Delfzjil – Great Yarmouth DAY THREE.
The Festival ended with a bang and a flash of fireworks. The Lord Nelson (being centre staged at her berth) provided a grandstand view of a quite magnificent firework display. A very big thankyou to all at Delfsail who organised a wonderful visit into their port for all of the tall ships and visitors.
The next morning
After an evening of being sandwiched between the Sedov and the Mir as we sailed out of Delfzijl, the voyage crew woke up this to a typical North Sea morning lumpy grey seas and overcast skies. The result was the inevitable lost of crew to sea sickness. The Fore Port watch was reduced to two for the aforenoon watch! The cause of the problems was a strong south westerly blowing against a strong running tide which produced a 6-7 sea state. Not the best sea to keep your breakfast down! Although we were motoring, it was quite a splendid day. We were running inshore of the shipping lanes, so we had great views of the shipping and of the Dutch coastline. For most of the morning we were behind and to windward of another Tall ship. Thnking back to the days of Nelson, it made you realise just how difficult it was to catch a ship, let alone fight it in such sea conditions.
But as the day wore on, the tides changed and we made better way towards Amsterdam. We locked through the North Lock with a huge bulk carrier ship. We then proceeded down the Canal to our berth about 2 miles from the City Centre, Where it was considerably calmer.
Mike Travis
Forward Port Watch