Although we
intended to spend a few days in Diemen (close to Amsterdam) before we could go
to the mooring in Utrecht, things turned out differently.
Just before
we were to enter the Vecht we were informed that there would be a fancy fair in
Diemen, on the quay. Not really what we fancied!
So, we cut
back, called the Amsterdam harbour office and received permission to moor on
the Veemkade in Amsterdam.
This used
to be a not too safe area where we would – when we still lived in Amsterdam –
not have moored. But nowadays the area has been renovated, has really become
nice and we liked it very much.
We did have
a problem with our garbage, we had saved up on it, knowing there were
containers available in Diemen, not so on the Veemkade. A quick chat with the
garbage collectors from the cruise ships resulted in them coming alongside,
just for us.
We visited
the Werf Kromhout museum (the museum on the historical Kromhout wharf) were we
had never been, being Amsterdammers!
They gave
us a great tour and the one engine after the other was cranked up, huffing and
puffing and groaning.
The
enthusiasm and dedication shown by all volunteers was as impressive as the
engines.
One of the
engines impressed us especially as it had been mounted in a barge of the same dimensions
of ‘t Majeur. It was that high that it would not have fitted and the required
surface was just less than our engine room; long live modern appliances!
 |
| not a very good photo but in his case it's only the size that matters |
Mid May we
were welcome in the Veilinghaven in Utrecht, a few hours cruising on the
Amsterdam-Rhine canal. For us it was very special entering Utrecht this way,
taking the route that would take us to the mooring where now the Gerritje is still
moored (see previous blog) only now we turned left instead of right.
What we
already knew was made clear again, not only a nice spot seen from the land but
also from the water and a great starting point for cruising.
We were
very satisfied.
The Veilinghaven
turned out to be an nice spot, in Utrecht’s centre, close to the station so ideal
for staying in touch with friends and family and especially our grandson, who
even visited us there.
We even had
the pleasure of him staying with us overnight, something all three of us
enjoyed greatly. And it was very cosy being in bed together in the morning.
The
Veilinghaven offers a winter mooring to the statenjacht ‘de Utrecht’. It is a
replica of an historic sailing barge from mid-18th century. During
the 80-year war statenjachten were used for transporting high ranking
commanders.
It is an
imposing ship, but looking at the size and the helmsman’s position more suited
for open waters than canals. In the summer period they sail the IJsselmeer but
in order to get there mast and flagpoles had to be removed and that takes a
crane. We sat front row watching it all.
When
staying in Utrecht Michel helped a befriended skipper to sail his Luxemotor,
bigger than ‘t Majeur, no bow thruster, from Antwerp to Meerkerk. Michel
boarded as a deckhand to handle the ropes (a new experience for him) but very
soon he switched places with the captain.
The price he had to pay unfortunately
was an injury to his hand – already almost healed – but being at the helm –
like here in Antwerp harbour – it was great fun.
When we
left Utrecht I took pic’s of these two houseboats, there are a lot of them in
Utrecht, but these I thought a bit bizarre. It is like they put the top floor
of the house that the occupants really wanted on to a pontoon.
While I am
writing this we cruise the Scheldt river direction Ghent where we will arrive
this evening and stay a few days before moving on to Ostend.
On the
banks of the Scheldt people busily maintain boats and the owners must be happy
in the knowledge that eventually high tide will come their way.
But ….., as
I also wrote in my previous blog, more about Ostend in my next blog.
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