There have been many aspects of this country during the last few months which have seemed totally alien to us although we are beginning to come to terms with many of them, but the way in which the bridges and locks are operated is one example – absolutely no standardisation whatsoever. In some cases the opening happens totally without any discourse at all, in others you have to radio ahead, in some you have to telephone! And the fishermen actually wave to us! This is a most welcome first! Until today!
We set off at 11.00 am from our moorings south of Haarlem heading towards Amsterdam West. Within half a kilometre there is a section where the canal opens out into a wide stretch of water, but our map said the wide area was only 1 metre deep, so we made sure we stuck to the edge where the deeper line of the canal was.
The first fisherman gesticulated for us to move away. Alex replied with ‘lack of depth’ signals which were accepted. The third fisherman got very agitated indeed making similar gesticulations, and ending up by hurling a cricket-ball-sized ‘rock’ at us. Well, it was a damned good shot – hit the middle window of the wheelhouse, but did not break it. It turned out to have been a lump of his bread and grubs bait! But a nasty experience nonetheless. The only consolation is that fishermen are in the main the same throughout the E.U. – surly bastards! Quite like being at home in the UK really! Louise got the binos out quickly to make a note of his car registration number. He didn’t like that, and tried to stand in front of the car – but too late, we have it. Whether we do anything about it is doubtful, I guess. After all, we can only move at 6mph and retribution may follow.
When we consulted our navigation programme we discovered that although we might get through the first bridge by 12 o’clock, the rest would be non-operational until 4pm (short hours on Sundays). OK – so at the next bridge we moored up for a long lunch at 12.30pm. But hey! – we have unlocked wi-fi available What luck! So after lunch Alex can reply to emails and post our latest blog, while Louise undercoats the external toolboxes. Three and a half hours pass in a flash!
The possible mooring we were aiming for in the Riekerplas, south of Amsterdam, sadly doesn’t exist, but we have moored on the edge of a yachthaven where, we are assured, the usual ‘mooree’ has been away for a while and probably won’t be back tonight. If we get off in good time tomorrow morning, the harbourmaster might not get to us in time to charge us for the water we have used and the night’s stay. Get that alarm on Louise!
No comments:
Post a Comment