Hi Folks here is a selection of photos for friends and family of our first couple of weeks in the Netherlands. It has been really amazing so far and so different from Kangaroo Island.
Just in case you aren't up with our lastest travels and boat arrangements. After two years of exploring the canals and rivers of Ireland we sold Echidna, our beautiful motor cruiser, back to its original owners Jo and Roseanne. Last July we came over to the Netherlands on a 3 day mission and found a Kelt 8m yacht, Prince of Naarden (now Goanna of Australia). Even though we had a short time frame and a limited budget we have since confirmed we have bought a fine boat. Mind you that hasn't stopped Ants looking for that perfect French centrboarder!
Goanna has proved to be a lovely boat, it sails well and turns on a sixpence!! The Vetus 15hp gets us along at 5 knots burning a miserly 1 litre/ hour. Not big but a lot better than camping.
Get your maps out. We started at Zeewolde, south to Spakenburg then north to Elburg and Kampen. Then a lovely sail up the Ijsselmeer to Lemmer. Now a week into Friesland with Kerry and Jenny up near Dokkum on a gratis mooring (a marrekrite) on a canal. Next we hope to take on the Waddenzee to visit the Friesland Islands.
Just in case you aren't up with our lastest travels and boat arrangements. After two years of exploring the canals and rivers of Ireland we sold Echidna, our beautiful motor cruiser, back to its original owners Jo and Roseanne. Last July we came over to the Netherlands on a 3 day mission and found a Kelt 8m yacht, Prince of Naarden (now Goanna of Australia). Even though we had a short time frame and a limited budget we have since confirmed we have bought a fine boat. Mind you that hasn't stopped Ants looking for that perfect French centrboarder!
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| Goanna was all wrapped up for Winter |
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| A cradle on a trolley heading for the travel lift |
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| On arrival at Zeewolde before renaming her Goanna |
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| Got to include a few of these as they really are everywhere!! |
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| Getting ready to splash |
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| Typical canal side mooring for the renamed Goanna |
Goanna has proved to be a lovely boat, it sails well and turns on a sixpence!! The Vetus 15hp gets us along at 5 knots burning a miserly 1 litre/ hour. Not big but a lot better than camping.
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| Typical backdoor with old clogs and bricks |
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| In a National Park in Friesland |
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| The slipway in Spakenburg, a living museum. |
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| In a "box" in Spakenburg Jachthaven. |
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| Sunset at Sloten, a Vesting town. A medieval moat fortified town. |
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| new (secondhand) folding bikes |
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| Traditonal Dutch sailing barge |
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| Parrel beads on mast instead of sail slides |
Get your maps out. We started at Zeewolde, south to Spakenburg then north to Elburg and Kampen. Then a lovely sail up the Ijsselmeer to Lemmer. Now a week into Friesland with Kerry and Jenny up near Dokkum on a gratis mooring (a marrekrite) on a canal. Next we hope to take on the Waddenzee to visit the Friesland Islands.
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| Our first lock |
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| On the Ketelmeer |
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| This is not a statue, they are choosing to stand on the rocks |
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| Typical Friesland farmhouse |
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| Our new friend Grace in her family's farmhouse museum |
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| Amazing roof structure of Grace's family's farmhouse. |
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| Near windturbines on the Ijsselmeer |
Not a bad set of pics of some wonderful times...bit like wishing we were there as well. Boat looks in good shape as do you both. No need to say keep well and happy,
ReplyDeleteCheers..liz and Scott
Hi Ants and Jane
ReplyDeleteFabulous coverage of a really interesting part of the world which we know very little about. Great to experience. Goanna looks lovely and sounds a good boat. We are back near Cairns on Glidepath getting her ready to do some local sailing around Cooktown, Lizard Island and outer reefs if weather allows. Replaced the dingy we lost in the Louisiades last year so we could enjoy near reefs and islands. All good with us. Keep on adventuring. Cheers Barb and Terry
Nice to hear from you guys always having good times.
ReplyDeleteThe saying goes 'If you don't do it today you might never do it!'
Have fun and keep well,
Tom and Pam
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ReplyDeleteI keep sending you comments and they disappear
ReplyDeleteI am trying again you are having a wonderful journey and I am enjoying your pics. Some pics ring a bell as familiar places I have visited on 1983. Ants please contact me KIYC phone patto1940@bigpond.com
ReplyDeleteHi Jane & Ants,
ReplyDeleteA great selection of pictures there. Glad you've got Goanna sorted but dont think she would make it from Shannonbridge to Ballinasloe looking at the draft she has got. We are glad you are both enjoying the waterways of Netherlands. We have taken out the atlas & are following your latest adventures. Joe wanted to see the inside to check if there was room for him but he figures the bed must not be dressed & things must not be shipshape! Anyway take care of each other, 'Tight lines & Fair sailing'.
Rosanne & Joe xx
Hi Jane and Ants - you guys are having way too much fun! What a holiday. Love the pix - but what's with the massive roof on that farmhouse? Not just for snow surely? Cheers Pat
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ReplyDeleteTop class guys glad to see your enjoying it all.safe travels.look forward to seeing more pics!all the best Derrick Cathryn and family.
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