Zeeland trip

johnalison said:

I agree about Antwerp. We only went there once but enjoyed it a lot. The food was better than in Holland too.

People have mentioned Dordrecht, which is accessible in one day from the Haringvliet. I think it would make an interesting excursion, though I always find the town’s aspect a bit dark compared to other places. There is a good museum at the back of the town. Of the two obvious places to stop we found the small marina in the Maartensgat the more congenial, and if you are lucky you might get a concert from what I believe is the largest carillon in the adjacent church.we missed trict with the grotr kirk, we never thought about gong up the tr, it must b spectacular view. We did go u the veere tr thant was s wondrrfull panoramic sight

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johnalison said:

You always have to climb some tower or other to get a view in the Netherlands! Here, just for you, the bridge and our boat in the Maartensgat marina.
View attachment 173054View attachment 173055

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PeterWright said:

Thank you MK101, for that informative post. We are planning this August another visit to Zeeland with the East Coast Group of the Moody Owners' Association, with help from the Belgium, Netherlands and Deutschland group of our Association. Your info here will be added yo the fast accumulating advice we are assembling. My first visit to the Netherlands was in a @6 ft. Stella in the late 1960 's and my most recent in 2016, but that focussed on the Ijsellmeer, with just a rushed passage back to Harwich, via the Stand Maast Route and Vlissingen, so we're looking forward to some time in the south Netherlands.

Peter.

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johnalison said:

I agree about Antwerp. We only went there once but enjoyed it a lot. The food was better than in Holland too.

People have mentioned Dordrecht, which is accessible in one day from the Haringvliet. I think it would make an interesting excursion, though I always find the town’s aspect a bit dark compared to other places. There is a good museum at the back of the town. Of the two obvious places to stop we found the small marina in the Maartensgat the more congenial, and if you are lucky you might get a concert from what I believe is the largest carillon in the adjacent church.

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johnalison said:

Zeeland is many East-coasters' first or early experience of abroad, and has the merit of giving the crew, often young, a sheltered week or two. I agree that Ostend would make a better starting-off point, as we first did in 1980. If the weather is right then Breskens or Flushing would be better, though I am out of touch with access to eurononsense. My general rule is that Holland, as I choose to call it, gets better the further north you go, and also that it makes for a more relaxing cruise to go as far as you want as early as possible and make your way home slowly. However, Middleberg is a nice place and a good place to get into the Dutch mood. The Versemeer can get a bit trippery but a night or three on one of the islands can be very relaxing. I don't know the Grevelingen well but have enjoyed a few nights there. The Haringvliet is more interesting to my eyes and there are several interesting places there. Willemstad has character, and the older marina is where we have always stayed. Not often visited, Middleharnis has great charm and is comparable to the larger Goes mentioned above, It is yonks since we went to Hellevoetsluis, but we used to enjoy going there.

When negotiating Zeeland there are numerous bridges and locks, so it makes sense to get all the information about opening times to hand. There is something of an art in getting through these potential obstructions without being trampled on by the locals, but you'll learn.keep sharp eye ou fo low lyingbarges that sr virtually awash

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westhinder said:

Plenty of good advice already. Just a couple of suggestions for places to visit which are a bit off the beaten track:
on the Oosterschelde try Burghsluis in the northwest corner, a peaceful little harbour, or Sint Annaland in the beautiful Krabbenkreek. A visit to Neeltje Jans will provide insight into the great flood disaster of 1953 and the subsequent Delta Works to make the region safe.
Going into the Volkerak, there is the delightful little harbour of Oude Tonghe and on the opposite bank the rural gem of the Steenbergse Vliet.
And, if you’re spending a moth in the area, why not sail up the Westerschelde and visit Antwerp? The river is beautiful, you get to see lots of big ships up close and Antwerp has so much to offer the visitor.

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tico said:

Kortgene is a lovely place to stop. Good marina, chandlery, workshop and a charming small towntheebis no good suprmkt inthe min ste foundvery handy

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