Photos for Now

As we leave for home we have posted a few more select photos here:

We'll be back in mid-August with the doggies.

Roermond - packing again

It's been a while since we have had free fast internet and, unless we sit outside MacDonalds here in Roermond we have to use the expensive "stick". More more photos may have to wait until we get home. This is the end of the trail this time around as we fly back home in a week for the big family event we have coming up on July 17^th: Tess and Tony's wedding.

While in the charming city of Maastricht we caught up with an acquaintance from over 30 years ago, Marco who was a witness at our wedding in Ottawa. He is married 25 years to an American, Jill. Even though she is retiring Friday after 32 years with NATO, and they are dealing with sending a car and furniture to their condo in Naples, FL and the rest to Amsterdam once they find a three bedroom place with their 22 year old son who is finishing his Masters, they still found time to show us a very special Sunday. It started with an amazing brunch in the historic city of Aachen, Germany. You'll have to see the photos to believe the beautiful fresh food choices. Afterwards we walked around. The city was badly damaged in WWII and the older buildings have pieces missing from the stone façades. The Cathedral has four wings from different centuries, the oldest being the 800's. Those of you lucky enough to catch another of Rob's famous slide shows will see photos of the interior to see why we thought it to be so special.

All this was followed with a lovely drive through the beautiful hilly lush green countryside to see a place that moved me more than I ever thought it would, The American Cemetery. We saw thousands of marble crosses or Stars of David standing at each grave which held an American citizen killed in many battles fought in the surrounding region in WWII. May 5^th is Memorial Day here. We were in Sloten that day. Almost every home had a flag flying and there were services held at the churches, cemeteries and town squares, and 2 minutes silence at 8pm throughout the country. It's an event that is honored and not just treated as a day off work. At the American Cemetery on May 5^th there is also a memorial service and a Dutch school child stands at each grave to lay flowers. War continues to be such a waist of human lives. Will it never end?

We've had good times, good baked goods, exciting boating experiences and I am so glad to be here in The Netherlands. Currently we are on the back deck eating nuts, grapes, drinking wine, watching the boats go by, the hot air balloons above (which are so popular here) and waiting for the sun to set so we can go to bed. Yesterday was the longest day of the year. It starts getting light here at 4:10AM and finally gets dark about 11PM.

Maastricht

We are moored in the middle of the river here in Maastricht looking out our windows at the old city. The weather has turned grey and cool again, which is OK as we will be here for the weekend doing city stuff and catching up with our long lost Dutch friend Marco.
The recent travelling has been mainly on commercial canals which are interesting in their own way but not very picturesque. It is amazing how much gets moved around on the waterways in this country, although it seems that most of it is sand, rocks and dirt for construction, or demolished structures on their way to be converted back to sand, rocks and dirt. The barges are huge and often loaded down to the gunwales, or even over. Mostly they seem to be operated by Husband and Wife teams with their car on the back; usually he is driving and she is outside cleaning.

There are more locks here and they are BIG - Long enough for two or three of the big barges and up to 10m (30') deep. Fortunately they are well organized and have bollards built in to the side to tie up to, or even ones that float up with you. We will stay around this area until we leave it looks like we will leave the boat at a yard in Maasbracht where we can have a few things done that we have learnt we want as we have got used to ARMIDA. When we return in early August we will be well positioned to leave the crowded waters of Holland in the summer and head up the Maas/Meuse into Belgium and France.

Relaxing in Den Bosch

We have had a very nice day here in 's-Hertogenbosch (locally called and much easier to pronounce as Den Bosch) and we kept saying to each other, "We really like this town". Then Terry said "Why? it's not that much different than others". Well it does have a unique network of small canals under the city and a good little tour run by volunteers, a grand Cathedral (of course) but one of the first not made out of brick and more ornate as it stayed mainly Catholic, and a pretty intact set of walls as it was once an impregnable fortress town surrounded by marshes until the attackers diverted the river, built a long dike and drained the marshes – only the Dutch could do that. We were here on a Saturday which is market day and the weather was nice and everyone was out and about. All the cafes, and there are many, were packed with people sitting outside and meeting friends. It may have been our mood but it seemed that people were even more relaxed and easy going than other places in Holland, which is not to say the others aren't as the Dutch seem to be uniformly happy and friendly, it just felt good. We also had a very nice dinner in a modern restaurant, and we still got fries as a side. So we'll stay today (Sunday) get some washing done and relax some more.

Heusden, we have no problem

We were heading for 's Hertogenbosch today when I noticed that this little village where the River from the Merwede joins the Maas looked interesting and sure, enough it was mentioned in the guidebook. So after no problems on the big river and a very relaxing cruise on the smaller one we motored into the old harbor about 2:30, and they even kept the market going for us. Heusden is a very charming little village with enormous fortifications that have been restored, at least to the outlines, surrounded by moats. The houses are all in mint condition and very interesting. Armida is tucked into the old harbour that is entered through a deep and narrow opening under a rickety old bridge beside two unique windmills. A beer and some fries in the café on the square and there are no problems at all.

Gorinchem

Pronounced Hhorikum, or something like that, this is a very pleasant and interesting town on the banks of the Merwede River where we have stayed two nights. This has been a strategic town since the 1200s and you can still walk around the perimeter of the old town top of the remains of the old fortifications. We had a pleasant trip down from Gouda with another stop in Montfort. The weather has turned rainy and we had our first half a day of navigating in the rain; not a problem. The waterways are getting bigger with more commercial traffic so we had to dart out of the small canal at Vianen, dash across the Lek river and into the Merwede Canal where we entered a large lock with a commercial barge. It followed us down the Merwede Canal which turned out to be a good thing as they coordinated with the bridge controllers by VHF radio so all the bridges opened for them, and us, as we got there. We have been travelling with Bob and Lois from Perth who have been coming to Holland for three years and made the same decision in Gouda that we did – to head for France. It has been nice to have the company and share notes and charts.

From the town we can look out over the Merwede River which is one of the major exits of the Rhine. It looks like a peaceful scene with the green banks and fields on the other side, but not for long. The big barges come by every couple of minutes and they seem to be going fast. We have to travel up this river for a couple of km before turning off to s' Hertogenbosh so more fun is in store.

After many years we have managed to contact Marco, who was a witness at our wedding 30 years ago and who we had lost contact with about 15 years ago. He and his wife Jill live near Maastricht but are only there on weekends so we need to do some planning to we can be there on a weekend to catch up with them. This will probably mean that we will be leaving Armida in that area when we come back; probably somewhere between Roermond and Liege in Belgium. More research is needed.

Direction

After discussing it over the weekend we decided to head south and not back to Amsterdam. This should put us in the south of The Netherlands or even into Belgium by the end of the month when we come home for the wedding. Bye to free Wi-Fi for a while.

More Photos

1. It’s cold out there, and in here too.

2. Getting Water in Sneek

 

On the Street in Sneek

Now we know why the cover is that low

  Friesian Scene

Giethoorn

 

Prefab holiday homes with thatched roofs.

  

Holiday Scene

Big Barge on the Ijssel

Captain and Navigator

Elburg

Lane of Flowers - Elburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windmills

 

 

 

 

Tight squeeze in

Spakenburg

 

 

 

 

Old Boats in Spakenburg

Close Neighbours in Spakenburg

The Launch!

Test post for Photos.

Gouda (how-dah)

We will be spending the weekend in Gouda, where the cheese comes from. We've learned that you need to be moored by 2PM on a Friday to get a spot in the popular places. A city of quiet canals and old buildings with a "tangle" of hidden alleys. The market square is the largest old market square in The Netherlands as it was once the center of cotton and cheese, and now has a cheese museum. I won't be going. The cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows from 1557.

We are doing just great. Each day we feel more comfortable and at home. Yesterday I bought a shopping basket with wheels which will make trips to the store so much easier, especially when it's far to go. We also got to a place where they had one washing machine and dryer. We got to do laundry for the first time in two weeks. It took us four loads, a whole evening and the next morning to do them, but that doesn't matter. Clean cloths, towels and sheets feel sooo nice.

I've planted some geraniums in plastic planters and three herbs; chives, basil and cilantro to use in cooking and salads. In two weeks they have grown lush and happy. Rob keeps reminding me they will all die when we go home. I'm going to try to keep them alive by putting them on the shower floor, overwatering and covering with plastic. I think they may last. The azaleas and rhododendrons here thrive in this climate and are absolutely huge and spectacular. The best I've seen by far. These people love gardening even more than the English. On the canal we passed a most beautiful Liquid Amber Tree. I said to Rob, "Look at that tree!" - it was grand. I didn't even know they got big. As we came closer there was a sign with a date: planted 1630. All the lush green fields with their winter grass have been recently cut. Now, twice a day the tractors will pull a thing like a giant egg beater that fluffs and throws the grass so it can continue to dry evenly and not get moldy. Then we've seen the next step which is to make bails to feed the cows through the winter. Afterwards the fields will be plowed and a summer crop will go in. Since the farms are on the canals they all have pumps to irrigate if there is no rain. As I said before, the Government subsides the thousands of small farmers. Generations have stayed on the small farms and families thrive.

We are starting to run into people again, just as we used to when staying in hostels and backpacking. It's common when you are all moving in the same areas and comforting to pull into a town to see a familiar face waving and calling your name. The English speaking boat community is Europe is tight. Last night we had wine with a couple in their 70's from Perth. We'd already met two couples from Perth in Weesp who gave us a couple of books. These folks know them. Seems there're 34 Perth couples who travel France Germany and The Netherlands at least four months out of the year. They finally formed a club back home. Some have been coming as long as 13 years. They have two meeting a year in a rented hall. Once just before the season to share where they are going, events they've read about and enjoy a pot luck dinner. They meet again after the season to swap stories, info and more food and wine. The six we have met are all well into their seventies and spunky. I actually met, Yvonne, who's blog I read to Rob at home over a year ago. The title of her blog is, "Adventure before Dementia". Too cute. In fact we're younger than just about anyone we've met. It might be that we are here too and everything is so much easier than France. Everyone agrees that the good restaurants and good bottle of wine is hard to find. We've have discovered the large white asparagus that is in season and grown here. You peel the stalk, salt, steam and eat. Knorr makes a packet of special sauce just for them. The grocery stores are full of prepackaged meals and processed food. We are addicted to the ginger windmill cookies with sliced almonds. Nothing comes close to Jeanne's fresh ginger cookies, but still good. You can by them for a Euro at the grocery store or 3.50 from the bakeries who make them fresh and sell them in a package of 10.

We've seen many dogs on boats. The Dutch love dogs. They spoil them rotten with pillows in the garden or favorite spot on the porch, cute dog houses and always walking them. Unlike the French they usually bring don't bring them to shops or restaurants. Every day we talk about when the dogs come and can't wait to have them join us. If they are like any of the other boats dogs we've met they are going to love it with the changing scenery, people, dogs and bike walking by and the attention they will get. Sharon is going to her daughters this weekend to go to her granddaughter's HS graduation. Anna Aven is taking them to her house and be their mother for a couple of days. Other than Tess and my brother's, they've never spent the night away from home, but I know they are in very good hands once again so can relax. But we do miss them.

Soon we have to make a decision of where we will go to keep the boat when we come home for the wedding.. One option is to go back to the marina we liked so much just outside Amsterdam. They gave us a fair quote, we know the people and it's very safe there. When we returned we would spend more time in The Netherlands this season. Plan B is to continue south and hope to find a place comparable to the one in Weesp, which is not that easy. Then when we return scoot right through Belgium and get to northern France. We know that France is more "charming", good food, good wine and that continental feel. But since we are new to this game we are in the perfect country to get our true boat skills. Everyone speaks English, if you need parts or something fixed, you can just about go anywhere and know it's done right. The last thing is that it's so easy here. No working the locks, jumping off and on with ropes ten times a day. If you can't pass under the bridge you wait for the keeper to stop traffic, open up, give us the green light and toodle through. I love that.

Weather, touch wood, is excellent. 23C/75F and sunshine.

Now we’re cruising

After a week staying in Weesp and taking the train into Amsterdam, we are on the move again. The week in Amsterdam was great and as the weather was mediocre it was a good time to do it. We had one lousy, rainy day so we stayed on the boat and read books.

Tuesday we set off up the Vetch river which was always one of our goals. The weather was great and we have a beautiful cruise past grand old homes, ultra modern designs and classic little houses backing on to the river. Some rural spots with horses playing and ducks watching and, of course, windmills. Maarsen had very pleasant moorings in the town right next to another grand old home.

Wednesday we had lunch in town and set off around 1pm. We left the Vecht and did a stretch on the Amsterdam-Rhine canal which is a major waterway with lots of big commercial barges and, it seem, we were very lucky as it was uneventful. Everyone else we have spoken to had horror stories of getting tossed about as multiple large barges passed them on either side. We made our way through rural countryside to this little town of Montfort where the grassy mooring in the town is free, and they have a washing machine. Yahoo! We will amble on down to Oudewater this afternoon and then aim to get to Gouda before the weekend rush.

Now the weather is good we are beginning to really enjoy Holland and have met many Aussies and English who have been doing this for many years and prefer it here over France. We are considering not heading south before we leave and, instead, leaving Amida near Amsterdam and then heading south when after we return. Those of you considering visits, bear that in mind. We will let you know.

It seems that there is a secret society of cruisers from Perth, Australia, who are slowly taking over the Dutch Canals. We have met three couples so far, and they all know each other. Apparently there are 30 or more couples from Perth who are doing this regularly and all keep in touch. The Canaliers. They are also a great source of information.

We'll post some pictures when we get a good Internet connection. Don't hold your breath.