I left “de Schinkel” on Sunday evening. I said my last goodbye’s to several of the club members and friends at mass. .And more survival packs were given to me. Together with those I received at the farewell party on August 31st. I can probably cross the Atlantic without having to stop at Safeway on the way. I have been so spoiled by these wonderful friends. Maybe I should have never left…. I  made new friends with a couple from Katwijk in the last days at the Schinkel. Cees en Anne Greet van Duijn. They were visitors and I was moored right behind them. Handsome couple as you can see from the picture and we have a common bond,  believing in the promise of an even better destiny.

The railroad bridge, at de Schinkel locks  opened at just after 1 a.m. Monday morning. I travelled the “Standing Mast route” with just two other boats. We moored at the north end of the route at 2.30 a.m. Then, after a short rest, I discovered why I had not received the EPIRB on Friday. The DLH delivery man claimed that my address did not exist. So, after several e-mails and phone calls I am now expecting to receive it here at the North Sea exit port in IJmuiden on Tuesday morning.  At least it will give me a good night sleep before crossing during the afternoon and all Tuesday night to Woodbridge. And the wind will have turned in my favor compared to having to beat into the wind, today on the North Sea. I expect to get to Woodbridge Wednesday evening. I still have to hook up my modem to the SSB radio but expect to have my SailMail up and going tomorrow. My e-mail address will be the same as before with the call letters starting with W and @sailmail.com.