Although we get up at 6:30 and have breakfast at 7:00, we leave 30 minutes late at 9:30. Also we helped an Englishman, who looked tired, to get his long keeler turned into the box. The wind is SW3, bad luck in terms of direction. We had just chosen the route south of the TSS lanes of IJmuiden to avoid the new big wind farm in the north. Quickly adjusting the route now is too much work. It means that we have to sail at least 2 shifts (4 hours) on the engine. Not bad in itself, but we don’t have enough fuel for the entire crossing. It’s good to get used to the swell and see if Dannes and I are fit enough and don’t get seasick. The refrigerator can also stay on longer. At the end of the wind farm (in the south) we can change course slightly. Engine plus genua appears possible. We pass behind an anchored freighter. We don’t make much height yet.

The wind is good and with 1 reef we set the mainsail, after 2 times tacking we are on our way to the so-called IJmuiden Crossing. It is busy here, but with AIS information on the plotter you can aim well between the container ships. Visibility is good and we cross at a comfortable 5.7 knots. It is now 4:00 PM. At sunset the wind drops. We lower the sails and Dannes takes over the watch until 23:00. I manage to actually sleep for 2 hours, although the captain’s cabin is next to the engine.

When I take over the watch again, a breeze has come up. With full gear I can go into the night. Again a big 5 knots. It’s a lovely clear night, perfect for stargazing. Fortunately enough warm clothes, by the way, because it is also quite cold. I just keep eating. The ships are clearly visible, both via AIS and visually. As far as I am concerned, that is the advantage of the night: navigation lights. For example, the 2 steam lights (a low one at the front and a higher one at the back) give a good line when you pass in front: the bottom light shifts, if they are right above each other you know that you going to be overrun … I didn’t let it get that far and then you’re actually too late. Also the side lights indicate perfectly crossing courses and when you see them change into 1 stern light, you know you’re in the right place. During the day that is much less easy to estimate and than I use the AIS information more often.

From 1 to 3, between 2 shipping lanes, Dannes takes over again. He also enjoys the stars and confesses that he sometimes paid less attention to the course. At 3 o’clock it’s my watch again. It’s a battle against sleep, but also pay attention with 2 shipping lanes right behind each other. Occasionally the autopilot is on, to be able to look inside on the plotter and AIS. The autopilot consumes a lot of power, so I minimize its use to keep enough energy in the battery for navigation equipment and lighting. I contact one coaster (outside the shipping lane) via the VHF radio that I will pass in front of her. That contact is appreciated. There was half a mile of slack.

My watch is over at 5 o’clock, but the sun rises and we see Lowestoft. We are 2 hours earlier than planned. I’m not going to sleep anymore, there are some shallows here. Just before the harbour you have to report on VHF 14 to be allowed to enter. We are treated in a businesslike and friendly manner. Feels welcoming. Outgoing commercial shipping is held inside the habour until we have sailed in through the narrow entrance.

No one is awake yet in the Royal Norfolm & Suffolk Yacht Club, but we moor at the Northern most pontoon for visitors as instructed on the website. We haven’t heard from customs yet. After a phone call and some research, I get a call back. “Do I speak with the captain of Folly?”, uhhm, yes, “You are all clear sir, you may enter the country”. Whoa, that’s great. I change the Q flag for the Red Ensign. We can leave the ship, do the registration, have a hot shower and go to sleep. Tomorrow already the return. We slept till 1 pm.