Day 11 - Leimuiden

Saturday 13^th June 2015 – Leimuiden, Westeinderplassen

This morning it is  wet and windy with a south westerly wind force 5/6.

Wet and Very Windy

After a shower, I made use of the marina’s laundry, using their washing machine and drier.

From the young harbour masters, I learnt how to use the Dutch inland water books on the bridges, times of opening and different marina facilities, these books of course are written in Dutch.  While, I also gleaned information, on the night convoy through Amsterdam.

Out on Kagerplassen (lake), there were many dinghies out racing and learning how to sail in these very blustery conditions, they were all getting very wet.

Kaag Island Ferry

At 13.30 we left the marina, happy to clear the entrance without touching anything.

This little ferry runs between the mainland and Kaag Island on the canal which is only 20 metres wide.  We were now back in the main canal, Ringvaart and heading east.

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We were passed by this delightful miniature Dutch sailing work boat (botter) in a wonderful condition, you may notice on the aft end is a black Labrador, looking as though he is in charge.

There were two more bridges to pass through, Weteringbrug and Leimuidenbrug in these conditions, it was not pleasant being driven onto the lay-by by the strong stern wind.  The bigger motor cruisers were not having much of a problem, using their twin engines and bow thruster to keep station in the middle of the canal.

Unusual Place to Live

This looked like an ideal spot to live, with an allotment attached at the back and a small boat for a trip to the nearest watering hole.

At 15.30 we left the Ringvaart and motored through the Wilde Gat, a gap through the reed beds into the Westeinderplassen (lake) and headed for the south west end and Kempers Princesspaviljeon marina.

We had to move the boat, as we had come into the marina at the wrong entrance, and it was not pretty getting lined up to the visitor’s pontoon, so the strong wind would be on the bows for the night, but all finished for 18.30.

A fifteen minute walk ashore to Leimuiden, to the supermarket but it was closed.  In the town, it was very lively with a funfair going on.  Lots of noise; kids, parents and others, all in the local pub ‘Café Rene’ getting stuck into the drink.  I had one beer served in a plastic cup; I was not in the mood for this, after today, I needed somewhere to relax, so back on board for 19.30.

Another, fruity malt, cheese, ham, tomato night with our own music, just what I needed, after a bit of a stressful day.