Amsterdam

We crossed over at Weesp into a canal leading into the Amstel then onto Amsterdam. So far we had a reading on the chart for the air draft which is the height from water level to the underside of each bridge to calculate whether we could go under or call for the bridge to be opened. Suddenly right in the city centre the bridges weren’t marked.

We pulled over to the side and took the flags off as they were the highest point after the canopy and from here we went through the last 7 bridges with one of us outside while the other drove under the bridge very slowly to check that we would fit. After this experience we have made the flag poles shorter and put up a marker pole right at the front and know exactly how much room we need.

After a very long day we crossed over into Six Haven Yacht Club which is on the opposite side of the river to the Amsterdam train station. It was great to see Penny and Russel and Oliver who had both arrived earlier in the day. Three Australian boats side by side certainly caused some interest. The next couple of days we found all sorts of places as we rode our bicycles around. The city is made for bicycle travel with cycle paths along every street. To cross over to the city side, a ferry boat just down from Six Haven leaves every 15 minutes and is free. Bicycles, motor cycles, pedestrians and very small cars about 1 metre wide (smaller than Smart Cars) all make their way onto the ferry at the same time.
Peak hours are amazing and he who hesitates is lost, we quickly get used to melding in with the others.

Crossing the harbour the ferries have to dodge the huge barges making their way up or down the harbour as they cross.

Where else but Amsterdam would you get a building similar to a 4 story carpark full of bicycles with not a car in sight. How people are able to find their bicycles is beyond me as almost everyone is black with a carrier.

Bicycle attire here is not the usual casual dress we come to expect when going out riding. Seeing someone dressed for the office or a cocktail party and riding a bicycle is strange to us but the norm here.

I am astounded at how much can be carried on one bicycle. One Mum we saw shopping with two toddlers in the back in seats one behind the other, a baby in a seat in front of the handle bars and a rack in front for the shopping.
Many people also ride a type of three wheeler with a huge box in front which has two seats and probably carries 4 small children.
This little fellow even has his own windscreen.