miket
Active member
It's that time of year when we all get a bit grumpy. Well, I do.
This winter is different.
Retiring next March and setting off for Holland in May.
We did a recce a few weeks ago and selected a marina base in Naarden (20 mins taxi East of Amsterdam) just off the Maarkesmeer/ Ijslemeer. From here we intend doing cruises North, South, East and West. Hope to include the Frisian Islands. Have also booked heated undercover storage for next winter. What a wonderful facility to have.
The planning is keeping me busy.
I have all the Dutch inland charts. We have more or less decided on our route from the South when we first arrive. Decided to go on an inland route as the Dutch coast from Westerschelde going on North is very flat and boring and time will not be an issue for once. There are some excellent cruising books for Holland and we have made a number of changes as a result of reading these.
We have made contact with several others who are in Holland already. It will be nice to meet up if in their patch.
2013 plans will depend on 2012. If the weather is rotten or we feel we have seen enough of Holland, we shall head South into France. I am planning to bypass Belgium as my own personal objection to their being stroppy about UK Red diesel, so the route might be up the Rhine, via Basel and on down to St Jean de Losne and the return via Paris and the Normandy coast.
Can't wait and will be delighted not to be contributing to EA's coffers for a couple of years.
This winter is different.
Retiring next March and setting off for Holland in May.
We did a recce a few weeks ago and selected a marina base in Naarden (20 mins taxi East of Amsterdam) just off the Maarkesmeer/ Ijslemeer. From here we intend doing cruises North, South, East and West. Hope to include the Frisian Islands. Have also booked heated undercover storage for next winter. What a wonderful facility to have.
The planning is keeping me busy.
I have all the Dutch inland charts. We have more or less decided on our route from the South when we first arrive. Decided to go on an inland route as the Dutch coast from Westerschelde going on North is very flat and boring and time will not be an issue for once. There are some excellent cruising books for Holland and we have made a number of changes as a result of reading these.
We have made contact with several others who are in Holland already. It will be nice to meet up if in their patch.
2013 plans will depend on 2012. If the weather is rotten or we feel we have seen enough of Holland, we shall head South into France. I am planning to bypass Belgium as my own personal objection to their being stroppy about UK Red diesel, so the route might be up the Rhine, via Basel and on down to St Jean de Losne and the return via Paris and the Normandy coast.
Can't wait and will be delighted not to be contributing to EA's coffers for a couple of years.