20200913

Published in Dinghy Cruising Journal 248

Dorestad Raid 2020 4

Sunday 13 September

Six boats went out for a short trip to conclude the 2020 Dorestad Raid. It was a SW4 gusting to 5-6 so on Hatseflats we stuck with our two reefs of the previous day. We rowed through Heeg towards the Idzegasterpoel. We enjoyed ourselves crossing the little lake on a screaming reach. We reached back towards the Weisleat and then entered the much smaller Rintsjepoel and the even smaller Palsepoel. As Klarie and I rowed up the muddy canal to the Skutelpoel, the odours of country life wafted into our noses. On the left bank we saw pigs rutting in the mud, watched by ponies and horses on the right bank.
After all this rusticity we rowed across the tiny Skutelpoel, turned into another narrow and shallow canal and returned to the Idzegaster Poel. From there we headed back to Leo and Hannah's island and had lunch with Koos. Both Onno and Gerben-Jan had sailed his Artemis sailing canoe. Suffice it to say that both enjoyed it but only Onno stayed dry. Too soon we had to say goodbye to our hosts and sailing friends. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable long weekend.