20200603

Beulakerwiede

On our second trip we were going to sleep on board for the first time. The campings were still closed because of the Corona virus. So we had to be completely self-sufficient not only for cooking and sleeping but also for our sanitary needs. We had launched at Beulaeke Haven and rowed away from the marina at 1100 hours. It was sunny with a WNW3. We anchored off an island near the Kleine Beulakerwiede for lunch. After lunch we rounded the island and sailed on towards the Walengracht. The Beulakerwiede consists of many larger and smaller lakes connected one to another. The lakes were a result of floods in the late 1800s when the small peat-winning plots were washed away. From a distance the water looks blue but up close it is nearly black. Clouds were building when we entered the Walengracht. We sailed towards the Giethoornse Meer where we planned to anchor for the night. When we arrived the wind was already increasing. Because there was also a prediction for rain during the night so we decided to find a more quiet spot alongside a jetty.
We found a quiet spot alongside the Thijssegracht. I lowered the rig and moved it forwards to make room for the tent. We put the gas cooker on deck to heat up our evening meal. The cooker proved less stable but our pre-cooked dinner tasted fine.
After dinner I created a flat sleeping space with the floorboard and filler piece and put up the tent. Our big sleeping bag (4.5kg) was nice and warm but we woke a couple of times in the night. Hatseflats proved quite tender to sleep on with the two of us and there was a lot of noise near the mast top. On the other side we were lucky that it remained dry throughout the night.

04-06-2020

When we woke it had started to drizzle and we decided for an early start. We quickly cleared the sleeping gear from the tent and packed the tent away. After we changed into foul weather gear we cast off at 0800 hours. It was now raining properly but I felt comfortable in my lightweight CodeZero jacket and new Gill trousers. The F4 wind made for quick sailing with one reef. Breakfast consisted of buns that we carried in our rucksack. Despite the rain the sailing was very nice. The gusts were easy to handle. At 0945 hours we were back at Beulaeke Haven.

A quick rundown of the changes.
Positive:

• New reefing system works well
• Much more room under the aft deck now the 32kg battery has gone
• Powerbrick works well to recharge phones.
• Jack Wolfskin tent is nice and practical with zips opening to port and starboard..
• Van Manen carebags are OK for sanitary needs. Pack in plastic bag after use to avoid smells.

• A more stable platform for cooking
• A solution to make the narrow Vaude mattresses (50cm) less slippery and squeaky when turning around
• A boom strut to keep the sail bundle (sail, boom, yard, sheet) out of the way while camping on board
• Retie halyards to reduce mast noises when sleeping
• Create more space between foredeck and bridgedeck