Sunday, September 2, 2012

We have just arrived in the English Channel and are heading up the Channel for 6 hours to dock at Antwerp, Belgium. There was much excitement as we crossed through the narrowest passage of the English Channel; twenty miles across to be exact. There to our portside were the great ‘White Cliffs of Dover” and to our starboard side was Calais,France!! Great fun….especially for our Brits’ on board who love their Mother Country and their Queen!!

Freighters are moored everywhere, awaiting their turn to enter through a canal system into Antwerp.
This is a major shipping port for Europe and we are amazed at the size of some of these supercargo ships as they wait at anchor for their position to enter the port.

It was interesting to note the number of windmills that have been constructed just off the shipping lanes to generate power for their perspective countries. Of course, windmills were some of the first cargo we spotted when we boarded in Houston.

Our pilot for this leg of the trip is now on board and we should be at the Antwerp dock by evening. Everyone is studying the maps and busy identifying the ports we are passing on our way.

By the way….the Atlantic crossing was spectacular. The seas, skies, and stars all cooperated with full regal experiences. We even managed a crew barbecue, hosted by the Captain!! The officers and seamen are full of warm smiles and wonderful laughter!! It is a terrific crew that makes you feel as if you are all part of the Rickmers’ family!! They are always there to lend a hand, answer a question, or update us on the intricacies of navigation, seafaring, and the challenges of managing the loading and unloading of volumes of heavy cargo. Everyone works non-stop and VERY HARD to keep this vessel running!!!

Of course, there must be a moment now and again to relax and celebrate the journey!! It is overwhelming to think about how many months these hearty seamen are away from their families. We even celebrated the birth of our cadet pilot’s daughter, Sophia, far away in Rumania. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the ‘hand delivery’ of the first ‘official pictures’ as we eventually arrive in Hamburg!

Here are a few quick looks at our travel across the Atlantic (hoping the video of the “White Cliffs of Dover” make it’s way to you. Please note that it certainly does not do justice to the experience….

Here’s our Captain Virgil:

Here’s Bud loving every minute of last night’s BBQ including the final result for the poor red snapper!!

Some more pics of the great crew!!!!

That last seaman was Gerhome our excellent steward!

Here’s a few pics of our sail into Antwerp, Belgium, as we pass Holland! It is certainly beautiful ….beaches….sail boats…tugs and freighters all making their way!!