Amersfoort to the Randomeer

Brrrrr ….. chilly today. A crisp 10 degrees outside. We're expecting it to be dry but overcast all day so have a dull day planned for the Randomeer later. Our friendly harbour master waved us a cheery farewell as he opened the two bridges for us leading downstream from Amersfoort. 'See you next time!" he called. And we liked Amersfoort a lot so there may well be a next time.

This is the Lady Tower in the medieval centre of Amersfoort. It was completed in 1300. According to Mr Google, it used to have a church attached, as one would expect, however that "exploded" in 1757 leaving the tower on its own. I would really like to know how it "exploded", but they are a bit vague on that. It is the tallest medieval tower in the Netherlands. 

I can tell you with some confidence that the navigable River Eems is 17,9 kms as the river is marked, helpfully, every 100ms, and all along the river fowl are busy fixing up nests and sitting on eggs. A couple of families of geese have already hatched, but most of the parents are still incubating their babies. It's going to be real cute around here in a couple of weeks.

Even with my long johns and 4 layers on my top half, it was pretty chilly so I stayed below for the most part with my hot water bottle which I was able to top up every now and then from the hot tap in the galley. The calorifier (sic)/hotwater heater that Skip installed last year after I had left the boat is BRILLIANT. Hot hot water on tap 24 hours a day. No more doing dishes in cold greasy water - ugh - and nice LONG hot showers. We had a 10ltr electric water heater before, but it chomped up the batteries so we tried to only use it when we were hooked up to shore power. The new one is either electric or heats up from the engine as we are underway.

We are now moored up on a tiny island 32kms up the Randomeer from the Eems turnoff where we will spend the night. Our plans for the next few weeks are deliberately vague as the only plan is to have no plan and go as we please.

Now, don't our new cushions look comfy and inviting?

Moored up on the island in the middle of the Randomeer. This is obviously a popular spot in summer, judging by the beach with water slides and all the bbq pits. The white sailboat behind us just pulled in with a rather harassed looking chap and nine 7 or 8-yr-old girls on board.