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| A postcard from Holland |
We have been very lucky with the weather so far, and Monday morning continued our good fortune, with a bright, warm sunrise which showed off the marina to perfection. Early morning tea on the clubhouse veranda firmed up our plans for a cycling outing, and we decided to use our own bikes rather than the free-loan models at the end of the marina walkway (all in the £10 price!).
So, after breakfast we found the local shuttle-ferry, and paid our 70c each (include-ing 10c for the cycle), and after waiting for the hotel ship to clear, we were off to the other side.
“Windmill Street” (Molenstrat) is a sight to behold and remember—literally dozens of windmills built in the 1700’s for drainage and irrigation, now preserved under a UNESCO heritage scheme. Apparently, during the high season, they all turn on Saturdays, but we were mightily impressed nonetheless, especially with the fine weather. And the land is so flat. Someone once said that the trouble with Switzerland is that the mountains spoil the view—he would be ecstatic in Holland, where the only cycling challenges were going up a 20 ft dyke, or crossing the odd hump-back bridge.
The cycle ride, of about an hour, was truly memorable, taking us through the line of windmills and photo opportunities, to the town of Ablasserdam, where we stopped for a very nice lunch, overlooking the town quay. Cycling is a way of life in Holland, it seems, and is practised by all ages, from the infant in the handlebar basket to the octogenarian gentleman who fell of his bike as we came from the ferry later. As we sat having lunch, we watched the constant stream of cyclists zipping along the opposite bank, and we were reminded of swans—regal and serene above the crossbar, and paddling, or pedalling, like billy-o underneath.
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| Not quite Wightlink |
We pondered whether to stay yet another night here as we sat later on the verandah with a coffee, but after some discussion with the clubhouse locals, we decided to move on a few miles to Gouda. So after a bit of bike maintenance, some reading (no internet!), and a light meal on board, we retired to the card table, and soon to dreamsville.
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Tuesday July 12 Krimpen a/d Lek to Gouda (Not very far, but we wanted to see the cheese market)
Fuel 7/8 each, water 3/4, bilges clear, checks ok, engines 866. Overcast, calm, rippled .
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| Farewell to Krimpen |
0915 Cast off from very tight berth, 4 in, with 4 forward and 4 astern. Quite a bit of fending off, and the occasional bump on the wall, but a lot of co-operation and cheery smiles.
0940 Turning to stbd from Noord/Maas towards Gouda. Inspection revealed some slight damage to Port quarter dodger, but nothing to worry about.6.8log / 6.7sog, AOK
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| A flood gate open |
1 1000 AOK. Passing through Capelle a/d Ijssel, with its beautiful riverside homes, complete with private docks, cranes, and harbourettes containing some expensive boating gear. We noted that it is still a real joy to be cruising along at only a fast walking pace—so much more time to see so much more of the world.
1030 At Buoy red19. Cruising in bright sunshine between the raised dikes on each side, now a little convoy of 4 motor-cruisers. Dashboard readings good—oil 45/60, temp 82/80, fuel gauges have not moved!
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| A nice back garden |
1130 The skipper has been enjoying the scenery so much that he bccame convinced that he had gone off course, not at all helped by the series of buoys which were not on the chart, and which had different channel numbers. However, after sorting this out we were now approaching the confluence at Gouda, where a very large barge was holding station in the centre of the river waiting for the Julianasluis and it 2 drawbridges to open. When they did open, the v,large barge promptly filled the lock, which shut again, leaving us tied up amongst several other vessels, waiting the next turn.
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| A family of Gouda swans |
1 1230 Tie up on an alongside berth in VV Gouda. Engines 869, fuel 7/8=, water 3/4. Marina fees £10 per night, inc, 50c for a shower.
Following a sort-out, a spot of lunch, and a rest, we registered at the harbour office “an old barge), and set off to explore the local vicinity and a few of its shops, finding a “Lidl” for some supplies. We were drenched on the way back by very heavy and persistent rain (the first, really in over 2 weeks), so when we had dried off for dinner, we settled for a DVD on board, (the first of the trip), to finish off the day.
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