Category: Daily Life around the water - page 12

26th August 2012 – Today I did something that you should never do. Take it as an example of how not to go to sea! If I knew everything when I arrived in Blankenberge, I might have considered going back home! Upon arrival I discovered there were no charts, binoculars or a working VHF radio. I had my mobile phone with all the important phone numbers with me. There were life jackets and our navigation lights were working.

With a simple plan of following the coast line, I thought we could make it easily. When I left Blankenberge, it was still dark. I had trouble leaving the harbour because of heavy waves hitting us. Quickly I realized following the coast line was not that easy. I then tried moving the boat from one buoy to the other. After two buoys, I never found a third one. By then the day came and I could clearly see the coast and all the buildings. Three hours later I was in Ostend. The harbour authorities didn’t like it I had no VHF. We had to wait for some time before they let us continue the journey to Bruges.

Nevertheless it was a nice experience and a good journey.

While sitting on my own boat in the afternoon, a nice little Luxe Motor passed by. It was the Hielke.

20th August 2012 – I had a look at a yacht of a friend in Blankenberge. It had been a while since I last visited the yacht harbour. It is a small port along the Belgian coast.

18th August 2012 – A friend was in need of some help to move the spits barge Waterbloem. We brought it from Ghent to Bruges. I helped him. It was around 34°C and standing in a wheelhouse above an engine was not exactly refreshing!

12th August 2012 – A houseboat in Belgium needs to go to the shipyard every five to six years. This means I can join on a lot of trips for pleasure or working. Today I joined for both! We brought a spits barge from Ghent to the yard in Rupelmonde. It is the same Yard I took the Watergeus to in May 2012.

4-5-6th August 2012 – I went to Amsterdam…

31st July 2012 – For the first time in two weeks I had some time to work on the Hornblower. In the afternoon they came to check for a water supply from land. Then I had to drive to Ghent to arrange shipyard visit. When I got back, I continued working on the sleeping room.

27th, 28th an 29th July 2012 – I’ve been working a lot and I’m feeling tired! Working on boats is my hobby and soon my profession as well. Nevertheless I wanted to have relaxed weekend. On Friday I went to a Folk festival, the Saturday and Sunday I spent with my neighbours on the street event Kolenkaai Feesten!

22nd July 2012 – I visited a friend on his boat in Izegem. I advised him on some of the conversions he was planning. At the end of the day, I wanted to start converting it myself. A new boat is always interesting for the first couple of weeks…

21st July 2012 – I had to help moving out a neighbour. She is about to live in a flat. We filled a few cars and that made me think. Suppose I have to leave my ship. How many trucks would I need to empty the hold.

13th July 2012 – I found an add on the Internet for an empty hull of a Dutch speedboat in polyester. We had a look and I decided to take it. My first plans were to cut open the whole hull and use it as a work boat.

A bit later, I changed my mind. It will become my own speedboat. I just need to find a descent outboard engine.

12th July 2012 – People asked me I wanted to join them to see a spits barge. It has been extremely rare to see a spits barge in such a good condition. There was no rust, it has a beautiful air started engine, new hatches and a lovely accommodation. I forgot to take pictures from the accommodation, but have a look at the outside and you will know enough!

15th July 2012 – It is nice to see flags on boats. It gives some colour and some live to them. It can also be practical when you wake up and want to see in what direction the wind is blowing. At least I know what direction to cycle!

I’ve decorated both ships with flags. A small job, but it took me two hours! When friends go on holiday, I always ask them to bring a flag of the country they visit.

10th July 2012 – Didn’t do much today. I worked a little on the Hornblower and helped moving a friends ship in Ghent.

9th July 2012 – There is an old yacht for sale in Nieuwpoort. I had a quick look. I’m not sure but she might have been a bakdekkruiser like my previous ship Escapde or a admiral sloop. She had been converted and rebuilt over the years. One thing was sure, I didn’t like the ship! I won’t put any complete picture online, since she is still for sale…

7th July 2012 – Today I was on an old wooden trawler. I don’t like boats being scrapped, but sometimes there is no other solution. When I was there, at least three people told me ‘there was a time of going’. The trawler was once converted into an expensive sailing boat. It had been neglected for years.

I bought a few items from the ship for my own little boat. In the early days I would take anything usefully. By now, I’ve learned to take only what is necessary. I’m running out of storage space…