9th May 2016
Enkhuizen to Hoorn

AAAARRRGH .... I knew there was a reason we don´t like cruising in the meer, other than the lack of anything to look at other than water, sails, and distant shoreline. It was windy and choppy today and the boat did a lot of bouncing around and SPLASH our gas Weber BBQ jumped right out of its holder (with 4 bungees securing it) and disappeared beneath the waves....  :( :(   That´s one sad face for Skip and one for me. We actually only realised it was gone when we were moored up again and rolled up the sides of the tent - OOOOOPS.

Faced with the dreary prospect of cooking in the pan from now on, I consulted Mr Google, who, as I have mentioned before, knows all, and he directed us to a couple of stores we might find a replacement. Skip took off on his bicycle, and found exactly the same small Weber as we had before at the last (natch) shop he checked. There has been a run on BBQ´s because of the excellent weather we have been having over this last 5-day-long long weekend and this was the last in the store. It only remained unsold because it was the display model. Skip was especially pleased as they sold it to him with a 25% discount, and, he was planning a big BBQ clean at the next port which he does´nt have to do anymore.
:) :)

Skip is determined this one can´t escape...

Hoorn is a lovely old town and we are tied up in the Binnehaven in exactly the same spot we were last year when we passed this way with son Brett. The biggest difference is that this time the sun is shining and last time poor Brett was steering the boat up on deck, with no tent, freezing his nuts off - I recall sleet....

Moored up in Hoorn binnehaven - same spot as last year.

The other difference is the price of moorings has gone up a couple of euros, but they have also removed the pay meters for the electricity, so that kinda evens up. They have also removed the free washer and dryer that was in the shower block. I used it extensively last year, as I am sure did many others before and after me, and their electricity bill must have been taking a hit so now the machines are gone.

I did some shopping in town for a new wardrobe :) :) :). I started with shorts ´cos of the hot weather. The only pair I had left on the boat from last year were threatening to drop around my ankles at every step. And I sorta got carried away and now I´m glad we forked out 35 euros to take a suitcase on Ryanair, which whom we are flying home.

Enkhuizen gables.

Note from Skip:  Zoe is 10m long, plus 1/2m swim platform at the back and 3.25m wide. We carry 700lt fuel and use 7 lt per hour motoring at a steady 10km per hour. We also carry 700lt of water and have 1250 amp hours of batteries. Our 2 electric bikes (ProRider) can go 30km or so on a charge.

Remember to click on the photos to make them bigger.