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.