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Category: Waterland 2016

Published: 30 April 2016

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Thursday 26th May  Ref: 2016/5

Cruise of 17nm out of Sixhaven, Amsterdam, along the NoordZeeKanaal to the Orangesluisen lock, under the Schellingwoodebrug bridge,up the West Coast of the Markermeer, past the Marken lighthouse and around the 'island' to take the weed-free approach channel to the delightful moorings of Marken

This was a lovely day cruising in the sunshine from Amsterdam into the Markermeer and then around Marken Island to berth in their harbour right next to shell beach so that Max could have a swim to cool off. We then took a nice walk through the resort and sat with Max as he had a bone and us a beer!

My night was reasonable but  I was up before 6am, despite the sleep I had been missing lately. I was able to walk Max with a little difficulty and the return to the boat to start to get us organised for the cruise ahead today. I had considered various options but opted to take the 18nm, three hour, journey to Marken as I thought that Kathleen would like it there and that proved to be absolutely right.

It was a steady cruise but the wind was light and on the bow and so it was very comfortable the whole time.  I brought Lady Martina into harbour and right alongside the harbour wall so that, once we were all secure, I could let Max out of his box and to start swimming to cool down on the adjacent shell beach. I threw the ball into the sea around ten times, by which time he was very wet and quite cool and then, this done, we secured Lady Martina and then took a walk together.

We ended up on the terrace of a bar overlooking this old fishing harbour and enjoyed a beer as he enjoyed a rawhide ‘bone’. We stayed for some time, gave Max another walk or two, and then put him to bed for the night. Later on, the harbourmaster came by and only charged us some €31 for two night’s stay; that price including free 10amp electricity, water and WIFI. Kathleen did some washing and I put up the line to enable it to get almost dry in the evening’s sun and breeze and then we came inside to carry on working. 

19-25degF, 71-41%RH, 1016-1015mb pressure steady, fine, sunny and calm

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Category: Waterland 2016

Published: 30 April 2016

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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

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Category: Waterland 2016

Published: 30 April 2016

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Sunday 29th May  Ref: 2016/6a

A cooler day with a little light rain in the air for cycling the 8km or so from Monnickendam to Broek in Waterland and back. Not easily possible by boat, the bicycle (or 'fiets') was our chosen 'vessel' for the day

After first taking advice from the tourist information office, we found a cash machine nearby and then visited the nearby museum. There is lots of local information about Waterland and the big feature here (as elsewhere) was the great storm and flood of 2016,  which is just 100 years ago this year and even dwarfed the 1953 floods by its ferocity and effects; there being storm force 10 winds to accompany the high water levels. which demolished buildings and took 15 lives.

Then some coffee at a nearby bar before back to the boat to collect Max and start that long cycle ride. Being difficult to access by boat, the bicycle is the ideal way to visit this wonderful old town of  Broek in Waterland and we were not disappointed. The preferred route is out of the town to the main road and then across it under a tunnel to take the very long and open cycle route across the polder.  Max loved running along besides us and was very good at avoiding the wildlife.

Upon arrival, the beautiful old Protestant Broeker church was attended by a helpful man whose name was pronounced Ayco (probably spelt much different) and he was a very thoughtful and devoted helper in Broek manning St Nicholas Protestant Church this Sunday. His helpful guidance concerning the history of the settlement and the church was matched only by his very perceptive take on modern life and human nature. Thankfully, he had detected a movement back to social values and caring for each other as a welcome relief from the modern self-centred and pre-occupied society.  Some very uplifting experiences!!

The ride back was the more difficult with the presence of rain in the air and a very strong headwind but we made it and were pleased to rest back on board Lady Martina. 

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Category: Waterland 2016

Published: 30 April 2016

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Monday 30th May  Ref: 2016/7

A cooler, duller and windy day with the fresh northerly breeze of up to 28 knots making the prospect of a cruise up the Gouwzee quite interesting. Lady Martina, however, was more than equal to it as we pulled out of the the shelter of the Hoek van de Nord and made our way north towards Volendam

There was an early part of passage with the beam sea on the port side as we made our way east away from Monnickerdam and along the channel until the red/green 'fairway' buoy that marks the junction of the Marken channel when we then turned North and had the short sea on our nose as we cruised slowly at around 6 knots up to the Volendam channel.

It was a beam sea again as we turned West and cruised along the channel and into the harbour where, not being able to find a berth on the North or East walls, i called VHF 71 and spoke to the harbourmaster who directed us to a berth right under their office and in the middle of the shopping promenade. It was right in front of the 'pump-out' station but they did not seem to be concerned about that and said that this was 'seldom used' which was a bit worrying!

There was ample time to take Max ashore to accompany us on a walk along this harbour front of this popular tourism venue before we paid our mooring fee and settled down with beers, cheese and biscuits to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. I then paid the marina fees which amounted to some €22.45 for the single day which included electricity and WiFi

18-23degF, 77-66%RH, 1005mb pressure steady, overcast, dry,  with fresh 20-30kn northerly breeze