L'Avenir - cruising Europe's inland waterways

We might....... get a uniform ... grow a garden .... ...or even finally make it to France - one way or another! Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to follow our trip over this summer. Join us again next year when it'll be even bigger and better!!

Last close encounter. Last barbie. In the rain but we had a pile of chops and sausages in the freezer which we'd been saving for a (non) rainy day. Last kibbeling (deep fried pieces of cod) - with mayonnaise of course. A hugely popular snack sold from fish vans at markets. This was at Leiden. Our second visit there. Last time was at the height of summer and the town was crowded with tourists. Last port before home - Leaving Leiden harbour. Last moments of voyage. Arriving at Kempers Marina, Leimuiden. L'Avenir's berth for the winter. Last drama. Cleaning the mud off the bikes after fishing them out of the water where they'd been blown during a storm. Fortunately the water was fairly shallow. And finally- Last goodbyes. Winter covers on L'Avenir and our bags packed.

As we near the end of this year's trip there are the inevitable 'last times' for things. Sometimes those occasions make us feel a little sad and others evoke (from me anyway) a sigh of relief, a silent thank goodness that's over and a not so silent 'Don't ever ask me to do that again.' The final in the latter category being crossing the main shipping channel of the Amsterdam Rijn Canal . This is the main North South route for commercial traffic, is exceedingly busy and pleasure craft are advised to use alternative routes if at all possible. We needed to cross over it to get from the canal from Utrecht to the canal and river (Hollandse Ijssel) taking us to Gouda. It's not far - a lock taking you down a metre or so to the level of the channel, a couple of hundred metres directly across it and then another lock up onto the Hollandse Ijssel. I often think that locks are a bit like the Tardis (ok that might be a bit of a long shot but we've been watching...

This is our second visit to Gouda and we were a little surprised to find the lovely square throbbing with the loud music and lights of a fair. So we joined the crowds and fortified by a little Dutch courage in the form of a large G and T (thank you Mike and Nicky) took to the skies, flying high above the spires of the church and the stadhuis. Not quite as scary as anticipated but beleieve me it's cold up there. No pictures of the amazing view from the top because - you've guessed it - we were clinging on for dear life. and this is how it looked by day. This manic waltzer - The Break Dance - was actually scarier despite being at ground level. My back is still sore from bracing myself. With the usual Dutch efficiency this was the scene in the square first thing on Monday morning - all traces of the fair scrubbed and polished away.

No, I have absolutely no idea either. As it is in Gouda (I'd have liked it to be in Assen) I'm assuming it's not Simpson and his donkey though. Keep it clean please.....

The posts seem to have become a little mixed up and any element of surprise lost. We obviously made it through the bridges with minimal damage - only a scraped handrail. We lowered the canopy, nav frame and windscreens, crossed our fingers and ducked. lots of bridges. The Indian restaurant where we had dinner the night before. Last year Rob was on a beer tour this year's quest has been for the perfect vindaloo. Not bad here. -and as always in Holland there's an army of people keeping everything nice. canal garbos scooping leaves out of the water and wharf cleaners blowing them in .....

The bridges over the canal through Utrecht are only 3.25m high so we are a bit nervous (well I am) about our ability to get through. We'll have to take down our canopy, nav frame and windscreen - and then duck! The first bridge The lock keeper tells us we'll be fine as long as we can get through the first bridge as it's the lowest. The canal basin with lock in the background. If we can't fit under the city bridges we'll have to turn around and go back. Entrance to the tunnel I'm more concerned about the tunnel in the centre of the city as it has a bend. It's also the focal point for the whole city and overlooked by cafes full of people hoping for some entertainment. The Dutch Film Festival is in full swing at the moment as well and there are people doing interviews to camera on every corner so any stuff up is bound to find its way onto film. It seems I always have to be worried about something. University The old part of Utr...

Through the tunnel in the centre of Utrecht. - and since the Film Festival is on here's my contribution .....

Dick Bruna, creator of Miffy, is one of Utrecht's favourite sons . What greater accolade could any author have?  Stop! Hop!

What a contrast to the week on the meers! As soon as we passed through the lock at Muiden onto the River Vecht everything changed. Not least the weather. We've had a week of balmy, autumnal days to cruise this lovely river. You could easily do it in a day or 2 but there's something about a slow moving river in the sunshine that makes you want to relax (with beer and book) and take your time. We are not far from Amsterdam here and the river is lined with magnificent mansions and stately homes built long ago by the wealthy merchants of that city and now occuppied by their present day equivalents. Probably financiers.... The houses have the beautiful manicured gardens common to most Dutch homes but on a much grander scale with sweeping lawns, formal rose gardens, statues and topiary. Some even have moats and draw bridges- or ferries Here's one for sale if you have a spare few million (euros that is). Lifting bridge, Weesp ...