Our journey now was in the car and we crossed the Afsluitdijk a 32 k drive between the Isjelmeer and the Wadden Zee heading for Den Helder where the Tall Ships Race for 2008 finished.
We had a room in a little hotel right opposite the wharf and spent the day walking around the various wharves where the ships were moored.
There were many ships of every type moored in port to welcome the boats in.
Almost 100 took part in the race and what a great day to see so many sailing ships in one place. We didn’t know a brigantine from a clipper or a Schooner or a????? but it didn’t matter.
We walked around amongst a forest of masts and ropes.
Many were open for visitors and the atmosphere was great with shanty choirs singing in the background.
On Hardy's we had a good time sipping Australian wine.
The next day we walked around the wharves again and met Liz and David whom we first met back in June on our first visit to Den Helder, they came back to see the ships also. Once again we tried out the food at the stalls around and had our first Olibollins, a bit like an old fashioned donut.
In the afternoon we walked down to the dyke and found a place amongst the hundred thousand other people there to watch the sail past of the tall ships. While we waited we were entertained by the bands and shanty choirs.
What a fabulous time we had watching these marvellous ships sail past.
Soon it was time to head off to Schipol Airport and back home.
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