These are the adventures of Andy and Sally Rawnsley on their narrowboat "The Puzzler". We have been living on the boat for over nine years now and are still loving it. Our Ulster born Shih Tzu, Shannon, has grown up, and has taken over the boat! After three wonderful years in Ireland, we transported The Puzzler to The Netherlands, and spent a year there. In 2015 we went southwards, to reach the north of France by June. After glorious weather throughout the summer, we arrived in Roanne in late October, and enjoyed our winter in this friendly port. We cruised extensively in France in 2016, 2017 and 2018, returning to Roanne each winter.


Sunday, 19 October 2014

11th - 14th October. Past Gouda, Boskoop and Gouwsluis, to Zwammerdam and Nieuwkoop, then back to Woerden.

We continued on the Hollandse Ijssel to Gouda, and made our way into Mallegat Sluis. However, as it is Sunday, the sluis at the other end of Gouda is closed, so we could not continue through town that way. The lockkeeper waited until we had manoeuvred off the tidal river into his lock, before telling us this, so then we had to back out again, to take a different route.

It was nice to see so many boats about on the Gouw canal, as we headed north from Gouda. Now that it is nearing the end of the season, the waterways are quieter.


Boskoop is a pretty village, with car parking dangerously close to the water's edge.


At Gouwsluis, this is an active container depot, just off the main canal.


We turned on to the Oude Rijn, and into the chickweed! However, as our engine has a sealed cooling system, this is no problem for The Puzzzler

Soon it was a left turn in Zwammerdam, and through Ziende bridge on to this smaller waterway going through Nieuwkoopse Plassen.


This area is well worth a visit, for a small license fee, with narrow canals between the lakes. It is like a mini version of Friesland.


There are many wonderful properties all along the water's edge.


We are heading in to the centre of Nieuwkoop village.



We had to have a coffee stop here!



There are several moorings through this area, overlooking the lakes.


Back on the Grecht, we decided to cross over the canal on the ferry for a walk on the far side.
A sculpture of skaters on the bridge in Woerden. We are on our way to the station, for Elaine to catch her train, after an enjoyable week. We have been so lucky with the weather all week, at least until this morning!



The cathedral in Woerden is a very fine building.


I think that this is the best canalside mural we have ever seen! There is so much detail in it.
From Woerden we retraced our steps to moor near the ferry again. One boater was very keen for us to stay in Woerden overnight, but we prefer to be out in the country.
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1 comment:

  1. sambucca23 October 2014 at 14:23

    We found some small canals and bridges for the Sambucca, but you managed to find some for the Puzzler too. Nice to see you going on allthough the temperature and weather makes it not allways a pleasure. We have to pick up the boat in a week or 2 in Friesland and sail her back, needed some repairs due to an obstacle under the water. So sailing in november again. Good news from the hospital: nothing to find anymore. So healthy again! Greetings Sam

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