Postcard from Den Helder

We didn't plan to spend 4 days in Den Helder, but have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves here. The curious little marina is surrounded by houses who mostly have their own water frontage so don't use the marina. There are very few boats and fewer people, which means that we have had the place to ourselves much of the time. The surrounding area isn't quite as rundown as it felt on our first look, it is just a bit lacking in tlc, and after the few days we had spent looking at the beautifully cared-for houses along the canal it was a change.

The marina among the houses

We walked into the town centre on Friday morning, enjoying sunshine when we could escape the wind. Hot chocolate and cake, a visit to the library for free Wi-Fi, a brief look around the modern shopping area and then we wandered back passing the main dock area – and trying to find out information about the Waddenzee in an office block which was perhaps not really where tinpot sailors were meant to be! Over bridges, along canals, past an old fort and back to the boat for lunch.

Statue outside the library

Chris decided that he would rather stay and clean the boat than head out to a supermarket, so I was left to explore a different area on my own – anything always beats cleaning in my book. It was a recently-ish built suburb – lots of residential streets and apartment blocks surrounding a shopping centre – with green areas, water and fountains all around.

The following day was very blustery and cold – certainly not a sailing day for us! We decided to cycle to the town then make our way west and then south along the coastal wall – the plan was perfect, except that several hundred slightly faster cyclists were also trying to cycle the same route! We enjoyed watching their race as we made our way along the footpath, then inland across a beautiful duneland nature reserve. Back onboard we listened to the wind in the rigging and planned the next day ashore!

Come on, Chris, you can catch them!

Sunday in Holland is still very much a day of rest. Few shops are open, even the museum didn't open until noon – so we had to while away the time with a hot chocolate and apple cake, such hardship.

Hmmm - where to start?

The Naval Museum was excellent with history of the Dutch Navy and the Den Helder dockyard ... and a random shark!  It came up-to-date with an exhibition about their involvement with the current problem of Somalian piracy. Walking around the submarine living quarters made us appreciate how much space and comfort we have on board Andromeda, and we can look out at the world too!

The wind seems to be lessening and it is slightly warmer than it has been – perhaps tomorrow we will brave the 5 miles out to Texel – and be able to enjoy the island without freezing. I hope so.