6th November 2011 – I was near Amsterdam today for picking up an anchor winch and a heater for the Hornblower. While I was there I took some pictures of a few houseboats.
Category: Daily Life around the water - page 25
3rd November 2011 – I went to the Federal Office for the paperwork of the Hornblower. Those people were looking confused when I told them I wanted to register my yacht from 1901. The term ‘Groningse snik’, the type of vessel, was new to them. I showed them a picture and they started laughing.
This made me think we should preserve more of these small ships. The Hornblower is maybe not the perfect example with her new bow, but at least she is part of an old traditional fleet of Dutch built small vessels.
30th October 2011 – I was in Kortrijk to help a friend. I took some time to have a look at the boats in Kortrijk. I forgot my camera aboard so I used my phone to take some pictures. The quality is not good!
22nd October 2011 – I have been working all day on the Hornblower. I was surprised to see how many boats passed by, knowing the season is over. One of them was a nice klipperaak from Boezinge. Sadly enough, I was to late to take a picture.
In the evening, their was a small concert of a band on one of the boats. I enjoyed it very much. It is sometimes great to be on a boat without having to work or talk about boats in general. Thanks Anna for the invitation!
11th October 2011 – Another visit of a barge was planned for this evening. I knew the boat, since it has been moored in Sluiskil for three years. My best friend lived on it, after he had done the conversion. This ship was built as the Java in 1928. She was used as a tender to bring crew to the larger passenger vessels in the big harbours.
9th October 2011 – I often join people to have a look at a ship. Today I went to Tilburg (Netherlands) to visit a Friese Praam of 14 meters. It was the first time I was in that area and found some very nice vessels.
The vessel itself seemed very nice and in a good condition. I was surprised to see how much space was created on such a small surface. Friendly people, a beer and a good chat.
While being in the area, I took some pictures of vessels, like this beautiful tug:
18th September 2011 – While I had many plans for the day, I went sailing with a neighbours boat. It was planned as a little trip to the nearest lock, we went ahead till Ghent. Such a nice weather was something we couldn’t resist!
16th September 2011 – A friend from England came over with his new yacht. He is moored along the Watergeus for few days.
6th & 7th August 2011 – I was in Amsterdam for a family visit and decided to have a look at the smaller boats on the canals.
26th July 2011 – All the stuff I planned for the winter can be done now. The weather is so terribly bad. Therefore I updated several pages on this site
7th July 2011 – A castle passing by…
27th May 2011 – As every year, I make a quick visit to some friends and interesting ships on Oostende Voor Anker. I was surprised to see a VIC ship being moored there. I spent most of the time aboard this ship.
9th May 2011 – A nice tug from Nieuwpoort passed by
22nd April 2011 – Yesterday evening, a good friend of mine called. They had towed his old tug to a new mooring in Ghent. In front of the Evergem lock, he was stuck in the mud. The towing company left him on his own. With a small yacht we tried getting him out. It took three hours, but he was freed and brought to the mooring.
In the afternoon, I had a meeting with the local Government concerning the houseboats and their mooring. The evening was divided in driving around to find a tug for my new boat, the Hornblower, and a meeting with our members.
13th April 2011 – No matter what planning I’m making, it is always ending up the wrong way. I had to do some more painting on the back accommodation of the Watergeus. A friend of mine, which I once helped before I had the Watergeus, just came back from dry dock in Ostend. I drove there to say hello…
