Early May 2017 – Amsterdam to Lemmer

We decided to spend a few days in Amsterdam after the journey here.  We had a couple of days just walking around and enjoying the city.

Thursday 27th May – Kings Day

Kings Day is an annual event to celebrate the current King or Queens birthday. 

The rules are: Wear a bit of orange.  Have a good time.

People come out onto the streets to have a good time and home-owners set up stalls outside their houses to sell pretty much anything.  There are lots of markets stalls too.  Children make a few pennies by offering their homes for you to spend a penny.

It being Amsterdam the party takes to the water.  An organised and chaotic parade of boats around the canals.  Full to bursting with people, alcohol, and their own music provided by on board DJs.  We spent ages stood at a bridge watching as boat after boat passed by, all playing their own tunes and singing with gusto.

More canal scenes.

Friday 28th April

Just had a ferry trip into town and a walk round for food supplies.  Went into the Albert Heijn supermarket behind the Grand Palace and saw a crowd gathering.  Went in and did the shopping, but when we came out the crowd had grown.  Someone told us the King was due to a party held for other people celebrating their 50th Birthday.  After only 15 minutes of the police stopping trams and making space the car appeared. 

King Willem and Queen Maxima (Rod Stewarts wife, no sorry his wife). 

Saturday 29th April – Keukenhof Gardens

One of the reasons to arrive in Holland so early in the season was to see the bulb fields.  We were a few weeks late last time. So we decided to go to the World Famous Keukenhof Gardens to see for ourselves. 

We bought a combination ticket from the Tourist Office at Central Station which gave us Train, Bus travel and access into the gardens for 34 Euro each.  Starting with a 10 minute train journey to Schipol Airport and then to the specially set up Bus Station to get the connecting 50 minute bus to the gardens.

We asked the tourist office guy if it was going to be busy and he said ‘I’m not going to sugar coat it but Yes’.  So we knew.  The truth is, the gardens are so big the crowds are not an issue.  Even the Japanese tourists with the extra long selfie sticks, could be avoided.

We were lucky it was a sunny day and the blooms really glowed.

Our best selfie to date.

There was space as you got into the landscaped areas.  The 3 main halls were busy, but manageable.

It was an expensive day for us at 68 Euro for two, but worth it.

Tuesday 2nd May – To Lelystad

We left Amsterdam as the forecast was for high winds in 3 days and if we stayed it would be at least a week before we got another weather window.

We left Sixhaven Marina at 10:00am and completed the 25 miles in 6 hours.  There is a large lock, which has a ‘sport’ (small boat) channel and then a large road bridge.  We then crossed the Markermeer to the east side, heading for the Lelystad Tower (below).

The tower marks the Lock which links the Markermeer to the Ijsselmeer.

I love this Anthony Gormley Structure, which sits on the man-made spit before the lock.  He looks good from every angle.

The lock is un-nerving as you are asked to enter even though you can see the bridge is still down.  The masted boats are positioned in the back of the lock and the gates are closed behind.  The bridge then opens when the front gates are released and the big barges leave.

Sailors Info:

Lelystad Marina is located immediately after the lock on the right.  Turn into the Deko Marina and turn right back on yourself to Lelystad Marina.  Its a bit un-nerving again as it looks like a dead end but there are visitors moorings ‘Passenten’ outside the Office.  15.40 Euros for one night inc free showers, but tokens required for electricity (we used 2 euros but had the heating on).  Good wifi and good facilities. See End of July 2015 blog for lots more info on Lelystad.

Wednesday 3rd May – Lelystad to Lemmer

It was a cold start with did not get any warmer for 5 hours.  09:40 until just after 15:00.  Another 25 miles, which is lined by windmills.  Huge Windmills.  Last time we sailed passed the windmills were on the shore, now there is a whole additional row in the sea, meaning our navigation path was noticeably further out into the lake.

Its worth zooming into the boat bottom right to realise how big the windmills are.

Blonde Moment: I actually said ‘I haven’t seen any windmills yet’, I meant the old fashioned ones but at the time we were surrounded.

An S shaped channel leads into Lemmer, and the prettiest lock towers. 

The lock-keeper takes a 5 euro toll, which also opens the next 3 bridges.  A dutch boat managed to turn itself round in the lock and the ever patient lock-keeper expertly helped them to re-position themselves.  They then proceeded to be a nuisance through the next 3 bridges.  You are very much on show as the canal goes through the prettiest part of Lemmer and there are plenty of observers.

Now that’s what I call a garden ornament, at a house in Lemmer.

Staying in Lemmer for a few days until the winds settle.