Yesterday (31 July) provided a welcome break for the 26 boats of the MBM Club cruise in company to the Zeeland lakes of the Netherlands at Delta Marina, Kortgene.

The waters of the Veersemeer provide the ideal playground for activities of all kinds and point to the kind of mix-use management that Windermere and other British lakes should enjoy. A strict speed limit over the area (varied according to the size of boat, together with nature exclusion zones and waterski areas means that all interests can share the space in harmony.

There’s a strict focus on water quality too, although the emphasis is more sharply aimed at oil and even detergent discharge. That might mean the ideal excuse to become part of the great unwashed on holiday although Delta Marina’s extensive facilities run to a very adequate block of toilets and showers.

The water is peaty in colour but children (in age and/or heart) took little time to get an impromptu game of water polo underway under the bows of several of our fleet in Delta’s outer basin (pictured). Other boats headed for the Veersemeer’s many islands and several chose to take a stopover last night in the picturesque town of Veere at the other end of the lake.

Today we can anticipate more of the same, including some extended dinghy sailing sessions in the Sea Hopper and Tinker RIB dinghies that have made the journey across to the Netherlands with us.

More news soon.

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