22nd - 23rd April . At Hoogmade, then on through Leiderdorp to Leiden.

Having left Alphen a/d Rijn, we took a cross country route, passing some lovely canalside properties.

The village of Hoogmade, is a quiet place, where we moored on a 48 hour mooring, alongside the road, just in front of the church. An old gentleman here remembered being near to a barge, which was accidentally shot at by British spitfires, on the Kagenplasser in 1942, and told us all about it. No-one was hurt, fortunately! We are finding the Dutch people very friendly.

Shannon has found a new place to recline, on top of the cratch cover. Is this safe, or will she fall in?

Near the end of the Does Canal was a railway bridge, with 2 metres air draft available. It was close, but it is good to know what is possible!

In Leiderdorp, nearly every house seems to have a boat.

We enter Leiden, under a boat drawbridge, near to the Zijlpoort, which is the original east gate to the city. It is a handsome brick structure, with very intricate white masonry and sculptures surrounding the gate openings.

We did our own walking tour of the city, where there is some splendid architecture to see. It was market day, so we took full advantage of this, filling up our new shopping trolley!

This canal in Leiden is designated for Woonschapen, or liveaboards. What a contrast to Ireland!