Round up of UK tour

Routed Stellendam, Ijmuiden, Lowestoft, Harwich, Ramsgate, Dover, Rye, Ostend, Burghsluis, Numansdorp. Very fast passage up to Ijmuiden, around six hours. No major weather factors, crossing to Lowestoft was OK, bit bumpy and only caused a little tension as I could not identify the southerly cardinal and associated red lateral bouy on arrival. I think it was maybe lit and then stopped flashing at first light. Ho Hum. Stayed a couple of nights to visit with my brother Peter and Ritchie had a rather poor impression of UK on arrival Lowestoft; its run down, loads of beyond economical repair boats dotted about and was accosted in Tesco to see if he was a shoplifter! Nice restaurant and glories of cider. Run down to Harwich was fairly rough, something I knew on departure but on balance right decision. A mayday en route from a 11M yacht taking in water was close enough for me to attend and stand by until lifeboat arrived. Lifeboat crew reported minor leak in saildrive gasket so probably did not justify the Mayday. In any event lifeboat took the distressed vessel back to Lowestoft (from whence they had come, something I guess they had not been too pleased about. Entry to Harwich was again a bit bump not no problem; I called Suffolk Yacht harbour only to be told no room! Grrrrr, divert Shotley Marina which was OK, a Lock with fenders that go up and down with you! Terry drove over and picked us up, back to his new home for a lovely lunch and then ack on board as an early start needed to cross Thames and get down to Ramsgate. Annoying some of this route as could have probably made Dover. In any event a good Turkish restaurant on seafront served us well. Down to Dover, a short passage only enlivened by the white cliffs and a half wit on a jet ski trying to use VHF to contact Dover port control. Walked up to the castle for a bit of culture. Onwards to Rye, the Muddy resting place for three days seeing my elder brother Jonathan and old friends Gary and Gitte. A meal on board at rather a funny angle (the anchor beers had dulled my attention and I did badly for getting the ship to settle; I did improve this over the next few tides). Had already come to conclusion that overnight to Ostend was the best course and we had a lovely sail downwind to just past abeam Dover, the initial target when crossing the TSS was not talking to me on 16 and Dover traffic squawked at me for not making my intentions obvious early. Grrrrr, the only person to have shouted at me (aside from Ritchie) during the trip. No other particular issues on that leg and into Ostend around 08:00 having to wait a little for lock. After some discussion and given Vaarweginformatie showing Haringvliet brug operation we decided to route via Romportsluis to Burghsluis, alll good but I could not identify the short cut to get into Burgsluis so had to route around. Great restaurant and stunning view. Up to Haringvliet and fund bridge not working so overnight Numansdorp with Ritchie using his undoubted skills at finding a sneaky place to tie up. I did call the hafenmeister and offer to pay but he did not come back to me so assume we had it free. Few beers in a proper bar by church. Uneventful motor back into Hellevoetslis.