Thursday 11 May We set off for our first day of cruising on Thursday. The parts for the generator still hadn’t arrived so we were without backup power generation. We were reasonably confident about the engine, but still had issues with the throttle and rev counter. Howard took this photo as we passed the entrance to our harbour More photos from Kampen Our first challenge was to exit the harbor. We had to reverse out of our mooring and then do a U-turn. The basin was only about 23 m wide and we are 21.5 m long so it was a tight fit. Then as we came out of our small harbor two large ships steamed past. I could see that one of them was going over 20km an hour. Luckily they were gone by the time we were in the river. After that we headed to the bunker station and put 500l of diesel in her. Then we had to cross the channel and head north and do a couple of tight turns before going through a lock. Then we had fairly straight forward sailing until we reached a mobile bridge just after 12 noon. We called to ask for it to be opened, but they said they were on lunch until 1pm, so we took a break and had a pleasant lunch tied up in the waiting area. By the time the bridge opened at 1pm, we had 2 cruisers moored up alongside – also waiting. The next obstacle was the entrance to the Zwarte Meer, a tricky right hand turn behind an island, then there was a narrow channel hugging the side of the meer (lake). We were well protected from the wind there, but when we popped our bow out at the end, the wind pushed her all around and we ended up hitting a pole. No major damage, but another lesson learned. Another mobile bridge and then a run up to Vollenhove, where we moored for the night. This is a lovely little town known as the “city of palaces”. The bishop of Utrecht once built his summer place here, and lots of noblemen or rich guys built places here too. Many of them are just nice houses, but a few are quite impressive. We cycled around town and saw the ruins. Vollenhove Vollenhove was once was a sea port on the Zuiderzee, but is now on a canal miles from the sea. The old port is very cute though, through a small mobile bridge and arranged around an island. We were in the newer marina tied against the wall. We had to put out our gang plank to easily get on and off. The shore power wasn’t working though, so we survived on batteries. Havens
3 Comments
Hilary
14/5/2017 06:20:05 pm
Congratulations on navigating your first cruising day! It sounds challenging and satisfying to have managed all the technical issues. Can't wait!!
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Stephen Winspear
15/5/2017 04:14:07 am
The photos of the towns are so gorgeous, and so green! You are a moving advertisement for so many beautiful places off the tourist main road. Thanks Deb and Howard
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Sue Veal
15/5/2017 11:29:11 am
You are doing so well - the barge looks fantastic and the photos are beautiful too. X
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