9 September. Hollandse Ijssel to Utrecht.

The 14km we had to do today should have taken 2 1/2 hours max, even taking into account the bridges and locks. Unfortunately we got stuck behind a Captain Slow on a narrow stretch and instead it was 3 1/2 hours. And it was raining again. Bother.

We were also in convoy with some Americans who were chartering one of the Locaboat Penichettes out of Loosdrecht. According to the information Locaboat had supplied them, some of Utrecht's Oudegracht bridges were closed which would involve a detour around the city on the hated Amstedam Rhine canal. Being Saturday, all the numbers I called were closed until monday so we decided to just go ahead and go to Utrecht anyway. Good thing too, because their information was wrong and the bridges were indeed all open. Phew. And better good news, the rain stopped just in time for us to drop all the awnings to get under the last fixed bridge into the passanthaven in the centre of the city.

The visitor's moorings at Utrecht are just lovely. Right in the middle of the Utrecht, a stone's throw away from the historic heart of the city. They are in a park, with grassy banks, lovely trees and paths frequented by joggers and dog walkers. Such fun to watch all the beautiful doggies pass by the windows of the boat. The price for a 10m boat is 16 euros including electricity (and showers if you want them) which is not exactly cheap, but considering the aspect and location worth every penny. The electricity points are cunningly disguised as dock planks so you have to look out for them.

After sitting on the boat for 2 days straight my feet were itching and despite the return of the rain, I put on my rain jacket, grabbed by brolly and took off for an hours walk around town. I could have walked for another hour at least but the sun came out and I knew Skip was itching to launch the dinghy again.

Beers, wine, cheese and a couple of brollys in case and we set off up Utrecht's little canals……