Challenges and Joys

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 20:00 | Filled in Travels

Many people wonder why Rick and I have gone on this adventure/trip with a sailboat in Europe.  “Why take the risk at your age? and are you crazy!”, are some of the comments I have heard.   Others are thrilled that we are taking it and wish that maybe they could do something like it some day.

To give an answer, I thought I would show some of the things that we experience along the way.   There are some challenges but there are many joys to encourage us on.  One of these challenges in every location is finding out where food can be acquired.  We have had great selections in Holland.   France was a little harder for one has to translate as one goes along and food preferences are different in each country.  So of course our selection of foods varied.

Finding Food

Finding Food in the Netherlands

Tying up in a Lock

Tying up in a Lock

Another challenge is navigating rivers and going through locks.  Sometimes it can be a little difficult if the water is gushing through at a clip, but this doesn’t happen too often.  Mostly you have to become aware of all the people and boats around you and what they are doing and how they are doing it.  If they are having trouble and need a hand or if they have to raft up to you and you need to catch there lines for them.  This is something like life.  One needs to be aware of the actions of others around us and especially to their needs.  It took me a while to get comfortable in locks and being conscious concerning others.  I’m still practicing.

Storm Coming

Storm Coming

Another challenge is the weather.  Sometimes you can see the weather/storm coming.   Most of the time you can look up the weather forecasts and decide whether you want to be out that day or not.  Sometimes on  the Ijsselmeer a storm can come up suddenly after very hot weather and light winds   And of course, when it hits you can see very little around you and must follow a compass course.  It’s something like using radar in a snowstorm for an airplane.  Here it is very sudden and very wet.  Not my favorite challenge.

Navigating through Storm

Navigating through Storm

Getting out of the way of big ships is another very important aspect of sailing down rivers and especially through the English Channel.  We have been fortunate not to have encountered many and have been easily able to steer clear of them.

Big Ships

Big Ships

We have had to make many choices on our journey and most have been a lot of fun.  We have had to pause and think at times to know which way to go or what to do next.  Here I am visiting the Widow Joustra’s old business/home.  As the story goes, Mr. Joustra sold herbs and many of the fishermen would put his herbs into their Genever (a locally made liquor).   Unfortunately, Mr. Joustra died young and his wife continued to produce this product and the family has operated this business for 150 years in the same location.  It is like a museum, now.  You can go upstairs and enjoy a sip or two or …. and then if possible go down a steep flight of stairs and purchase the kind of brew that you favored.   I guess perseverance in the face of tragedy is sometimes what gets us through and has lasting effects.   Another story with meaning and food for thought.

 Many Choices, The Widow Joustra's, Sneek, NL

Many Choices, The Widow Joustra's, Sneek, NL

We even have had to work at times.

Cleaning the sticking hatch

Cleaning the sticking hatch

Attaching our Home Port Letters

Attaching our Home Port Letters

All in all there have been a lot more joys then challenges and I guess that is why we continue on our travels.  For one we have met so many interesting and soulful people from many countries.

Friendly People

Friendly People in Stavoren

Celebrating with a Frysian Coffee

Celebrating with a Frysian Coffee

We also experienced many gastronomical pleasures and surprises.

Dutch Apple Pie

Dutch Apple Pie

And of course when there are people eating on a nice afternoon there are bound to be others who wish to join in.

Birds Feeding

Birds Feeding

Hoorn, NL

Hoorn, NL

We have wondered through many towns, shopped, have walked many pounds off, have enjoyed many styles of architecture and enjoyed many interesting sights.  We also took a couple of trips bicycling in Southern Holland and around Dunkerque, France.  We  have enjoyed much beautiful scenery this way and down the rivers.

Bicycling in Holland

Bicycling in Holland

Beautiful Scenery

Beautiful Scenery

More Beauty

More Beauty

A Family's Garden

A Family's Garden

A quiet peaceful trail

A quiet peaceful trail

There are many curious creatures out there that we have been able to greet and have greeted us.

Curious Little Ones

Curious Little Ones

Along the Vecht River we saw many beautiful homes and these are just a few.

Home along the Vecht

Home along the Vecht

Another Beautiful Home on the Vecht

Another Beautiful Home on the Vecht

Egret's nest

Egret's nest

Traveling through town one day we encountered some historical people being interviewed for their opinions and impressions.  I guess we all want to know how did they live back in the “old days”

Historical People

Historical People

Sometimes walking through a new town can be very entertaining.  In Europe there are individual musicians who play in the streets or train stations.  However, here we had a whole band and the music was terrific.

Local Band

Local Band

Around every corner there is something new to discover….

Another Corner

Another Corner

If it leads to something like this … I think it is worth pursuing.   We all need to find our joy and wonder.   May we finally find it in the Lord, and in our promised beautiful home.

Vecht River Garden Scene

Vecht River Garden Scene

May you all find your peace!

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