Best Wishes for 2026! The difficult beginning: Breskens and the bacteria. The year began with patience, a great deal of patience. Zina spent six weeks ashore rebuilding the helm and steering. When she finally hit the water in Breskens at the end of May, we thought: "Now we're off!" But a boat is a boat... The diesel bacteria struck. Tanks cleaned, treated, and more waiting. Fortunately, Erna made sure we didn't starve amidst the piles of provisions, but nerves were on edge.

Time for a short update from a winter-gray Laboe. Zina has since recovered. The long-awaited exhaust parts arrived in early December, and the shipyard finished Zina and moved her to her winter home. So, we're back at our "involuntary winter camp"—we're celebrating the holidays aboard Zina! Yesterday we hung the festive lights on the mast and over the railing. I have to say: Zina shines beautifully across the harbor. It creates a wonderful atmosphere out on the water; it's a s

Avond op de werf Well, dear followers, the curtain has fallen. After all the waiting and all the planning, the harsh reality has arrived: the engine repair isn't finished yet. This, in combination with the increasingly worsening weather forecasts for the North Sea, with autumn storms approaching, has forced us to decide that it is no longer responsible to return safely by boat. Zina aan het wachten Although we were stranded two months ago, we're very satisfied with the tec

It's early September, and we're looking back on two unexpected months here in Laboe. What should have been a short stop has become a necessary break. The local German is even starting to trickle in on the boat. Moin! Thankfully, the engine work is finally finished! It feels like a huge step forward. Oud eruit, nieuw erin However, the conversion of the exhaust system is a bit more complex. This system, the true culprit of all our problems, requires a bit more patience. Fortu

Well, it's still "Laboe time" here. We were hoping for a quick fix for the engine, but unfortunately, it's not happening. After the new engine was approved two weeks ago, little seemed to be happening. The poor project management of the parties involved tested our patience to the limit. So we took matters into our own hands and called all the parties ourselves to get a clear picture of the situation. The new engine is now on its way to Laboe! We have a meeting at the shipyard

Three weeks in Laboe... Well, it's not how we imagined our dream trip, but we refuse to give up! Het is rustig op de boulevard van Laboe There's nothing else to do but make the best of it, and we're doing so with gusto. Life here in the marina has its unexpected charms, especially if you have the time to wait for a technical solution for your engine. Grote broer in de haven. Erna's Galley is running at full speed One thing's for sure: we won't go hungry! Erna's galley is runn

What started as a wonderful continuation of our journey unfortunately ended with a major setback. But let's start at the beginning! Meanderen over de EIder After our adventures on the Wadden Sea, we thoroughly enjoyed a few days meandering along the Eider River. The river meandered beautifully through a truly stunning natural setting. It was a wonderful respite, far from the hustle and bustle, just what we needed. We found a peaceful spot in Lexfahre. Tussen het riet, in alle

Zee verandert in land en omgekeerd We've now spent almost two weeks sailing and spending time between the various Wadden Islands. It's not easy, I can tell you! You constantly have to consider the tides, currents, and wave heights, which determine whether or not you can sail in or out. Suddenly, sailing on the North Sea seems like a piece of cake! But life here is also completely shaped by the ebb and flow of the tides. At low tide, most harbors fall silent and everything bec

Vlieland : Busy , Expensive , and Early Departure The first Wadden Sea port we visited was Vlieland. Man, it was incredibly busy there! We even had to wait a bit "at the roadstead," which was new to us. wachten op de rede Fortunately, we received professional guidance from the harbor masters. Our weight meant we were given our own box, which was nice. Of course, they're taking advantage of the high tourist numbers here, and that's reflected in the high mooring fees. Afte

De eerste week over de Noordzee

De trossen bijna los voor ons eerste avontuur