S/V Morning Light

From work we have little motor boat on a lake near Leiden.  Past week we went to do some trials.

M/S Dylan

A surprising change is going to happen: I will become a part time sailor.  This is what happened: I had taken on a job at my previous employer with the intention to return to Morning Light later this year.  At work a few things changed, and they started to talk about working beyond that.  I gave it some thought, and have agreed to extend under the condition I will be able to take about 3 months a year leave.

So, that is where I am at.  Will stay working till at least the end of the year.  I have been staying at my sisters place, commuting by train and bike to work.  I am now starting to look around for a place to rent.  Hoping to find something at a nice bike ride from the office, where I have not yet figured out what the right length of that bike ride is (guess that really depends on the amount of rain).

The circumnavigation is now paused. But instead I intend to sail back and forth in South East Asia.  There are still plenty of places to  discover.

West-Friese zeedijk, Noord-Holland.

Floating bridge across a canal in Sint-Maartensvlotbrug.

A rain storm came over from the North Sea while we were at the beach at Sint-Maartenszee.

Rain bow above Petten.

The WESP, read about it here.

The end of the day: sunset.

Now that I am in Holland working for a few months. I can enjoy some special events going on, like the Dutch football team beating Brazil on Friday. And yesterday we went to see the start of the Tour de France in Rotterdam. Was a great event, big crowds, only the weather was not cooperative. About the first 20 riders and the last 30 had reasonably dry roads.

Levi Leipheimer on the Erasmusbrug.

Vinokourov did not make a top ten.

The Erasmusbrug and the crowds.

At the foot of the Erasmusbrug, at the end of the loop, was probably the nastiest turn in the wet conditions. The riders stategies in taking this turn were interesting to watch. This rider takes the motor racer approuch (pointing knee into the turn).

The Erasmusbrug, nicknamed as the swan.

Fresh Dutch road champion Niki Terpstra was the best Dutch finisher.

Andy Schleck, a contender for the overall classification, had a bit of an off day.

Denis Menchov was not the top Rabo finisher.

Cadel Evans did not impress today.

Crowds on the Koninginnebrug.

Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso.

Juan Antonio Flecha.

The Boss, Lance Armstrong, on his way to the 4th time.

Eventual winner Fabio Cancellara, averaging better than 53 kmh! To avoid bad luck he pinned on his number (13) upside down.

Two time tour winner Alberto Contador, not spectacular with 6th.

The Willemsbrug, one of the theer bridges in the course.

From my home town, it is only a short trip to Antwerp. Especially if you take the unofficial border crossing (and why wouldn’t you). Here some pictures (click on picture for larger image).

Boat being towed out of the Berendrechtsluis (the Berendrechtsluis is the biggest in the world).

Tug boat.

Next boat came out of the locks on its own power (using bow thruster).

The open bridge.

My mum next to one of the tires that are mounted on the walls (to make the impact a little smaller when a boat hits the wall).

The container terminal on the outside of the locks.

The nuclear power plant of Doel. These towers can be seen from the top floor of my parents old house.

Looking over the river Schelde and the industrial area around it.

And in between all this, the old port of Lilo Fort. Low tide. Not a great place for your fin keel racer.

The Scaldis Yacht Club has seen better days (also in Lilo).

Flower bed.

One of the cafes in Lilo, note the beer signs: De Koninck and Duvel, two of my favorites.

That is the grinding stone of an old wind mill.

A Westmalle trappist on draft. Unfortunately it was way too cold (the beer that is), killing all the taste.

Apocalypse now!