We set out from Titchmarsh Marina on 27th April with blue skies and a light breeze to cross the North Sea to den Helder. A bit of a motor sail from Harwich entrance north to the N Shipwash buoy. then a course NE to the Netherlands. Little wind and an oily flat sea we made great progress under engine doing 7.2knts at 2000rpm.
A great sunset but as night drew in the temperature dropped and the layers were added. It was a chilly night but quite a bit of traffic which kept us alert. I managed a couple of hours sleep in the cockpit ( under a duvet) while Lorette dodged a a few boats.
As dawn came we approached a windfarm looking amazing bathed in the early morning light. Then up the coast for the final few hours into den Helder, arriving at 09.00 local time. We went into the KMJC naval marina that we left from last summer on our return from the Netherlands. A simple marina with most facilities and a very helpful HM. He called the Military Police who double as Border Police and they came later in the morning to stamp the passports. By this time Lorette was asleep down below but they happily stamped her passport without seeing her! I could have had a dozen stowaways down there!
A brief trip to town on two death traps hired from the marina - bikes with no brake levers you just back pedal to stop - how difficult can that be!!
After a bite to eat and the obligatory beer (Texel Skuumkope) back to the boat and we didn't last long before retiring.