The lifting
bridge to release us from our harbour didn’t open till 10, by which time there
was quite a queue of boats ready to go:
We were
first out, but stopped almost immediately to fill up with water and let the
armada proceed. We prefer sailing on our own if possible. After a while we came
to the Alkmaar lake, which is large and ideal for sailing:
Then into
the river Zaan. Plenty of people enjoying a sunny weekend by the riverside with
their families:
Around
lunchtime we approached Wormeveer, first encountering an enormous
chocolate factory. Barge loads of chocolate were being delivered:
The smell
was very pleasant – though whether one would like to live with it full time, I’m
not sure. Anyway, we stopped for lunch at Wormeveer, but failed to buy any
chocolate – strange that! On our way out of town we passed another chocolate
factory, different company, with a supremely meaningless slogan, doubtless
crafted by some overpaid branding consultant!
We then
approached a row of traditional windmills, all turning in the breeze, and
almost immediately a parade of sailing barges, many with sails rigged:
We slid
gingerly under a low bridge, and then queued for a large lock that took dozens
of boats and raised us all of 50 centimetres!
Finally we
emerged onto the North Sea canal, where the tall ships will sail away from Amsterdam
tomorrow afternoon. By a stroke of luck we found a free berth (not exactly free
in cash terms – the Sail event has certainly brought some inflation with it) on
the outer pontoon of a small marina, giving us a perfect view of the canal and
the streams of boats passing to and fro. Some of the tall ships seemed to be practicing
for tomorrow – or perhaps just giving their paying customers a thrill:
Having got
this place, we will probably stay put tomorrow and enjoy a grandstand view of
the so-called sail out.
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