Elburg - 52° 27' 17" N 05° 49' 33" E

Chinook's travels to date - 5000nm, 10 countries and we are yet to leave Europe!

All too soon the days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to change and there is a chilly nip in the air.  Time to head south - waaaay south, so far to the south that we're going by plane! 

But what of Chinook? She needs to be lifted for some routine maintenance such as bottom paint and anode replacement.  So, since we need to lift her anyway, we have decided to go to Australia for Christmas and leave her on the hard.  And since she is on the hard and it's summer in Australia, we have decided to leave her until the Spring so we can laze on the beach rather than shiver through another European winter.

At the suggestion of friends, we decided to leave her in The Netherlands, in a little town called Elburg.  Elburg is a ridiculously quaint town dating from neolithic times and its current grid pattern dates from the 14th century.  It was a coastal port and part of the Hanseatic League, its buildings indicating it was rather wealthy.  

Elburg. What looks like a grey, paved road in the distance is actually a canal, with boats along the edges
  (Source: www.visithansaholland.com/hansa-towns/elburg/)

Elburg's fishing days, and even its status as a coastal town, were dealt a mortal blow when the Zuidersee was closed off in 1932 and a huge area of land was reclaimed.  Elburg became a town on a canal - with an awesome boat yard!  It is quite bizarre.  After working our way 20nm along a narrow canal, through two opening bridges and a lock, we arrived to boats, sheds full of boats. 

We busied ourselves getting Chinook ready for her winter on the hard, removing sails, running rigging, packing up below, cleaning out fridge and freezer... We also took the time to explore around this remarkable little village.  We look forward to spending more time here in the Spring. But for now, it's time to head out for some land-based adventures...

The Garcia Gang!  Chinook and Lava on the hard