A frustrating morning

We thought we would get away punctually, but first we waited for 15 minutes for the first bridge, then the guy came along and said there was no point in going through since the next one was closed. So it was spin around and head back the way we had come to make a big detour round town, along with half a dozen others. Plenty more holdups and bridges and locks, and finally we got to the point we would have reached in 10 minutes, after two hours – only to find that the canal was now open! Frustrating. However, we were told the closure was because they found a body in the canal – which put a slightly different complexion on things. By the way, it appears that no-one was injured in the crane accident in Alphen, the only casualty being a dog, which did die.

The delays meant, however, that our plans for reaching Oudewater for lunch were not to be realized. We chugged along the Ijssel, stopping for lunch on the bank after one particularly slow lock - devilled eggs, carrot salad, ham, salami, cheese and fruit, We then pressed on, apart from a brief stop to take on water:

Eventually we reached Oudewater again …

… and headed into the centre, passing this figure in an upper window …

… finding to our delight that the weekly market was on, so we could stock up with fruit, vegetables, and some delicious looking marinaded lamb chops for the barbecue this evening.

We also found a wine shop – just in time. Supplies have been getting low. After which it was the usual refreshment …