Wed 29th May – The end of the canal!

We had originally intended to go out of the canal system to the open sea at Lauwersoog in order to reach the Frisian Islands – and on Tuesday evening it looked like this …

… but by Wednesday morning it was blowing force 5 to 6, so we decided to complete the journey through Holland by canal.  The countryside is flat and low-lying, but very green and restful and the canals are sometimes lined with trees.

We saw some modern Dutch eco-houses with lots of solar panels and grass roofs …

… and both traditional and modern houseboats …

Several bridges are often operated by one person, who has to close one bridge, then cycle to the next.

We had time for a cup of tea …

… while waiting for the bridges to open in Groningen.

There are loading bays on the canals to allow the big commercial barges 15 minutes to load or unload the family car, which is normally parked on the back of the barge …

At last we reached the final lock and bridge at Delfzijl …

… one final look back at the canals …

… and we are out to the open sea.

In retrospect, we’re pleased that we traversed the whole of Holland, from the South West corner to the North East tip, through the canal system – with our mast up via the ‘Staande Mastroute’.  At times, the canals were barely deep enough for our 1.95 metre draft and we did a bit of ‘dredging’ through the soft mud.  We certainly feel we got a thorough impression of what Holland is like.  The trip took us 3 weeks and 2 days, although we did have one or two rest periods (such as the trip to Rome and a few days in Amsterdam).

Mon 27th – Tues 28th May – Solving a problem and on to Lauwersoog

By this time we had realised there was a nasty vibration and knocking sound coming from under the boat.  A helpful local man suggested Jachthaven Lunegat where the Harbour Master was excellent and arranged to lift Astraia out of the water first thing on Monday morning.

The strops are guided under the boat ..

… the crane lifts the boat up …

… swivels it round on to dry land …

… so Charles can inspect the problem …

The problem was fixed by moving the shaft back an inch and re-securing it.

So we’re off again.  This time Alexander took the car and Jackie sailed with us – a good choice on her part as it was a wonderfully warm day and we had a very civilised potter through the Lauwersmeer lake, past more lovely old Dutch sailing boats …

We anchored for lunch in an idyllic spot – it was even hot enough to need the bimini up …

… and we tied up in Lauwersoog Marina …

… in time to enjoy the sunset.

Thurs 23rd – Sun 26th May – New crew arrive – and it’s Winter again!

Thurs 23^rd – As you can see, we’re well wrapped up against the elements …

Jackie and Alexander joined us for a few days as we sailed from Hoorn …

Alexander steered us across the Markermeer and Ijsselmeer …

… past a fine Dutch sailing ship …

… while Jackie went by road and joined us in Lemmer.

Fri 24^th – we entered the Prinses Margriet Canal with some large commercial barges …

Jackie joined us on board for this part of the trip and enjoyed the sunnier weather.

We tied up for the night under a tree (again) alongside the canal bank in the attractive small town of Sneek.

This is the Sneek Watergate, an old entry point into the town …

Sat 25^th – the next day it’s back on the Prinses Margriet Canal, through a swivelling rail bridge …

Past rowing races in the town of Grouw …

Over the motorway on an aqueduct …

Another swivelling rail bridge, where the whole thing turns, including the overhead power lines …

… and yet more lifting road bridges …

… past some unusual wildlife!

To Burdaard, where we just ‘parked’ along the canal side in the middle of a residential area.

Sun 26^th – There’s never time to get bored going through the canals.  There’s always something to do to get ready for a bridge or lock – putting out fenders, coiling ropes, etc – and someone always needs to steer as it’s generally too narrow to rely on the autopilot.

Sometimes you have to pay a bridge toll.  The bridge man holds out a wooden clog on a fishing line and you have to hover the boat near it long enough to put in the money and receive the change …

We stopped for lunch in Dokkum …

… and went for a walk around the town …

Finally we made our way to Jachthaven Lunegat for the night, passing a fisherman in what looks like an inflatable chair!

Sun 20th – Tues 22nd May – To the Baltic – via Rome !!!

We enjoyed a couple of days in warm, sunny Rome – I made the most of the opportunity to do some sightseeing while Charles was at meetings.

I went to the Colosseum …

 … the Forum and the Palatine Hill …

… the Trevi Fountain …

… the Spanish Steps …

… St Peter’s Basilica …

… the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican …

… and saw the Swiss Guards in their colourful uniforms.

There is so much to see and do in Rome, and it’s several decades since I was last there!  I particularly enjoyed the ancient sites – there is a real atmosphere among the ruins and it’s not quite so crowded with tourists as the Vatican.

It was also a very welcome break from Arctic temperatures in Holland!

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th May – To Hoorn – and back to Winter!

From Amsterdam, we motored straight into the wind and waves across the Markermeer to Hoorn – it was grey, cold, wet and wintry, and this is the middle of May!  I can hardly believe the sunny picture taken on the 6^th of me wearing a sunhat!  I had to dig out an old skiing jacket and woolly hat …

The crew ‘off watch’ could get warmed up ‘down below’ …

A very grey and rainy view of our destination – Hoorn …

This is what Hoorn looks like on a better day …

We found a cosy berth in Grashaven Marina next to the old prison.  It’s now a ‘Museum of the 20^th Century’ which was quite fun and nostalgic to go round – we remembered using many of the items in it, and still have one or two at home!

Hoorn is a delightful small town dating from the 13^th century, and becoming prosperous during the 17^th century due to trade with the East Indies.  The Westfries Museum is housed in a striking building dating from 1632, and currently has a very interesting exhibition of Rembrandt’s sketches and etchings.