Amsterdam

26 August - 1 September

Lovely sail to Amsterdam. Moored in a marina just north of the main canal, a few minutes walk and free ferry across to Amsterdam Central.

Purchased “I Amsterdam” cards for 3 days sightseeing of major sights - a very enjoyable canal tour, Van Gogh Museum (not impressed), Dutch Resistance Museum, Rembrandt House and studio, Museum Het Ship (social housing project by Amsterdam School architect Michel de Klerk, 1920), Rijksmuseum (stunning paintings by the masters), St Nicholas church.

Generally wandered around by foot and tram enjoying the sights including the flea market, a bronze of Rembrandt's famous Nightwatch painting, the Begijnhof (17th century enclosed courtyard of houses for elderly catholic ladies - an oasis of calm in the centre of Amsterdam, and (by accident of course) stumbled upon the Red Light district.

We took a train to Zaanse Schans expecting a working museum, but very disappointed to find it mainly "museum shops", but fascinating to see inside a working windmill.

For more pictures please click here