Pretty Elburg was left behind on Monday the 28th of September 2020 at 10:45AM. After, apart from the mist, an uneventful cruise of 2,5 hours we moored inside Harderwijk’s harbour at 1:15PM. This harbour is directly accessible from the Wolderwijd (former IJsselmeer, before that Zuiderzee – just a reminder) nowadays. If one’s lucky no bridges have to be negotiated. Well, we were lucky; it’s not that busy anymore, it’s the late season. Here we are, in the ‘bridge-free’ part – illuminated by the sinking sun.

From the spot where we made the first picture we noticed a sailing boat entering the Harderwijk-harbour. The setting sun, combined with the cloud cover, made for a great effect.

Autumn is there. The birds (geese?) are travelling to warmer regions.

Sunrise on Thursday the 1st of October as seen from inside our little ship.

That Thursday, the 1st of October, we left Wij-land at 9:29AM, vaguely considering the possibility of a stop at the mouth of the river Eem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eem), around 17,5 kilometres away from our reserved, booked, hibernating space within the city of Amersfoort (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amersfoort). For two reasons, (1) we wanted to bring the cruising-season to an end and (b) the space at the beginning of the river looked not very well kempt, we continued cruising. Eventually we reached our goal, Amersfoort, and switched off the engine for the last time (this year) at 2:10PM. Yes, one of our longer cruises! Here we are, some boat-lengths forward from the previous space, which was occupied on our arrival. Amersfoort only allows us – and others- to return and hibernate. A designated spot is not included in the reservation. Note the new building in the background – and compare it to week 39 last year.

When taking the last picture the taker was carefully watched by our dog, Jay. The taker’s better half is preparing her traditional weekly letter to one of her sisters.

Today, Sunday, a group of hobby fisherman occupied a space for a ship that still has to arrive. They have so much junk with them that they are almost impossible to pass. A couple from a boat that is moored beyond, takes the stairs as their preferred walking route is completely blocked. We suppose it’s a possibility that the fishermen next time pop up with their sofas and beds!

We left two months later than anticipated because of Covid-19, meaning the 1st of June instead of the 1st of April. Unfortunately it’s still far from a ‘done deal’: the second wave seems to be on its way. Nowadays we wear a mouth mask when shopping. The guy could easily be a bank robber, couldn’t he? This picture, dear reader, represents our current daily life. For how long yet? Well, we hope to be able to tell you a merrier story at the beginning of the next season – starting the 1st of April 2021 (under ‘normal’ circumstances). That was it for this season. We certainly would like to meet all of you again by means of this weblog in April 2021! In the meantime: stay healthy and happy!!