Ostend proved that the Koek Koek still provides the tastiest chicken known to man, even if it was a battle to get there. 50 foot Oysters may have fallen by the wayside, but Wix and Wrabness were not deterred!!!  One day we might even find somewhere that will provide a decent place to sleep.

RYCO provided the best moorings to date, but the accompanying soundtrack from ships unloading was not the best preparation for the extended wait for weather forecasts.

Still, fortified by a whole koek koek chicken apiece, we finally left Ostend at 7am prior to the quickest passage home on record.  95 miles in 13 hours.  Force 5-7 on the quarter and an average exceeding 6 knots, sometimes nudging 10, we finally rediscovered what the big metal poles sticking out of the boats were for.  The iron top sails finally getting a worthwhile and much needed rest.