Colin Wilson

A leisurely sailing cruise from the UK over to the Netherlands. Starting from North Fambridge after 4 months on the hard doing essential works. We sailed over to Vlissengen then onto Middleburg to restock and refuel. Customs also came and found us here to stamp us back into the Shengen zone again. From there it was a slow trip North taking in the Veersmear lakes and the Roompot sluis back out into the North sea. A 10 hour sail north again takes us to Ijmuiden then onto Enkhuizen via the North Sea canal passing Amsterdam. A couple of nights here to relax then across the Ijselmeer to Stavoren, this is the start of the canal network into Friesland. We timed it to arrive at Sneek for there week long festival. A riot of music, stages and sailing. Though we took the more quiet anchorage in the lakes. We then went out along the canal to Grou. A nice town and got the folding bikes out at last. This was to be our furthest point of the holiday this year. We retraced our steps back, stopping on the canal side in Sneek to take in the festival atmosphere then out to the lake anchorage off Heeg for 3 nights, lovely 🍺🍻 From here we went across the Ijselmeer to Medemblik to a lovely anchorage just outside the town. Great for swimming and that's what we did. We also used our new inflatable canoe to get into town for a beer and look around. From here it was a short trip round to Monnicadam. Then onto a interesting anchorage off Pampas Island. This is an old fortified island protecting Amsterdam back in the day. From here we made our way south again arriving at Hollands Diep and Hellevoetsluis. We took a bus/train ride to Amsterdam for the day to watch the 5 yearly 'Sail Amsterdam'. What a sight of hundreds of vessels all transiting the North Sea canal. Maybe take Amaric on the next one. From Hellevoetsluis, we took the inland route via the Volkerak and Oosterschelde back to the Veersmear for a couple of days relaxing on an Island mooring. Sadly our Netherlands trip was coming to a close. As we took care of Customs at Vlissengen and sailed back to the UK. Another relaxing few weeks in the Netherlands. A lovely country with friendly people. ⛵🌝🍺🍻