Schiermonnikoog

We reached our 5th (and last) 'Waddeneiland' today!
After a short but pleasant stay on Ameland (which at time seems a bit like a German enclave), we set off to 'Schier', over about 5 shallows. The first one (Zuider Spruit) was quite a challenge: although according to the calculations and the computer programme we could go over it from 10h16 (that's the time the tide is high enough), there were reports on the internet that it had becom more shallow and that one should allow for a later time. So we got there at close to 11, but we still got stuck on the sand for about half an hour before the tide was high enough. We made coffee (what else does one do at 11!)and patiently waited a bit. Then we were afloat again, but only a few hundred metres later the story repated itself. All in all, we lost about an hour but then we were through. We just hope that this particular spot does not 'sand up' a lot more, because then it will become difficult for us to do the Ameland - Schiermonnikoog trip, which actually is fantastic with lots of 'water life' (seals and birds) around you.
When we got to Schier, it was pretty quiet, only a few boats in the harbour (which is also being dredged at the moment - just before the Easter weekend). The lady harbour master was waiting on the jetty to take our lines and even came on board to shake both our hands, such a nice and personal welcome! Harbour fees? "Oh, you can come anytime later before you leave to pay, dont worry about it". We walked to the village (about 15 minutes) to buy provisions and also manged to pick up our 4th (and final) new plate (we also found one on Ameland). Schier is still clearly our favorite island here! We'll stay until Sunday afternoon and the go to Lauwersoog on the mainland and on Monday from there to meet up with friends (Hans & Jet) near the Hooidambrug.