Friday to Sunday July1 -3, Tourists in Middelburgh

A Middelburgh visitor

Excellent facilities at the Yacht Club, including free wi-fi in the bar.  Bicycles removed from the lazarette and made ready for action. Surprised to see so many yachts with resident dogs (some large). Locate supermarket and stock up.

Entering a box mooring

We also found the “ANWB” shop (Dutch equivalent of AA), and determined that we only needed “Wateratlas Z-Zeeland” to complement the guides and pilot-books already on board.

A coffee stop

Doing a bit of  calculation, we are, surprisingly, 124 road miles from Amsterdam. At this leisurely pace we might never get there by the planned route, but that would be no disaster. However, looking at the charts, etc, and discussing the matter with a couple of friendly marina neighbours there are other  possibilities.  One would be going out  into the North Sea, and re-entering again further North at Ijmuiden, or, apparently better, at Scheveningen - (nicer place and close to The Hague for sightseeing).  We will see.

  

The Binnhaven bridge opens

Middelburg in the sunshine is perfect for lazing around, watching boats, bikes, and people. Our own bikes are proving useful for shopping and getting around. The weather is fabulous, the local people very friendly, and everyone seems happy to speak English.

We will probably stay the weekend, then move to Zeriksee.

Gill applauds the winning solar boat

Cheerleaders in action



Gill reports that she has gone to Heaven, except, perhaps for a bit of bike envy. The tannoys erected on the Quay in the early morning were to give commentary on the Dutch National solar-powered boat trials on the Binnhaven directly in front of our boat. Meanwhile in the main square, about 10 brass band and cheerleader teams were giving an all-day concert, with a finale played by the massed instruments of 7 bands. Stirring stuff, indeed. Sunday, another super day, lazing, coffees in the square, cycling around (not much!), and a final dinner in the Yacht Club.  Marina fee Euro 51 for 3 days.

Seven brass bands play together



Tomorrow, an early-ish start, perhaps to fuel up, depending on queue, and off up the canal towards the Veerse Meer and Zierikzee.