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.