Amsterdam - Days 25 & 26

Monday 27th August 2012 - Amsterdam - Day 25

A quiet berth

In the morning Bill went to the supermarket which was just outside the marina gate while I carried on with the computer.  The motor cruiser we were lying alongside left at 11.00 and we said our goodbyes to the German family on board and their dog.  We spent a lazy afternoon reading and sleeping in the warm sunshine.
At 18.00 we spent ashore and after a 15 minute walk got the free ferry across the canal to Amsterdam.  This time we headed off in a different direction and turned right after leaving the Central Station.

Aeolus Marina Club House

This side of the city is just the same, crowded with visitors.  Bars with strange people inside and noisy music and it appears lots are smoking the happy baccy, as you smell it everywhere you go.
We were back on the ferry to the north side by 21.00 and we went to a bar we used to use when here on the tallship two years ago but it was closed.
Back to our marina club house where we another good night and finished off with night caps on board.



Tuesday 28th August 2012 - Amsterdam - Day 26

Amsterdam Station

We cleaned the boat in the morning as Bill was leaving today.  At 13.00 we went for the ferry and  to a corner bar for the last time just outside the station.  We said our farewells  as he boarded the 15.20 train to Schipol airport.  Thanks again Bill for all of the support during the past two weeks.
I went back into the city centre doing some shopping and the streets were packed.  This is certainly a mecca and must be one the most popular cities in Europe.  I was on board by 17.00 and made myself a meal.

Ferry

I was back on the ferry to the Central station at 21.00 and met the re-joining crew member Jack from the yacht club.  His train pulled in at 22.10 and like old times he wanted to go into the big city.
We ambled along and took in all the sights until arriving at the 'Old Sailor' pub in the heart of the red light district.  Again, the whole area is absolutely full of people, mostly tourists enjoying and taking part in the scenery.  We tried a few more places on the way back to the ferry and arrived on board for 01.00 and finished off with fruity malt loaf and tea.  Jack was back.

Monnickendam to Amsterdam - Day 24

Sunday 26th August 2012 - Monnickendam to Amsterdam - Day 24

Monnickendam canals

Watered and filled up the fuel tank while Bill made breakfast of fried bread, bacon, eggs and beans (we do live well).
At noon we left Monnickendam and with the full genoa we made our way out of the Gouzee and the weather was fair with sunshine and a little westerly breeze.
We had made plans to go a place called Muiden only twelve miles away on the other side of the Markenmeer.

Marken Lighthouse

At 13.15 we were passing the lighthouse on Marken island and the clouds were starting to build up.  Fifteen minutes later the wind was increasing and as we shortened sail the gusts began to hit us and boat was well heeled over, then the rain came and we were drenched very quickly.  For the next two hours these squalls kept battering us.  We were about one mile off Muiden and abandoned going inside the narrow entrance onto a lee shore and came about to try and find shelter.  We looked at Durgerdam on the other shore but this was also discounted and we decided to head for Amsterdam.

At 16.00 we were under the Schelling-Wouderburg lifting bridge and inside the Oranjesluizen locks 10 minutes later.

Amsterdam Cruise Terminal

Once in the Nordzee Canal the strong winds began to ease down and just before the marina on the opposite shore were these cruise liners.  Cunard's 'Queen Victoria' and P&O's 'Oceana'.
At 17.00 we were alongside a motor cruiser in the Aeolus marina where the harbour master was most helpful.  We were ashore in North Amsterdam by 18.30, unfortunately being a Sunday most of it was closed.  We did find one bar but the beer was very poor so we came back the little club house in the marina. Spending the rest of the night with the harbour master and his wife plus three sailors from a Belgian yacht.  We were happy to be back in Amsterdam in a nice quiet marina.

Monnickendam - Day 23

Saturday 25th August 2012 - Monnickendam - Day 23

Its raining

At 09.45 we were woken up by a young lady on a bicycle who delivered in a basket, two tea cakes and the weather forecast. A lovely wake up call.
Bill went off to the supermarket while I tried to sort out the communications problems with the internet and unfortunately did not succeed.
The weather forecast prediction came into fruition in the afternoon, the wind came out of the north west with accompanying heavy showers which rolled in and times were torrential, our tent was earning its keep again.

Narrow winding cobbled streets

We lazed around, reading until going ashore at 19.00 to the four seasons restaurant.  The starters of spring rolls and spare ribs we enjoyed but the rack of lamb main courses were not up to our usual standard as the meat was under-cooked.  We ended up in the 'Koffiebon' bar watching a football match on the tele  in which Ajax won 5-0.
The small winding streets and little canals of Monnickendam are enchanting with the fairy lights strung across the small wooden lifting bridges.  How people manage to get there little boats on the canals outside there houses must be a joy to watch.  It is again the cleanliness of these places which really catches your attention

Oudeschild to Monnickendam - Day 22

Friday 24th August 2012 - Oudeschild to Monnickendam - Day 22

The weather forecast for the weekend was very bad and my plans of visiting the other two Frisian Islands of Vlieland and Terschelling were abandoned.

Waddenzee control sluices on the dyke

It was decided to head back into the inland sea for  shelter and the harbour master gave us the best times to leave and make the most use of the flood tide.
We left Oudeschild at 08.00 against the tide for 1/2 hour and by 09.00 we were back in the main channel heading south easterly passed the uncovered sands of the Balgzand to the south.
Once more we quickly moved along with the 3 knot current and did not have to wait for the swing bridge at Den Oever and straight into the Stevinsluizen lock.  By 11.00 we were leaving the lock and back into the Ijsselmeer.  With full main and the auto-helm in charge.

De Kreupel

At 12.00 a Dutch yacht came alongside and asked if I had map of the lake, if not he would help.  This was a very kind gesture, as I showed him my full set of charts, he gave a friendly wave and move off in another direction.  At 13.30 we were passing the man made island of De Kreupel about two miles out from Medemblik.  Why it was built I do not know but there appears to be two buildings on it.  We were making very good progress down the Ijsselmeer and it was decided not to stay for the night in Enkhuizen but to push on while we still had good weather.

Day tripper

Nearing Enkhuizen we passed a few of these beautiful sailing barges which take visitors out for the day.  While others do one week voyages and mostly cater for the German tourists.  We were in the Navidad lock for 15.20 and back into the Markenmeer by 15.45.  With the auto-helm and full sail for a couple of hours we had a very pleasant run.  It was now decided we would go to Monnickendam for a couple of nights while we let the weather fronts pass through.

Markenmeer

In the evening the wind died away completely, all sails were stowed and with a sea of glass we motored into the Gouzee.  Off the entrance we saw a fleet of becalmed yachts waiting to start a 24 hour race, we wished them luck and hoped they would enjoy it.  We followed another channel after passing our old haunt in Volendam and by 20.00 we were in our box at the Monnickendam marina.

Monnickendam

We went ashore to the bars and restuarants but did not fancy a meal.  Wandering back to the near marina Lakeside Hotel, I found this had not changed in 10 years.  It was still a stop over for people flying back to Australia and enjoying there last night in Europe, knocking back lots of beer accompanied by boom-boom music.  We left them to it. On board we had our own fruity malt loaf and beer.  It had been a long day, travelled 51 miles but we were now alongside and safe.

Den Oever to Oudeschild - Day 21

Thursday 23rd August 2012 - Den Oever to Oudeschild - Day 21

We had breakfast of corned beef hash and eggs and taking the advice of the harbour master we did not leave until 12.30.

Sailing Barge

As we left the marina we watched as this very impressive sailing barge hauled up her sails for her trip down the Ijsselmeer.  The locks were not quite ready for us but there are convenient lay by berths prior to the lock and because of the wind conditions.We put a bow rope on the quay and let her sit there with her nose into the wind.  We lay there for about 1/2 hour with other yachts then the lock traffic lights changed for red to green and we were ready to go.

Stevinsluizen lock

We were in the lock for 15 minutes and followed this large barge ahead of us into the next waiting area for the swing bridge.  We were a little too slow and the bridge keeper changed the lights to red when were very close to passing through.  Onto another lay by while we waited, after ten minutes the bridge swung open for a fast moving lifeboat and we were allowed through.  A little further on in the fairway we saw the lifeboat alongside a 38 foot yacht whose engine must of failed and was drifting onto the shore.  We are now in the Waddenzee and are now under the influence of tidal movements with strong currents within the area.

Oudeschild - Texel

We followed the very well marked channel known as the Gat Van De Stier, with a 3 knot ebb tide. In parts we had wind over the tide which gave very short steeped waves and became very uncomfortable.  It took 1 1/2 hours up this channel before we altered course off Den Helder and cut across the current before going into the next channel Texelstroom with the current against us.  After another 3/4 hour we were arriving at the Frisian Island of Texel and berthed in the Waddenhaven marina in Oudeschild.  Out with the cold beer we achieved one of our goals.

Havenhotel Texel

We were ashore in this very busy fishing harbour by 18.30 in the 'Havenhotel Texel'.  Prior to our meal we were given a little starter of a small bowl of tiny shrimps with a dip in sauce.  Too much hassle shelling these, so we gave up while a main course of a very large pot of mussels, chips and bread was absolutely delicious.  We adjourned to the bar and speaking with the staff asked what it was like in the hotel in the winter with all of the visitors gone.  The answer was no work, as we were shown a photograph of the hotel with the sea water covering the first floor windows.  This also explained the large dyke surrounding the harbour and the large quayside posts for the boats to tie up to with their tops painted white. Bill went back aboard while I went to the new marina pub 'Compagnie' which was not there when I was last here 10 years ago. It was a lively place and after a night cap returned aboard, it had been another successful day.

Enkhuizen to Den Oever - Day 20

Wednesday 22nd August 2012 - Enkhuizen to Den Oever - Day 20

We had breakfast of croissants and tea and left Enkhuisen at 11.30 with a westerly wind force 4 to 5.
At 12.00 we were passing the fairway buoy with 2/3 rds genoa and fifteen minutes later full genoa and running in a north westerly direction.

Den Oever Marina

The engine stopped at 12.30 and we were making our best course to the north and slowly being pushed into the middle of the Ijsselmeer.  The wind was gusting up to force 6 and building up short choppy waves which was making steering more difficult and uncomfortable with occasional spray making it into the cockpit.  At 14.00 hoisted the main with 2 reefs and with shortened genoa we made more progress but had to tack round for 1/2 hour to miss a shallow bank.
Just prior to the sea lock at Den Oever there is a marina and we decided to give up and stay there for the night and wait for conditions to improve before heading for the Frisian Islands.
We were in  our box at 17.15 and shelter and the harbour master gave all the information required for the next day.

De Dikke Restaurant

Bill before leaving Enkhuizen had prepared a corn beef hash which was promptly put into the oven on arrival and it was very tasty with a topping of beans.  At 21.00 we went ashore to the marina restaurant 'De Dikke Bries' where about two dozen other yachties were dining.  We stuck to the refreshments while we took in the bric a brac which engulfed the interior and gave the place a lot of character.  They stopped serving at 23.00 and as we made it back aboard the wind had dropped.  It had been hard sailing day.

Hoorn to Enkhuizen - Day 19

Tuesday 21st August 2012 - Hoorn to Enkhuizen - Day 19

Elisabeth

We left Hoorn at 12.00 and hoisted the main at 12.45, there was very little wind so we motor-sailed.  An hour later and we were passing this fine  sailing vessel 'Elisabeth' on her way into Hoorn.

At 14.00 we entered the main buoyed channel which takes you up to the locks which connect the Markenmeer and the Ijsselmeer across which stretches a very long dam connecting both sides of Holland.

Naviduct Lock

We arrived in the lock at 14.45 and the gates closed behind us and we were only inside for about ten minutes as the water level only dropped about 100 mm.  We arrived in Enkhuizen Compagnieshaven and in or box at 15.15.
On the passage up from Hoorn we had noticed water coming into the engine compartment bilge space and traced this to a leaking stern gland.  The electric bilge pump fitted last year was not up to job of pumping it out.

Enkhuizen

I packed the stern gland with grease while Bill went off to his favourite shop the chandlers and purchased more grease and a new bilge pump. The new pump was fitted and it was time to go ashore.

This is a very pretty town with lots of fine buildings built during the days when this was one of the main trading ports on the Zuiderzee.

Bill's bridge

We found a wonderful restaurant called 'Van Bleiswijk' and a meal of onion soup, plaice fillets and beef satays really filled us up.  The local Irish bar 'The Dubliners' was small and noisy while upstairs in the 'Schiffdifj' was nice but smoky.  Most of them seemed to be smoking inside the pub, we cannot understand this as we are all supposed to adhere to the EU regulations on smoking in public places.  We finished off in the 'Tankerikj' pub next to the very impressive now lit up tower and lifting bridge.  We were very impressed with Enkhuizen

Volendam to Hoorn - Day 18

Monday 20th August 2012 - Volendam to Hoorn - Day 18

In the office at 09.00 still no spare parts, Bill went to the shop and made breakfast, I plodded on with the blogsite.

New parts fitted

At 11.30 the parts were hand delivered and we had a cup of tea to celebrate.
Between 12.00 and 14.00 we fitted the new exhaust pipe elbow with flexible from the thermostat.  A new stop solenoid was fitted and a successful engine trial was completed.
We said our goodbyes to the marina staff who had really looked after us over the past five days.

At 14.45 we left Volendam with the full genoa unfurled at 15.00 and passing GZ2 buoy hoisted the full main and popeye (auto-helm)  engaged.

At 15.30 the engine was stopped and we were sailing, at last.

Hoorn

The wind from the west force 3 to 4 and on a beam reach with a calm sea we were making 5 to 5 1/2 knots and in the warm sunshine it was most satisfying.
At 17.30 were in our box in Hoorn and informed by the harbour master it was the last day of the town's fair and most of youngsters were on the drink.
We went ashore at 19.30 to find all of the pubs and restaurants which I knew were all closed.  Bill could not believe I had brought him to a port with no pubs.

When we arrived at the town square it was a mess, there was discarded plastic mugs everywhere.  While all chairs had been removed to  inside the bars and the music was once again too much for us.  The fair ground was shutting down as we looked for somewhere to find refreshment and found a hotel with comfortable chairs outside where they actually served beer in a proper glass.  They told us the town was shut down between 16.00 and 20.00 to allow the place to be cleaned up after the fair.
Strolling back to the harbour we found a very friendly bar open and had an excellent conversation with the locals and dined again on toasties.  We were back on board just after midnight and pleased we had made another port and enjoyed the company of the local inhabitants.

Volendam - Days 14;15;16;17

Thursday 16th August 2012 - Volendam - Day 14

Prior to the arrival of the engine spare parts we slackened back the exhaust pipe nuts and clips and cleaned out all of the engine compartment.  At the nearby chandlers, purchased a boom tent and bungees, these cost more than the tent, where is Wilkinsons when you need one.

Tugboat, Jack, Alex

At 18.00 we went ashore to the local restaurant 'Pieterman's' and had beers on the terrace until 20.00, then we went inside for a meal. It consisted of home made soups, steaks and mussels.  The biggest amount of spare ribs you have ever seen and these could not be finished.  The waiter knew and brought a doggy bag.
We finished off in the boom-boom bar 'Nautico' next door and were back on board for 23.30 having survived our first day's wait.


Friday 17th August 2012 - Volendam - Day 15

Boom Tent

Awake at 05.15 and went ashore with Jack to catch the 06.00 bus to Amsterdam station and the 07.20 train to the airport.  For me it was back to bed.  At 09.00 checked at the marina office if the spares had arrived. but they had not.
The weather was warming up and the boom tent came into its own, as it kept the temperature down in the cabin.

Windmill

I went to do the laundry in the excellent facilities and while waiting for the washer and drier to do its stuff, I sat on a nearby park bench looking over the windmill and read my book on the Frisian Islands.  Bill went to his favourite shop the chandlers then had our afternoon nap.

At 18.00 we tried to get into the posher 'Borkkum' restaurant near to the marina but they said they were fully booked, strange as there was only a dozen people in there, obviously they did not encourage beer drinkers. So it was back to the 'Pieterman' and 'Nautico' for beer and toasties.

Saturday 18th August 2012 - Volendam - Day 16

Volendam Harbour

Bill went to the supermarket then we had a cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon and tomatoes.  At the office still no sign of the spares.  It was very hot with a cloudless sky the temperature was 32 degrees.  We lazied around, sleeping, reading, getting to grips with the blogsite.  There was a welcome relief when the girls from the  marina came round with cool bags and handed out ice lollies which was very much appreciated.

At 18.15 we went on our 15 minute walk to the old town and found 'Gerrie's' air conditioned bar and what a relief.  Here we met a Scottish protestant minister and some character, as he related his stories of his 8 years spent in Holland.  We moved onto the harbour which was absolutely heaving with youngsters having a great time drinking and smoking happy baccy.  The noise coming from some of the bars was deafening but we were not to out done and found 'Motje' an excellent place.  The staff gave us a running commentary on the town while the karoke was starting to get into swing.  These Dutch people certainly know how to enjoy life and we left them to it around midnight after having a great evening out.

Sunday 19th August 2012 - Volendam - Day 17

Volendam

It was once more very hot and sultry and being Sunday there was no delivery of spares.
At 14.00 we went into town to the main supermarket then down to the harbour where again it was full of visitors.  The boat trips, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants were all very busy.  We went back to our air conditioned bar 'Gerrie's' where our Scottish minister was recovering from his previous night excesses, a very funny wee man.  We went for fish and chips before ending up in 'Motje's'.  We got there for 19.30 and the entertainment consisted of two alternative singers and they were very good.  The old time music was none stop and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The happy go lucky atmosphere was great as we warmed to all in there and joined in the fun.  We being sensible decided to call it a day at 22.00 and returned to the marina just before the thunder and lightening started.  We hoped it would pour down but there was only light thundery showers which did clear the air just a little bit.

Volendam to Edam to Volendam - Day 13

Wednesday 15th  August 2012 - Volendam - Edam - Volendam - Day 13

In the morning we completed some of the latest maintenance jobs, lubricated the engine control bowden cables.  The fuel tank replenished and fuel purchased. At the local chandlers purchased the charts I needed for the Frisian Islands also a new switch for the fridge and fitted.  Jack's flights were sorted out on the marina office computer.

At 12.45 we left Volendam on passage for Edam which was only 2 mile away.  It is shallow around this area and we kept to the channel with the entrance to Edam very narrow it is tricky but once inside we managed to find a berth next to a small cafe.

Rigged engine stop

Unfortunately, the engine would not stop on the key switch due to the stop solenoid being burnt out.  Not wanting to stop by shutting off the fuel and having to reprime, the ofending solenoid was removed and with a stick managed to stop the engine.  From the photo can be seen how the stick was slashed for a permanent look until a new one could be obtained.

Crack in engine exhaust

While working on the stop it was noticed we had developed a rather large crack in the exhaust pipe elbow, and not wanting to travel far in this condition a few decisions had to be made.
A phone call to the Bukh engine agents in the UK, we ordered up a new exhaust and stop solenoid with delivery up to three days.  We made a decision to return to Volendam with a safe berth, phoning the marina to book a place and await the parts.
It was a hot day and we used the cafe on the quay sitting on a bench opposite Selene eating an ice-cream while we contemplated how this was going to effect our holiday.

We were back in Volendam by 17.30 not going ashore until 21.00 the local restaurant stopped serving so we had beer and crisps.  Next door in the now quiet boom-boom bar we finished off with beer and toasties.
It had not been a good day

Amsterdam to Volendam - Day 12

Tuesday 14th August 2012 - Amsterdam to Volendam - Day 12

Awake by 06.00 and ashore with Alfie, we took the ferry to the central station and he caught the 07.20 train to the airport.  Thank you Alfie for all of the help in getting to Holland and the good company.

Amsterdam Canals

I now had a few hours to kill while waiting for the next crew member to join.  I had found the address of a couple of chart suppliers which were situated on the main street opposite the station.
I strolled along here in the morning sunshine watching the people busily going off to their work.
Both of these suppliers did not open until 10.00 so I ambled off in the direction of Dam Square through the red light district and passing the process of cleaning up the arena after the night's excesses.

Church

Near to this church in a cafe I breakfasted on eggs and salad.  Behind the church is Anne Frank's house and I could not believe at this time in the morning, the number of people in line wanting to go inside.  Strolling back to Dam Square, I received a text from my new crew member that he was on the train from the airport.  I hurried on down to the station and met Bill (Tuboat) from the Tallships as he came off the train.  We went to the ferry and were on board in Sixhaven by 10.30  and left the marina at 11.30.

We re-traced our course out into the canal, through the Oranjesluizen locks and the lifting bridge and back into the Markenmeer.  Past Marken lighthouse we altered course directly for Volendam and entered the new marina just south of the town and were in our box at 16.45.  We motored all the way from Amsterdam as there was little wind and travelled 14 miles.

It is a fifteen minute walk into the old harbour and the quayside is full of bars and restaurants where there was lots of visitors.  We had a meal in the 'Lotje' restaurant which was of such large proportions we could not finish it all.  Quite a few of the bars were very, very noisy so we strolled back to the marina to find the nearest one to the marina was absolutely full and the noise unbelievable and become known to us as the boom-boom bar.  We all had a long enjoyable day and were all in bed before midnight.

Huizen to Amsterdam - Day 11

Monday 13th August 2012 - Huizen to Amsterdam - Day 11

We departed Huizen at 10.45 and by 11.00 we were in the main channel with a strong breeze and for running downwind put 2 reefs in the main and full genoa.

Hollandse Brug

By 12.30 we were approaching the bridges but this time as more of a challenge we sailed under them.  Shortly afterwards the wind began to drop so we hoisted the full main which unfortunately began to blanket the genoa, although running goose-winged for a while this did not maintain our speed.

Cruising chute

At 13.00 it was time to break out the cruising chute as seen in the picture. Of all the other yachts around us there was only two others who were capable of sailing with their chutes.  We used this for two hours down the main channel then it was time to take everything in as we approached the Schelling-Wouderbrug lifting bridge.  It was not too long before it opened and we were in the Oranje Sluizen locks by 16.00.  We moved into Sixhaven at 17.00 just before the rush and our friendly harbour master put us in a position where we would not be disturbed too much.
Alongside us he put a small charter yacht, skippered by a German church minister and his son and he was about to take his son to see the night life of Amsterdam.

The Eye

At night we stayed on the north side but our local pub and pizza place were closed.
We found a nearby newly opened restaurant called 'Cafe Modern' where they only did a five course meal.  This gourmet meal was very tasting and consisted of fish pie; veal; fish soup; lamb; sorbet.  It was also very expensive at 50 euros a head but we did enjoy it.  For a night cap we to 'The Eye' as seen in the picture is the latest building in Amsterdam and is a cinema which also incorporates a film museum.  We sat outside on the terrace enjoying the fine view over the city.  A walk around the inside of the building was a pleasure to see all this fine architecture and the layout is stunning and at night is lit up to create a very modern look.  This rounded off a very special day and we were back on board for midnight.

Almere to Huizen - Day 10

Sunday 12th August 2012 - Almere to Huizen - Day 10

Most of the morning was spent trying to arrange tickets for Alfie on the computer for him to travel home.
At 12.00 we went back to the marina club for bacon and eggs while the harbour master gave good information to our next port.

Huizen

Huizen is just across on the mainland and only 3 miles from Almere.  We left at 13.15 and once more there were a lot of boats out on the water.
The breeze had picked up in the afternoon and bringing the boat into the visitors lay by was a little difficult.  At the office, I requested because of the weather conditions for an easy box and this was granted and it is was not a hassle putting 'Selene' into her allotted berth.

Restaurant

A walk from where we were staying is another marina where we came upon this unusual restaurant  which was once a kiln.  We did not dine here but at another called 'De Haven van Huizen'.  Inside it was very old fashioned and welcoming with a decor of wooden panels, furniture, brass and potted plants.  We had a meal of tomato soup, and beef steak, this was very enjoyable.  There was no where else open and we returned to the boat at 22.30 after a short walk along the beach.
I managed to read the first chapter of my book on the Frisian Islands.

Amsterdam to Almere - Day 9

Saturday 11th August 2012 - Amsterdam to Almere - Day 9

It is was an overcast morning while we had tea and coffee in the Sixhaven club house, where I purchased a burgee from this lovely spot and were given advise to stay within the channels while in the inland sea.

Oranje Sluizen

At 11.30 we left Sixhaven and crossed to the cruise ship terminal and proceeded into the small boat channel.  It is two miles before you reach the lay by basin for the lock, there was a lot of boats waiting.  One of the locks is used for the commercial large barge traffic while the other is used by leisure craft.  By 12.30 we tied up against a converted fishing boat 'Jar'.  It did not take long as the water only rose about one foot within the Oranje Sluizen lock.

Shortly after the lock you have to wait for the opening of

 Schelling Wouderbrug 

the lifting bridge and move into the Markermeer.
The channels are very well marked and with the use of the local charts and own chart plotter which has all the relevant details for this part of Holland, it was a simple task following the marks.  It was the weekend and we could see lots of sails to the north as we turned at buoy P8 and took the channel towards Flevoland.  Across our path was a rather large road bridge and close to it a railway bridge.

Hollandse Brug

The clearance underneath the bridge was 12.7 metres while Selene's air draught is 12 metres we went under with a little apprehension.  We had been motoring so far and after the bridge ran with the full genoa.
The afternoon turned out fine and sunny with a fair breeze to push us along and at 16.00 we were tied up in our box at Almere.

Almere

At 20.00 we went to the marina beautiful club house called '10 Beaufort'and dined on onion soup, pork satays and chips which was lovely.
It was a short walk to the town quay with only one lively bar 'Levertij' while the rest were restaurants.
We returned to the boat around midnight and finished off the sloe gin.

Amsterdam - Day 8

Friday 10th August 2012 - Amsterdam - Day 8

Royal Palace Dam Square

We decided to have a rest day and stay in Sixhaven.  We were up by 09.00 and watched as many of the other boats left the marina.  The harbour master directed us to move into a now vacant box next to his own boat.
The price for a night in this very popular place is 12 euros, equivalent to £10 a night.  The price in the UK is always at least double this while the facilities in Holland are so much better.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we went to a little bar just outside the marina which was very welcoming before going onto a mini-market for some shopping.
Before going ashore at night we went to the little bar within the marina where the friendly hosts told us about Sixhaven.  It is run by the workers of the now closed Amsterdam shipyard, they are all volunteers and were all made redundant when the shipyard closed.  Sixhaven is still there club and they open it up for visitors.  Remarkably the price of a bottle of Amstel beer is one euro.  Here we were given better information on the whereabouts of the restaurant we were trying to find the night before.

Alfie and myself went across on the ferry, leaving Jack on board who was quite content reading his books.  We walked on past the Royal Palace at Dam Square and up towards the flower market where we found 'Gauchos' steak house.  Here we had a wonderful meal which consisted of three different steaks.
We caught the tram back to the Central Station, then the free ferry and were back on board by midnight.
Another enjoyable day in this very busy friendly city.

Ijmuiden to Amsterdam - Day 7

Thursday 9th August 2012 - Ijmuiden to Amsterdam - Day 7

We spent the morning washing down, watering and replenishing fuel on the yacht.  We made use of the laundry facilities ashore with all clothing washed and dried, shopped in the nearby supermarket and had lunch in a very nice cafe.

Kleinesluis lock

We left the seaport marina at 13.00 into the main channel and proceeded to the first lock at Kleinesluis.  At 13.45 we moved out into the North Sea canal.  This 13 mile canal is the main shipping thoroughfare to Amsterdam and was opened in 1876 in response to the silting of the Zuiderzee.  Yachts must keep close to the starboard side of the canal and although sailing is permitted, tacking is not.  However, the canal is over 175 metres wide and shipping does not present a problem as the water is 3 metres deep, 10 metres from the bank.  We motored all the way along the canal passing all kinds of vessels working in the numerous havens until arriving in the centre of Amsterdam.

Sixhaven

It is very busy passing the Central Station with many ferries crossing and large barges moving in this narrowest part of the canal.  We moved across to the north side and berthed next to a large motor cruiser at 17.00  The harbour master at Sixhaven was amazing as the photo shows, he packed in as many boats as possible.  The facilities here were good and we were made most welcome.

Old Sailor Pub

At 21.00 we went ashore and using the free ferry went  to the Central Station and walked up to Dam Square looking for a restaurant which had been recommended but we could not find it.  So, went to a small restaurant before making our way down to Canal Street.  Amsterdam is the principle city in the Netherlands and a natural mecca to all visitors to Holland.  They all come to see all the night life and in the middle of it is the lovely Old Sailor pub.  We visited a few other pubs on our way back but kept out of the numerous coffee shops who were turfing out the young ones after indulging in happy baccy and fruit cake.  I have been to Amsterdam many times but this is most people I have seen with most places packed to overflowing.  We arrived back at Sixhaven at 02.00 and it had been a very eventful day.

North Sea Crossing - Days 4;5;6

Monday 6th August 2012 - Scarborough to Ijmuiden - Day 4

A visit to the chandlers to top up our reserve fuel containers was our first priority.  The weather forcast was favourable with south west to westerley winds force 4 to 5 occasionally 6 with thundery showers and visibility good to moderate.

Off Filey Brig

At 11.00 we left Scarborough with full main at 11.15 and popeye (auto-helm) engaged at 11.30.  The sea conditions were as seen in the photograph.  A small pod of porpoises was spotted at 16.00 as we were 1.75 miles off Flamborough Head and the engine was stopped, as the wind began to freshen from the south west and the full genoa was unfurled.
The wind dropped away as the sunset at 20.45 and the engine was started as we approached the Rough Gas field.  Navigational lights on at 21.00 and the engine started.  At 22.30 we were going along under full sail and the engine oncemore stopped.
We were working a watch system with three people on board of 3 hours on 6 hours off during the day, while from midnight to six in the morning, 2 hours on and four hours off.  We travelled 53 miles during the first day.


Tuesday 7th August 2012 - Scarborough to Ijmuiden - Day 5

The wind had increased and the main was dropped at 02.00 and ran with only 3/4 genoa.  It was a clear moon lit night as we passed the gas/oil rigs of the Amethyst, West Sole, Mallory, Galahad and Excalibur fields.  The quick white flashing light on the horizon from the North Outer Dowsing cardinal mark was very reassuring as most of the commercial ships use this channel when going north or south.  For the watch keepers and those below it was an uncomfortable night as sailing on a broad reach the boat was all over the place.

North Sea rigs

Between 09.00 and 15.00 passing through the Anglia, Vulcan and Leman gas/oil fields.  It was a bright sunny day and the engine was put on for two hours in the afternoon as we were running on low battery power and the engine recharges the batteries.  It is amazing how may rigs and structures there are in the North Sea.  Without all of this, how would our country be able to survive.

Small rig

We got a little close to this one, maybe it was the last one as we cleared the gas/oil fields at 16.00.
It was a beautiful evening and while on watch, I sat in the cockpit and practised playing on my banjo, the first time it had been out this trip.
Oncemore our lights went on at 21.00 as we motor sailed during the first part of the night.
We travelled 104 miles during the second day.





Wednesday 8th August 2012 - Scarborough to Ijmuiden - Day 6

It was another uncomfortable night for the crew due to the motion of the boat but there was plenty to keep us occupied on watch.  The engine had been stopped at 01.00 as we passed the Brown Ridge west cardinal mark but was on again to maneouver around a vessel at 04.00.  We were passing across the deep water channel to the south of the traffic seperation scheme off Northern Holland.  There are rules of the road for all ships at sea which should be adhered to but I am a great believer in plastic gives way to steel.

By 07.00 we were motor sailing outside the main channel to the North Sea canal and could see the steel works at Ijmuiden close to our destination.

Seaport Marina

At 12.00 'Selene' was berthed safely at visitors berth M29 within Seaport Marina, Ijmuiden.
It had taken us 49 hours and we had travelled 212 miles.  All of our bedding and oilskins were taken on deck to be aired in the warm bright sunshine.  The shoreside facilities were excellent as we pampered ourselves and made good use of the showers.

Drinks all round

Frank one of our yacht club members on our departure from Blyth had presented us a bottle of champagne, to be drank on our arrival in Holland.  We duly obliged and thoroughly enjoyed it.  We all agreed the only way to cross the North Sea is on a very large ferry or make use of the silver bird.

Ashore in the Pan & Cook restaurant we dined on weiner schnetzels and chips before retiring for nite caps onboard and we all slept as the saying goes, very well.