FOR SALE - Linssen Grand Sturdy 500

It's all over bar the shouting - and there has been quite a lot of that

Wednesday 12 August

We rushed off to the supermarket after breakfast for some provisions as we were aware that the Atlantic was on its way to Vlaardingen and due to dock by 11 a.m and that we would have a great view from our hotel room which we had to check out of by 11. And it was so exciting watching the ship sail past with Sequel on the deck.

The Atlantic - look closely for Sequel

It took half an hour to walk from the hotel to dock 635 and we got there just in time to watch the Atlantic reversing into position. There were only three other boats on the top deck and another catamaran below the deck by the end of the voyage. We had a bit of a wait with the other excited owners but there was no health and safety involved and we were allowed on to the ship while we waited for customs to be cleared and the Load Master to start off loading with Sequel first.

Going overboard 

Once back in the water we assessed Sequel for any damage suffered after 21 days at sea to find that although we had covered the roof and the doors some of the straps had torn loose and others had worn right through the paintwork. We were told that the Atlantic had encountered strong winds off the coast of Western Ireland and were surprised that they were surprised. Inside a few things had shot across the floor of the boat and I had trouble getting into our cabin as a stool was blocking the door but no serious damage. Unfortunately    a large container of oil had fallen over in the engine room and spilt which had to be cleared up before we left and we finally did at 2 p.m.

It was very busy around the port with many large ships and barges. We had determined to get as far as possible before nightfall but we were travelling up stream and the water was against us. At one point, quite late on, the speed dropped to just over 4 knots, which is very slow.

Noah's Ark along the Vaal River 

Large container ship being pushed out by a tug

We left the river Vaal via a short canal and our first lock and finally reached a marina where 

we had stayed five years ago but 10 p.m. by this time.

Thursday 13

An earlyish start to get to Maasbract now on the Maas. Our log book told us that this could take at least 12 hours but a brilliant day and very warm so very happy to spend our last day on Sequel this way. We encountered five locks and at one we saw hundreds of leisure boats (or it seemed like it) waiting on the other side to go down the river. The Dutch all go on holiday in August. We had no problems with the locks and after all we have encountered over the years they seemed quite easy now!

We saw cows in the water too - cooling down

One of the many car ferries along the Maas

Waiting for the lock gates to close

Through another large lock

A heavily loaded barge, very low in t he water

We finally arrived at the Linssen yard at 8.30 p.m. and time for another egg and tuna salad - hope not to have this to eat for a while.

Friday 14

We spent the day packing up, which was a little like moving out of a small house and I lost count of the bags we filled with rubbish, the boxes we packed in the car and we filled two one cubic metre containers supplied by Linssen to store for us until we return to collect them in due course.

In the evening we treated ourselves to dinner in our favourite restaurant, Da Vinci, which we found ten years ago with the family one Sunday night whichwas amazing then and still is now.

Saturday 15

More of the same, didn't quite finish yesterday, but pouring with rain again now so time for a break and my very last blog from Sequel. Home tomorrow through the tunnel - absolutely no room for any other passengers of any nationality. Bruce now handing over to the lovely Ed Houben, Sales Manger for Linssen Yachts. Not sure if I am feeling emotional, may be as we leave tomorrow but if I could have a euro for every time we have been asked if we are going to buy another boat we would be ordering one now!