And We're off to the Netherlands

Stansted to Heerenveen

It was perhaps a trifle ambitious to book a flight from Stansted to Amsterdam leaving at 7am when we were still jet-lagged. Thank goodness Susan was kind enough to insist on driving us to the airport, despite the early hour, and we made the flight by the skin of our teeth.

In what seemed like an indecently short time we were no sooner up in the air and levelled off than we began our descent into Amsterdam (John: I barely had time to finish my bacon baguette). Peering from the plane window first impressions were that it was flat .... very, very flat, and green. The land was transected by multiple canals, lakes and waterways as far as the eye could see. In fact it turns out Amsterdam has more canals than Venice. Who knew?

We'd received detailed instructions from my sister Janice about how to reach Heerenveen by train. With precision timing we transitioned from plane to train and even managed a change of trains at Zwolle, arriving at Heerenveen station just 30 minutes after Jan and Nick had seen off their previous boat guests, Al and Beth. They walked with us back to where Kuah and Shanty were tied up on a nearby canal. Pamela and Pat came riding up on their bikes a short time later having been out to the shops.

So here we are. All three sisters together with our partners in the Netherlands about to embark on a canal boat trip together. Will we survive it?



Three sisters in Heerenveen

The girls and their partners about to go canal boating together

First order of business was a tour of both boats. They are lovely, bigger than I had imagined!

Nick gave John and me individual, personal, training on how to work the onboard toilet. He launched into a complicated demonstration on which buttons to push to deal with No 1s and No 2s including eco-flushes (No 1s) and extra power flushes and maceration combo to deal with severe No 2s. Eeek! Where are the public loos? We already knew that there was no on-board shower, so we were mentally geared up for bird baths in between marina showers when they were available. But by now I have toilet terror.

This may LOOK like a normal loo, but flush wrongly at your peril!

I'm sure it will all be good in the end, but you really do need to be VERY close friends or family to deal with this kind of close quarters living.

We three girls headed off into town to explore Heerenveen. Just as we walked past the town hall we were regaled by a carillion of bells from the town hall bell tower which play different tunes on the hour every hour. Just around the corner from there I spotted my first windmill. Bliss! I am truly in Holland.

The town hall belles

First windmill

The town is festively decorated with international flags and bunting at the moment, as the excitement grows to fever pitch with the World Cup soccer just a few weeks away. Since the Netherlands team is actually in with a chance of making the finals, one can understand their enthusiasm. Luckily for Pam - orange is her favourite colour so she'll fit right in.

An Aussie flag in Heerenveen

Shopping for shoes dutch style?

Colourful local identity. Theo with Pam.

Having a coffee while grocery shopping

graffiti girls
 

Pam and Jan led me to all their favourite shopping haunts and we managed to make a few purchases despite none of us speaking any Dutch. Most people speak English as a second language here and will switch good naturedly when they realise you are looking blank.

We bought some cheeses and wine for our first sundowner get together on the boat deck. Pam had made a lovely spaghetti bolognese for us all to share, and we spent a relaxed evening chatting and laughing until late.