Strandhorst.

So now we are in the final straight of getting the boat winterized. Skip has spent the morning head in the bilges changing oil, oil filter, replacing gear box bolts, cleaning out bilge and pumping antifreeze into the faithful "beast", as it is called fondly.

The Bimini came down to be scrubbed - we pondered whether to give it a mow first. I guess it's been up awhile. And so on, and so on. Happily :) the sink needs recaulking so we get to eat out again tonight.

Some final statistics, yawn, for anyone who is interested.

Thanks Zoe

We did 840 kms in six weeks.
Total engine hours: 115
Fuel used:  396 litres
Average speed:  8.2 kph - would have been higher if not for the IJssel current
Running fuel : 3.5 litres per hour

Paid moorings for 10.5m boat : we paid between 8,80 and 18,00, which prices included the government tourist charge of 1,25 per person. Some of these prices included a 2,00 euro charge for "stroom" - electricity. At others the stroom was provided at a pay meter which you fed with 50c pieces or euro coins. The highest price for stroom was at Weesp where one euro bought 300 watts (which lasted about 1\2 an hour). Needless to say they only got one euro out of us as we can go without for 4 or 5 days. About one quarter of our moorings were free - could have been more but while we were in Friesland, where the lakes are full of free moorings, the weather was too unpleasant to be in the lakes so we headed into towns instead.

Thanks for your company. See ya next year.

"Look!" said Skip. "Ah, but which boat?" I asked.