Utrecht to Oudewater. Hollandse IJssel.

For the fourth time in three days we dropped the Bimini and tent to pass under the first bridge of the morning.

Entering the Hollander Ijssel

It was such a gorgeous day - sunny, clear blue skies, no wind - that we left it down for the rest of the journey to Oudewater. Pronounced, we learned from the first lock keeper who asked us where we were going : ow-der-vaater. 

With our bimini down, we were able to pass through most of the bridges

Pretty!

Once again we crossed the big Amsterdam-Rijhn Canal, but being Sunday, there was little traffic. The first lock keeper had called ahead for us and we made swift progress through the next lock and series of lifting bridges which were all expecting us. We appologised to him for his having to work Sunday on such a glorious day. "Hey, I get paid one and three-quarter times to be out here in the sunshine!".

Lovely houses with lawns to the water's edge.

We got to do some nosy window peeking.

We just loved this stretch of the Hollandse Ijssel. Such a pretty, narrow river with so much of interest along the way. There are plenty of free moorings on this stretch of the. We pulled into one where they had installed a water point for the boats and topped up the tanks.

Oudewater town quay.

We are now tied up on the quay in the centre of town on a free mooring. Most towns we have come across on this trip would have charged for the privilege.

The town blurb says it is the prettiest town in the green heart of the Netherlands, and for once I totally agree with their PR department.

At times very rural.

Other times, the houses got fancy.

And then even fancier.

We picked a nice circular cycle route from my new cycle maps and went for a couple of hour bike ride. Much of the route was along the narrow Lange Lindschoten canal, which we soon realised was the upmarket side of town. VERY nice homes and gardens, including the stately home Lindschoten. 

Lieve Hecksie's outhouse.

No, I told Skip. You can't have a figurehead too.

The cycle routes are such a pleasure - well signposted and virtually car free. Even a cycling "poepslang" (according to my dear husband) can enjoy them worry free.