The 'Oosterschelde' has returned to Rotterdam after a period in the Mediterranean Sea. The summer was mainly spent in the Scottish Hebrides and in the winter we will make voyages in the Cabo Verde archipelago.

Positions of the ship can be found in the log.

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The 'Oosterschelde' has returned to its homeport. Last night at 19:20 hours the ship moored in the Veerhaven in Rotterdam. The coming period will be used for maintenance. But the ship will also be sailing trips with groups and companies in the waters around Rotterdam.

Yesterday Sail Bremerhaven came to an end and while the beer and German sausage booths are taken down on the quay the sun breaks through, we set sail and head for Rotterdam. There is a cool breeze and there are some fresh new guest-crewmembers on deck. The 'Oosterschelde' is prepared for another nice voyage.

The 'Oosterschelde' made a rather rough ride to Bremerhaven. She did 10 knots with the wind in the back, just carrying the topsail and the square foresail. She arrived in Bremerhaven on Tuesday evening, after a 9 Bft squall on the river Weser to conclude the journey. The guests were a bit seasick in the first part of the trip but on Tuesday things were better, quite sunny and a lot of work done on the ropes. Now the weather has calmed down, so the food won't fall off of the tables when we make a daytrip.

After a windy Sail Out we moored in IJmuiden to wait until the powerful wind would decrease and to prepare the ship for the upcoming voyage. Now we are, fully reefed and well secured, sailing to Bremerhaven with a admirable speed.

After participating in Sail Amsterdam 2010, the 'Oosterschelde' today has left the city and is now in IJmuiden, preparing for a rough ride (SW 7-8 Bft) to Bremerhaven.

Coming Saturday Dutch public television (Nederland 1, 5:30 pm) brings a documentary on the 'Oosterschelde'. It was shot in August 1999 on a voyage from Oban to Aberdeen (both Scotland).

The 'Oosterschelde' arrived in IJmuiden today. She had a good race and her final position will be made official during the award ceremony. We are expecting to have made third place in our class.  Naturally we  are very proud of this! As soon as we know more, this will be made public.

After a turbulent twenty-four hours with many downpours and changes in the wardrobe we are enjoying the starry night. Yesterday there was a meteor shower, but it was too cloudy for us to see anything. But this night we can still see some falling stars. All the hard work paid off, as we are on third place in the race, behind the ‘Stad Amsterdam’ and the ‘Eendracht’, both bigger and modern ships. We mainly thank this to our fanatic guest-crew. Under the command of the experienced crew we sailed with the entire wardrobe up close hauled in many different types of wind. Now we are waiting for the northern wind for the day after tomorrow, in the meantime we are doing small chores and try to sail close hauled in the direction of the next waywoint.

The Tall Ships' Race has started and we are busy trimming the sails and keeping an keen eye on the other participants. The days before were full of festivities. Huge crowds went by the many ships and the many attractions ashore. A Parade of Sail concluded Sail Hartlepool. We had a last quiet night in a very quiet Hartlepool, and the next day, today, the race started at 14:00 (local time). This Tall Ships' Race is won by the ship that sails the most miles within 120 hours, sailing via waypoints. Our progress and the progress of the other ships can be found here. At the moment we sail by the wind towards waypoint G, trying to stay close to the 'Kaliakra' in front of us. The weather is full of squalls and this certainly keeps the crew busy.