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.