As predicted we stayed in Haarlemsche Jacht Club for quite a while, which turned into 10 days. A holiday within a holiday. Arriving on the 3rd of June and not leaving until the 14th. Michael’s sister Annette and husband Julian were due to arrive in Holland in their campervan on the 10th of June and we wanted to find a nice place for them to stay for a few days and relax into their holiday, before departing on their own adventure.
We only came to this club because an English couple stopped their bikes in Haarlem town when they saw we were an English boat. They told us about the Jacht Club and told us what a lovely spot it was, how friendly the members were and that there were free bikes to use and good wifi.
As it is a members club it does not appear on all the charts. It is in the Standing Mast-route book, but not on the latest charts for the area. It’s previous location is mentioned in the Busby and Broad Pilot book, which confused us a little. The large bridge at the end of the Haarlem town canal is not in the pilot books either. After the big bridge, aim right and follow the land around to the right, there is a sign for the Jacht Club and the lake opens in front of you. The club is on the right.
Info: Haarlemsche Jacht Club cost 14.50 Euros per night, all inclusive. The showers are a good standard and have proper shower heads and regulator taps for the temperature (bliss). There is a bar but no restaurant. You are encouraged to borrow the on site bicycles, they have more than a dozen. Beware they are European bikes which require you to back-pedal to brake. They have locks and chains so it feels OK to leave them in town. The town centre is a 20 minute bike ride. There are 3 supermarkets within walking distance, we would recommend the ‘Dekamarkt’ 25 minutes walk over the bridge and the ‘Voram’ supermarket on the road into town, which is a 40 minute walk. I think it would take an hour to walk into Haarlem centre. Don’t let that put you off, taking the bikes is fun.
It’s lakeside location makes it a peaceful spot despite the aircraft going into Schipol. Julian was in his element with the bird-watching.
6th June – Saturday
We took the bikes into Haarlem. Another excuse for more Turkish Pizza.
Everyone rides ‘Mary Poppins’ bikes with baskets, crates and children carriers.
There are cycle lanes next to most roads and some are fully separated with a curb. Cyclists have their own crossing buttons too (above) and small traffic lights to indicate when it’s your turn to cross.
7th June – Sunday
We walked to Ikea around the side of the lake and then on into a small village, which had a thatched windmill. We think they hold open house days for the old windmills to keep them going. The living space inside this one was fascinating. The owner had all mods cons, just somewhat curved.
We were just saying that there should be a pub round here when we were caught by this sign.
Rounding the corner we found a lovely riverside cafe ‘Bij van Alemma’.
Would be rude not to.
We also moved the boat today as being on the end pontoon on the lakeside, meant lots of lapping as boats went by and when the wind increased. A club member was taking his boat away for 2 weeks so we were allowed to move to his mooring.
The next two days were spent sprucing ourselves and the boat up for our impending visitors and a big shop.
10th June – Annette and Julian arrived.
How lovely to see family from home after 2 months. We all piled in the van and went to town and to the supermarket. As we have not had transport, it was a surprise to find out how expensive it was to park in town. 3.90 euros per hour. 2.60, a little further out of town. Bikes seem to be more welcome than cars.
11th June – Julian’s Birthday
First we had an epic bird-watching walk, and just happened to end up at the cafe again. Then a lakeside BBQ. Lovely day with lots of greetings from home for the Birthday boy.
12th June – Friday
Annette and I cycled around the lake to the furthest windmill, and ice-creams in the cafe. Then spent the rest of the day lounging and Annette put me on the right track with the crochet book she bought for my last birthday.
13th June – Saturday
Back to the Market in the campervan. We parked a little further out this time. Julian managed to spend some birthday money in the ‘Liquid Gold’ whisky shop. It is a third cheaper than in the UK.
Mick also bought a new set of charts for the Markermeer and Ijsselmeer, to supplement the electronic charts on board.
A lovely last night get together in the van before we went our separate ways.
14th June – To Amsterdam
We left early to catch the lock. 08.00 to 11.30 to make the 9 mile trip.
This lock has a concrete side on the pontoon. You have to moor up and then walk to the lock-keepers cabin (far right) to pay the 3.50 euro toll to a very smiley lady lock-keeper. The first toll we have paid so far.
We then moored to wait for the road bridge which only opens 3 times a day.
After the road bridge we emerged onto the North Sea Canal and turned right for Amsterdam. This section of the canal is very industrial as you make your way into the city (approx 5 miles).
Approach to Amsterdam Marina.
Marina Office complex and Restaurant.
Info: The next picture takes Amsterdam Marina almost to the top of our marina list.
What a wonderful site, complete with Opaque window with a button to clear the glass once you are in the bath. It won’t be a surprise that the rest of the marina is top quality too.
The marina office is located at the bottom of the slope on the left of the building. 20 Euros per night, free wifi and electricity.
There is a free ferry to Amsterdam Central station which departs on the hour and half hour and returns on the quarter hours. The ferry terminal is located behind the ‘Botel’ which is a floating hotel. The red letters are also hotel rooms!
People and cycles use the ferry along with these small cars, which are also allowed to drive in the cycle lanes.
Another form of transport waiting to surprise us.
We had a good walk around on the first afternoon and then a full day out and walk around on the second day.
We found the Albert Cuyp market located behind the Heineken Brewery, which is worth a look if you like markets. It is open every day except Sundays. I went into the Handbag and Purse museum (a great girlie experience, fascinating and beautiful), while Mick had a wander.
Central Station known to many with its gothic frontage.
But did you know it had a state of the art waterfront facade behind.
Finally, examples of signage. The first so blunt it speaks for itself, but made us laugh.
The second explains how the bargee’s get their cars off the back of their boats shown on the left hand blue image.
On our way next to Volendam Edam into the large inland seas.
I've got some posh new crochet hooks which are much easier to drive than the old ones. Happy Hooking! The sign photos make me laugh...
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