To say that I was eager to escape the Orwell goldfish bowl would be the understatement of the year. Desperate would be more appropriate.

A 3-day weather window presented itself: NE4-5 – with no rain forecast. All you need for a Channel crossing to Ostend. Crew was made ‘available’ and we were off. As per usual we picked up a mooring outside SYH. Nice to see we haven’t lost our touch, picked it up at our very first approach. An early night afloat.

Slipped our mooring at the crack of dawn the next morning. Traditionally a job for the skipper, whilst the crew sleeps in. This time was no different. As winds were very light, I decided the shake out the reef in the main still left from a couple of days ago. Only to put it back in by the time we got to Cork Sands.

The rest of the crossing was very uneventful. Reaching in 15-25kts of apparent wind. Seas were quite lumpy at times (short & steep), especially where it was quite shallow (< 10m). Otherwise, a fast crossing in the sun. Due to wind chill it did not ‘feel’ like summer despite the clear blue skies.
Crew surfaced shortly before lunch. Farther- daughter chats over a bit to eat. Bliss.

We reached Westhinder Anchorage by 15H00, Ostend came into view by 16H00 and we entered the approach channel just before 17H00. Sailed all the way from Landguard - good job.

Once we entered the Montgomery dock I was somewhat surprised not to be met by the familiar and distinctive booming voice of Robert (RNSYC HM). Instead we were met by a perm in a rib making vague suggestions. Decided to ignore his ramblings and give him some directions of my own. Seemed to work much better and yielded the desired result.

Next stop: a Belgian chippy. The usual first night in Ostend meal. Once fed, we were ready for an early night and another day in paradise. The usual routine: meet up with old friends for a meal/drink and shop for food/drink. Happy days.