Rest day in Gouda

Today we had a well deserved rest day in the lovely historic town of Gouda. We filled up with water and fuel. We bought fresh provisions including an ample supply of Dutch cheese. We walked around the town and inspected the cheese market with piles of huge cheeses, and visited the historic town hall. 

The Museumhaven where we are staying has an interesting selection of resident historic ships - none as old as Bonita- and we have had a steady stream of visitors. In the evening we were entertained and well catered for by the Dutch OGA. We had a nautical skittles match which the Dutch won convincingly. We listened to a sea shanty group and had a fine outdoor paella supper.

Tomorrow the fleet of around 40 gaffers will be off and negotiating a network of locks and bridges. Some of the bridges open infrequently and only for a few minutes ar a time, so plenty of challenges lie ahead.