Saturday 4th July 2015 –
Den Helder – Day 32
It is a
clear, warm and sunny day; we left the pontoon at 12.30 making our way through
the harbour and back into the Waddenzee taking advantage of the strong tide in
the Texelstroom.
 |
| Inter-island Ferries |
Passing the
large ferries which run between the port of ‘t Horntje’ on the island of Texel
and Den Helder on the Noord Holland mainland.
 |
| Dutch Navy |
On the VHF
called up the Den Helder harbour master for permission to enter, as this is the
main naval base for the Dutch navy.
Making our way through the harbour; passing many working offshore supply
ships alongside the quays, as we headed for the large locks which once serviced
the old Williamsord naval dockyard.
 |
| Williamsord Lock |
The marina
pontoons are situated in the middle of this large dock area with all kinds of
historical naval ships on the surrounding quays.
Today being
the 4th July and American Independence Day, all of the ships are
dressed overall with flags flying from every vantage point. It was also the Dutch Navy weekend, so there
were many visitors milling around the docks.
 |
| Naval helicopter |
While sat in
the small café at the end of the pontoon, we enjoyed a cool beer while watching
a Naval helicopter doing its tricks.
Syd
being and ex-navy man set off to explore the museum within the dock area, while
I wandered back to the yacht.
In the
evening, we went off to explore the town and a twenty minute walk brought us to
the centre and the railway station. The
main shopping street was not too far away and into the ‘Café Romantica’ where
the owner looked after us before going to the ‘Sphinx’ restaurant. Here we dined on onion soup, followed by a
delightful steak with chips and salad.
Going back
to the marina, we could still hear the very loud band playing on the open air
stage within the dock area. We headed
for ‘Kade 60’ a building within the complex which is an ‘Eaten & Drinken’
restaurant. Here we enjoyed oude genever
night caps before heading back and on board for midnight.
It has been
another amazing day, arriving on the mainland, not expecting Den Helder to be
having its Navy Day, alongside in the old dockyard, surrounded by its history
with the old buildings now turned into a museums, cinemas, bars and restaurants.
No comments:
Post a Comment