Category Archive

Bergen op Zoom: Brabant, Netherlands Bergen op Zoom: Brabant, Netherlands

First thing this morning, the water came alive with the sound of the young as they prepared the steel dinghies and took to the water. Our last day in Bergen op Zoom finally presented us with one of sunshine and we made the most of it. At the Ravelijn Op den Zoom, Bob and I […]

Sint Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom: Zeeland, Netherlands Sint Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom: Zeeland, Netherlands

On entering the church (how was this for a doorknob!), Bob and I had the opportunity to climb the 150+ steps of the spiral staircase to partake in the panoramic view. It was well worth the effort, as we found ourselves espying Antwerp far in the distance from the top of the fourteenth century tower. […]

Terneuzen to Bergen op Zoom, Terneuzen to Bergen op Zoom,

In conversations with locals regarding entry to marinas via the locks of the tidal Westerschelde, we were informed it was only possible at set times so two other options were left to us. Returning to Ghent then heading east, or retracing our steps north to Bergen op Zoom then head south to Antwerp. Surprisingly, the […]

Wemeldinge to Terneuzen Wemeldinge to Terneuzen

Today, the 9th June, found Bob and I arising to yet another foggy morning – last year it was rain, this year it’s fog: not that we are complaining. We will take fog over rain any day! Having lost a week, and already being a little behind in the itinerary, the decision was made to […]

Tholen to Wemeldinge: Netherlands Tholen to Wemeldinge: Netherlands

It’s been one of those unplanned weeks where the unexpected took place. With Gratis’ insurance due, Bob looked around and found a company in the Netherlands that is much cheaper than using those in Australia and so forth. The only stipulation was that to have full coverage for the hull, we had need to lift […]

More of Our Netherlands Journey Online

We hope you all had a relaxing Christmas After a much needed break in which the batteries have been recharged, and a delightful Christmas, updating the blog is underway once more. Dokkum to Leeuwarden: Netherlands, Europe   Leeuwarden, Friesland: Netherlands, Europe    

Amsterdam West to East: Netherlands Amsterdam West to East: Netherlands

After a short morning motor , we arrived at our base for the coming weeks.

Uitgeest to Castricum (by train): Netherlands Uitgeest to Castricum (by train): Netherlands

The Huis Van Hilde Museum was so worth the time. This wasn’t a place that dealt with showing the artefacts. The Dutch really do fantastic work in this realm.   One of the things that set this museum apart was the way many real life figures that had been reconstructed from their skeletal remains. It really brought […]

Spijkerboor to Uitgeest: Netherlands Spijkerboor to Uitgeest: Netherlands

First thing this morning, Little G2 was lowered, and to the gorgeous village of De Rijp headed we. De Rijp, we discovered, is a township in which many building are constructed of wood and where the lone canal runs through the centre of town. There were several museums, quite a surprise in a township so […]

2017 Journey, August 2017 Journey, August
Lemmer to Heeg: Friesland, Netherlands Lemmer to Heeg: Friesland, Netherlands

For a change, we were blessed with a warm sunny day as Gratis motored us upon the canals and lakes. First, a walk through Lemmer, which proved to be a pleasant holiday town, then off Bob and I went. A short ten or so kilometres later, Sloten with its old stone arched gateway and working […]

Sneek to Joure: Friesland, Netherlands Sneek to Joure: Friesland, Netherlands

Our trip this morning took us across the Sneekermeer and Goaliingarypster waterways. It was on these large lakes that the sailing races were taking place. For Gratis, it meant a game of ‘Dodgem Boats’ as she wove her way through the field whilst simultaneously keeping clear of the shallows. At one stage, a quick 360 […]

Skutsjesilen Race, Grou then on to Sneek, Netherlands Skutsjesilen Race, Grou then on to Sneek, Netherlands

  Today was the day of days: our opportunity to experience the vibe and excitement of a Skûtsjesilen (pronounced ‘skootshuh’ – oo as in book) race! The Skûtsje is a style of Frisian ship that was once used by the Frisian farmers for ferrying cargo along the narrow, shallow waterways. Ranging from 12 – 20 […]

Leeuwarden: Friesland, Netherlands Leeuwarden: Friesland, Netherlands

Weather prediction. Morning: mostly cloudy with some rain; Afternoon: mostly cloudy with some sun. 11am, all looking good, off set we: destination, the church. What was that? A spot or two? It couldn’t be! Looked up; pretty clear, a drop or two won’t hurt. On to the church – yes, there was one on the […]

Initial Preparations for the 2017 European Journey Initial Preparations for the 2017 European Journey

Well, here it is! With the aid of books by Tom Sommers (http://eurocanals.com/), the initial route planning options for our 2017 tour through northern Germany and the Netherlands is completed. By Car: Mecklenburg Lakes in first Gratis, then Little G2 Canal River Route Take 2 through the Netherlands.   Take 3 Distances.  

2017 Journey 2017 Journey

Preparing this year’s route from Spandau, Germany to Basel, Switzerland. We thought the mapping for last year was a bit tricky. Working out the best route through Holland and Belgium is even more difficult! It turns out, the shortest route is heading upstream via mostly rivers. Hmmmmmmm!!!!!!!! Maybe not the fastest after all. Need to […]

In Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam yesterday in order to pick up our visitors today. Time is being spent visiting marine shops to find the books and charts required for touring the Netherlands.