Weesp (29/09 to 2/10) to De Schelp (02-03/10)
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Weesp is one of our favourite places in the Netherlands, and we were especially pleased this time to be able to moor right in the heart of the town, something that on previous visits we had been unable to manage. It is such a picturesque place, and has m snagged to maintained an old-style feel, with lots of pretty alleyways sporting floral displays, interesting shop fronts, and small tree-lined canals sprouting out from the main channel.
Jane quickly spotted a local market in progress nearby and she and Bob disappeared to have a look round, and in the meantime Nicki and I did a few ‘boat things’. A few passersby stopped to chat about the boat – it seems we are in a prime position for being noticed, being very close to the town, on a popular walking route and next to a bar/restaurant.
We were pleasantly surprised when the Havenmeester called round and appeared to remember us, and kindly gave us an out of season rate of 50c/meter, so a mere 27 euros for the three days e intended to stop. Great. Later on an old ship came into the harbour and moored nearby. It was due to stay for the winter along with two other similar older ships, but unfortunately they hadn’t arrived before we left.
Opposite our mooring was an old church that seemed to have had a change of use since our last visit, so Jane and Nicki popped over for a quick look/see to find that it had been converted to a brewery/bar/restaurant, and had only opened in February of this year. Nicki and I went over later on to have a drink there and bought a couple of their ‘home brew’ to take back on the boat.
Bob thoroughly enjoyed this town and was happy exploring the sights at every opportunity. I wasn’t able to go far because of my bad knee, so spent most of the time on or near the boat, chatting to some of the locals and other boaters, and generally keeping myself busy.
Sadly three nights was as long as we could stay here in Weesp as we have decided to get back to Deventer (our planned wintering location) slightly earlier than planned, so we were ready to leave on 2nd October.
2nd October – The weather had turned colder and wetter while we were in Weesp, but it was still a lovely visit, and today we moved off for a night’s stay on the island of De Schelp on the Ijmeer, and as it turned out the weather was actually reasonably good during the cruising.
Arriving at the island there was only one other ship there until, a little later on, four or five others pulled in! So much for a nice quiet spot. It turned out to be some sort of scouting event taking place, and they were all very respectful and a nice group of young people, and we had a pretty good night here.
The four of us managed a short game of petanque nearby, and Bob enjoyed walking around the island. Jane and Nicki and I stayed on the boat, busy with our own activities.
3rd October – Up and off by 10 am we were out on the IJsselmeer and heading into Spakenburg with Bob handling most of the steering and Jane joining in briefly, and Andy doing the final stretch into the harbour itself where we found a mooring just inside the entrance.
