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 . . . .