Saturday 5th - Tuesday 8th June 2004 “De Dellen” to Nieuwolda.

Saturday 5th June 2004 “De Dellen” to Nieuwolda.

Termunterzijldiep windmill - photo by Dollard Route

11.2° C overnight. Grey and overcast when we set off at 9.15 a.m. but brightening up later. We went first, Rosy following. The bridges were all fixed ones but low, 2.5m, so the masts had to come off. The next mooring place marked on the chart (with what we had nicknamed a “Lollipop”) was at the village of Nieuwe Scheemda, a pleasant spot with a large lawn, several picnic tables, a bin and even a volleyball net! Made some tea  as we went round some interesting bends in the canal at ‘t Waar. At the beginning of the village of Nieuwolda, the first mooring staging had been occupied by a steel cruiser, which had tied up so that its stern deck access was level with a gangway to the bank, which meant he was virtually in the middle of the mooring. We motored on. A fisherman by the next bridge, Bostil, was a dummy. I liked that idea, a stuffed fisherman! 

Termunterzijldiep windmill - photo by Wout van Groenstijn

It was 10.30 a.m. when we tied up next to a sloping grassy bank, edged with wooden planking, backed by a small road (with parking) opposite a row of houses, just before the liftbridge, Hamrikkerklap. Bill took Fanny for a walk and went to explore the village. When he came back he and Mike had a chat with the chap who ran a café close by where we’d moored. He was also caretaker of the infant school and library, which were right next to where we were. They had internet too, but not available until Monday. Mike told him we’d be staying for a few days and the guy said we could have water from him if we’d got long enough hoses. We have. We shall do some washing tomorrow! Helped Mike unload the moped off the roof and he went to get the car. After dinner Mike went to find Bill and they went in the bar until 10.30 p.m. Harry, the barman, said he was closing early as had to get up at 4.30 a.m. because the locals were off on a fishing trip by coach and they always have coffee first before they go at 5.00 a.m.

 Sunday 6th June 2004 Nieuwolda.

Termunterzijldiep footbridge- photo by Jaap Elevelt

9° C Sunny spells. We went out in the car to look at the moorings at Termunterzijl. First we called in at the garage in Scheemda for some diesel. Prices seemed better at 81.5c/litre than others we’d seen recently which were nearer 90c (diesel was more expensive in Germany at upwards of 92c/litre, while petrol was cheaper). The mooring at Termunterzijl was practically full, probably as it was a warm sunny day and cruisers had come out for the day from marinas in Delfzijl. A notice stated that the haven master calls at 6.00 p.m. for mooring fees. We shan’t be staying! Mike asked someone who was passing how much they charged, they replied that they weren’t stopping until six to find out but most likely in the region of 65c/m, which would be 11,70 (£7.60) for us - that’s a lot just for tying up! Went to look at moorings marked on the chart in Delfzijl - there was nothing there. Continued into Appingedam. Found the moorings, they looked OK if a bit enclosed, surrounded by shops and houses. Back on the boat Mike ran the engine and I did some washing. Made a beef Stroganoff for dinner. The beef was a bit tough.

Monday 7th June 2004 Nieuwolda.

Nieuwolda - photo by  Sjaak Kempe

13.4° C Sunny spells. Mike went to the local Spa for some bread and I got on with the chores, more washing and ironing etc. Lunch. Finished the washing and Mike took Bill (who needed a cash machine and there wasn’t one in the village) with him into Winschoten to do some e-mails at the library. He’d had a reply to the one he’d sent to PangIT, which said a colleague would be dealing with his enquiries and would reply soon. Mike also found the Citroën dealers and got two nice new shiny brake discs for the ZX for 63 Euros (about £41). He was very surprised to have got them as he’d been expecting to have to place an order and wait for them. It was too late to start work on changing the brakes when he returned. Made chicken and pasta with a bottled sauce for dinner.

  

Tuesday 8th June 2004 Nieuwolda.

Nieuwolda Hamrikkerklap liftbridge - photo by Henk Binnendijk 

13° C Sunny spells, warmer. Mike set up his binoculars with a dark lens so we could see the transit of Venus as it made its six hour passage between the earth and the sun. He changed the ZX’s brake discs. Lunch. I finished knitting my string doormat, then edged it and made a wave pattern on it with lighter coloured string. It was noisy in the afternoon when school let out and the local kids started swimming in the canal by the liftbridge. I made chicken nuggets and chips for dinner. A small curly haired child knocked on the cabinside and went on down to Bill’s boat, messing with his bike (which was leaning against a tree but locked up) and laughing to his semi-idiot older friend. Ignored them and they went away. Mike had had trouble with a few mouthy ones on Sunday evening and he’d mentioned it to Harry, who had gone outside straight away and given them a lecture. He said that they don’t do that sort of thing in a small village where everyone knows them. Mike went in the bar with Bill, who didn’t stay long. A couple on a camping holiday on bikes arrived and they chatted with Mike. He was originally from Aston, Birmingham and she was Dutch, from Groningen, where they both now lived.