Day 27 Schelde River

Tuesday, 9 deg C, partly cloudy, showers. We anchored in a big ship parking lot last night about 2200. Weighed anchor at 0530 this morning. A local pilot has been steering since. Had a very smooth night and trip up the river. The water is a different color from the navy blue of the ocean. It looks shallower and greener. Saw some stars early this morning for the first time in days. I was hungrier this morning and ate more for breakfast. There are many more ships now, moving in line like a string of pack animals. There is a similar line in the opposite direction. The lines meander, always staying in the part of the river which is deep enough. We passed through a part of the Netherlands. This morning about 0900, when we entered the mouth of the river, some of the land behind the levees was lower than the water level. Should be at the Antwerp dock in early afternoon.

I may be off the air for a few days, depending on travel options in Antwerp. We may be here 7 or 8 days, before departure for Hamburg.