My ICC Coach Adam after yesterdays session

This is what happens when you leave your boat for  a time

Well the past couple of days has been great weather. Not a breath of wind and fine. Wednesday we drove to Amsterdam and picked up Adam ( our ICC Course man ) and started doing the course which also involved engine maintenance. Then out onto the lake for driving skills. Yesterday, Thursday had an electriican on board to add a light and power point which held us up until about 2pm. Then went out and finished about 6.30. Today ( Friday getting a couple of hours out on lake and then drive Adam back to Southampton via Eurotunnel. Headed for Euro Tunnel but missed our train by ten minutes so went and spent a bit of time at yet another Wine Supermarket. 2 cases later got on the next train. Dropped Adam off in Suthhampton and arrived at Dawn and Alvins in Bournemouth about 8pm.

Dawn and Alvin  our friends from Bournemouth

Us overlooking The Isle of Wight

Saturday...Stunning weather, not a cloud in the sky. Drove to Portsmouth, Southhampton, Chichester and picked up a few things. Then back to Bournemouth and went with Dawn and Alvin down to Milford-on-Sea to the Marine Bar and sat on the roof top bar overlooking The Isle of Wight and the Needles, and watched the sun go down, stunning...Also met up with Andre ( Dawns brother and Julie. Then of for a curry.
Sunday...Still further shopping and stopped to take a few pictures of Jims boat so we can put it on Ebay. Then a run for the EuroTunnel. Got across to Calais hoping to find the Carrefoure open so we could stock up on wine yet again. However got there and it was closed. So stayed in little 2 star hotel and were first in the door Monday morning. Once the Yaris was full we headed for Oostvoorne.

11 out of 25 NOT BAD.......

Well its been an interesting couple of days. Last week Corn invited us to his baby's christening. Lucy and I thought it was on the Sunday. We were supposed to be there at 1PM for drinks. However Saturday arrived and we were just getting ready to have a few drinks with John and Maureen at 5pm. Then get are call from Corn. WHERE ARE YOU... It was saturday, not sunday. Frantic drive then to Scheidam and had a lovely evening with Corn and Claudia and their relations from Romania. Great afternoon. Lucy had done her back in the day before so we left early as she got into a bit of pain.

THEY ARE NOT MY DOGS .....

More Wine

Sunday was interesting. John thought we should go skeet shooting as he is an avid shooter back in Hull. The Europort had  agreat Shooting Club. Cost 30 Euro for 25 cartridges, a coach and 4 different angles. Managed to hit 11 out of 25.Not bad. Then had a photo shoot with my 2 assistants. Don't forget THEY ARE NOT MY DOGS..... It was forced upon me. Thank god the dog thing is now over. Well Monday we had Corn out on the boat again doing a few more alterations so we got out of his way and borrowed his much cherished ZEGRO card and went and stocked up with more wine

My first stint at Skipper of 18 tons, and it doesn't stop in a hurry

Our mate and mentor John who has taught me  a LOT.......

KIWI ROSE finally named

Well its been a normal week of horrible weather. Was going to go out onto the Lake on Wednesday but the wind was too strong . Howling in from the North Sea. Instead mucked about cleaning. Booked the man to come over next week and give us our ICC and CEVNI course, which we need to travel on the waterways. We will pick him up from Amsterdam Airport next Wednesday. Then after the 2 day course we will take him back to Southhampton. Spend a couple of days in Bournemouth with our friends Dawn and Alvin and then head back to Oostvoorne and prepare to depart.

Our friend Lia( of Bart and Lia ) from Brussells who bought loads of  champagne

Bart and Lia, our friends form Belgium arrived on Wednesday. Had dinner with them at the mariner Restaurant. Good food and company. Thursday we managed to get out on the Lake with John and Maureen and Bart and Lia. and practice mooring to mariners. Only a couple of scratches but learnt a lot from John. Came back to the mariner and Bart an Lia left for Brussells. Once agin a couple of pints with John and Maureen at the bar



Friday: Will head out onto the lake and practice again today. The weather is getting better.

Waiting at Euro Tunnel

2^nd May Wednesday 4am. Off to the Euro Tunnel and over to Calais and straight to the Carrefoure ( Hypermarket ). Managed to come out of there with 36 bottles of Red wine for 40 Euro. Loved that place !!!! Good stuff to. Arrived in Oostvoorne early afternoon and started to unload the Yaris. The weather is crap. Cold and wet.

Cornelis and Claudia

Thursday spent still unloading and starting to organising Kiwi Rose. Had a brief visit to Breille, an beautiful ancient fortified town completely surrounded by a moat. Back at the boat met up with Mario and Petty and they have invited us into Rotterdam on Saturday to a Bar/Restaurant where they sing. Should be fun. Also met Cornelis the marine carpenter who turned up to measure for various things we are altering. He has offered to take us next week to a special wine warehouse where all the restauranters go for there wine. Prices even less than supermarkets. That’s me….

Cornelis showing us his culinary expertise

Next couple of days just shopping and sorting.

Saturday 5^th May. Mario and Petty turned up at 6PM and we followed them into Rotterdam and had a evening in this Bar listening to them sing. Great night listening to Dutch music. Drove back about 11pm through the Rotterdam Euro port. 30km of port and every light in the place is on. Like driving down the Las Vegas strip but goes for 30K… Amazing place.

Since then constant shopping and organising boat.

Had an afternoon off on Wednesday and went to Scheidam to visit with Cornelis and Claudia. Cornelis is doing some very fine carpentry on Kiwi Rose. He then took us to the Zegro. The restauranters hypermarket. Couldn’t resist.. More wine.. stupid prices. Then back to Corns place where he cooked us a real Dutch meal and a bit of wine sampling. He cooked Tongue fish lightly browned in half a pound of butter. A few more Lipex that night, but worth it. The hospitality of people we have met is overwhelming.

Paul at the launch

Once again weather is crap.

Thursday 4PM went to watch Paul and Anna, a great couple from Stillwater, Auckland eventually launch there boat after 4  trying weeks of sanding and repainting. Anyway all went well.

Saturday 12^th May Helped John and Maureen a couple from Hull, UK who have bought the boat next to us ( 45ft River Cruiser ) lift his carpet. Then off to the pub on the mariner. Had a couple of strong ales and then down into Oostvoorne for dinner.

A bit disjointed this blog but had to catch up as we now have regular Wifi for the next couple of weeks. 

Well we have now finished all our shopping and packed the Yaris. The only thing we can squeeze in the Yaris now is a couple of cases of Beaujelais which are getting from the Carrfoure ( massive Supermarket ) in Calais. A massive 2 Euro a bottle. Has to be an early night tonight as we head for the Euro Tunnel tomorrow morning at 4AM to start our adventure. EUROPE HERE WE COME >>>>>>>