16/17/18 On the Island of Kaag - Wet, Wet, Wet

Main St yacht traffic

Saturday.  It rained.  And then it rained some more. Following that, dear reader, what do you think it did next? ( no prizes)  

Still, it was a great day to catch up with internet, and with the laundry. The internet hotspot had mysteriously fixed itself overnight, but equally baffling, it would only work on one laptop.

Borrowed from web

On the other hand, the washeteria equipment behaved perfectly. Domestic-goddess readers will be intrigued to learn that all the machines we have seen so far have been of the prestigious “Miele” brand, and very easy to operate, even in Dutch. The harbourmaster, a fountain of local knowhow, has advised us that Sixhaven is probably not the best choice (noisy, packed like sardines and a fire-risk, he claims). Instead, he recommended JH Aeolus, just round the corner, accessible, quiet, friendly, and with a nearby supermarket. So, we will try there first, if ever the weather improves. (Just as gentlemen yachtsmen will not sail to windward, knowledgeable motorboaters will not willingly venture out into any form of precipitation—especially if locks and bridges are prevalent).

Meanwhile, Gill, a keen observer of sociological curiosities, has noticed that when a Dutch family favours any item, they buy two of them (ornaments, lamps, shrubs, etc.) Gill is now convinced that this is the real origin of the term “Double Dutch” - any feedback on this is welcome via the “Comments” section of the blog—you can always use a pseudonym if you prefer to remain anonymous.

Down it comes

So, today, there were few outings, few photos, and no suntan lotion whatsoever was required. A very tasty dinner at the clubhouse, where we were treated as one of the family, seated at the communal guest table and then a quick splash back to the boat. The forecast  for the next few days is gloomy, but not us!

What else would you see in a field?

Sunday 17th surprised us very pleasantly by starting off  breezy and bright,  with perhaps a few clouds, but definitely sunny.  Opposite, a couple from Stellendam were taking down their mast for a speedier return home, and barge traffic on the canal was busy. Optimistically, we dried off the cockpit, and we were ready for the beginning of week 4.

After a very pleasant cycle ride round the whole island (it is very tiny) we returned to find the harbourmaster requesting us to move, since the berth owner had been forced to return early due to the bad weather. We then had a little time to relax and do a few little jobs before the rain set in again, and with a vengeance.

We can now recommend the splendid BBC DVD of Dicken’s “Pickwick Papers”, several episodes of which helped us pass the afternoon. After a dinner on board, we walked up to the clubhouse to be pleasantly greeted by Roger & Jenny (see Willemstad), who had met up with their Felixstowe friends, who were also there for dinner. We passed a sociable hour with them, and heard the harbourmaster remarking that we had not only brought “English Weather”, but we had also turned his place into an English pub!

"The English Pub"

Monday 18th July…..More rain, reading, internet at the clubhouse, and getting ready to move on tomorrow, as  the forecast is better.