Cruising In Holland: 09/18/11

We woke up this morning bright and early and David made us fried eggs, bread and butter, coffee and juice.

David cooking breakfast

Enjoying my coffee!

After we ate, we started up the boat and pulled ourselves over to the entrance to the lock. Right behind us was a couple originally from New Zealand but currently living in England. They had rented a slightly smaller boat from Locaboat and were on their way back to the base. We shared information about the “road” ahead as we were traveling in opposite directions, and compared notes on these rental boats. He used to be a fisherman and had a brother living in Ft. Lauderdale. Jokingly referring to his wife, he said he was “Eleven years into a life sentence, and if (he’d) killed someone, (he’d) be out by now!” Behind them was another Locaboat rental - a 48 footer with a bunch of Czech men but we didn’t speak to them.

This morning we had to travel back part of the way we’d come to connect with the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal, which is a wide river where large ships and barges travel. This river would lead us to the other side of Utrecht. Our boat was too high to get under the many bridges in Utrecht to go straight through the city. Traveling in the large river was a bit scary as there were many barges passing us in both the same and opposite directions. We were both happy after an hour when we turned off onto the smaller canals we’d been on before.

Traffic and rough waters on the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal

It's chilly out!

The weather today has been on and off rain and clouds and beautiful sun. Our New Zealand friend had told us about a restaurant half way to tonight’s stopping point that had free internet! YAY!! However, as we approached the restaurant, there was a rowing race going on and we couldn’t get into the marina. In fact, there was a whole party event going on there. Instead, we pulled up just after the marina and I jumped off onto someone’s farm and we tied up to a tree. The jumping off was tough – we both landed on hands and knees but no one went into the water at least. The food was good and the free internet was even better!

Rowing race

Marina and restaurant

Fun activities for the kids

Leaving there we continued on the Hollandse Ijssel. We passed a corn field and then a pear orchard. David kept asking if I wanted to jump off and pick some corn or fruit. Afraid of getting shot, I declined. Next thing I knew, he stopped alongside an apple orchard. I held onto the boat while David picked some apples and a pear – Sorry Mr. Farmer!

Stolen fruit!

We ended up in Oudewater, which is known for having a scale to weigh women to see if they’re witches. If the woman was too heavy to ride a broomstick, she wasn’t a witch. I think I’m safe….

Outside the witch's scale museum

Oudewater is a very small town and after 5 PM on a Sunday when we arrived, there is NOTHING open except a few restaurants. We saw many people hurrying to church. We had a fantastic dinner in a quaint restaurant including a hot fudge sundae for dessert! YUM! Back on the boat, parked in front of the church, we can hear them still singing inside at 8:30 pm.