Lady Martina - 2019

Workum to Makkum

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Monday 8th July Ref: 2019/17

Today we cruised from Workum to Makkum.

The nearest bridges, of Noarderbrege and Sudergoabreg could be negotiated satisfactorily but once we turned into the Workumer Trekfeart, in a convoy of four boats, it was after midday before we arrived at the Nijhuizumerbrug. By this time, the bridge was showing two red lights and had closed or ‘paused’ for lunch for an hour from noon until 1pm. After this delay, we continued through the Workumer Trekfeart and then we turned into the Van Panhuykanaal at Tjerweed. Finally, we passed the Allingawiesterbrug and Hemmens Brege bridges, before approaching the Vallaatsbrug bridge and Schutsluis in Makkum.This latter sluis, or lock, was just wide enough to take both Ikon and Lady Martina alongside but not long enough to accommodate any others.

{gallery}2019/Workhum-Makkum{/gallery}

We had a good night at Kuperus Yacht Haven at Workum, but the wind got up with the rain falling heavily during the night and there were still occasional showers this morning, when I first woke up and started work. Chris Cole had problems aboard Ikon, where their main access stairs into the saloon had come loose again and so they wanted to cycle off into Workum to get some bolts and spare parts to fix it permanently. This meant that it was 11:45am local time before we started our engines and set off.

The nearest bridges, of Noarderbrege and Sudergoabreg could be negotiated satisfactorily but once we turned into the Workumer Trekfeart, in a convoy of four boats, it was after midday before we arrived at the Nijhuizumerbrug. By this time, the bridge was showing two red lights and had closed or ‘paused’ for lunch for an hour from noon until 1pm. We moored up and Ikon moored behind us and then two other boats came alongside as we waited for nearly an hour. I used the time to research the details in ANWB Book 2 and to brief my neighbouring boat on its use for revealing the bridge opening and closing times. In this case, our bridge number 281 came under the Friesland region and was listed as being subject to ‘pauses’ during the day. Because there was nothing special about bridge 281, the pauses with a standard time of 12 noon to 1.00pm and so we should have been aware and could have avoided this delay if we were more organised.

The convoy then continued through the Workumer Trekfeart and then we turned into the Van Panhuykanaal at Tjerweed which was a sharp turn which I misjudged and grounded my starboard prop before quickly putting the drive into neutral and using the bow thruster instead. As we cruised along the Van Panhuykanaal, we saw two Roe deer grazing a mile away on the port side. Then we passed the Allingawiesterbrug and Hemmens Brege bridges, before approaching the Vallaatsbrug bridge and Schutsluis in Makkum.

This latter sluis, or lock, was just wide enough to take both Ikon and Lady Martina alongside but not long enough to accommodate any others. Even so, this space narrowed at the exit and so, when the exit gates were opened, we had to perform some tight choreography. I first took Lady Martina astern, and Ikon then went forward and out and then I slewed Lady Martina sideways and forward using left throttle and left bow-thrust ; the accomplishment of which drew applause from the watching crowd; firstly when we left the sluis and secondly when I performed a theatrical bow in acknowledgement.

We then cruised along the Makkumer Dijp until turning into the Fiskers Haven, where we moored in boxes at Gebr.Van Enkhuizen after some difficulty in finding the place and then coping with the wind. We chose to moor Lady Martina bow into the wind, and we were sheltered. After some time adjusting our ladder and binding we had access to the shore via our port bow.

Makkum to Hindeloopen

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Wednesday 10th July Ref: 2019/18

As an Ijsselmeer passage was in prospect with slight rain falling with a moderate breeze, I took time to check the engine oil and water levels of Lady Martina’s s so as to take no chances. I therefore brought the bicycles in strap them securely down, we got all the fenders onto the decks and then closed all windows.

When underway, and moving away from Gebr. Van Enkhuisen, and into the Makkummer Djip we could see the open Ijsselmeer ahead of us with white horses forming on the top of the waves. but these were only in the very shallow margins of the mere but there was still a stiff 8 to 10 knot southerly breeze against the 1 to 2 knot out going river flow which was uncomfortable when we were cruising north-west out of the Makkummer channel with that wind on our port beam.

Once we had turned south, it was a slight sea. Within an hour, we had skirted the Workum Channel buoys and were arriving on exactly the right bearing into the Hindeloopen channel. We moored up in the old Hylper Haven area with the aid of the harbourmaster.

{gallery}2019/Makkum-Hind{/gallery}

I had been doing some essential and overdue writing this morning, since about 7am, and then, having called Kathleen at 9am and sat together until nearly 10am, I was not really ready to prepare Lady Martina for another sea trip. I was also hungry and so Kathleen to make us both some porridge for breakfast, which we were enjoying when the others were ready to go. Once that was finished, I felt it necessary to check the oil and water levels of Lady Martina’s engines so as to take no chances. The slight rain was falling with a moderate breeze and, as I had said in my morning radio message to Chris on Ikon, you cannot take the IJsselmeer for granted and we would not have been able to cater whilst underway.

I therefore brought the bicycles in strap them securely down, we got all the fenders onto the decks and then closed all windows. When underway, and moving away from Gebr. Van Enkhuisen, and into the Makkummer Djip we could see the open Ijsselmeer ahead of us with white horses forming on the top of the waves. Once we got there, it became apparent that these white horses were only in the very shallow margins of the mere but there was still a nasty 8 to 10 knot southerly wind against the 1 to 2 not out going river flow which was uncomfortable when we were cruising north-west out of the Makkummer channel with that wind on our port beam.

Once we had turned south, it was a slight sea, though I could see Ikon behind me riding up and down into the waves. Within an hour, we had skirted the Workum Channel buoys and were arriving on exactly the right bearing into the Hindeloopen channel. We cruised into the old Hylper Haven area, where I waited a while until we were in contact with the harbourmaster who directed to some birds alongside the lifeboats, where Ikon and ourselves could moor together.

We were bow to shore with a relatively short landing stage and so it took me some time to get Lady Martina moored safely and securely by which time everyone else, including Kathleen, were anxious to start drinking tea and eating lunch but I wisely took my time and eventually had everything shipshape such that we could leave Lady Martina and go on to Ikon.

Hindeloopen to Enkhuizen

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Thursday 11th July Ref: 2019/19

Today, we set off on a slow cruise south-east down the Ijsselmeer from Hinderloopen to Enjhuizen. We re-passed the Hinderloopen entrance and then that of Stavoren harbour; running the gauntlet of its fishermen’s marker buoys before skirting the Vrouwezand sandbanks and approaching Enkhuizen along the leading line and buoyed channel. A radio call on VHF 12 resulted in the lady manually rising the Drommedaris bridge so that we could moor in our favourite Oude Haven.

{gallery}2019/Hind-Enkhuizen{/gallery}

Kathleen and I first made a shore visit to buy the donkey cuddly ‘Eeyore’ from ‘Knuffels Handmade’ in a display that is normally put out in a basket by the road. We also bought some groceries, which included four fine croissants, which we ate once back on board.

As predicted in the detailed weather forecasts, the rain eased later in the morning as we prepared to set off at 10:45am and then had all but stopped during our three hour cruise to Enkhuizen. During this cruise we first set off North-North-West out of the Hindeloopen buoyed channel and then turned South with the slight breeze behind us, skirting the channel buoys of Stavoren and dodging the many fishing marks that had been set within reach of this port.

We then dodged the Vrouwezand sandbank before setting a course for the Enkhuizen approach channel, navigating inside the Krabbersgat barrier and then turning right into the Buitenhaven. After raising the lady bridge-keeper on VHF 12, we then turned right again to pass under the Drommedaris lifting bridge to enter and moor up in the Oude Haven.

We moored lady Martina towards the north-west corner of the Oude Haven alongside a grassy bank where there was plenty of power and water and Icon moored more centrally on the northern bank, finding their own space. Upon arrival, they invited us to join them for beer and, because Maggie fancied some kibbling, she guided us towards the fish handel she had been recommended to, Thomas Kilda and son opposite the moorings, where we all enjoyed lunch. This Fish-handel sells fresh fish neuwe herring and eels in season as well as fresh and fried mussels. Kibbling is also served either with chips or salad which was a combination that suited all of our tastes and I will now be recommending it as an alternative eating place for the venue.

The showers continued for most of the afternoon until the sun came out for much more pleasant evening, but it was still very warm and humid giving credence to the forecast of thunderstorms that are expected tomorrow. Kathleen and I took a walk to the VVV tourist office to get a map and sticker, but we deferred a visit to the extensive Zuiderzee museum until the following day and relaxed on the boat instead.

Enkhuizen to Hoorn

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Saturday 13th July Ref: 2019/20

After two days in Enkhuizen, we set off at 8.30am, as soon as the Drommerdoris Bridge opened and could be radioed on VHF channel 12 and then we approached the Naviduct Krabbersgat and moored up until they locked us through with a few other vessels. Having left the Ijsselmeer and joined the Markermeer, we cruised closely and steadily around the Appelhoek and De Kleiput headlands until we approached Hoorn. We entered the Binnenhaven to find a used boat show along the main quay and a special festival on the grassy north bank, but we first moored up for free water before rafting up with Ikon.

{gallery}2019/Enkuz-Hoorn{/gallery}

Chris from Ikon had suggested that we call in on Hoorn early today, in order that we might enjoy the Saturday summer market there and we had intended to leave as early as 8am, but I had read ANWB Book 2 that the opening time was 8:30 AM, and that’s what it proved to be. This allowed me a little time to walk to the baker’s to buy four fresh croissants but I did not have time to get my 'marina card' topped up in order for us to take on more water.

As the opening time approached, I made a radio call on channel 12 to request the bridge opening and received a cheery acknowledgement that they would do so in 5 to 10 minutes, but it was more like 15 before the lights went red and green and the barriers started to move. After cruising slowly through the outer harbour, we set off across the channel towards the Naviduct Krabbersgat in company with several other vessels and then moored up in this vast lock before the sluis-keeper close the gates.

There was hardly noticeable change of level, before the other gates were opened but the keeper either forgot or could not turn the lights green and all the boats waited in vain to leave. It was only when he closed the gate and then open it again, following at least one radio message from me, that the lights went green we were able to continue. I led the flotilla out of the sluis into the Markermeer, cruising slowly at about 6 kn but fast enough to leave all the sailing vessels behind us as I rounded both the Appelhoek and De Kleiput headlands quite closely and turned towards Hoorn.

Once we arrived in Hoorn, we cruised through to the Binnenhaven and across to the water berth where, to my surprise, I found a vessel permanently moored there with a 'no morning' sign across it’s beam! After my message on the loudhailer, the harbourmaster came across and invited us to moor against this vessel and take in the water that we required and it transpired that this was just one boat in a whole range of other boats that were moored along that bank in some kind of used boat sales event.

The only moorings for visiting boats were on the other, Northern grassy, bank, where other boats were leaving which gave us the gap for Ikon and Lady Martina to moor alongside each other. The rain was still falling, as thunderstorms had been forecast but fortunately avoided, and time was moving on and so both Kathleen and Maggie had gone off to the market to do some shopping whilst the rest of us sorted out the boats and moored them securely.

On our bank, there was another festival of sorts with various events and catering and music. Whilst the girls were away, I had coffee on board Ikon with the guys and we had a good chat, before they too left for the market. I then took a short walk along the food booths, choosing a smoked eel sandwich for my own lunch. Later on, the music was turned up, there were many events including some ‘dragon boat’ racing but I just enjoyed entertaining the others on board Lady Martina and writing my journal.

Kathleen and I had made another foray into town to choose and buy a replacement electric kettle for the one that had failed a few days ago and, after I had replaced its power cable for an English three pin version, it worked very well and the boat’s electrical system coped well with its high wattage to give us a fast boiling experience.

Hoorn to Amsterdam

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Sundday 14th July Ref: 2019/21

Cruising from Hoorn, the Hoornse Hop bay, south across the Markermeer through to Amsterdam, experiencing some windy weather but safely mooring up at Sixhaven in the 15m vessel boxes. Then taking a walk around Amsterdam and buying a few items and some pizza dinner before returning to the boat, catching up with the Ikon crew, and then struggling with various equipment problems to cope with

{gallery}2019/Hoorn-Amsterdam{/gallery}

I had agreed with Chris on Ikon that we would leave at 10am this morning for Amsterdam. We had previously discussed the idea of going elsewhere, but I explained that the weather window for returning to England soon be upon us and we need to be situated in Amsterdam ready to take advantage of it.

I called Kathleen at 9am and then, after 10 minutes drinking our morning tea, we hurried to get Lady Martina ready for the trip. Some wind was forecast and so I took the precaution of getting her help me to roll up the porch canopy before we left. All was well at first and the weather was calm to begin with but, whether it was because we had left the shelter of the South coast of Hoorn, or whether the wind picked up as soon as we cleared the Hoornse Hop bay, it rose from a few knots to over 20 directly from the North.

Fortunately, the wind being right behind us, it was not a problem but there were ‘white horses’ and streaming foam in the middle of the Markermeer until it then calmed down again as we approached Amsterdam. I had a further problem today, which was Lady Martina failing to get up to 8 knot speed through the water with the engine speed of 1300 rpm and, after conferring with Chris on Ikon, I took his advice and reversed the engines as his diagnosis of me carrying a raft of weed with me was proved correct. He also had one of his propellers juddering and repeated the procedure to solve it for Ikon. He told me that last year the weed was so bad around Hoorn that the port was closed to both departures and arrival for some time until it was cleared.

Upon arriving in Amsterdam, we locked through the Oranjesluis and then made towards Sixhaven. It was on this trip, that I received a radio call from the crew of 'Great Escape', another British Broom motorboat which had just just arrived from England and were going to spend some 10 weeks in the Netherlands or ‘until the money ran out’.

We cruised on and into a very busy Sixhaven, where we eventually found separate spaces and could start our Amsterdam visit. The crew of Ikon wanted to rush off to the top of a very tall building where a ‘swing experience’, was installed for a thrill, but it did not interest us so Kathleen and I walked around the City.

We took refreshment in the form of a beer at the café by the tourist office opposite the main station and then, after our walk around the city, we treated ourselves to a pizza which we sat and ate it alongside the tour boat station. Tired, we returned to Sixhaven and Lady Martina, where we had a brief chat to the others on Ikon (who were watching their splendid satellite TV) and then came back to the boat for the night.

Amsterdam to Beverwijk

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Monday 15th July Ref: 2019/22

We left Sixhaven around noon, after doing some chores and preparations this morning and then cruised steadily along a Noordzeekanaal busy with ferries, barges, leisure craft and the odd ocean-going liner! Ikon had got out of the marina first and then led the way into Zijkanaal G, where they moored up at The Voorzaan bunker boat and I came alongside. We both topped up with diesel, Lady Martina having used 388 litres, at a cost of €1.15c per litre and then they stayed in Zaandam and I cruised along to Zijkanaal A and moored at Beverwijk. We both ate at the fish kiosk and then Kathleen went food shopping as I wrote up this log, prepared Lady Martina for her sea passage tomorrow and kept a close eye on the weather.

{gallery}2019/amst-beverwijk{/gallery}

After a slow start to the day, Kathleen and I layed in until after 9:30am, indeed until Chris of Ikon came by to discuss our future plans. He revealed to Kathleen that he had booked both boats into Zandaam for this evening but she queried this as we wanted to move to Beverdijk ready for our sea trip tomorrow from Ijmuiden to Lowestoft.

We therefore discussed our options and understood that, following our joint cruise today to Zijkanaal G and the fuel berth, Lady Martina would cruise on to Beverdijk and Icon would stay in Zanndam. In all probability, they will not make the North Sea passage until Wednesday the 16th with us going a day earlier.

I was closely monitoring the weather today and it would be much the same tomorrow and Wednesday. After making that passage to Lowestoft, it was our intention to cruise on through Great Yarmouth and home the following day. I always believe it’s best to take the first possible window of good weather as forecasts can always change.

This morning I checked Lady Martina’s engines, the oil and water levels, and then disassembled the inlet filters and made sure there was no level of weed which would interfere with our passage. During the day, I made everything ready, gathering together the necessary charts, setting up the boat computer and bridge ready for tomorrow.

It was just after midday when we made a start to our cruise along the North Sea Canal and a very warm and busy waterway it was too with ferries, barges, leisure craft and the occasional ocean-going cruise liner! By arrangement, Ikon arrived first at the Voorzaan fuel terminal and moored up port-side-to so that we could more alongside in the same sense with both of our fuel filling inlets within reach. Chris negotiated a €1.15 price per litre, as before, and Lady Martina took 388 L at the cost of €446.20; which was just about the amount I had calculated based upon our theoretical consumption.

After we parted company, it took us an hour or so to cruise on to Beverwijk, where we found enough space to moor for the evening as the weather calmed down ready for tomorrow. For the first time, I noticed that Beverwijk has now joined the 50-strong network of locations for water and electricity supply, both activated by a an Internet connection using the app aaUIt.net on address www.aanuit.net which is another improvement for these moorings, which has also enjoyed some planting of espalier screening trees.

Kathleen and I had a lunch at the fish kiosk; a paling broodje (small smoked eel sandwich) for me and some scampi for Kathleen. Later on, we had a mackerel salad for an early dinner and some apple crumble and ice cream after. By dusk, we had removed the ‘porch’ canopy and irons and safely stored them. We had also disassembled the folding chairs and stored them too. Next came the bicycles to be folded and stored away in their bags so we were all clear for tomorrow’s very early start.

Netherlands Cruises 2019

2017-05-30T10:06:35+00:00

Section I - North Holland – 22nd June to 28th June (7 days)

Upon arrival across the North Sea from England, and continuing through IJmuiden and mooring up in the Amsterdam area, we then chose to spend some time exploring the venues in North Holland, where visits are less common than in past cruises. For an overview of the season as a whole, see Lady Martina Schedule of Voyages 2019

Part 1. Saturday 22nd June - Beverwijk to Zaansdjk see Beverwijk to Zaansdijk 2019

Part 2 Monday 24th June - Zaandjk to Alkmaar see Zaandijk to Alkmaar 2019

Part 3 Tuesday 25th June - Alkmaar to Purmerend see Alkmaar to Purmerend 2019

Part 4 Wednesday 26th June - Purmerend to Marken see Purmerend to Marken 2019

Section Ib - Flevoland – 28th June to 1st July (4 days)

After spending time in North Holland, we decided to work our way to Giethoorn, The 'Green Venice' via the Markermeer and inland Flevoland routes, providing the crew of Ikon with some new experiences such as the wide expanses of the Zwarte Meer.

Part 5 Friday 28th June - Marken to Schokkerstrand see Marken to Schokkerstrand 2019

Part 6 Saturday 29th June - Schokkerstrand to Guithoorn see Schokkerstrand to Guithoorn 2019

Section Ic - Friesland – 2nd to 10th July (9 days)

After the frenetic Guithoorn, with its Sunday visitors, and avoiding Sneek, which our guests had visited before, I selected a few lesser-known venues which we enjoyed for 1-2 days each, between times cruising through the meadows and open fields of Friesland amongst grazing cattle and farm-houses with nests of Storks on top

Part 7 Tuesay 2nd July - Guithoorn to Heerenveen see Guithoorn-Heerenveen to 2019

Part 8 Wednesday 3rd July - Heerenveen to Terherne see Heerenveen-Terherne 2019

Part 9 Friday 5th July - Terherne to IJlst see Terherne via Sneek to Ijlst 2019

Part 10 Sunday 7th July - IJlst to Workum see Ijlst to Workham 2019

Part 11 Monday 8th July Workum to Makkum see Workum to Makkum 2019

Part 12 Wednesday 10th Makkum to Hinderloopen see Makkum to Hindeloopen 2019

Section Id - North Holland and Amsterdam – 11th to 14th July (4 days) (variable)

The plan for the final section of our Dutch cruise is to position ourselves back in Amsterdam awaiting good weather for our North Sea crossing home to Norfolk. This may well be contracted or extended depending upon the weather forecasts as access would be easy via IJmuiden yet much of the Markermeer and its attractive towns could be visited if time dictated. It is also better to cruise the IJsselmeer and Markermeer during calm conditions and windier weather would dictate an inland passage and result in an early rush or a late delay

Part 14 Thursday 11th July - Hinderloopen to Enkhuisen see Hindeloopen to Enkhuizen 2019

Part 15 Saturday 13th July - Enkhuisen to Hoorn - see Enkhuizen to Hoorn 2019

Part 16 Sunday 14th July - Hoorn to Amsterdam see Hoorn to Amsterdam 2019

Part 17 Monday 15th July - Amsterdam to Beverwijk see Amsterdam to Beverwijk 2019

Zaandijk to Alkmaar

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Monday 24th June Ref: 2019/8

This was an even hotter day with concerns in nearby France the public health as temperatures hit 40°C and we were grateful for our installed sun canopy as we cruised from Zaandijk along the Zaan waterway to Alkmaar, overcoming a bow thruster failure and mooring in the quaint Turfmarkt haven where we enjoyed shore power and used our air conditioning to make the conditions just about tolerable. I stayed out of the heat and inside the boat for much of the time but joined the others for a nice visit to a local restaurant for dinner after which we took a cycle ride around the city

{gallery}2019/Zaandijk-Alkmaar{/gallery}

We had agreed to leave at 9am this morning, which just gave me time to cycle in to Zaandijk again, taking both Kathleen’s and my own bank card to withdraw €200 for each of us before returning to prepare Lady Martina for today’s cruise. It was our plan to cruise north along the Zaan waterway to Alkmaar and we set off from our Zaandijk moorings when my bow thruster worked well enough then, but it failed soon afterwards leaving me to steer using just the helm and both engines.

We cruised under the Julianabrug, which raised for us immediately after I had contacted them on VHF channel 18, and then through two more bridges by use of the same channel, the Zaanbrug bridge at Wormenter and then the Beatrixbrug, where there were many marinas on the port side for potential mooring, before we entered the wide open Alkemeeder Mere where Kathleen took the helm as I started raising floorboards to find out what happened with the bow thruster. It seemed to be an electrical fault but there was not much we could do until I found somewhere to moor on the meer.

After first looking at the free public moorings at the north of the meer, and eliminating them as they were difficult mooring ‘boxes’, where I would need to manoeuvre, I then took us to the meldesteiger, or arrival pontoon, of the boatyard on the north bank, where I rasied the floorboards again and used my test meter to establish that the fuse for the bow thruster had blown meaning a relatively simple repair could be made provided I could find a suitable spare! Kathleen then helped me search through my boxes of spares and, with some relief and a sense of triumph, we found the relevant fuse and I was able to fit it and restore the use of the bow thruster so that we could continue our cruise.

This took us further along the rather dull Noordhollandisch Kanaal and under the Leeghwaterbrug, which also opened for us so that we could then enter Alkmaar and moor up at their Meldesteiger where a friendly young fitness instructor, working in the summer for the town, came to collect our money and direct us through a small opening bridge into the Turfmarkt Haven, where I could connect up our electricity and comments our stay.

Unfortunately, with the heat from the hot engines percolating through the floor and the sun trap that this enclosed haven represented, it was unbearably hot and it was all the air conditioning could do to keep the inside temperature in the low 80s° Fahrenheit. Unlike our friends, we stayed inside for a long time struggling to resume our composure as I tried to do some work but could not really achieve very much. Eventually they took a bike ride around the town of Alkmaar and then changed for dinner in a local restaurant and I joined in with Kathleen and we had a nice meal and followed that with a collective bike ride around the town.

On this ride we took in the sight of the regular Friday cheese market venue in the town square, where countless people were out drinking and enjoying themselves, and also took a ride down the main shopping street and saw the Grote Kirk and town hall buildings which were very fine. There were also many quaint back streets where local people maintain their houses beautifully, encouraging flowers and plants outside in beautiful display.

Alkmaar to Purmerend

2014-09-17T14:02:55+00:00

Tuesday 25th June Ref: 2019/9

The say started cool with Lady Martina in the shade but continued very warm and sunny again with no sign of the forecast thunder storms by the time we set off in early afternoon. We cruised back from Almaar via the Alkemaader Meer but had to bypass the non-working Kogerpolderbrug bridge and cruise via the Markervaart and Krollendammer Vaart to get to our target destination of Purmerend.

{gallery}2019/Alkmaar-Purmerend{/gallery}

In a conversation earlier today, Chris and I had agreed that we should allow the ladies time looking around Alkmaar this morning and then move on this afternoon, as our current location would be too hot and noisy for what would amount to another hot and humid day.

Kathleen wanted to visit the large church/cathedral I would have liked me to have gone with her, but I’d work to do and wanted to stay on the boat to continue to update my websites and navigational work. The day started cooler than yesterday, and with Lady Martina in the shade of the adjacent Turfmarkt buildings, I made good progress firstly updating my Lady Martina website and then my own journal website as well and had cleared up my computer away by the time they had returned.

We set off at 2pm local time, when the bridge lifted from our mooring basin and we could continue our voyage. The cruise started well but then we found notices saying that the Kogerpolderbrug bridge was not lifting and this involved is taking a large detour via the Markervaart and Krollendammer Vaart to get to our target destination of Purmerend. All of the time the sun was beating down on the day was getting hotter and we had to be grateful that we were underway with a breeze on our faces even though we were still far too hot.

Upon arriving at Purmerend, had a lot of trouble with the automatic ticketing and water dispensing technology that had been adapted at the club moorings we had to wait a while until I could get the harbourmaster to appear in person to help us. In the end, he seemed to give me my 300 litres of water free and then charged me just €2 for continual and unlimited electricity which was a great boon to me such that I could run my air-condioning in the very warm and humid weather.

In the cool of the evening later, I could take my bicycle and tour around Purmerend and visit its grand church, town hall and market square which had its market today which we were unfortunately too late for.