October 2024, I’ve been failing to plan ahead! One of my mottos, I was after all an airline planning manager. How hum, down in southern deltas, Bruinisse looking at boats and it’s difficult comparing against a list of wants and essentials. Somewhere sunny for the winter months, not sure how or where but that’s the idea, sell some stuff, work on Bara Vi to get her up to a standard in any eventuality!

it’s April 2022 and a few moments to sketch out my much delayed planning. Ship will be in a reasonable state, some weaknesses but overall happy to try the following:

depart late April early May Ijmuiden, heligoland, north Denmark, Norway, Stavanger, the start of the big fjords.

a trip through the fjords, we shall see how far north is sensible to progress and back via Gothenburg, Copenhagen etc.

a caravan tour, in the late Summer, thinking Slovenia. After all, a little time spent in reconnaissance, which according to Wellington and Rommel, is seldom wasted.

It’s a New Year, 2021, and time to Exdigitate !

Whilst planning is at best uncertain given the Covid pandemic I have formulated some ideas to populate my line planner. We shall see how these develop and indeed if I can bring them about. I can, thank goodness, see an end in sight of the boat maintenance, I hope to have most of the items clear by mid February and move back on board later that month or early March. Shake down in Harringvliet, stooge about for a bit and see whenjabbed. Head across to UK, probably up the Deben River and Moor for a couple of weeks whilst I visit friends and family. Head up the east coast looking for a crossing to Norway, Sweden or even Denmark. 

October The London Ring via a narrow boat. I have always loved London, it has so much to offer, so many memories and packing this into a perhaps 10-14 day cruise of this classic canal tour would be a dream. Perhaps I can fill a boat for some part of this trip inviting friends and family for an occular and gastronomic tour by water. 

  • Science museum 
  • v&A
  • Wyndhams theatre
  • Leather bottle Greys Inn
  • Camden Locks
  • Soho
  • Chinatown
  • South bank

Portugal will I am sure feature in some part of this year, enjoying the splendid and relaxed lifestyle. 

I am leaving my 2020 post below to remind me of the water that has passed under the keel in the last 12 months, some adventures, some close calls and one bit of damage. 

2020 planning

Buy a bigger boat and do a Norwegian cruise this summer, rent out house in Hellevoetsluis.

Some boat possibles

Westerly Storm

Moody 346

Hallberg Rassey 312

As ever it will come down to money and what is available. Probably a fin, probably comfort factor, probably no wood to maintain or spend the money and permateak or corkoplast.

See here for some boats for sale