After an unaccustomed wait for the bridge to open we left Enkhuizen this morning bound for nearby Medemblik. We had never believed the rumours we had heard that it could be rough on the IJsselmeer but as soon as we left the shelter of the harbour spray hit the windscreen and unstowed items started crashing around the cabin. The wind gauge showed up to 19 knots of wind from the north west and in these shallow waters this produced a short, sharp swell which meant an uncomfortable ride.

As we rounded Oosterdijk and turned west towards Medemblik, we got some shelter from the land but the beam sea meant there was still a considerable roll all the way to the harbour. We opted against the out of town marina, and made for the sheltered Westerhaven accessed by the Kwikkels bridge. Service at this bridge is per three yachts, and as two were waiting as we approached it opened straight away. We chose a convenient spot on the visitors pontoon and then reported to the harbour master.

A must-see visit at Medemblik is the steam tram which runs between Hoorn and Medemblik. The station is easily accessed at the end of Nieuwstraat and a round trip is possible by catching the 12.40 departure. Photos on the train recall the heyday of the steam tram, although the carriages are now pulled by a more traditional locomotive. A short stop is made at the restored Twisk station, where uniformed staff preside over the authentically decorated waiting room, ticket and telephone booth and porters store. At Hoorn there is time to visit the steam tram museum, housed in a former engine shed, before the return trip to Medemblik.

Standing guard over the entrance to the harbour is the Radboud castle, a 13th century stronghold erected by Count Floris V as one of five which restrained the West-Frisians. Renovated in the late 19th century, the castle is now used primarily as a medieval themed wedding venue, but there is also an exhibition in the tower on Medemblik in the middle ages and the history of the castle.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 10 nm

Total to date: 1095 nm

Avg Speed: 8 knots

Duration: 1:20 hours

Diesel: 37 litres

Wind: NW 5

Mooring: €14

Electricity: €0,50 meter

Bridges

Drommedaris (lift)

Kwikkels (lift)

Charts

1810.5

1810.4