Leeuwarden cul de sac

Our next destination after Grou was a marina located in the northern part of Leeuwarden (pop. 90.000). Leaving at noon we were able to navigate through the shallow water in the Grou harbour and find the right canal based on the map given to me by Etienne. Under motor power we reached Leeuwarden after 3 hours - a trip of only 11 NM. 

After refueling Jennifer we tried to pass through the central part of Leeuwarden on our way to the city's marina. Before getting there we had to pass a railway bridge and after a few phone calls to the bridge keeper it was opened for us. 

Another bridge waited 0.5 mile further up the canal. After one hour of phone calls it became clear to us that this bridge will never be opened for us. An off duty bridge keeper, who happened to pass by Jennifer on his bicycle, confirmed this to Tore and told him that we had to backtrack 8 miles in order to get to the right canal to pass through central Leeuwarden on our onward journey. He also told Tore that all the bridges ahead and behind us will be closed from now on and until tomorrow at 9 AM. 

At the time of writing this we are consequently locked in between two bridges with no chance of getting out before tomorrow morning. Jennifer and her crew will now be spending the night in a waterway cul de sac.

Grou

After a traditional Jennifer breakfast this morning I took a stroll in this small and attractive town. By chance I met Etienne, the Harbour Master of Grou, when I passed thru the marina. He is a very helpful gentleman and he gave me an excellent "Waterkaart" (canal map). Etienne also pointed out the best route for our onward journey considering Jennifer's size and the minimum water depth she needs to be able to move on.

Perhaps I will meet Etienne again. He has been to Sweden several times and I told him to stop by my house if he comes to the Stockholm area in his camper van.

On the Ground on the Way to Grau

Yesterday at noon we left Enkhuizen and headed North under diesel power. We hadn't decided on where to stay the next night, it was a bit of touch and go - and even more so because Jennifer was on the ground three times before we could reach a landing stage in Grau (pop. 5.700) at 7.30 PM after motoring 38 NM. The depth of the water in the canal kept changing and Lasse had to use all his skill and with some help of Jennifer's bow thruster to loosen the grip from the canal floor.

The landing stage with water deep enough for Jennifer's keel was owned by a small old hotel (Oostergoo, established in 1826) with a cozy canal side restaurant. In order to use their landing stage we were requested to eat there. So instead of having the fortified ministrone soup I had prepared for our dinner at 7 PM we all went out for dinner at the restaurant much later.

I made the right meal choice; a three course set menu:

Smoked trout rolls with cream cheese as appetizer, a large serving of halibut prepared to perfection as main course followed by homemade chocolate icecream as dessert. 

My ministrone ended up in the refrigerator and will be back for lunch today!