31 July 2014

Well, we are back at our home marina again. We left Lisse, and were meandering through Alphen to the southern environs of Amsterdam and further, when we realized that our house batteries were completely shot. We really only use them for the water pump, but there was the potential that the problem could impact the integrity of other parts of the system, so we returned to have them swapped out. In the process, we learned quite a lot about our electrical system, so it was a worthwhile use of time. We upgraded our batteries somewhat so now we can run our fridge for a day or two without shore power. We're planning to set out tomorrow AM to continue an abreviated version of our previous plans.

Here's what's been happening in the interim:

 

Our first stop after Lisse was our favorite free spot in Alphen, near the billiard pub. This year there was a sign there saying they'd installed shore power!

However, when we asked, we were told they'd installed the sign but never got around to the rest of it. We were moored "further" from the pub than usual as you can see.

Across the Rijn, there was a lovely example of Dutch priorities: there was a garage for the boat, but not the car.
 

The second night we were there, two boats that were traveling together pulled in either side of us. We were invited for coffee after dinner, and treated to a concert by one of the kids.

He was actually rather good, and brought back memories of our kids at that age, especially Adam.

Next day, we discovered the battery problems so it was back to Kemper's to see if they could fix them quickly – well, not so much. We didn't have anything else to do so we spent Sunday in Amsterdam, mostly just walking and enjoying the quirky neighborhoods.

Next day, it RAINED ! ! !

One of the worst two or three rainy days in the years we've been coming. We just hunkered down, and made ourselves cozy. Also made a custard tart from a give-away flyer at one of the grocery stores.

We were supposed to have the batteries swapped out yesterday, so we vacated the boat and took the bus to Leiden. Saw where they're going to install the new (100 year old) English organ in the Hoogelands Kerk – we sponsored a pipe to celebrate Adam & Amy's wedding. Had lunch along the Rijn canals with free WiFi,

 

and it was market day, so we had a nice look around. McDonalds is ubiquitous in Europe, but I must say if the rest are going to go the way of the Leiden McD, I can almost live with it.

 

Came back to learn that they hadn't gotten around to our batteries. Needed to do that today, OK, but then Carlos shows up this AM to tell us (me) to drive the boat over to the lift to make it easier, and by the way can I back it in please. I HATE TO BACK UP THIS BOAT ! ! ! but I did it wayway. All the way from the far end of the marina to the workshop and crane.

Backwards. I really don't like to do that but we'll call it a learning exprience, OK?

 

Anyway, tomorrow it's off to Alphen again and then around to Amsterdam south and probably Weesp. A lovely quiet mooring, and space and time to do all the work we just haven't bothered to do so far this year.

Best to all, and hope you are all healthy and happy. Tot ziens, y'all ---

18 July 2014 – Lisse

Current position: 52*41'59.33N, 04*34'03.74E
 

We have finally left Haarlem, and are taking the long way to Weesp, east of Amsterdam. Bill's choice, I think all the road noise in Haarlem was begining to wear on him. Right now, we're back at the little club marina in Lisse. FREE INTERNET!!!, electricity (ice cubes as well as refrigeration), and super tranquil and quiet.

This is a happy man!

 



Our last days in Haarlem, we found a new source of free internet (do you see a theme here?). There's been an explosion of places offering free internet to lure you in to various establishments. We spent almost 3 hours in a small church-converted-to-a-brewery-and-cafe. We arrived a bit before lunch, so started with a beer and waited until we could order a meal. Between posting our previous blog entry and eating, we've finally slipped into the European habit of lingering over meals. In addition, the setting was fascinating: as the Dutch seem to do better than anyone else, they had converted the setting to something modern, and yet had preserved the integrity of the old and kept the Dutch character of the whole both in the old and new. 
 

No, that photo isn't upside down, they'd put some sort of carpeting on the dropped ceiling over the entry.

 

Just for Adam:  on the way back we passed a shoemaker who specializes in making "large size shoes."

 

We tried the middle eastern bakery that is connected to the laundrymat. Best eastern baked goods I've had in AGES, and they managed to keep the sweetness down without the pastries becoming dry. Definitely want to go there again.
 

Also a week ago, Jeannet's son Rob and his wife Jeannette had us to dinner at their summer house in Speuld. We took a train to their house in Waddinxveen

 

and the drove WAY out in the country. You pass through Dutch villages that are almost the way they were decades ago – except weekenders with money have moved in to some extent so I suspect they're a bit more manicured looking, but still . . . .       Jeannette had a little booklet she's made showing their hunt for a country place. It gave us a chance to appreciate just how much work they'd put into making it theirs.

It was nice to begin with, but now it is simply spectacular – expecially the garden! One of the things I learn over and over here is the beauty of a small place that you can turn into a true jem, rather than something big that is never completely finished like seems to happen in the States.

This year, Jeannette prepared a meal of asian foods. Every year, she outdoes herself feeding us. This meal was even better than the TOKO meal we'd enjoyed so much in Haarlem, and the soup was especially good.

 

I NEED THAT RECIPE ! !

And, after a couple of decades, it's finally dawned on me why the Dutch look at American's so funny when we ask for "ice water". Ice, or "ijs", means ICE CREAM here, so we're actually asking for water with ice cream in it. Now we've finally learned to ask for water with ice cubes (ijs bloketjes). (And just how dim am I that it's taken me this long to figure out?)
 

We'll be leaving Lisse in a few days. Our next stop will not have shore power, but we're trying to be ready for a big storm that's scheduled to hit on Sunday. We're aiming for the little park just past Alphen on the Aar Kanaal. That seems to be our mooring of choice to hunker down and hybernate. 
 

Will try to keep in touch and let you all know how life here is going. Right now the news on Dutch radio is all about the Malaysian Airlines 777 that was shot down over Ukraine. It feels odd to be cut off from the news coverage, we've been so used to that in the States. Also seems odd that Schiphol is only a few minutes away, and that plane was overhead less that a day ago. Prayers for the families, most of whom are from here.

Tot ziens y-all, keep in touch . . . .

5 July 2014, Haarlem

Adam requested that we post links to our location when we can, so here is what I've sent him so far:

GPS links:

If you go to google earth, right now we're at 52.22.39.84N, 4.38.18.60E and there's a little boat parked just where we are now, though the whole place is crammed with boats instead of there just being one or two.  If you go to 52.13.41.44N, 4.40.59.29E not only is that our mooring spot over the winter, that's actually our boat in the picture!!! You can tell by the solar panels.

Now, on to updates: Today has been such a joy. It was supposed to be rainy all day. Started out overcast and hot, then rained off-and-on for most of the day, and then about 3 the sun came out and it's been breezy and sunny ever since.

This was going to be a busy day: first off, it was the first market day we'd had since we'd been here, and there were three of them! First was the general market in the main square. No lettuce plants, probably too late in the season so I'll have to start the rest of my garden this year from seed. Got Bill a mint plant so he can have fresh mint tea (more on that later) then headed for the antique market by way of the organic market. Found some lace bobbins at the antique market. Oddly, I'll find then eventually, but Bill always finds them first. Got some good buys on that, as well as good memories. Then, back to the boat via the grocery store for a few things not available in the market. Had some of our market purchases for lunch, then went up the road to take a shower in the little glass enclosed house in the middle of town

– yes, that's right. The glass "seems" to be frosted, but it's a bit disconcerting to know that there's a drawbridge just outside the door and everybody and their brother are passing by on the way to the market. And if you're looking closely, yes that IS a big foot on the roof.

Next, we went across the way to the little cafe on the corner next to the boat. Last year, the street and buidling were totally torn up being refurbished. This year, it's a little cafe with tea, coffee, beer, salads, sandwiches, light meals etc. It also has internet, so we go over there every second day or so to keep in touch with folks. Chances are, this update was sent from there. Some of my favorite places (expecially my favorite bookstore) have gone out of business in Haarlem since last year. Luckily, we've found some new ones: the cafe across the road,

literally just a skip from the boat, where Bill has become fond of fresh mint tea; a favorite bakery that has macarons and possibly the best Belgian waffles (Lierse style) I've ever had,

and we found a really wonderful TOKO.

That's a little Indonesian deli/carryout/restaurant/market combo. We stopped by after we had beer and coffee at the local cafe to use the internet. Picked up a whole lot of little boxes of delicacies for dinner: Rendang (beef stew in coconut milk), kip sate (chicken in probably peanut sauce), sweet & sour green beans & tofu, nasi (rice,this time fried), and a samosa and a loumpia to share. More than enough for at least two meals! and perfect with a local beer.

After dinner tonight, we'll try to stay up to follow the latest Dutch World Cup game. We picked up some plastic orange pennants at the local bargain store and have decorated the boat.

Hope we don't jinx it. The Dutch for some reason didn't have great expectations for their team this year, but the place still erupts in total crazyness when they win. Great fun. (Update: we turned off the radio with a score of 0-0 at midnight. Since the whole city erupted around 1am with honking cars, horns, celebrating people, and fireworks, I'm supposing at this point that the Netherlands won.)

Tomorrow we catch trains and trams to the outskirts of Amsterdam so I can take the test to (hopefully) qualify for a valid European marine radio license. That's pretty much the last thing we need to have to get through Belgium and into France, so everyone cross fingers, pray, think good thoughts, whatever. I'm as ready as I'll every be, but something can always go wrong. Will know this time tomorrow. Till then, Tot Ziens y-all - - -

6 July 2014 Update

Well, passed the marine radio licensing exam. It wasn't difficult, but I was a nervous wreck. Mostly didn't know what to expect, but now I just have to wait for the license to arrive and deal with repairing and licensing radios. Took a RYA (aka Royal Yachting Association) on line course through a Dutch group called Aquaplanning, and then sat for a practical and written exam. Extraordinarily nice and helpful folks. So, that's one more box ticked off and one less hurdle to our boating adventures. Now on to more travel, best to all . . . .