20180626

Published in Dinghy Cruising Journal 239

The Raid NL 2018 2

Day 2 - Lauwersmeer to Bergumermeer - 23km

By mid-morning we were off again. After the locks at Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen, the Dokkumer Diep narrowed to a canal. There were so many bridges that we lowered our masts and switched to paddling. Rowing Hatseflats was hard work. Joost showed how to make longer strokes. Even then the canoes were soon out in front.

It was getting hot. We stopped at Langebrug for a picknick with fried sausages. And on we went. To cool off a little, I pulled off my anorak and then my buoyancy aid. Sipping lemonade every few minutes made me feel a little better. The canal was beautiful with many trees. Because of the trees, sailing was pointless.

Finally we reached the Bergumer Meer and hoisted our sails for a quick downwind run to Marina Klein Zwitserland. Once we had pitched our tents we had a meal on the terrace of the nearby restaurant. Note that Bergumer Meer is the home of the BM sailing class. The BM was designed for home builders and popularized sailing in the Netherlands more than any other class.