Day 14 - Amsterdam

Tuesday 16^th June 2015 – Amsterdam – Day 14

On a sunny warm, blustery day, awoke early and strolled around the marina.

Marina map

It is three years since I was here, big improvements have been made, especially to the shower block and facilities.

Not quite full

 

Good Mooring

They certainly pack the boats in and in the high season, you can walk across them.

We were put into a nice easy box, close to all of the amenities.

It is still run by an army of volunteers, who previously worked in the local shipyard which has long since gone.  It costs the princely sum of 12 euros and 80 cents per night, remembering you are within walking distance of the city centre, it has to be a bargain.

In the morning Jack and I, had some engineering to do.  With kind permission from the Harbour Master, we were allowed to use their workshop, namely, bench and vice.

The water cooling pump had been removed from the engine, along with the spare; they were taken to the workshop and completely overhauled, with new seals, joints and impellers.  The subsequent engine trial proved satisfactory, so everybody happy.

In the afternoon ashore, after a ten minute walk onto the free ferry, which runs regularly from the north side to the central station.  After a few enquires, Jack was able to book a ticket for his journey home tomorrow.

Top of Canal Street

  

Bottom of Canal Street

Onto Canal Street, the most visited tourist attraction.  It is unbelievable, there are now organised guided tours, explaining what is going on here.

Simple, it is the red light district.

Before, entering the ‘Old Sailor’ pub which is in the middle of the action, I was amazed to find 20 metres away, a DIY place, where I bought an 11mm spanner and 2 padlocks.

The pub has the advantage of being able to watch through its large windows, what is going on outside.  It is a joy seeing people’s reactions to it all.  Though, the loo inside, which has never changed, cannot be called an attraction.

In the evening, we moved onto the other side of Dam Square and sat in the sunshine at a street corner bar for sandwiches and more beer.  Different scenery here and pleasantly watched the world go by.

As the sun disappeared below the roof tops, we wandered slowly back to the Canal Street area, stopping at others bars on the way.

Around midnight, headed back, in the station, we could not resist the sausage rolls with chips and mayonnaise, before boarding the ferry to cross the canal.

Happy to be back in this enjoyable city of Amsterdam.