Back in Europe for Summer
The new dinghy, a 10 foot Porta Bote bought on MarktPlaats, ( Dutch Gumtree) It planes with just 2HP!! and sits nicely folded like a surfboard on deck. We flew into Amsterdam appropriately burdened (according to Ants) with 74 kilos of luggage including a full sized genoa and a 2hp outboard etc etc. Train then bus to Zeewolde to find Le Bateau safe and dry floating in the marina. It took a couple of days to recommission the boat, sort out the food and clothes, build a frame for solar panels. Then we took her out the water, saw the bottom for the first time. Very happy with what we found. A quick rudder repair, a new skin fitting, a coat of antifoul and back in the water within 24 hours. The Dutch marina staff had allowed seven days! The first glimpse/survey of her bottom She was pressured washed and then moved into the car park! Ten minutes and clean as a whistle. She looks to us like a Minke Whale We sailed up into Friesla...