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 […]
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 […]
It rained for much of the day and we won’t mentioned the bone numbing cold. Despite the unpleasant weather, with the tram stop right outside the marina, Bob and I still had the opportunity of having an outing. Forgetting most museums are closed on Mondays and not checking opening times, the Maritime Museum – one […]
A mid – morning start took us to through a lock and out of the Gouwe Canal into the Hollandse Ijssel River. Within seconds, Gratis felt the gentle current giving a helping hand and her speed increased slightly. The rain had passed thankfully, but a chill wind swept the air and we were both well […]
After almost two full days and a night of rain of rain, the skies commenced clearing around mid – afternoon: enough for Bob and I to walk the kilometre and a half into Gouda. World famous for its cheeses, the centuries old tradition of the cheese market still takes place every Thursday – sadly, we […]
Sadly, the weather forecast proved spot on for a change: a deluge of rain poured down upon us throughout most of the day. It truly has been a wet season! With numerous days of similar ilk predicted, and only three weeks remaining until we arrive in Vlissingen for the winter, a change in the last […]
Yesterday, the intention had been to moor in Katwijk, however a late start had us spending the night in Lisse. This morning, a morning trip should have put us there, however two bridges determined otherwise. All was going well as the landscape was being admired. Then bridge one, in the shape of a small wooden structure, struck!!!!! […]
After months of searching Bob at last found them!!! Two good second hand e bikes with a reasonable price tag at ‘De Groene Tweewieler’, a bike shop that deals specifically with e – bikes in Haarlem (new and second hand). The friendly salesmen couldn’t have been more helpful and we highly recommend them if you […]
A bike ride and train trip took us to Zandvoort this morning. The aim had been to explore the region south of yesterday’s exploration. Known as Kraansvlak, this is where the visitor has an opportunity to sight the endangered creature called the Wisent. A species of bison that colonised Europe, its Asian forefather wandered the […]
There are natural hills in the Netherlands, believe it or not! Not large ones of course, being only hillocks, but enough to make one’s legs a little wobbly if not enough bike riding has been undertaken, and just 8km out from Haarlem in Zuid Kennemerland National Park! Having arrived, whilst wending our way along the bike […]
As we said yesterday, Haarlem is an exquisite township full of history and beautiful architecture. Dating back to the tenth century, a time when the counts of Holland set in place a toll post in order to collect fees from the marine traffic, the name itself originated from the word ‘Haarloheim’, which meant a wooded area situated […]
An early start in the brisk morning air, soon found us on our southward bound journey once more. Rain heavy cloud formations northward bound, left us with feelings of relief to have left those rainy days behind. The lighting was perfect for photos this morning. Turning left into the Noorder Buiten Spaarne River the motor became quite picturesque. A […]
The past one and a half weeks had been marvellous, but as the season of Autumn commenced its advance, it was time………. Water tanks filled and decks washed, to the west of Amsterdam Gratis motored: one more must do job before we could be Haarlem bound that afternoon. With four more weeks of travelling ahead […]
It’s been a delightful couple of weeks that Bob and I have experienced, exploring South Holland’s city of Amsterdam. One last trip to the washerette, and then we are on our way. Washerette in the Netherlands. One makes the most of these when they can them in the Netherlands, as the coin laundry is […]
This was market day! First off, the Dappermarkt. Other than for a few food stalls that served foods not usually found in these markets, it didn’t hold our interest, so on we dinghied. The Noordermarkt, now that was worth the effort! A wide variety of healthy fresh bio foods, numerous cheese stalls – one of […]
The plan today? A visit to the Molen Van Sloten en Kuiperijmuseum. Where the hours went, we shall never know! Morning departure was the earliest, yet. We paused on occasion, as I attempted to procure that perfect shot of the timid blue heron. What are you looking at, says he! A stop here and there […]
Day two of the Bucket List to in The Nemo Science Centre. Adults, let out your inner child. One has need to experience the electrical buzz in the atmosphere, as words can’t describe this place! Fun packed floors of activities (work labs and lectures), covering all areas of science, there is something to find there […]
After a short morning motor , we arrived at our base for the coming weeks.
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 […]
We visited the most beautiful country town of De Rijp this morning. Just a glimpse for you below. Situated in the middle of farming country, for anyone looking for that perfect peaceful place for relaxing, this would have to be one of the best. Small cafes, restaurants, a few B&B, waterways, history, some interesting museums, small boat […]
