It  took a long time to find a boat that suited us within our budget. Some of our friends, and ourselves at times, wondered if we would ever have another boat.

‘Franima’ came on the market in September 2000 and at first was priced too high for us but with the pound strengthening and some negotiating a deal was finally agreed in the Contest Brokerage, Medemblik, North Holland.

On arriving home we set about arranging a hire car (Hertz ‘Le Swop’, one way hire, very reasonable) to transport us, and enough equipment to Medemblik to enable us to sail the yacht back to Gosport. We arrived back at the Contest yard on Tuesday 31st October, the hand over of our Contest 43 being completed in a couple of days. With the formalities complete we were able to move on board and begin to sort things out in readiness for our return trip. It took a few days to familiarise ourselves with the radar, chart plotter, GPS, sail management etc., all of which were different to our previous boat.

The weather was awful with low after low coming up from the southwest along with gales, rain and fog persisting for some days. The Contest yard where Franima was berthed was very close to a supermarket so victualling was very easy. Despite the weather we decided to move from Contest, which is on a canal (two locks), to Medemblik Marina on the Ijsselmeer where the last owner has his berth; he offered it to us free of charge until the spring. Tempting, but we wanted to get our new boat home! En route to the Marina we filled the fuel and water tanks, staying there for one night only.
Friday 10th November saw us away at first light (0730hrs), forecast, wind south 5-6. We departed with a light southeasterly wind with lightning moving northeast which should have cleared us. Within an hour we had thunder, lightning, 28 knots of wind and rain like stair rods. We could hardly see our way into the lock at Enkhuizen: the dyke here divides the Ijsselmeer from the Markermeer. On exiting the lock yet another head wind towards Amsterdam and the North Sea Canal! Arrived at Ijmuiden 1700 hours, nearly dark, wet and cold. Moored up on a hammer-head, this was easier than manoeuvring into a box berth short handed with a gale blowing. We stayed there three nights, not wanting to venture out into the North Sea with a southwest 7-8 forecast.
About this time the heating system packed up so we were rather cold. Fortunately we had taken a small fan heater with us so when shore power was available we had some heat.
Monday 13th November, forecast southwest 4-5 decreasing 3 at times: decided to go for it! Departed at 0800 hours, tide under us but head wind. Within two hours we had 22 knots head wind, moderate to rough sea: very uncomfortable so decided to put into Scheveningen, easy entrance, no locks or gates. The marina was full so we moored alongside a large yacht and managed to find an empty electricity socket to warm us and the boat. Dined ashore in a harbour side fish restaurant. This was the first day without rain for ten days! Forecast for 14th southerly 4.

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