North Sea dash

With Covid and Brexit bureaucracy melting away, Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud enjoyed her first North Sea crossing – despite rough return weather

- Saskia Groen

Sailing from the Netherlands to the UK is a bucket list item for my sailing friend Wim and I – one, though, that has constantly been thwarted by Covid-19. With so much travel uncertainty we’d given up on the idea and instead had a week organised at the beginning of August 2021 to sail the Standing Mast Route of the Netherlands and then a little jaunt to Belgium.

Suddenly, though, two days before we left, good old Boris appeared advising that people could travel to the UK again! With a short diversion to pick up the Imray charts and get a PCR test, we followed the Standing Mast Route to Rotterdam and then, on 3 August, headed off on a glorious sail to the UK.

It was absolutely perfect and one of the best night sails I have ever done. Shooting stars left glittering vapour trails as they plummeted into our atmosphere and it was easy to spot constellations. We both got good sleep on our off watches as my Swan 38, Céleste, happily burbled along in a steady 10-15 knot southerly beam reach. Bliss!

Given Brexit and Covid, we weren’t too sure what processes to expect as a Dutchman and an Australian, but we at least prepared ourselves. Passenger locator forms were submitted to the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, our Day 2 Covid tests booked, form C1331 downloaded and filled in and the National Yachtline Hotline number in hand. For all the uncertainty about the process, it was beautifully smooth and we felt so welcome as we called in and spoke to the Hotline and Border Force. My Aussie passport was cleared for immigration quickly and we tied up with a breakfast beer in Lowestoft feeling pretty happy about the whole experience. Kudos to the UK, because this was far easier than anticipated!