Bringing her back from Holland

Having purchased Esme in North Holland and brought her to England in 2007, we spent our first two happy years in Woodbridge, Suffolk. 

Esme was brought to Nieuwpoort from the north of Holland via Amsterdam by our Dutch skipper Ronald. He stopped off in Volendam to carry out important preparation for the crossing such as new batteries, welding in of fuel tank access hatches and cleaning the fuel system.

The chart

Waiting in Nieuwpoort

Esme waits patiently below. Diana and Sid our friend and skipper, ready for the crossing to England.

Farewell Belgium

Nieuwpoort harbour becomes a distant memory.

Some plotting going on

Are you sure this is the right direction skip?

Just blue

About two hours into our twelve hour voyage and not a soul in sight - until we reach the shipping lanes.

Oh buoy!

Always reassuring to pass a buoy and discover that it's the right one. Garden City was our second waypoint.

Relax or what?

Diana even found a moment for a spot of sunbathing.

I see ships

Eyes peeled as we approach the busy shipping lanes which must be crossed at 90 degrees.

Steady on the helm

It's only looking back that you can check that you are going straight.

Ship ahead?

Keeping a sharp lookout to avoid a collision course. The big ones move quickly!

No problem!

The ship passed way ahead in front so no need to alter course.

Land ahoy!

Glorious Blighty in our sights.

The Deben bar

The approach to the dreaded Deben bar after only ten hours cruising and right on time for the tide.
Sid takes the helm for the clever bit. Easier to blame him if we run aground.

Sunset, not far to go now.

Hello Woodbridge

Thanks to our neighbour Chris from 'Halcyon' who took this picture as we arrived.

Safely tied up at Robertsons.

Looking across to Sutton Hoo from our mooring.