Nieuwpoort to Jabbeke

On our way at last

Yesterday afternoon we moved the boat from the far end of the marina, where she lay out of the way of all the comings and goings of the passing cruisers at the height of summer, to the visitors' mooring right in front of the clubhouse.  We went into the bar to have a drink - and get the free wi-fi code. Spent an hour there doing emails then went back to the boat and found we could still pick up the free wi-fi there.  Great!
We spent the evening surfing, and mainly finding out how to up load more data Mbs to the SIM card we bought at the airport.
At 9.30 this morning we left Westhoek marina and joined the small flotilla of boats waiting to traverse the Nieuwpoort-Plaasendale canal.  There are 5 low mobile bridges in a short space (about 16 km) and a mobile bridge keeper (he travels alongside the flotilla in his car/scooter) who operates each one.  So there are specific opening times and all boats wishing to use the canal must form up and go through all at the same time.
When we passed this way in the early summer we say huge hook-like things alongside the canal and could not imagine what they were for.  Now we know - enormous hanging baskets of flowers.

Each bridge was also festooned with flowers

Couldn't resist this one - advertising a deep freeze and freeze dried business, don't know any more than that!

At Plassendale we passed through a lock that was built in the 17th century and is now a national monument.

We stopped at 1.30 at a free mooring at a tiny village called Jabbeke.  It consists of 2 restaurants, a B&B and a scattering of private homes.  Just lovely.

It has rained on and off throughout the day but in between the showers it was very pleasant. There was a bit of a breeze in the afternoon but that has died away completely leaving us with these lovely reflections.

Having left our boat in the care of Westhoek Marina these are our thoughts about it:  after 3 months we found our boat in good condition, secure, no problems with that.  But the overall impression is a somewhat soulless place, more a business enterprise than a clubby feeling, although the people running the bar try hard to make you feel welcome.  The price of a mooring for the summer months was reasonable; for our 9m boat it was €150/month, €135 in June.  But our biggest problem is that the harbour master is hardly ever there seeing he spreads his time between two marinas.  Also,  you get a "key" to operate showers, washing machine, water and electricity, for which you pay a deposit plus a certain amount to cover your usage.  But you have no idea how much you are using and it can come as a shock when you take the key back at the end of your stay.  In retrospect, if not staying on board, Westhoek Marina is fine, but if you are staying on board rather go to VVW Westhoek on the other side of the Jorissluis, which is a little more expensive but offers a whole lot more, including free wi-fi throughout the marina, a very friendly harbour master who is always there, and a fine restaurant.