31 May - 2 June Gouda

The journey from Willemstad to Gouda turned out to be long journey with a strong 2k stream running against us most of the way and plenty of waiting for bridges and locks although we had our lunch at one. We were in company with German friends who had just bought their boat near Veer and were taking it back to the Baltic. It was the first go at sailing for the wife who was clearly having to learn fast. Just outside Gouda, we entered a lock which seemingly had just been completely filled by an enormous barge, effectively a full sized ship, which towered over us and worse, the wind pushed us towards its stern while the water swirled from its prop wash while it kept station. The lock gates closed behind us and we survived.

The old canals of Gouda are shallow to say the least which made the depth alarm sounded endlessly while we manoeuvred in a relatively tight space so helping to pile on the pressure but we did not ground and found a vacant berth beneath lime trees lining the road edge, splendid with sunlight through the leaves but they filled the boat with their incredibly delicate seed cases However, worse things can happen at sea I am told.

Gouda is one of those typical Dutch towns ringed with concentric canals built for trade and presumably defence and varying in attractiveness according to whether you are in the "right" quarter or not. The most beautiful, grand and classical houses stretch out beside tree lined canals while the old trading properties are built straight down into the water as in Venice in order to take in goods brought by boat. Roof lines, front door entrances and window shapes all compete to be the most noticeable by changing level or style yet all falling in with ones idea of early Dutch architecture. One is hardly ever out of site of a bridge, a canal or an active windmill and the great Church and outrageously ornate Town Hall stand in or by the huge market square which either acts as the stage for an open market or the set for tourists to sit at street side cafes and watch each other.

To leave Gouda, we need to negotiate two or three bridges and a lock before we come to a noted major rail bridge which only opens four times a day, so get it wrong and you could have a long wait ahead. We have it all planned so only time will tell. Our German friends will do the same journey and being Monday the barge traffic will be back to full volume to keep us on our toes.