This morning I started with a visit to the supermarket for 4 days of supplies. Not my favourite waste of time, but it’s nice to have enough food, drinks and snacks for any weather. I try to have food that avoids seasickness and is easy to prepare in case of bad weather. Safety includes that you can trust yourself, with enough energy and concentration.
My goal this mini-journey is to sail around North Holland, that means via Amsterdam to IJmuiden and then north to Den Helder, via a little Waddenzee, Den Oever back to Lelystad. The wind will change the direction with me is the prediction when I do the round clockwise. In 2021 I did the same counter clockwise with my parents.
The start of this mini-journey was perfect. Nice sunny weather, more than enough wind from the right direction. East till South-East 4 Beaufort (16-20 knots wind, gusts 24). With a southwest destination, this would work with the genua. Nice to start this way solo. The locks went strange, almost like always. In the middle of the locks you have a bridge, but not equally divided: the south side is much smaller. First we al fastened at the north side, but we told to pass the bridge with not enough space for all 7 yachts. In the meantime the water level in the lock was lowered. These officers on duty should get some experience sailing themselves, this is madness. It is not like parking your car. In the end, I was allowed to sail straight through the opening lock-doors, so in the end it saved time.
My speed under sail was exiting. At least 4,5 knots, but up to 6. Straight line following the dike to Almere. At the end in the (former) harbour Pampushaven I found my moorage. With three other yachts, first still some wind, but like many summer nights, it faded out. I love this. Good meal, enjoying live. And after prepare the next day (expected thunderstorms), I got to sleep at 22:00.
- Departure: 01-05-2026 12:40 (Lelystad)
Arrival: 01-05-2026 16:35 (Pampushaven) - Sailing time: 3 h
- Engine time: 1 h
- Sailing distance: 16.2 NM