Weesp, Holland

I'm in another world! Airline travel seems to highlight the difference between my life in a small yachting community in Tasmania and as it is now, living aboard a canal barge, currently in the town of Weesp in Holland. It is holiday time in Europe and the waterways are packed with sailors guiding craft of all shapes and sizes from sleek sculls through traditional Dutch barges to 760 ton commercial barges gliding just metres past our saloon window. Alison and I have just farewelled the 2nd partner (there are 3 of us) in our newly acquired canal cruiser named "Burra Billa" (aboriginal for distant river). It's a time to learn about the boat, plan a route through Holland for the next 3 months and do some walking and bike riding trips around this very pretty area. Our options are to take the boat to as many places as we can or to use the excellent train network to visit this relatively small country while we leave BB in marinas close to Amsterdam. I've spoken to 3 skippers on nearby boats and already have 3 different suggestions - all adamant in that enthusiastic Dutch way.

In the few days we have been here we have enjoyed a dinner at a canalside restaurant and have climbed the ramparts and towers of Muiden Castle, a mere 700 years old. There is so much to see and do, it all adds up to a really exciting and different holiday ahead of us.

Picture perfect Muiden castle - Muiderslot

A tight squeeze through the opening bridge for this 760 tonner