the Netherlands homeward bound
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28/6 No wind, with fog.
The trip to the lock in Groningen did not present any problems. There was just enough visibility for the bridge-keeper to see the Orm coming and they all worked fast. The same was true of the Oostersluis in Groningen, and the lock in Gaarkeuken. Maybe due to the fog, there was not much traffic on the water. At noon the Orm came into Bergum. Now it was nice weather with a NO wind. So the Orm was sailing on to Stavoren. Here Henri called Yvonne to tell her that, with a little bit of luck, he could be home the next day. But to his astonishment, he was told that he was not welcome the next day ! The place of residence of Henri, Langedijk, had publicized his entire trip with stories in the local newspaper. Langedijk was planning to give Henri a warm welcome back, and they needed more time for the preparations. The last part of the journey had gone so fast that they had not expected Henri yet, and they needed two more days ! |
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29/6 The visibility was good, wind N 4 Bft, but a tricky swell.
The IJsselmeer in Holland is an unreliable body of water, and one must never underestimate it. The weather can change here within twenty minutes. Therefore, the Orm left early through the Johan Friso lock for the last part of open water, and arrived in Medemblik at nine o’clock. Here the mast had to be taken down once again for the upcoming low bridges. Two more locks must be taken, because Middenmeer, in the Wieringermeer polder, is situated below sea-level. In Middenmeer Henri had a cup of coffee and phoned Yvonne asking if he could come home now. But his arrival was planned for the following day and he was instructed to stick to that. In order to be as close as possible to home, the Orm passed two more locks to reach Nieuwe Niedorp. Here the ship was cleaned and cleared out for the return home the next day. Every reporter wants to have a story "first" and one, who was clever enough to look in all the mooring places along the route, found the Orm. So Henri got a visit from the press, in spite of the fact that he did not want one at that time. A bride and groom were having wedding photographs taken there, and Henri offered the Orm for a nice background picture. |
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30/6 It was still very nice weather.
The whole morning Henri was lazing in the sun. In the afternoon the mast had had to be taken down to for a few bridges. After de Langebalk bridge the mast could be set up again and Henri prepared the Orm for the grand entrance. Not only must the Orm be ready, but Henri also. He wanted to come back, just as he had departed, in Viking clothes. This had worked out fine by departure because of the cold, but now it was very hot ! The mayor of Langedijk was brought out to the Orm by the coastguard. Mister Bulte, a sailor himself, had asked to sail the last leg with the Orm. In fact, though, there was too little wind for good sailing. But at last, at half past five, the Orm arrived by the Buizerd under sail, with the mayor on the rudder. |
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The sail was taken in, and against the wind, Henri rowed the last meters.
A large crowd of people had gathered. Not only family and friends, but also a real-live jazz band, and newspaper, radio and TV reporters. There were lots of flowers, several speeches and many handshakes. The "golden" community tie was presented to Henri by Mr. Bulten, for Henri’s brave performance during his solo trip. Henri’s emotions made it hard for him to express his thanks. One more lock had to be taken, after opening hours, but the lock keeper was patiently waiting till Henri was ready. |
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At home even the house was decorated.
Of course it took days to unpack the Orm, clean it up, store her away in his shelter, wash all the clothes, clean all the equipment, etc. But Yvonne helped Henri with most of it. Looking back on the voyage, after a couple of days, the conclusion reached by Henri was : five kilo’s in weight lost and a wonderful trip to a wonderful country with very friendly people. He had started the trip too early in the season, so the weather had been worse than he had expected. He would not have missed the trip but it had been too much work to do it solo. But nobody can take this experience away from him : he made a lot of new friends, and will have the memories of it all for the rest of his life. |
[ last updated : 9-5-2021 ]
© Copyright H.A. Houben