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.