Getting to Holland by train to meet a yacht having sailed over

[sailorman]

Fair comment, but I suspect the charms of the Netherlands are rather different from those of the United States.

Last summer, we found Enkhuizen and Medemblik absolutely charming. Having lived in Wales, England, Spain and the Czech Republic, the difficulty of learning the Dutch language is the one thing that deters me from trying a spell living there.

tot uw dienst :encouragement:

 

[sailorman]

I've been berthed at Amsterdam since March last year. The language is and isn't a problem. I'm not a linguist and my attempts are pretty pathetic. Poor hearing doesn't help. Obviously around Amsterdam everybody can converse in English.

We had a lift-out in Medemblik September time and the yard manager and his family said that they are not so used to speaking English as most of the visitors are German speakers. Quite interesting I thought.

My opinion is that Dutch comes a close second to Portuguese in difficulty (for me) to learn.

BTW we have used 3 methods to get to Amsterdam from where we live (Suffolk). Plane/ UK train (returning from A'dam). Ferry with the car (twice). EasyJet from Southend (numerous).
We wouldn't use the train UK side again given the choice. Car Ferry is OK. Plane from/to Southend is excellent and, as said, the train station to A'dam Centraal is within the airport and runs every 17 mins or so. Then a 14min FREE ferry journey to Amsterdam Marina.

Strange the Dutch, they seem to have integrated public transport services.
40 yrs ago i flew out to Schipol, last flight on friday from Norwich landed, down to the stn arrived Central Stb, bus awaiting to take us to Monnikendam.
Saturday transit the North Sea Canal, the swing rail bridge was there back then, arrived Woolverstone Sunday