L'Avenir - cruising Europe's inland waterways

Up she goes. The yard has done this with hundreds of boats but that doesn't make it any less nerve wracking. The hull is encrusted with mussels. Obviously the anti fouling ceased working long ago. Pressure hosing them off before replacing the anti fouling. Destination local restaurant?? We'll be out of the water for a few days. Sleeping on a boat on dry land is all wrong.....

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.