The promised squeeze between a ridge of high pressure and lows to the immediate north have arrived earlier than expected; a 20 knot south-westerly and local gale warnings have lead to necessary diversion tactics.

We enjoyed a great start to the day, bridging out from Goes at 0800 and enjoying a run out onto the Oosterschelde without delay thanks to the lock at Goessche Sas being on free flow. After an equally efficient run along the Kanaal door Zd Beveland, most of the fleet were swallowed in one go by one of the two giant locks at Hansweert and then we could taste the humour of the Westerschelde. Given tide against a strengthening westerly, it wasn’t at its best.

Some of the earlier boats managed to punch out and across the loppy waters outside of Zeebrugge to make Nieuwpoort, a few called it a day at Blankenberge, one decided to go no further than Zeebrugge and the balance called in at Breskens where the harbourmaster was quick to welcome us in.

A more detailed account will follow, but here is a complete list of the participant boats and their current (1400 GMT 11 August) locations: