ARNHEM

We left Utrecht in the afternoon and went back to the lock out onto the Amsterdam Rhine canal then down 20 k to the Neder Rhine. We had a very good trip with hardly any big barges, what a relief as I still have the Maarsen exit in my mind. The harbour of Wijk ij Duurstede was just around the corner as we entered the Neder Rhine so we pulled in for the night. We had a pleasant drink in the café overlooking the harbour which sits high on the town wall. There were two passenger ships in the harbour so we went to look them over. The largest, the Prins Willem Alexander had 25 large windows along each side and as we looked in the windows we were surprised to see each cabin had a bed with equipment to help a person get out of bed. We understood why when we read the information board which said it was a Hospital Vacation Ship with rooms for 50 passengers and 50 volunteers. There were wheelchairs and walkers waiting for the guests. What a wonderful idea the guests can lay in bed and watch the scenery as they go by. Next morning we continued up the Neder Rhine with the current about 4kph against us. The ferry boats crossing the river are attached to little weighted boats anchored in the river so they don’t get swept down when crossing. Arnhem city has almost all modern buildings as the old city suffered when it was bombarded from both parties during the battle of Market Garden in WW2. We passed under the John Frost Bridge made famous in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’ and drove into a side arm of the river which is out of the current. We stayed at the Jason Rowing and boating club which is about 2 k from the city. Arnhem is quite a meeting spot as there are only 2 small clubs so from the high wall it is easy to see who is in port. We met Jackie and Paul on their lovely barge ‘Kolibri’ called after the hummingbird. They have beautiful little hummingbirds all over the boat in various forms. Liz arrived to stay with us and each day we were kept busy seeing the sights around Arnhem. The old part of the city sits in beside newer buildings but it still has the beautiful squares lined with outdoor café’s that are as much a part of the Netherlands as windmills are. We visited the Battle of Arnhem information centre near the bridge and the man in attendance that day was a former paratrooper and explained all about the Battle of Market Garden. The fact and fiction recordings around the room tell the real story which is different to the film ‘Bridge Too Far’. Then we caught the bus out 10 k to Oosterbeek to visit the Airborne Museum which is housed in the ‘Hartenstein Hotel’ which was used as the Staff Headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division during the battle. There is a plaque in the gardens commemorating the help given to the allies by the citizens of Oosterbeek. The museum is very good with an excellent film in english or dutch. The wall posters around the rooms are from actual photographs taken during the battle and the quotes are very poignant. The basement has been made like a walk through a battle zone, the equipment, sound and film make it scary as it is so realistic as you walk through. Video 1 arnhem
Today is Kevin’s 70th Birthday and he is receiving calls from home all day. Bob and Lois have arrived in ‘Anemoon’ now we have two Aussie boats in port. English friends Terry and Carol on Silver Star arrived also. We went a 100m to the next marina to the Restaurant Valkenburg to celebrate Kevin’s birthday. It is in a really cute boathouse which is filled with all sorts of treasures. Today was girls day out in town while Kevin did some more Battle stuff. Tonight we celebrated Terry and Carol’s new boat ‘Silver Star’ by washing down several bottles of red while we tried to decide which was the best buy and taste.
Next morning Carol and Terry left Arnhem

And Diane and John arrived in ‘Dijon’ from Maasbracht and Nimegen after braving the Waal, so the Australian Navy is growing.

After the sadness of the Airborne museum we spent another wonderful day by catching the bus out to part of a huge natural park to the
We came here especially to see a huge collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings as well as many other famous artists. I was in heaven as the Café la Nuit and the Pont were both here and I have previously been to Arles to see where Van Gogh painted these and now I am seeing them in real life. What a Joy!!! While in the park you can use one of the free white bicycles to visit other areas. There is a large hunting museum here also.

On Friday, Penny and Russel in ‘Arcturis’ arrived in Arnhem via the Rhine from Germany where they have spent the last 3 months. Now we had four Aussie boats in Port.

After a great night out in the Jason Boat Club Restaurant we left Arnhem next morning for the Ijssel heading north.

UTRECHT

UTRECHT
Four weeks after I fell off my bike and damaged my ankle we were back in Utrecht to have the strapping changed again.
We are moored in the Catherine Singel Gracht again and there are a lot more boats here as holiday time has started in the south.

The tourist bureau has walk around Utrecht printed in English and it was really good being able to read about the buildings we saw as usually there is a description in dutch on the wall but too difficult for us to understand.

At 112metres you can almost see the Dom Tower from any street in Utrecht.

This delightful garden is in the middle of Utrecht and was once the cloister garden of the 11th century St Mary’s Church. The friends of St Mary’s look after the garden with plantings of medicinal and kitchen herbs and traditional old fashioned flowers.


As we wandered along the lower level of the Oudegraght we read that these buildings were once the warehouses and businesses of Utrecht and the little sculptures near each door signified what the business was.



There are so many beautiful old building in Utrecht and many like this one are now used for the University faculties.

Soon it was time for a coffee and apple tart. “Which café shall we choose “says Margaret. “Not the coffee shop over there “ said I followed by some traveller education.


As we set off back to the boat we passed the flower stall where the roses were selling 40 stems for 5 euro, how I wish we could get flowers at these prices back home.

As we walked the world goes by on bicycles.

Margaret enjoyed the boat tour through Utrecht which had an english commentary.


Then we had a very pleasant lunch on the canal side. Utrecht is quite unique with the modern city and shopping on the upper level, built because the original 10th century city along the canal was prone to flooding. Now there are some private houses on the lower level but most are restaurants making it a pleasant waterside eating spot. The restaurants also have there main rooms under the road and buildings above which is great for colder weather.


This year is the start of a new walk around Utrecht at night to view many of the historic buildings. The pathway through the streets is lit by small lights in the pavement



One of the most enjoyable museums we have ever visited was The National Musical Clock and Organ Museum of Utrecht situated in an old church. There were the most amazing sounds from the organs which ranged from small hand turned organs to large street organs and huge organs which filled the stage in dance halls.

Our guide was a delightful girl who translated everything in English for us. The musical clocks were amazing in their range.

This painting allowed the very rich owner to have his own town hall chimes in his living room.

A singing nightingale

Cute little musical rabbits

There were a lot of beautiful Pianola, this one was accompanied by 3 Violins.


The organs ranged from small hand driven to the larger street organs and the ballroom organs which sounded like an orchestra.



If you are anywhere near Utrecht you must visit here.

Soon it was time to take Margaret back to the railway station and for me to get my ankle attended to and head off to our next destination which was Arnhem.

Bye Margaret, we had a great time.

Have been to the Zikkenhuis, the swelling has gone down a lot, the bandage is smaller and I can fit into my sneaker without the laces, it is much more comfortable than wearing one of Kevin’s sneakers as mine fit much better onto a stair tread. I don’t know how men climb stairs and fit their big shoes onto each step without falling.

Tomorrow we head for Arnhem.