Blokzijl and a new record

We arrived in Blokzijl yesterday and had our friends Jur and Aafke from the 'Ramsdiep', another Valkvlet on board for dinner. That was very nice.






This morning, on waking up at 6:30, the temperature in the cabin was 4 degrees. That was a record! I quickly switched the heater on and went back to bed. An hour and a half later it was comfortable enough to get up again to make the morning coffee (which we always have in bed).

Today we plan to carry on South to Elburg. Like Blokzijl, that is an old fishing village, which was situated on the Zuiderzee coast before the Zuiderzee was closed off with the 'Afsluitdijk' in 1932. I have a few interesting maps showing that change, which I will try to put in the next blogpost.

Location:Brouwerstraat,Blokzijl,The Netherlands

Going South

We spent last night in Heeg, where we met Henk and Ria on the 'Rasbora'.








After doing a bit of work, we left around mid-day. The general plan is to be around Amsterdam or maybe Leiden next weekend. Originally we thought we would go the 'direct route' over the IJsselmeer, but as the weather predictions for the coming weekend and early next week are not good, we have decided to take the 'inland route'.

We passed through the very picturesque village of Kalenberg.





And are now tied up 'in the wild'. The mooring pins we bought last year came in handy as there is nothing to tie on to here. The 'mooring pins' have a very big 'thread' which you screw into the ground.





You can see they are new, the price ticket is still there....

The overall result is this:





As you can see it is sunny but it's also bitterly cold. And the forecast is even colder and less sun over the weekend....

We plan to be in Blokzijl tomorrow, that's not far from here.

Location:Steenwijkerland,The Netherlands

A friend came to visit!

This morning, Onbekommerd's friend Jildou came to visit her in Grou.
Jildou is Jaap and Feikje's Valkvlet. We did our Denmark trip in 2014 with them. It was good to have a chat and coffee. They will also go on a trip to the Wadden islands with us and a few more boats around mid-May.











We are currently in Sneek, in front of the sailmaker who made our new tent. We want a few minor adjustments made, which they will do tomorrow morning.

Location:Bothniakade,Sneek,The Netherlands

Make-over

To get from Coulsdon to Franeker is quite a journey. We got up at 5:15, Sean took us to Coulsdon South station and 4 trains (National Rail, 2* underground and DLR) later we were at London City airport. Then a 45 minute flight, followed by a long wait for passport control and an even longer wait for luggage. One and a half hours from landing to walking out of the airport is not good, Schiphol Airport!
Then another 2 trains and by 14:30 local time (13:30 London time) we arrived at Onbekommerd.
We ordered a new tent for the cockpit last year which was made and installed during the winter break. We are very pleased with the 'make over' the new tent is much brighter, a new colour as well as more and bigger windows. Compare this picture with the one on top of the blog:





After arriving we saw our good friends Marinus and Ike. They invited us for dinner, which we gladly accepted after a rather tiring day!

This morning we had a few loose ends to tie up at the shipyard and some 'admin' to do. Now we are about to set off, not quite sure yet where to, we'll see where we end up tonight, possibly Sneek tomorrow.

Location:Zuiderkade,Franeker,The Netherlands

Last few days in London

Tomorrow morning we fly to Amsterdam and then take a train to Franeker and Onbekommerd.

We have had a busy last few days here: on Friday we went to the Queens Gallery to see expositions of butterfly drawings and of Scottish painters. And then on to the National Gallery for 'Dutch Flowers'.
Yesterday we travelled to Over, near Cambridge where our niece Rachel and her husband Mathew and their 8 week old daughter Grace live. We enjoyed seeing them and especially the little one:





Today we went to the 'New Season' seminar of the Cruising Association at Limehouse where the CA clubhouse is. We recently joined the CA, there is a lot of useful experience in this organisation of over 5000 members who cruise all over the world.





The next blog update should be from Onbekommerd!

Location:Chipstead Close,Coulsdon,United Kingdom

On our way back to Onbekommerd

After six busy and successful months in Cape Town, we are now in London.





We always enjoy staying here for a week or two on our way to and from the boat. Not only does Sean live here, we have also come to love this vibrant city during our 18 month stay here in 2011/12.

Now in the spring, there are nice flowers in St James' Park:








And just an hour on the train from central London, you can find nice walks. On Sunday we went to East Grinstead where a niece and her husband live. We walked for over 3 hours through nice (though a bit muddy) countryside.





And returned to East Grinstead which is an old market town:








We'll spend the rest of the week here. On Saturday we go to Cambridge to visit another niece plus husband and their 2 month old baby girl.

On Monday it's an early flight to Amsterdam and a train to Franeker where Onbekommerd waits!

Location:Woodstock Road,Coulsdon,United Kingdom

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Location:Marine Drive,Blouberg,South Africa