Saturday 28th May Ref: 2016/6
Another warm and sunny day with not too much wind for our calm, easy and short half hour passage for the 3nm from Marken across the Gouwzee to the only town in Waterland; the old settlement of Monnickendam. We moored up there at JH Waterland in preference to the Gemeentehaven for un-metered ample power, water and electricity.
We moored up there at JH Waterland and then took our first orientational cycle rides around this historic town which is full of old buildings, harbours and features. When last I was here, we stayed at the Gemeente Haven, which was cheaper and I tied up there at first this time and took a good look at the electricity supply but it was metered and perhaps even not functioning and so we put in to JH Waterland opposite which was relatively expensive but with free electricity, water and WIFI. By this time, the day had become really hot and it was difficult to keep Max cool and out of the sun, now he was away from his Marken beaches!
We took three bicycle rides in all; the first one taking in the centre as we just caught the closing Saturday market and bought some smoked eel and nieue harings, which were delicious to eat as an afternoon snack with salad. The next outing was an attempt to hear the ladies' choirs sing in the big church free concernt but we had misunderstood the guidance that they were finishing at 6pm and not starting! We made up for it by taking drinks of coffee and ice creams by the old harbour; me having some cinnamon apple tart and cream with my vanilla ice cream!
Eventually back to the boat for cool of the evening, when my air conditioning could be switched off as no longer being needed. I paid the marina fees which amounted to some €26 per day for two days and we then relaxed on board for the evening, listening to the world's oldest historic carillon bells ringing from the attractive tower.
28-30degF, 61-43%RH, 1013mb pressure steady, fine, sunny with slight 10kn breeze
