Vlieland Saturday 13th June

 

We left Amsterdam and made our way north up a series of canals in the land to the east of the Ijsslemeer which go through Alkmaar and then either exit at Den Helder, Den Oever or Medemblick. We over-nighted at Langerdijk where it rained & blew. The only good bit was that we moored near a very pretty windmill.

Jenni Ann & Windmill.

A “Classic” Dutch boat

 

 

 

We continued north and stayed at Middenmeer, a town which is only about 70 years old as it was built on land reclaimed from the sea. The next morning we had to go through a lifting bridge which opened for business at 9:00am. Mrs B pressed a button on a post and spoke into a box. A few minutes later a cheerful lady turned up in the pouring rain, gave us a cheery wave and opened the bridge. We proceeded on to Den Oever where we had to lock through into the Ijsslemeer. Disaster. The sign said it only opened for a short period around 9am and at 4pm. There were some men working on the lock and the doors opened and shut a few times – and then shut. And stayed shut until 4pm when we locked out into the big pond. It was far too late to go anywhere so we tied up and waited for the morning. We went through the sea lock from the Ijsslemeer into the Waddenzee which is the fascinating area inside the Frisian Islands. It is mostly very shallow – sand at low water – with buoyed channels. This can be very deceptive as even in strong winds there are no waves. We crossed the sea to our favourite island - Vlieland. While the Waddenzee never gets rough, the same can’t be said for the gaps in between the islands, and we had a slightly too exciting time going around a sandbank to get to the harbour on Vlieland. Mr B had had a slightly senior moment in not buying this year’s chart, which didn’t help as the buoys had moved since last year’s chart. The windscreen motors gave up at this point which reduced visibility somewhat. Had they been able to speak they would have probably complained that they were designed for spray and rain – not lumps of solid ocean. Anyway we made it into the harbour where a stiff Gin & Tonic improved life no end.

 

Today is beautiful. A gentle breeze – wall-to-wall blue sky. So we set off around the island on our bikes on purpose made bike paths made of crushed shells. There is mile after mile of deserted beach, but perhaps a hidden crime wave?

A crime wave?

Mr B ready for takeoff.

 

At the far end of the island there is a wonderful café where we treated ourselves to enormous pancakes

Mr& Mrs B enjoying pancakes

 

We’ll probably go to Harlingen (on the mainland) tomorrow as Mr B’s uncle is joining us for a few days.

 

It’s getting near G&T time so that’s enough for now.

 

Jenni Ann

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