Willemstad

Well we are staying for a third night - because we can! After two relaxing days here we decided we would stay  a third night. The sunshine has been glorious, the cockpit tent is up and we have chilled. A couple of jobs got done - John had to change the joker valve in the toilet. Luckily the chandlers is bang opposite the boat so the part was easily obtainable. So I felt I ought to do something constructive so I teak oiled half the seats and half the cockpit floor. This was not laziness - you need something to sit and stand on while the oiled bits dry.

Speaking of the chandlers opposite I have bought a chair for the cockpit. I have been coveting one since we have arrived, having spied them on several Dutch boats. Basically it's a seat that doesn't have to be leant up against anything. It has 14 different positions and it's brilliant. I have been trying it out all day as I have read my book. I have been able to move around and stay comfortable. Him indoors doesn't reckon he needs one. But there was a sale on at the chandlers so it was a bargain. If I see them cheaper at the boat show - what the heck.

Willemstad continues to be busy - the first night we were in a raft of four boats. Night two a different raft of three boats. We had to move when the first boat in our raft departed and there wasn't enough room on the wall for us to moor up, so we slipped back to moor to the boat behind. Tonight it looks like it will be a raft of four. Three from last night plus one.

The town harbour is lovely but has slight disadvantages as Saturday night was quite noisy because of the live music which finished at midnight but then people were hanging round until about 2 am. However last night was much quieter - although it is full of boats a lot of day visitors disappear in the evening. We ate out last night, there is a large choice of restaurants and we chose well with the Belle Vue.

Both days we have managed pleasant walks in the afternoon when the sun has gone down a bit. Sadly we can't get any live coverage of the Olympics but are keeping up via the BBC web site. I think I would be glued to the telly if I was at home.

Tomorrow we will definitely move on -to Sint Anniland we think - but we will make our minds up tonight as we look at passage plans. Now we are moving off the rivers and canals, we will be moving into tidal waters again. We did have a bit of tide on the rivers from Rotterdam onwards but now we will have to think more about the tide.

Just a few pictures of the harbour and surrounding area.

View from the back of the boat, Saturday night.

This windmill is visible virtually wherever you go in Willemstad. 

You can just about spot Rascal through the hedge.

View from the back of the boat on Sunday and Monday. A bit nearer the windmill.

From one of our walks - as I said you can nearly always see the windmill. This is a pump windmill not the type that grinds wheat.

A different view of the harbour.