About nine clock we reached the harbor entrance from Oostende. Dietmar had reserved for us a place in the Mercator Marina in the city center. A challenge for us, because a lock and three bascule bridges still separated us from our mooring. In good weather it was in the morning at the harbor quite full so we were at the locks and when passing the bridge, the tourist attraction. Despite the many observers we mastered all the maneuvers sovereign and finally reached our mooring. In the same harbor is the three-master "Mecator", which is very well known in Oostende.

Throngs of tourists walk on the waterfront right next to our boat passing. All paired with a noise from traffic and city noise. A bit of a shock after the quiet harbors in England, the most quiet and somewhat isolated were in the midst of nature. But on the other hand also a great starting point for the first outing, we took directly. With a superbly documented baguette and a coffee we could equally become better friends with the situation. So we explored even after a long lunch break, continue on foot to the city center and the nearby beach. The beautiful day we were at dinner on board wind down with fresh shrimps and prawns. After that football was announced, because even a sailboat is not spared from the World Cup.

So our first country we have left behind us. Then we came relaxing with a can of English Ales (Old Speckled Hen) an. It was a great time on the island, many new impressions, great nature, London and of course especially the time with Ann and Tom. Of the two, we have received a very special farewell gift. A bottle of good, Australian red wine with a handwritten instructions for use: „To drink when you are on your travel and think of us“. The we want to keep it for a very special moment. And to both of them, we think anyway more often J without wine.