#seasthefuture Scotlands International Marine conference

 Hi , Just arrived in Haarlem and has taken us most of the day.. Spent a long time waiting on our second bridge. . We were told to make sure we were there well before 1pm as that was when it opened and only opened. We got there for half past eleven but found out that the time had changed to 3pm. We had company and they with their beautiful siamese, who being the genius of cats were out on deck , were also going to Haarlem . Yea so we followed them. Then there was a lock . We waited our turn for this too and found out once we were in that it was 3 euros 50 to use . It dropped us a foot and we went out. .

 Still following our yachtys with the siamese we entered the out skirts of Haarlem. It took us another hour and 2 more bridges to get where we are now
Now to go through Haarlem its going to cost you. At the railway and road bridge is the Harbourmasters office . There is a machine and you have to pay 12 euros to either go through Haarlem or stay the night and go through in the morning. The Bridges through the centre close at 4.30 pm and we were close to the time for the bridge we would next meet to close .
We have decided to stay the night.







Look at where we are staying though , isn't it marvelous. It is the first one we have seen since arriving.

This is a marina but as space is tight we are lined up along the sides and have stayed out of the pontoons. Especially after this morning leaving sixhaven.
Mark accidently turned the tiller the wrong way and turned a simple manouvere in to a millon times turn. With all on neighbouring boats giving us a hand to push of. They were all very good about it and we offered apologies.. Exit was achieved without collision and waves of relief from our fellow boaters. .Not the best start to the day . it was a simple mistake but done in such a very tight marina didn't take long to become a big one.
As you can imagine Mark is quite happy we are now moored up alongside a quay rather than in the pontoons and it has been alot for him to learn today so i agree with him.
Engine running better but still not quite right ..
Still can't quite believe just how wide these canals are and consideration has to be given to wind and current from side canals joining.
I think considering we have been in Holland a week and have had problems to start  with that, Mark has done really well . He is rather stressed and doesn't feel the same way. Today we dealt with bridges going up and locks , procedures we have not done before . We got through them well and i am chuffed.


You will have to take my word for it but there is a bloody big submarine in this picture . Tomorrow now that i have found my camera [put it in a safe place, ha] Hopefully the pictures will be better as we continue through Haarlem [ more bridges]
goodnight.