a few random thoughts on Netherlands

[sailorman]

Before we left home i made sure we had access ( remember access) to funds in various ways, ie 3 x service cards, 2 differing CC + a prepaid mastercard. the latter works sometimes in retail outlets / harbour dues ect but always in an ATM

 

[Tidewaiter2]

agreed, but there are some available, which was the original question.....
Personally I just went to the jackpot machine in the wall every couple of days....

The problem is getting to the ATM out on the islands. Then when your visa debit card snaps in half in the HM's machine........

 

[FullCircle]

The problem is getting to the ATM out on the islands. Then when your visa debit card snaps in half in the HM's machine........

Crikey, I keep 70Euro in my Tilley Hat.....

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Crikey, I keep 70Euro in my Tilley Hat.....

Ah, our cash float in SWMBO's underwear came to the rescue

 

[DanTribe]

Hmm, no maestro in either of our wallets and a trip to Basildon yielded no banks who would issue one. Anybody got at ideas? Or approximation of how much cash required. Is food shopping and eating out similar to UK?

As others have said, you can get cash from ATMs, there is often one in the supermarket. My comment was just to highlight that you usually can't use a UK card at checkout. Have enough folding, it's embarassing not being able to pay with a queue behind you!
Groceries and eating out a bit cheaper than UK.
I have a prepaid Mastercard (FairFX). Worked in the yacht club in Middelburg but seldom since at checkouts.

 

[AliM]

Many of the supermarkets charge you 1 or 2% for using a card - well they do in Germany, dEnmark etc - not sure about NL. So we always use cash, which is easy enough because there are a lot of ATMs. We have a Euro account, so in Euro lands use the card with that, and in non Euro countries use a sterling card, to minimise the transaction charges.
If stuck in ENkhuizen, go to the Zuiderzee Zee museum!

Lovely weather in Rugen (NE Germany) and wonderful sailing area - heartily recommended for those with time!

 

[nauticalnomad]

If you swing by the local gemente (council) they have a procedure for everything.. Even what days you can eat certain foods.
Its quite a simple life here in NL as long as you fill in the form and pay the license to live and breathe.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

If you swing by the local gemente (council) they have a procedure for everything.. Even what days you can eat certain foods.
Its quite a simple life here in NL as long as you fill in the form and pay the license to live and breathe.

Oh, dear, the youngest and his SWMBO are moving to Den Haag for work- but we've given them our coffee service, so they should be ok.

 

[sailorman]

Oh, dear, the youngest and his SWMBO are moving to Den Haag for work- but we've given them our coffee service, so they should be ok.

from walking around Amsterdam you had over yer backy pouch too + additives

 

[Suffolk Explorer]

A couple of years ago I found that you needed either a Maestro card or a special Dutch Railways card to purchase tickets from the machine at an unmanned railway station like Enkhuizen. Also needed Maestro for the out of hours machine for the Haarlem locks and moorings. In both cases a friendly passer-by used theirs and I paid them cash, but I prefer not to rely on such good fortune. Has the situation changed or has anyone found a way of getting a Maestro card in the UK?

 

[Stork_III]

A couple of years ago I found that you needed either a Maestro card or a special Dutch Railways card to purchase tickets from the machine at an unmanned railway station like Enkhuizen. Also needed Maestro for the out of hours machine for the Haarlem locks and moorings. In both cases a friendly passer-by used theirs and I paid them cash, but I prefer not to rely on such good fortune. Has the situation changed or has anyone found a way of getting a Maestro card in the UK?

http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/howtoget/

May not be correct. I have Nat West acc and the debit card is Visa not Maestro.

 

[ChattingLil]

As others have said, you can get cash from ATMs, there is often one in the supermarket. My comment was just to highlight that you usually can't use a UK card at checkout. Have enough folding, it's embarassing not being able to pay with a queue behind you!
Groceries and eating out a bit cheaper than UK.
I have a prepaid Mastercard (FairFX). Worked in the yacht club in Middelburg but seldom since at checkouts.

Agreed. The first time my card was declined (mastercard), the checkout lady did not know why. I tried another card (visa) also declined. I didn't have enough cash to pay for all the shopping, so had to leave some behind. If I did embarrassment ,I would have been. Luckily I have no shame . HOwever, still did not know why, it was until the second supermarket that the lady told me why. So it was ATM after that. Once you know it's ok and you can prepare for it. Well worth the tip.

LAURIN - we found things the same prices if not a little cheaper re eating out, bars and snacks. Mooring charges are much cheaper.

 

[sailorman]

just got back into Willemstad & 2 nights inc showers,leky & water €20 a night (£14 ish )

our tour of The netherlands up to today

 

[Boz]

While we are on Random Thoughts (OP) ..... What do you guys do about prescription drugs, Co Codamol is on my list and contains codeine which is a controlled substance in some countries. The CA site rather unhelpfully doesn't list them....

Impressed with your tour Sailorman

 

[sailorman]

While we are on Random Thoughts (OP) ..... What do you guys do about prescription drugs, Co Codamol is on my list and contains codeine which is a controlled substance in some countries. The CA site rather unhelpfully doesn't list them....

Impressed with your tour Sailorman

we have codene o/b & never gave a thought to it being controlled. the Seppos get upset but i dont plan to go there & my nav isnt that bad either :encouragement:

PS the tour continues tomorrow, R & R day today

 

[Boz]

After much googling I found a complete set of inland waterway charts on this site

ANWB Waterkaarten voor Windows

Sorry this is not a URL but a search should find it. £28 for a complete set including a viewer. There are also Apps for android and iPad.....

Sent from my iPad

 

[sailorman]

After much googling I found a complete set of inland waterway charts on this site

ANWB Waterkaarten voor Windows

Sorry this is not a URL but a search should find it. £28 for a complete set including a viewer. There are also Apps for android and iPad.....

Sent from my iPad

charts are also a free download & run on open cpn leaving €39 to spend on bier :encouragement:

 

[Boz]

charts are also a free download & run on open cpn leaving €39 to spend on bier :encouragement:

Yes - I already downloaded those, but they don't cover the NoordHollander kanal (Den Helder-Amsterdam) as far as I could tell?

this is the URL
http://www.anwbwatersport.nl/vaarinformatie/waterkaarten_wateralmanak_cursusboeken/digitale-anwb-waterkaarten-windows.html

Open in Chrome and use Google translate
Boz

 

[sailorman]

Yes - I already downloaded those, but they don't cover the NoordHollander kanal (Den Helder-Amsterdam) as far as I could tell?

this is the URL
http://www.anwbwatersport.nl/vaarin...oeken/digitale-anwb-waterkaarten-windows.html

Open in Chrome and use Google translate
Boz

i am using them + a 1996 chart that seens to workstill but i feat is in a sad state, well infact in 2 parts of a sad state. it has done its work & must depart this world

 

[Vamoose]

just got back into Willemstad & 2 nights inc showers,leky & water €20 a night (£14 ish )

our tour of The netherlands up to today

MARINA CHARGES All very reasnoble , currently left boat in Dordrech for trip home and crew change. 10 nights for 9 metre boat = 110 Euro.