Driewegsluis to Giethoorn

Oh, such a lovely clear, sunny morning. We had  20km from Driewegsluis to Giethoorn - not too challenging :) There are a couple of routes one can take,

but we opted for the Ossenzijl/Steenwijk canal as the route via the Steenwijker Diep is 5 kms or so longer. 

Being such a lovely Sunday there were loads of boats out. Both charter boats, who one sees through the week, but also lots of local private boats meandering around or moored up on grassy banks along the canal with their owners out sunbathing in deckchairs. We had never visited Steenwijk so decided to head up the side canal into town. If it looked wonderful, we would stop, otherwise the plan was to carry on to Giethoorn. Well, you can cross it off the list. The canal into town is lined with ugly industrial units and the passantahaven is surrounded by ugly modern apartment buildings. We did an abrupt 180 in mid canal and headed out again.

 "Which way?" Luckily the main channels are well signposted so you really have to be daydreaming to go the wrong way.

This family were having a lovely day out. I was really peeved when the car showed up to spoil the shot.

The dog looks skinny, but he was one of those breeds that do. He was just fine.

We chose to revisit the same passantahaven, Zuiderkluft, in Giethoorn that we were in two years ago as we remembered the comfortable side on moorings where everywhere else in town seems to be bow-to marina slots. Our memory proved correct and we found a lovely spot alongside the grassy bank. Nowhere near the willow trees we had chosen to moor under last time whereafter I spent days sweeping leaves out of everything and wiping up bird poop. There are also dozens & dozens of reasonable moorings alongside the main canal, with power, but next to a busy road.

The moorings at the Zuiderkluft haven in Giethoorn. They have recently built a new shower block/laundry - very nice. The entrance to the haven is a bit discreet - you have to pay attention.

Bikes ashore, we headed across the bridge to the town. Oh my. The Venice of the Netherlands it is called, and it is certainly true that all the houses are accessed by boats. Last time we were here, in September 2015, the place was quiet, tranquil, and achingly pretty. On a sunny Sunday in late May it was none of the above. 

There were hordes of tourists, mostly middle and far eastern in origin, thronging the narrow walkways, squealing and taking photos and hordes more in aluminium rental boats, squealing and taking photos. You had to be careful not to get poked in the eye by the selfie sticks. The boats have electric motors and are mightily dented from all the bashing and crashing into each other, the bridges and the canal sides as inexperienced "pilots" careen from side to side down the canals to the accompaniment of clanking, clonking and more squealing. All highly entertaining, so much so we stopped at a canalside café and sat with a beer and a borrel plank for an hour enjoying the show.

We also revisited the wonderful rock & fossil shop where we bought a pair of fossils last time. This time I bought myself an amonite - just beautiful. Back to the boat - phew much quieter this side of the main canal. BBQ on the aft deck, yet again.

 What a great way to watch the show - beer & borrel!

This is the rock & fossil shop. There is also a pottery and a place selling vastly overpriced "Giethoorn Kaas" - 30 euros a kilo. They must be having a laugh.

As this photo from the 1930's shows, tourists have been visiting for decades.

 Giethoorn in winter in the 1930's.

This is our next province - Overijssel. Meppel (top sorta-middle-left) tomorrow and then down to Zwaartsluis and Zwolle.