Category Archive

2017 2017

Queensland to NSW trip 2017 Maps from Euro Canals and Googlemaps  

Painting Today! Painting Today!

The hard yakka has been completed and today the painting of the pilot house commences.   Quick snap shots taken during the last few days. Clean out and removal of fans etc. Things always look worse before they improve… Bogging completed Ducting that covers the wires installed. Bob’s famous bean salad ready for dressing. Last muesli for the season…. […]

Winter Preparations

The decks have been cleaned and the covers are now on!

Last Trip of the 2017 Season Last Trip of the 2017 Season

Having arrived in Vlissingen, another action packed year in Europe is almost at its end as we commence readying Gratis for her second winter on the European mainland. Don’t despair, however, as we continue uploading the missing links in the European 2017 journey. It’s interesting how initial ideas and plans change as the years pass us by. […]

Sail On a Traditional Dutch Barge, Veere: Walcheren, Zeeland, Netherlands Sail On a Traditional Dutch Barge, Veere: Walcheren, Zeeland, Netherlands

During the summer months, Museum Veere offers the visitor the rare opportunity of experiencing a few hours on board a replica of one the smaller traditional Dutch barges. Once used for the harvesting of mussels, today these vessels play a vital role in the tourism trade. This morning, Bob and I did just that! Having […]

Veere to Middelburg: Zeeland, Netherlands Veere to Middelburg: Zeeland, Netherlands

The province of Zeeland isn’t that large, so the towns are a hop and a skip apart. On departing Veere, it was a short 8km motor that took us to the beautiful old town of Middelburg. The moorings situated on the outer edge of the old township were peaceful and the view of the 16th/17th […]

Veere to Goes by bike: Zeeland, Netherlands Veere to Goes by bike: Zeeland, Netherlands

Taking the road to Arnemuiden Bob and I then trained it to Goes (pronounced ‘goose’). Today’s trip was a journey through crop country in which corn, spinach, onions and potatoes abounded. The roads were a thrum with the sound of tractors, as crops of onion and spuds were in the process of being harvested and […]

Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere, Walcheren: Zeeland, Netherlands Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere, Walcheren: Zeeland, Netherlands

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Having wandered the streets, the afternoon saw Bob and I making the most of the late summer weather as we explored the countryside. And yes: there is more to come once we slow down.    

Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere: Zeeland, Netherlands Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere: Zeeland, Netherlands

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Situated on the shoreline of the Western Scheldt, the township was once a busy sea port for Scottish ships, and its old harbour now houses pleasure boats. The history of Veere commenced in the 1200s as the small […]

Bike Ride, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands Bike Ride, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands

It was day that was peaceful and relaxing as Bob and I partook in a 41km bike ride – just love the electrics. With the barometer sitting at 1027, brought with it a sun filled day of warmth! The colours of Autumn were becoming more prominent with each passing day, bringing with them a more vibrant landscape. […]

Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland to Kamperland, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland to Kamperland, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands

Fishing boats were out on the Oosterschelde where tall sapling trunks marked their channels were placed. With it being close to low tide, the guides were necessary. Having passed beneath the last of the major bridges for the year, we passed through the lock that led us from the Oosterschelde National Park into the Veerse Meer, where […]

Het Schipvaartmuseum, Amsterdam: Netherlands Het Schipvaartmuseum, Amsterdam: Netherlands

How packed and long are our days, and what days are they!! A short trip along the canals brought us to to the bucket list item of the day: the Het Schipvaartmuseum. The royal barge built for the first king of the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815 was exquisite. There was plenty to see in […]

Zierikzee to Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland: Netherlands Zierikzee to Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland: Netherlands

On our departure from Zierikzee, Bob and I were in the process of exiting the channel when a blue yacht drew our eye. Imagine our surprise on realising it was ‘Kind of Blue’, the owners of whom we first met on the far – off island of Cocos Keeling way back in June of 2014. […]

Zierikzee and surrounds by bike: Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands Zierikzee and surrounds by bike: Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands

A quick visit to the Tower to look the now uncovered period costumes. Another beautiful tower. And time for a break.

Oude Tonge to Zierikzee, Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands Oude Tonge to Zierikzee, Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands

Days of drab grey cloud came to an end as fog and soft blue skies welcomed us upon waking. Time to move on, Gratis crossed the flat Zuid Vlije, passed through Krammersluizen (jachtsluizen) – no radio or phone number here, the lock operator opens the gate when he/she sees you. On exiting into the Zijpe, […]

Oude Tonge, Goeree Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands Oude Tonge, Goeree Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands

It Rained!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An inside day as it rained all day. What dd we do? Relaxed.

Nieuw – Beijerland to Oude Tonge, Goeree – Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands Nieuw – Beijerland to Oude Tonge, Goeree – Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands

With practically a click of the fingers, the clouds were blown away and out came the sun. We two Aussies don’t deal too well with days of grey! On went Betsy – Bob renamed her – and off down the Spui went we. Other than for a working barge, the river was ours. Some time […]

Rotterdam to Nieuw – Beijerland: South Holland, Netherlands Rotterdam to Nieuw – Beijerland: South Holland, Netherlands

Having exited the Parksluis, into the Nieuw Maas went Gratis. Heading west, our aim was to reach Hellevoetsluis by mid – afternoon. Upon the Nieuw Maas, it is imperative that the VHF radio be monitored at all times, since the shipping on there is in proportions that defy belief. With the wash created by them, […]

Maritime Museum, Rotterdam: South Holland, Netherlands Maritime Museum, Rotterdam: South Holland, Netherlands

We enjoyed today’s visit to the Maritime Museum. A section focussed on the development of the cruise liner over time and the visitor had the opportunity to partake in a number of the activities once played. Once only affordable for the rich, the first of the ship leisure travellers commenced boarding ships that were still […]

Kinderdijk: South Holland, Netherlands Kinderdijk: South Holland, Netherlands

WOW!!!!!!! This UNESCO World Heritage site is a ‘must see’ for anyone who visits South Holland. Catching water Ferry 202 just west of the Erasmusbrug, off Bob and I went. Depending on the time of day the ferry may drop you off right on the doorstep, otherwise the visitor hops off at Ridderkerk and alights […]