling if all is well and on time, the travellers look around to see if a known face is sharing the ride before settling down with a telephone, ipad, newspaper or some office work. Gently rocking, the train departs and settles soon on a well known track, rhythm and tune.   With a soft but intense high note the wheels whistle on the steel tracks to a high crescendo.  At hundred and forty eight kilometres per hour we fly along to the next stop on this rack.  Many if not most of the walls lining the railroad have graffiti art on it, colourful and with different styles.  Cold autumn weather presents the passing countryside with patches of yellow, orange, brown or still some green bush as it rolls by.  Many places the trees are already stripped bare from any leaves which for the time being, still beautify the landscape with a carpet on the ground of warm and rich autumn colours.  A yellow and blue train flashes by in the opposite direction, shaking the trains slightly with their airstreams meeting and pushing, and blotches out sight from the window for a few seconds.  Soon after, our train reduces speed and a car park packed to the brim comes in sight.  Many stands of parked bicycles, ten in a row, follow and then the rows of closed bicycle containers.  Continuously our train paces down in speed and sound.  It shunts on the rails with metal screeching like a cat scratches its nails in lamentation on a glass windowpane.  We approach the Houten station.  Super futuristic with clear glass dome roof and clear tunnels on a shiny steel structure it could well have been the docking station in a Startrek movie with it’s décor of crisp, clear, clean – no frills, streamlined, modern and fast on the eye and mind. The train stops.  Whistle sounds.  Doors open.  People step in and out. Whistles - bells - closing doors - five minutes gone and the train pulls out of the station.

Travelling again

I could rely on the best of friends to pick me up at the day of my departure from New Zealand.  Not only did they ferry me and my heavy bag across the Kerikeri River, they also dropped me at the bus and waved me goodbye.  It is wonderful to feel so ‘at home’ in a country where one is only a visitor.  On the bus I met an interesting marine cadet and in Auckland I was welcomed into the lives of new friends.  People whom we’ve met during one of my book signings in Kerikeri.  Their spontaneous friendliness mirrors that of most New Zealanders.  For me the time with them was food for my soul. I was honoured to share a few hours with a great artist and explore and appreciate new ideas, values and customs.  Another time to say: Mi  sa le (I'll return).  The flights to HongKong and Amsterdam were good but tiring.  I loved the golden spider webs of townships on the ground as we approached the Netherlands in the dark early morning night sky.  The old antique ones with story figures in them were easily distinguishable from the modern ones with square, straight and round lines.  Now I’m basking in the welcome of my in-laws.  Eelco has off loaded their load of steal rolls in Turkey and are loading at the moment a shipment of soda to be delivered in Spain. 

September'11

Eelco has had a productive time in Holland.  First he could visit with his mom and did little maintenance chores for her like all good sons do for their mums.  And then he attended a Ship Security Officer course to add yet another paper to his file.   His captain job waited for him and he boarded m/v Jeanette in Terneuzen.  From there they went on anchor out of Zeeland, in the south of Holland.  Freight however is slow for the time being.  In the meantime weather is not the best.  Very windy and rainy conditions with poor holding ground makes dragging a constant and frustrating issue.  Mylady here in NZ are also experiencing gale conditions but we are surviving well.

NORTHLAND AUG’11

Mylady visited many of her old haunts and enjoyed it just the same.  It is winter.  The air is brisk and smoky cold.  Mostly the vision is clear.  There are very few boats out on the water.  I was hoping to pick up some scallop shells but where there used to be aren’t any more.  Bad luck.  Will have to keep our eyes open for some.  I use the shells to put photos inside as most of you know.    Well we have settled between our pile moorings on the Kerikeri River and have been busy to prepare for Mylady’s winter sleep.  Time flew past as always and it was time to jump into our hired car and have a look how the north of the Northland looks like.  We loved it.  The west coast is rugged.  Ninety mile beach stretches as far as the eye can see.  It was cold.  The ranges were beautiful and Maori presence everywhere.  Not a single car on the road.  When it rained the mist rolled down from the sky and settled ON the roads and covered the landscape to a no-see.  Piha on the west coast of Auckland was great.  The road to there a zigzag disaster, blinded with fog.  And then the big metal bird flew Eelco far away from me.  It is freezing cold.

TASMAN SEA JULY ‘11

We left Australia in front of bad weather coming. We knew it. The advantage was that we would be on the topside of the low pressure system making use of favourable wind directions for half of the way. Well the low caught up with us three days out of Coffs Harbour. Humongous seas chased us. Wind was horrific but direction was good. Thus, we survived it well. The rest of the trip we had unexpected favourable winds or no wind and relatively calm seas. We even had lovely sunshine and not hazy skies when we passed the top of New Zealand. So for the first time after having been here many times, we actually had a beautiful clear panoramic view of the northern tip of New Zealand with the lighthouse at Cape Reinga balancing on the highest, sharpest point of steep ranges.
Thanks for all the messages that came in. We appreciate.

YAMBA, Clarence River, NSW, OZ

We have avoided Yamba for two years. The channel to get there goes around tight hairpin bends and over worrying shallows, hugging small islands closely in other places. My bravery to be on the water do not need to get stuck somewhere in the mud. Two years ago we bumped over some boulders here on the Clarence River and that event seriously rocked my ‘security’. How the fishing fleet of Yamba comes and goes is something I just don’t even want to know about – practising my ostrich head-in-the-sand approach. But guilt for being here and not explore, which goes against the grain of being a tourist, made us decide to try it. Then during our last social visit with another cruising yacht in Iluka, they mentioned with detail how a friend of theirs dragged numerous times at Yamba. Oops, that meant poor holding – and a strong blow was predicted for two days. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t go.’ ‘What the heck, we just go’ the boss man said. I stayed below decks busying myself with all kinds of nothing in the galley during our trip to Yamba, to prevent being confronted with my what-ifs. Only once did we plough through the mud when we gave way to the ferry and left the channel. When we anchored further up the narrow channel, the anchor gripped immediately the sticky mud and we stayed put for a few days. We were in Yamba after all, and enjoyed the climb to the lighthouse and looking over the coastline dotted with surfers. We also supported a local dentistry once again.

Maclean, Clarence River, NSW, Australia

It rained all day the previous two days so the grey drizzles early morning was but a mere continuation of the weather pattern. Between two bouts of more misty rain coming down, we packed the dinghy and hurried to shore. A beautiful White Heron waded in the shallows. Atop a close-by tree sat a Brahminy Kite with his contrasting white chest and warm red-brown wings, turning his head to face us over his back. On the shore Magpies and Butcher Birds chattered happily. All the birds were at peace with the rainy conditions. We continued on to our first book signing.

Red moon

The Clarence River is flooding. We listened during the night to the tree stumps and debris scratching MYLADY'S hull as it pushes by on their way down river. The water is liquid mud - chocolate brown. Due to the fast running current, the car ferry at Lawrence is also out of service. Very early this morning the total eclipse of the moon was grand to see. I wonder how often this occurs?

Broken Bay OZ

BROKEN BAY where the giant Hawkesbury River with its many tributaries meets the see. Wedge-tailed Eagles glide with hunting eyes along all the creeks. And many Sea-Eagles perch in water-side trees, waiting. In the sandy shallows small stingrays hover motionless just above the bottom. Schools of tiny fish regularly go running on the water in a silver cloud when the hunters are about. There is wind but somehow it seems to blow over the high mountains around us. Down here in the creeks the reflections mirror the grandest paintings. Winter is creeping closer. We have loved living in Broken Bay.

Sydney

It was overcastted. The light was soft yet warm. A magnificent, colourful weathered rock wall rose vertical out from sea. On top of it peeped double storey houses over the edge - all for a view over the sea. Behind it, the landmass of Australia dozed in yet another rain shower for yet another day. On the sea side of the wall, vines and salt loving plants thrived on the tiny terraces of the eroded stone. It looked just like a Mediterranean setting. We've arrived in Sydney. In Spring Cove the youngsters dive-bombed off the fenced-off cliffs for a swim and the old pier had tired-less fishermen all hours of the day and night. In the dark their lures glowed. Manly was the first place where I had the feeling that if I had to live in a city, I could do it here. A family kind-o-feeling caught me. It felt as if the people themselves enjoy their place. The Spit Bridge opened for us and into peaceful Sugarloaf Bay we went. It's a small nature reserve amongst city high-rises and compact urban development. There might be one other boat sharing the anchorage with us. But then starts weekend and the place turns into buddy-boat-bay with numerous gin palaces and yachts gathering for a who's who. Crows laugh. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos make the wildest racket at dusk. Fish jump constantly and at night, owls hoo-hoo.

The place of TOM the ORCA

We have arrived in Eden on the New South Wales coast of Australia. The time we’ve spent at Flinders Island north of Tasmania and Deal Island was FANTASTIC! Bass Strait gave us something of everything in fair amounts. The chiming song of the bellbirds here in Eden is fascinating and beautiful. Dolphins play around the boat and little penguins dive and paddle between us and the shore bobbing their heads up as if asking ‘Hey big one, what’s up?’ Yes, sharks and seals join the party. No, we don’t swim. Our current project is to make a cover for the dinghy from old sail. Every afternoon we go to the beach for some healthy exercise and then we check our progress when we fit the cover. (There’s light at the end of the tunnel. / Wij hebben de lek amper boven. / Ons is al oor die hond se rug.) Today a lot of roads are closed due to flooding. Yes, we are also getting drenched by pelting rain. That means going to shore is not a good option. With all this rainwater donated to us, we try and make the best of it. That means washing …. We feel so ‘settled’...

Beautiful Deal Island

The bad weather is gone, temporarily. We explored the west coast and north coast of Flinders Island in the quite period after the gale. Roydon Island was our best liked anchorage so we returned there for some quiet time before hopping over to Deal Island. We are now in beautiful Winter Cove on the east side of Deal. The rocks and mountains are majestically here.

Blowing a gale

We're exhausted. The onslaught of noise from the wind on our sanity is tremendous. In the last 36 hours we had one hour relieve from the 70 -90 km/h winds. For a time it gusted regularly to a screaming 100km/h. In the reprieve period it went down to 50-65 km/h. The rain flies horizontally. We're waiting out this bad wet weather in Lady Barron, Flinders Island, Tasmania. It is a strong tidal port. Many hours we are broadside between the current and strong wind. Then we sail zigzag behind the mooring, canting heavily. According the forecast it would continue for at least 24 hours more. We are at this moment in a period of screaming 100km/h winds again. And on the weather map the tropical cyclone Dianne is charging down south on the west coast of OZ and will bring more of this bad weather in the following days for us. I guess we are experiencing what Tasmania is associated with - the Roaring Forties. We are well. Mylady is a tough girl. Eelco is completing the insulation project and I pray.

Don't worry

Dear friends, if ever we have wondered if anybody is visiting our website, then we wonder no more. A very big THANK YOU to EVERYBODY who have dropped us a line. We just want to let you all know that we are well. The disaster floods in Australia, including Tasmania, are not affecting us too bad. We are currently 'settled' at Maria Island with lots of good hiding places from the strong winds and rain. Our home is cosy and floating and the anchor is doing a proper job.

Liewe familie en vriende, ons wil maar net sê dit gaan goed met ons. Mylady dryf, die anker doen goeie werk en ons is gesond. Huidiglik is ons adres, Maria Eiland, Tasmania. Die dakkies vang al die water en ons kan weer die was doen met vars water.

Hallo luitjes, als jullie je afvragen hoe het met ons gaat , willen wij net laten weten, als ben wel aanboord Mylady. Vies weer beteken veel tijd voor klussen en prutsen en dat vinden we niet erg, eigenlijk heerlijk.

Kiep - Kiep

It was about two weeks since we last had the possibility to shop. So when we arrived safely in Nubeena and were sure the anchor was set well, we immediately went ashore. Something meaty was high on our wish list. And at the little shop we became the owners of a massive frozen chicken. Back on Mylady we planned with eager anticipation the braai for the following evening. The weather was looking promising, our first brew since we're back was ready for the taste and our mouths were watering. Our job the next day was to unpack the bilge which is a big storage place for me and then to chop any rust on the keel frame away and afterwards I painted it with a rust converter - back breaking work. We deserved a braai and a beer. The barbecue smoke curled enticingly and the sizzling sounds were music to our ears. The big moment arrived. The table was set and the side dishes ready. "Tra-la-la-la" the Barbie lid was lifted and we admired the golden grilled chicken. Eelco speared it with the meatfork and lifted it onto a plate. Horror struck. Frozen for a moment in time Eelco stood looking down passed the barbecue, before he started swearing like a sailor. I couldn't see and didn't know what happened but it was crystal clear something was very wrong. For a moment I wondered if the container with our gasbottle for the stove which is in close proximity of the barbecue got burned, or maybe the dinghy that was swinging behind. Eelco got control over himself. He wriggled all of his giantness with amazing speed out of the tight corners of the full cockpit and jumped into the dinghy while calling "it is still floating!" I immediately started to undo the dinghy painter but that seemed not necessary. Leaning out from the dinghy he fished out our lovely grilled chicken floating by! With the prized chicken held in both his hands we started laughing. It was a great, man overboard, exercise. The effort was worth it - our sea-chick tasted superb. It was an excellent way to say good-bye to the old year of 2010.