Netherlands - Giethoorn

Slow cruise today of only about 1 1/2 hours and one of the towns that was a must see is Giethoorn. We actually had much less sailing time than that because we had to wait for half an hour for the bridge master to come back from lunch to open for us near Blaue Hande. So you just park off and make a cup of coffee and wait. No problem.

Bridge Master Was On Lunch

Marina at Giethoorn

Richard is getting pretty experienced with the locks and the bridges story and cruises through like he's been doing it all his life.

The marina is clean and spacious with beautiful lawns and soon we were on our bikes again to see the town. I will let the pics speak for them self but it is truly a fairylands experience to ride through this village.

Giethoorn

First Time We Saw Clogs

Giethoorn used to be a car free town known in the Netherlands as "Venice of the North" or "Venice of the Netherlands". Giethoorn has over 180 bridges.  In the old part of the village, there were no roads (nowadays there is a cycling path), and all transport was done by water over one of the many canals.

Waiting on our Bikes This Time

Giethoorn

The lakes in Giethoorn were formed by peat unearthing.
Giethoorn was founded by fugitives from the Mediterranean region in around AD 1230.

Today while shopping in the supermarket was the first time we saw anyone here wearing clogs. I didn't think the still wore them.

We might just stay another day and do some more sight seeing.

Netherlands - Zwartsluis

Lock No 2 - Near Kampen

Goodbye to Kampen

This morning was beautiful calm weather again and after a croissant or two and coffee it was time to leave Kampen and off to Zwarsluis we sailed.

We followed the Canals as they wound their way through bird sanctuaries and farm lands that are still green even though it is autumn already.

It was a long day on the boat doing about 6 hours. We didn't think it would take so long but  through the reserve that you had to go very slow.

Our First Automatic Bridge

Coir in Genemuidden

Going through our second lock also took some time and had we had to wait at the automatic bridge not far from Kampen.

We also stopped off at Genemuiden thinking we might stay there tonight.

In Genemuiden they make mats from the reeds that grow in this area but due to the salt and the fresh waters mixing in the last few years the reeds are getting less suitable to use and they are importing coire to make their mates with.Since the 18th century, the people from Genemuiden have been producing floor mats made of the bulrush that grows on the shores of the Zuiderzee. When the quality of the bulrush deteriorated in the 20th century, due to the change from salt water to fresh water (see Zuiderzee), the industry switched over to using coir imported from India to produce mats and carpets. In the sixties the first tufting machines were imported and currently Genemuiden is one of Europe's main production centres of tufted carpet and artificial grass.

Zwartsluis

We decided to not stay over after a walk down the marina and off we were again to Zwartsluis.

Near Zwartsluis I realized I did not have the camera with me so it was back to Genemuiden where we had left it on a ledge where we sat for a while. Now this is about an hour later and there the camera was with all the pedestrians on the wharf passing and not a soul would think of taking it. Amazing. Not happening in South Africa.

There is a soft rain tonight and we are all snug in our boat preparing supper.

Not sure what we will do tomorrow.

Netherlands - Kampen

Elburg - Beautiful Morning

Our First Lock

This morning we started off earlier than normal. This Dutch way of life is agreeing with us and we are slowly slipping into their way - their way of sleeping late.

Today was our longest sail so far ( 3 1/2 Hours) and we also used the River Ijssel Passing large barges carry their good, sailing full steam.

The Captain on his Bicycle

Barge on River Ijssel

We also went through our first lock today - only dropped 30cm so just went through fairly quick - one other boat with us. Once we were through the bridge had to be lifted for the sailboats with masts that were travelling the other direction.

We are moored in Kampen tonight which is so small, not even the supermarket is open and by the way that is the only supermarket here.

Buitenhaven - Kampen

Keeping Fit

Again we did plenty of kilometers through the town on our bicycles - keeping fit so that we don't feel too guilty about all the munchies while we are on holiday.

Met an English couple, Doug and Norma, who have been sailing for years. Their boat is their home. They have sailed the Mediterranean and most of Europe. Learnt loads from them.

Netherlands - Elburg

Our First Night on the Boat

Nothing happens in the Netherlands early and since it is

Saturday we did not see a soul when we looked out at 8.30 this morning

It is a beautiful morning with waters that look like a mirror.

A Beautiful Morning

The good thing about being on the boat is that we don’t have to pack up each time we move. We can do breakfast when we want and have a cup of coffee any time of the day.

We putt putted out of Harderwijk at about 10.30 this morning and next stop will be Elburg.

Aqueduct Over the Highway

The sun is out in full force and Richard steered from the top all the way. It’s a leisurely cruise and I can even relax and read my book on the deck in the sun.

Bands Everywhere

Today was easy docking as the Elburg harbour is wide with

plenty of mooring spots. Also Richards getting the gist of this boat sailing business and manoeuvring the boat around quite easily now.

Elburg is one of those ancient towns that date back to early 1200 that you find all along this route. The entire inner town

Moat Around Elsburg

is surrounded by a moat and no cars are allowed in this part. Street cafes and bistros are full

Exit From Elburg Town

up and if the restaurant gets busy they just pack more chairs and tables in the street to accommodate the people.

There were bands and choirs busy everywhere today, even a medieval parade with a gigantic horse drawn beer cask.

The people of Netherlands love to be out and about on their boats and bicycles. It’s a lovely way to live.

I’m sure we will just pass out again tonight because when we get into a town we do plenty of kilometres on the bikes.

Netherlands - Harderwijk

Jacuzzi at Golden Tulip

Last night was really super.

We had a swim at the indoor pool and then spent some time in

the Jacuzzi.

Captain of the Boat

Slept like logs and woke to a drizzly morning but nothing is going to dampen our spirits for this boating experience.

We called for a cab (22 Euro for 5km) from the Golden Tulip in Ermelo to the harbour in Strandhorst. The boat is spotless and was stocked for us with groceries, wines, beers, all kinds of munchies,

Hardewijk - 117 Allied Pilots Died Here

croissants and our bikes with baskets all aboard.

Defensive City Wall Completed 1290

Did the whole checking in and getting our bearing sorted - which canals to use and making sure we knew how high the boat was for going under a bridge, how long the boat is because you pay mooring per meter of boat, how much of the boat is under water so that you don’t run aground. We are going north so red buoys on the right and green on our left. We need to know how the sewerage works, how to take on water, how the electricity works – plenty to take in.

Harderwijk City Centre

Then it was a trial run with our instructor on a trip out of the harbour and back, some parking and reversing instructions and we were ready!!!!

Mooring for the Night

Our first town we want to visit is Harderwijk which is only an hour away. Lucky for us the canals are quite and with a bit of to and fro we are moored for the night. Mooring fees are 9 Euro (1 euro per meter of boat) and 1 Euro for electricity for the night.

It’s been a fab day with Captain Richard losing his hat in the harbour just outside Harderwijk and us getting our bicycles out for a shopping trip to buy super tonight. We are going to have a stir-fry tonight and enjoy some wine and relax on our new home.

Netherlands - Ermelo

The weather is looking much better and today we made a change of plan.

Golden Tulip

We took the car back to the airport a day earliers and decided on sleeping over in Ermelo which is just 8 km from Strandhorst where we will pick up our boat.

Golden Tulip

All train are dead on time and a pleasure to get around in. It took us just over an hour with a change over at Amersfort and we were in Ermelo.

Tonight we have a real posh hotel reservation at the Golden Tulip Heerlickheid van Ermelo.
It is a massive hotel right in the centre of the forest.

Ermelo Station

We also had good news when we contacted Le Boat - we can have our boat at 10 am
tomorrow instaed of 4pm. Bonus extra day. We are very pleased with the decision to come out here today,

We sure are going to enjoy our fancy bed tonight because there is no knowing what our cabin is going to be like on the boat.

Netherlands - Amsterdam

So big cities are not our thing but when in Netherlands you have to do Amsterdam.

St Nicolai Cathedral

Amsterdam Cold & Wet

It is very expensive to take your car into Amsterdam and park (25 Euro-R325) so we took the train from Weesp to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam was wet and windy and we thought there would be way more people in the city.

Everything is fairly easy to find and from the station everything is in walking distance.

Red Light District

Royal Palace

The Cathedral of St Nicolai is the first you see - St Nicolai is the patron saint of seamen and prostitutes. The Red Light District is just behind the church with all the ladies showing their wares. I think they Need St Nicolai.

The Royal Palace and the Nuwe Kerk was our next stop.

Our Canal Boat trip took us on a round about tour circling the city. So much to see from

Blue Bridge

Outside Van Gogh Cafe

famous sites such as Anne Frank's Home, the van Gogh Cafe, Seven Tunnel Intersection,
Magere Brug (the Blue Bridge - a small version of the one in Paris), the Naval Museum, Palace of Justice, Sea Palace Restaurant - seats 700 guests and is a small version of the one in Hong Kong which seats 5,000 guests and loads more. Then all the house boats and the different

House Boats on Prinsengracht

types of architecture and history of the city was fascinating.

*The station has parking for 2500 bicycles.

Sea Palace Restaurant

*More than 15,000 bicycles are lost in the canals each year.
*800,000 people live in Amsterdam city.
*90,00 people stay in North Amsterdam the rest in South Amsterdam.
*At least once a week they have to fish a car out of the canals.
*Most of the buildings date back to 17th
century.
* The Canals are 3 meters deep - 1 meter mud, 1 meter bicycles, 1 meter water.
*No houses had numbers until Napoleon's brother came to Amsterdam in the 17th century and started numbering them.

Netherlands - Weesp

No Comerades Doing Petrol

The days start much later than back home because sunrise is only after seven - suits us just fine.

Bicycles at Ermelo Station

Breakfast is always devine with all the hams and cheeses.

Today we are heading in the direction of Amsterdam where we will spend our last few days and we had drove past the harbour where we will pick up our boat, so we popped in there.
Can't wait to get on that boat.

Our B & B at Overhorn

The central and northern part of Netherlands is way more scenic than the south. Plenty of our comrades in the south and in the big cities.

We will spend tonight in the village of Weesp. Again the houses are built on the canals with

Coffe Shops in Weesp

beautiful views of the waterways.

We are getting the gist of where to shop and what the local food is. Herring are there in abundance but we stay clear of them. The sweet thing I can definetly live with. Crispy syrup waffels and eier koekies. Yum. Lovely salads with garnale (shrimps and prawns) Plenty of South African wine ranging from 8 euro for merlot to 3 euro for chenin blanc per bottle. Guess what we are drinking. Beer range from .59 euro to 3.75 euro at the supermarket and about 3 euro at the pub.

Homes on the Canal

Haven't seen a toll gate but parking in the cities is very expensive - about one euro for 15 minutes.

Our guest house is Boerenhofstede de Overnhorn which is a renovated farm from 1886 located next to the Vecht River.

Netherlands - Hoevelaken

Selfie at Hoek Van Holland

We woke up rain again this morning but it is bit more serious

Main Road in Hoevelaken

than yesterday.

We wanted to see Hoek van Holland and even though the weather was really not good to see this coastal town it is part of what we want to do. It is on the west coast on the North Sea and the wind was howling. It is a holiday village and must hum on a weekend.

On the way back towards Rotterdam, this is completely different scene to what you picture Netherlands to be. It is the Europort area and most

Highway above Highway

of the oil tanks and heavy industry is out this way, but still clean and organized.

Our Loft at Groot Pepersgoed

The country seems to consist of highways and canals. On the highways you pass through a tunnel under the aqueducts and the highways interlink and loop in hundreds through kilometers.

Next stop was Utrecht, but just another city so we just

Barn on Groot Pepersgoed

decided to select one of the smallest village to overnight and landed up in Hoevelaken where the main road is a single lane with a cycle lane which always has right of way. Don't know which is worse. Driving on the right side on the highway or deciding who has right of way on a one way lane in the village.

We are spending the night on a dairy and pig farm run by Wim and the motel is run by his wife Heidi. Everything is plush and modern.

We will sleep well tonight