Well rested after a night in the quiet country with fresh air and helped by luxury accommodation we looked forward to our breakfast tray that would be delivered at 08:30 (pity he does not serve it earlier). Meanwhile barista Vern on duty with the Nespresso and a good coffee to start the day. Our breakfast tray – pictured was more than adequate so we exercised good self control and saved half of it for our lunch. Channeling some good Dutch resourcefulness as well!
A little after breakfast Martin our host came back and gave Vern the run down on the electric boat we had booked from him for the day. Like a duck to water, and very comfortable and adequately experienced in these matters, Vern had me aboard in no time and we set off with our map to do the first loop of the day up the canal, through and past another water town, around the back of some bog land, onto the lake (behind Giethoorn) and back to Giethoorn for our lunch and a Belgium beer (1.25 from supermarket) to help wash it down.
It was a really fun and super relaxing morning. The sun was very warm (we were prepared properly with hats and sunscreen this time) and the water as glassy as an oil slick with Monet water reflections. We saw a lot of bird life including two different goose breeds, two different duck breeds, a great big stork, three other water fowl, one white with a brown head and black wing tips like a tuxedo, the other a mixture of brown, black and white with a red collar like an Edwardian frill, and a semi familiar smaller black one with a white band on the beak. Many of them had young chicks with them, and most were reasonably comfortable with our presence. At lunch I was handfeeding ducks some extra bread they are that tame.
The boat we have is electric which was slow but very nice and quiet. Time slowed right down as we glided along the smooth water surrounded by spring green reeds and hearing prolific bird song above the quiet whirring of the little motor. It was still and very warm and it felt like we were being pulled along by magic into a movie world complete with fairies as Dragon flies darted around and over us, some leading us onwards mystically to new places around each corner. There were big brown ones that looked like helicopters and closer to the banks and playing amongst the lilies were smaller electric blue concord shaped ones. Yellow irises provided a border along the banks for natures activity, and white and yellow water lilies added to the Monet painting like scenery. At one point we saw an otter break the water and move swiftly like a semi submersed submarine towards the bank before going under again.
After lunch we went over the lake and around a canal path that went through parts of the National Park – Weerribben – Wieden. This one was a little bit of a let down compared to the morning and busier with other tourists and locals. It was definitely not as private or pretty, had less flora and fauna as the other route which our host advised us to take – noting that many do not go that way, in other words it was an insiders route. It was still nice and we towed a broken down craft with 6 young Taiwanese half the way which made us feel good helping out some other people. It is quite amusing seeing various tourists trying to navigate the chanel’s and direct the boats. Sorry to pick on the Asians but omg I am glad they are not on the roads!
Hot, sticky and feeling lethargic after a day on the water, we opted for self catering chicken Caesar salad dinner from the supermarket and a couple of dessert pots (lemon and chocolate). We also bought some ice cream and frozen yoghurt single serve dessert tubs for afternoon tea, another radler or two, some delicious nectarines, chocolate milk, tropical yoghurt smoothie – total 18 euros. Sorted! It was a load of fun driving the boat up to the supermarket, mooring it and putting back home.
Travels with Valrock 