Category Archives: Netherlands

The Standing Mast Route through Netherlands is a trip worth doing. Once. But there are just too many bridges, locks and ditherings about. In Groningen alone there are fifteen opening bridges through the centre of town. By the end of … Continue reading →

Miss Perfect has become a competent skipper but crikey, she is a taxing taskperson. I have been trying really hard to be good crew, but I nearly spilt 3 coffee grounds in the sink. There is such a narrow line … Continue reading →

IJsselmeer (yes, that’s the correct spelling) is the large body of water created by the damming of the Zuiderzee in the 30’s. 20 miles wide it is an ideal place to sail, and on Saturday there were yachts everywhere.Iwe had … Continue reading →

Here in Hoorn old buildings are awkwardly tilted. Elegant young women cycle through cobbled laneways. Century-old, ponderous sailing barges still work out of the harbour, there are flowers everywhere and it rains often. All very pretty, but we have been … Continue reading →

Back aboard Blue Dove, it is as if I had never left. As I had hoped, reconnection (both with the boat and with Madam) was immediate and seamless. There are two differences – first, we are in Netherlands and second, … Continue reading →