Early July 2015 – Medemblik and 50th Birthday

 

29th June – Monday – Enkhuizen to Medemblik

We sailed most of the 11.5 miles from Enkhuizen to Medemblik, taking just over 3 hours.  There wasn’t much wind to start with and all slow sailing skills were applied.  Then the wind picked up to 15 knots and the Captain really enjoyed himself.

Kasteel Radboud, which welcomes you to town.

Sailors Info : Medemblik ‘Pekelharing’ Marina.  Yes that really is ‘Pickled Herring Harbour’!!  Only 18.5 euros per night, buy 2 nights get one free.  Free electric, water and push button showers.  There is a Spar on the main street and an Aldi and Deen nearby.  Exit the marina and turn left away from town, turn right at first junction, pass petrol station and supermarkets are on the right.  Approx 10 minute walk.  Market Day is on Monday.  Chandlers in the large marina and there is a ‘Four Candles’ hardware shop on the entrance channel, before the bridge.

We only came to Medemblik because Brian and Lynn from Sunderland told us how nice it was.  The day after we arrived ‘Colne Rose’ appeared in the birth next to ours.  We had met Adrian and Jane in Lorient last year and literally went to talk to them because their boat is called Colne, which is a Lancashire town.  As it turns out, it is a river in Suffolk too.  As they pulled up I said ‘You’re the lady with the sewing machine on board’.  And of course we got chatting.

The next few days were incredibly hot so Jane and I chatted and she taught me to Tatt with the equipment Liz had given me for the trip.  We swopped books and each hosted an evening pre dinner gathering.

3rd July – 50th Birthday

The birthday fairies visited during the night and put up balloons and a banner.  What a surprise!

Boat decorations put up by my stealthy, lovely husband.

Birthday Cards, Liz and Jane made beautiful cards, and an E-Card from Annette.  I also got an enormous amount of good wishes on Facebook following Michaels Breakfast Waffle post.  Thanks everyone.

Adrian made Michaels day by being the proud owner of a tin of ‘Volvo Penta Green’ paint, and being kind enough to part with some.  Mick spent a happy couple of hours lovingly touching up the engine!  Fellow boat nerds happily finding each other.  

Indonesian Rice Plate meal at Danny Leung’s.

A lovely sunny day, I could not ask for more.

4th July – Sunday

Medemblik ‘Pekelharingharbour’.  There are at least 2 more marinas here.  The Irish guy in the Pink ice cream shop told us that this marina used to be a football pitch and they dug it up.  Imagine buying a house next to grass and ending up with a marina side property.  Good for the house price.

Medemblik Main Street – Summer market.  Held every few weeks, the summer markets have a theme, this one was the babies and children’s, including mini cafe with small chairs and pony rides.

I had a quick walk while Mick was watching F1 qualifying and saw this steam train.

The train line from Hoorn Steam Train museum terminates here.

And connects to this steam ferry service.

I also had a quick look around the small Medemblik town museum, which had really friendly volunteers and English guide books.  There were lots of old Dutch tiles, glasses and bottles and pictures of the building of the Dyke, and masses of items found during the dig.

5th July – Sunday

We walked round to the large marina to visit the Chandlers and purchase the ‘Friesland’ Water Atlas, which Jane found yesterday.  It has the canals for the area not shown in the ‘Standing Mast Route’ book.

Afterwards we heard drums and pipes and walked round to see the ‘Steampunk’ festival at the Kastel Radboud.  Complete with tents and stalls and lots of people dressed up.  Whatever floats your boat.

Finally, many of the boats here have their names written in English.

‘Touch of Wind’, some translate better than others!  ‘Gentle Breeze’ may have worked better.