I am slowly catching up with the backlog. The 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th September entries are now on. Check them out on: www.gratisaustralis.com/category/netherlands/

The hard yakka has been completed and today the painting of the pilot house commences.   Quick snap shots taken during the last few days. Clean out and removal of fans etc. Things always look worse before they improve… Bogging completed Ducting that covers the wires installed. Bob’s famous bean salad ready for dressing. Last muesli for the season…. […]

Bob spent the day sanding the pilot house ceiling.

The decks have been cleaned and the covers are now on!

Now Online. Kinderdijk: South Holland, Netherlands Maritime Museum, Rotterdam: South Holland, Netherlands

Having arrived in Vlissingen, another action packed year in Europe is almost at its end as we commence readying Gratis for her second winter on the European mainland. Don’t despair, however, as we continue uploading the missing links in the European 2017 journey. It’s interesting how initial ideas and plans change as the years pass us by. […]

During the summer months, Museum Veere offers the visitor the rare opportunity of experiencing a few hours on board a replica of one the smaller traditional Dutch barges. Once used for the harvesting of mussels, today these vessels play a vital role in the tourism trade. This morning, Bob and I did just that! Having […]

The province of Zeeland isn’t that large, so the towns are a hop and a skip apart. On departing Veere, it was a short 8km motor that took us to the beautiful old town of Middelburg. The moorings situated on the outer edge of the old township were peaceful and the view of the 16th/17th […]

Taking the road to Arnemuiden Bob and I then trained it to Goes (pronounced ‘goose’). Today’s trip was a journey through crop country in which corn, spinach, onions and potatoes abounded. The roads were a thrum with the sound of tractors, as crops of onion and spuds were in the process of being harvested and […]

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Having wandered the streets, the afternoon saw Bob and I making the most of the late summer weather as we explored the countryside. And yes: there is more to come once we slow down.    

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Situated on the shoreline of the Western Scheldt, the township was once a busy sea port for Scottish ships, and its old harbour now houses pleasure boats. The history of Veere commenced in the 1200s as the small […]

It was day that was peaceful and relaxing as Bob and I partook in a 41km bike ride – just love the electrics. With the barometer sitting at 1027, brought with it a sun filled day of warmth! The colours of Autumn were becoming more prominent with each passing day, bringing with them a more vibrant landscape. […]

A short 46km motor took us into the Veerse Meer. It’s incredible how the landscape changes in such a short distance!

Exquisite weather for the first time in some weeks and we made the most of it! Here is a glimpse from the past few days.   Oude – Tonge, Goeree Overflakkee Goeree – Overflakkee A quick ‘Hello’ with our Dutch friends as we headed out and they in. Zierikzee, Schouwen Duiveland Westenschouwen, Schouwen Duiveland      

Fishing boats were out on the Oosterschelde where tall sapling trunks marked their channels were placed. With it being close to low tide, the guides were necessary. Having passed beneath the last of the major bridges for the year, we passed through the lock that led us from the Oosterschelde National Park into the Veerse Meer, where […]

How packed and long are our days, and what days are they!! A short trip along the canals brought us to to the bucket list item of the day: the Het Schipvaartmuseum. The royal barge built for the first king of the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815 was exquisite. There was plenty to see in […]

On our departure from Zierikzee, Bob and I were in the process of exiting the channel when a blue yacht drew our eye. Imagine our surprise on realising it was ‘Kind of Blue’, the owners of whom we first met on the far – off island of Cocos Keeling way back in June of 2014. […]

A quick visit to the Tower to look the now uncovered period costumes. Another beautiful tower. And time for a break.

Days of drab grey cloud came to an end as fog and soft blue skies welcomed us upon waking. Time to move on, Gratis crossed the flat Zuid Vlije, passed through Krammersluizen (jachtsluizen) – no radio or phone number here, the lock operator opens the gate when he/she sees you. On exiting into the Zijpe, […]

The villages of Oude and Nieuwe – Tonga were until 1284 part of the Grijsoord manor estate owned by Floris V (Does the name sound familiar? He was the guy that annihilated the villages in West Friesland and had 5 castles constructed in the region. We visited one of them in Medemblik.).  It was in […]