This week we've moved from Alkmaar, first to Purmerend, then on to Amsterdam. Purmerend was just a convenient stop on the circuit through lower North Holland, but was quite a nice stop. Nothing much to do but rest and relax, oddly the thing we seem to have the most difficulty learning to do each year. It was our first free mooring, a 3x24 meaning we could stay for 3 days. No electricity or water provided, so we managed to last into the second day before we ran out of ice cubes, and we needed them to deal with the hot weather. Our mooring was just under the lock where we turned to head south again toward Amsterdam.
It was actually quite enjoyable. If we'd wanted to stay longer or if electricity or water had become an issue, we could have pulled into the municipal moorings a bit further into town, but this was just fine. The weekly market was not in the center of town for a change, but rather spread through all the outlying streets and began just down the street from out mooring - extraordinarily convenient. There was a gaggle of geese that seemed to think they owned that section of the canal. Most mornings they'd head down one side of the canal and up the other honking loudly for handouts,
though there was one goose who seemed disinterested in the bread scraps and far more interested in us, so much so that I finally had to close the wheelhouse door to keep him from coming in.
We had a chance to try out our full regalia of shade devices.
It's been very very warm here the last few weeks.
On Wednesday, we moved on to Amsterdam. Our marina is just across the IJ from the train station. We have an 8-10 minute walk to the free ferry across the river, and then we're right in the center of town. One of the things that has proved surprising this year is that Bill, who usually enjoys the countryside far more, has been enjoying the cities. Again, the commercial marinas seem to be in the more industrial part of town, this time just (barely) off the main channel where the big cruise ships pick up their passengers.
Luckily, our other neighbors are the usual, and not so usual, waterfowl.
The transportation norms are a bit different here than in the States. You are seeing a lot of micro cars that probably wouldn't be deemed safe on the road at home. They're so small they fit on the pedestrian "only" ferries more easily than the scooters!
Yesterday we went to the Van Gogh Museum. You hear a lot about the long lines if you don't get advance tickets, but we didn't seem to have a problem with that. Must be because we're earlybirds. When we left, the "quick" entry line was about 3x longer than the line to buy tickets when we arrived. The line to buy tickets was snaked around the corner. The museum has obviously changed in the 20 years since I've been here. Now there's much more emphasis on the development of style and influences, some of it quite surprising,
and techniques, materials, and conservation research.
and a little way further 2 shops dedicated to vintage/antique food service.
It's been so hot here that we've been hoping for rain, if you can believe it! Finally arrived for a short while yesterday
and we found shelter, like everyone else, under the umbrellas of a street cafe to celebrate and have a slow lunch. Overnight we had our first real downpour, but the sun is starting to show itself now and there are tiny patches of blue in the sky, so I'll close this and we'll head into town. Beer shop/museum today, but no hurry about seeing everything. That's the joy of knowing you'll be back. Best to all, take care of yourselves tot ziens ---
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