Today started off overcast and cooler and we were grateful to be able to catch up on chores in a more comfortable climate. However, by lunchtime the sun had burnt through the haze to make the hottest day so far, so we again opted to spend the afternoon cruising rather than retreat to our air-conditioned saloon. Even on the move there was very little breeze and it was a challenge to stay cool enough. The cruise from Kampen was uneventful as we made our way west across the Ketelmeer and under the uninspiring Ketel bridge into the IJsselmeer. This completed our circumnavigation of the Randmeren, the peripheral lakes around the Flevoland polder, which proved a very enjoyable and straightforward cruising ground. The whole area is easily accessible, with the only potential restriction being the two fixed 12 metre bridges at the southern end.

Along the Flevoland coast the featureless polder landscape is punctuated only by wind turbines and the occasional power station, and we began to wonder if perhaps a little too much extra land had been drained. Passing the outlying marinas of Houtribhoek and Flevo Haven we locked once more through the Houtribsluis in the dyke dividing the IJsselmeer and the Markermeer. We chose the slightly more central Lelystad-Haven, south of the lock, where we were very excited to find an hour's wifi internet access free with the overnight moorings. Named in honour of Cornelius Lely, the engineer and government minister behind the scheme for retaining and draining the Zuiderzee, Lelystad is reminiscent of Milton Keynes but on a larger scale. Even the Lelystad-Haven is quite remote from the centre and a bike is an essential accessory. Cycle paths join all the significant parts of town and the routes are well signposted and frequently used.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 22 nm

Total to date: 1393 nm

Avg Speed: 6 knots

Duration: 3:30 hours

Diesel: 60 litres

Mooring: €15

Electricity: €0,50 meter

Bridges

Eilandbrug (16m)

Ketelbrug (12.7m)

Houtribsluisbrug (7m)

Locks

Houtribsluis

Charts

1810.8

1810.4