Netherlands - Echtenerbrug

Leaving Ossenzijl this Morning

Locks & Bridges Today

Last night we couldn’t find the harbour master so guess what, 8.30 we get a knock on the window to pay our harbour fees. This is Netherlands, only the harbour master starts out at that time of day. We are on holiday.

Thick fog this morning so we first gave our boat a splash down and cleaned our bikes up – we are becoming quite a crew the two of us. I know all the knots and Richard does the sailing. I do all the moaning and shouting which way to steer because I’m the one who has to jump around at all the locks and bridges so he puts up with it otherwise he would be minus half the crew.

Another Bridge

Sup at A Street Cafe

By 10.30 the sun was out and we spent the day cruising from top side, enjoying the scenery and all the revelry that goes on at the bridges and locks. Today we again had to put our bridge fee - 2 Euros - in a clog extended on a fishing rod by the bridge master.

We are now in Friesland where there are more windmills to see and there are even some that are still operational

We had an early supper in town with some beers. I’m also drinking beers at the moment – a glass of wine cost twice as much as a beer. 

First Swivel Bridge

Friesland Windmills

If we did not have the bikes we would definitely not be able to see as much of the towns as we do. We are quite OK with riding on the right side of the road and know the hand signals now. Bikes have right of way most of the time so you put foot and pedal.

Had a really lovely day today and I think it has taken us nearly two week to start winding down and settling into this water way life style.

Netherlands - Ossenzijl.

Homes Along Our Route

Homes Along Our Route

We actually had a very early start to the day because we
wanted to to a long haul today through the nature reserve but this morning there was a drizzle that kept us back.

We also had a few chores to do. We had to fill out water tank and suck our sewerage - yuck,
buy within 10 minutes all was done. Not such a hassle as what we thought.

Kalenburg Bridge

The trip between Giethorn and Ossenzijl is most picturesque. This northern part of the Netherlands is really something to .
experience

Homes Along Our Route

Beautiful homes on the canals and farm lands still as green
as in summer. At one of the bridges we again had to wait for our bridge master was off for lunch but one thing is for sure they are back on the job at 1pm exact.

The first time we have had to pay any kind of levy on the waterways was in Kalenberg where the bridge master collected his money in a clog affixed to the end of a clog.

If the other towns are called villages then I am not sure what Ossenzijl is. Only a local supermarket behind someones house with a few wares so we had to cycle more than 10km for a bottle of wine for tonight.

Today was a slow sail because we had to take in all the magnificent scenery to remember.

Netherlands - Giethoorn

Giethoorn

Giethoorn

Today we had a typical Dutch day.

Slept late - Very late.
Croissants for breakfast.

A bicycle ride into the village.

In Giethoorn

Kroketten with Patat and a Beer at a street cafe while reading our books in the sun.

Our Neighbors in the Marina

Met some South Africans at the Cafe that were on holiday.

Back to the boat for coffee and Bokkenpootjies - Yum.

We might start the motor tomorrow and decide where to go.

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.