Amsterdam

Mooring in the convenient Sixhaven marina in the centre of Amsterdam enabled us to relax and take stock of the canal closure situation.

We had noticed water pouring from the swing bridges as they opened. This confused us until we concluded that it was probably a system of cooling to prevent the bridges expanding in the heat, and jamming.

We investigated every angle with various sources of information, and it transpired that, for a yacht with a mast, there is absolutely no way south from Amsterdam on the canal system. It seems that the infrastructure has all been neglected (familiar?) and the repair costs stretch into the billions of Euros. Successive governments have been unwilling to sanction the expenditure. The current Dutch political impasse has clearly not helped.

We even had a mini conference with two other British yachts who were booked to leave their yachts in a Haarlem marina while they returned home. They struggled to come to terms with the news and phoned the destination marina. When they told the marina that they had masts, they were informed that transit was not possible. So, they also now have a dilemma.

So, there is little option but to stay in Amsterdam for the crew change. Trains run regularly from the Central Station, a short, free ferry ride away, to Schiphol Airport.  David will leave early and Richard’s wife Amanda and my wife, Paula will join us – we may even meet them at the airport and ‘bank’ some credit… Thereafter, it is somewhat ‘up in the air’… Discussion and negotiation with deference to the weather, winds and tides, will determine the plan.

Richard writes:

We met a most delightful and informative Dutchman, James, who spent some time on board this morning, talking about the various places we could visit, bearing in mind our final destination, Nieuwpoort.

Again, bridges and locks may delay us but, with patience, we should find some wonderful parts of South Holland to explore. Of course, the weather and tides are a factor so we will have to monitor things closely. But a big ‘Thank You’ James, your time and advice is much appreciated. Dankjewel.

An extremely funny moment occurred when he explained to us that he is 86 years old. We were amazed, as he is a good deal fitter and younger looking than we are. Then we discovered that 68 in Dutch sounds like 86! Quite a relief!

The ferries from this side of the Canal into Amsterdam run every few minutes, 24 hours a day and are free. Watching the exodus when they land is fascinating with hundreds of bicycles, scooters, electric bikes, bikes with baskets and pedestrians.

Reaching the city, just by the central railway station, we roamed aimlessly in search of a bar that Nick knows really well, but we never found it! After, what seemed hours of trapsing around in the blistering heat, we eventually stopped at a small canal side bar and managed to order some beer. The very sullen waitress eventually brought them across to us, only to tip a full glass of beer all over Nick.  David and I were, of course, very concerned and helped as best we could with many encouraging words.

 

David writes:

Visiting Amsterdam has been a good point to pause my involvement in this summer adventure, I leave as the ‘wives’ join but will return in about 10 days once the Southern part of Holland has been explored by those left on board. Yesterday was another example of contrasts, with the weather changed from the blistering heat of Tuesday. In the late afternoon we had a sudden onset of a thunder and lightning storm with torrential rain.

It was of short duration but there was plenty of rain came down, however fear not, the Bimini and spray hood provided good protection from the deluge, and we were still able to enjoy dinner outside. We have had a very good 10 days or so, and except for a minor medical matter, a very pleasurable experience, as always back on Hejira, she is very well appointed (even with the skipper and his foibles!), and I look forward to the next leg of the adventure when I return.