We finally did it! Our first test run with the new engine on the Hennie H! And it was a resounding success...except perhaps for the weather, which was awful, but then what did we expect? In August. In the Netherlands.
Still, nothing could wipe the grins off our faces as we did our first few kilometres. To be precise, it was 4.6 kilometres in 45 minutes with a maximum speed of 12km/h. Koos has a brilliant app on his phone that records it all so we can really test everything properly. I'm not a fan of apps, but this one gets my stamp of approval.
We'd intended to fare along the canal to Gent, stay overnight and come back tomorrow, but in all honesty, spending three hours in the rain and mist wasn't our idea of a fun run, so tomorrow, weather permitting, we'll try again. With no protection, we are definitely fair weather farers.
The photos below are just to prove we did it. Really.
Earlier in the week, though, I was in Rotterdam working on the Vereeniging and I managed to paint some more decks. I do love the steering wheel on my old girl. Its simplicity is its beauty. Don't you agree?
It's the one thing I'll really miss when we move...ooh, did I really say that? Yes, it's true. The Vereeniging is going to a new harbour in October. Finally, after twenty years in Rotterdam.
I know...I've been hinting at it for a while, and fingers crossed, health and weather permitting, it's going to happen, but more on that later. First, though, September is going to be a very busy month, so I'll hold my horses to make sure they're ready to go before I cross that bridge. Or that river, to be more precise.
Have a great week, allemaal and if you're having sunshine wherever you are, please would you send some over here?
Sorry to hear about the rain, but you DID it. Well done! And yes, I love the simplicity of that steering wheel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley!! Yes, we didi it! And today we’ll do more! Woohoo!! It’s been a huge amount of work for Koos in particular, but you should have seen his smile through the raindrops 😄
DeleteI would like to send you some sunshine from here (Greece)
ReplyDeleteVerry nice posts we where thinking to move in Rotterdam :)
Very nice post.
Thank you so much! I think you did send some...the sun is shining this morning!
Delete:)
Delete12k! We get excited if Oldtimer gets to 8. Well done!
ReplyDeleteDeck looks good and that wheel is great. Like driving a bus.
Excited to hear more about the move.
We'd send you better weather but we don't have any.
Ah, thank you, Don and Cathy Jo. I think normal will be more like 6-8 km/h, but it was good to see what she could do! Wishing you both better weather as well!
DeleteWell done! We have moved only in the wind for the last three weeks, making sat-tv reception difficult. A floating caravan, but definitely better than working.
ReplyDeleteI do so agree, Roger. Any life on water is better. I’m so glad you made it over to your lovely BW!
DeleteCongrats to you and Koos! Now, if only you could devise a system to change the weather! Looking forward to hearing more news about the move. Whatever y'all do and where ever you go - you will be a success. (Steph)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I think we need a bit of help from above when it comes to the weather, Steph! But your constant encouragement is a real blessing! Thank you!
DeleteLovely to read about your success with the Hennie H. Very well done and hope you get an Indian summer after all that rain. Where do you moor her, I thought she and Vereeniging were in the same marina but it sounds like they are not.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret. I hope we get an Indian summer too that would at least make up a bit for the miserable summer. No, Vereeniging is in Rotterdam and Hennie H lives in Sas van Gent on the Belgian border. We spend a lot of time there and are really closet Belgians...haha. Tonight we are in Gent, which id just three hours’ faring from Sas. It’s SO lovely to be in the move again!
DeleteGood morning Val and Koos, so glad to you had such a great run in Hennie H in spite of the weather. I love your fascinating photos Val. Your constantly changing scenery is never boring, no wonder you love living on the water. Hope all goes well with your move. ������
ReplyDeleteAh, THANK you, Lorraine! I’m so pleased you enjoy seeing the photos. We are in Gent this evening and are loving being on the move again. I saw your mail today and will look forward to reading it when we get back. I love reading your memoirs!
DeleteWoohoo! I am so happy for you both that the engine is all done and approved and that your first run with it was a success despite the weather. Hope the second one was just as much fun!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Jo! We are so enjoying being in Gent this evening, it makes all the months of work and effort worthwhile. Thank you for commenting, sweetie 💕
DeleteOoh, a move is in the wind - exciting! Well done on getting out in the Hennie H, and bad luck with the rain. Yes, the Vereeniging does indeed have a most elegant wheel, beautifully painted as are both your barges. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Patricia. Today, we’ve managed to get as far as Gent...a three hour trip from our home base, but another country and one of my favourite places ever! It’s cloudy but not wet!
DeleteIt’s exciting to be on the move again, even if it is only for sea (river, canal) trials in dismal weather.
ReplyDeleteI’ve just popped outside and caught a jar of brilliant sunshine for you. I’ve screwed the lid on tightly too!
Carol Nash
Thank you, Carol! You are so right. It’s exhilarating to be on the move again. All those months of anxiety seem to fall away. Tonight we are in Gent and living it. Thank you for potting up some sunshine for us! I’ll look out for it tomorrow :)
DeleteAm jealous! A gorgeous boat. Super nice. Did I say I'm jealous?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dennis. Yes. You did happen to mention it. But I completely agree :)
DeleteSo, so good to hear that your faring on HH has finally begun after so very long. It sound like you had a great time despite the weather. Good luck with the move in October - remind me why you want to move from your current historic mooring please?
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, Carol! We have managed to fare to Ghent now. We left yesterday and will return tomorrow after two lovely days in our favourite city. The sun even came out this afternoon! Photos will definitely follow! As for the move, it's really so I can be in a quieter and less noisy place after 20 years in the city. That and having a mooring that won't involve having to move to accommodate neighbours. I do hope you and G are doing and keeping well.
DeleteYour move to a quieter mooring sound very sensible after 20 years of noise and having to move around the harbour. Just read your blog about your faring to Ghent, it looks amazing. Great photos too. George and I are settling into our home nicely and doing well thank you. We're also getting our boat fixes quite regularly too being near the canals.
DeleteThanks for replying, Carol. I'm very pleased to hear you are enjoying your new home and still getting boat fixes! Yes, I am very much looking forward to Vereeniging's new home!
DeleteHi Val. Hennie H. is a beautiful, old girl. I wish I could get back on the water! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I hope you’ll be able to resume your boating adventures again too. It’s such a source of peace and pleasure.
DeleteWonderful news Val, so good to hear that you are faring on HH again after a long wait. Koos has worked his magic once again. It may only have been a short trip but hopefully you will get to Ghent soon. I hope your weather improves and you get some sunshine 🌞
ReplyDeleteI love the steering wheel on the Vereeniging and you have worked wonders with your painting, they are both looking grand.
Wonderful blog, my friend. I look forward to hearing more about your imminent move.
Stay well and safe, love and hugs to you both, 🤗❤xxx
Thank you so much, Linda! I think you know by now we did make to Ghent and it was magical! And now...the painting continues :) love and hugs to you and Jono! xxx
DeleteIt's good to read your test run was so successful, Val. I'm looking forward now to learning about your new mooring. All the best with that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roger. We had an even more successful test run to Ghent on Monday and came back yesterday. I’ll blog about it this weekend. Magical, it was!
DeleteYay, I’m so happy you finally got back out on the water! Yours and Koos’ tenacity certainly has paid off.
ReplyDeleteWe could have used some of your rain this summer, but the summer simmer has finally simmered down here.
Happy faring, and mountains of love to you and Koos! xx
Thank you so much, Dale, and sorry for the late reply. I've just collected Koos from hospital. He's had a pacemaker fitted, which is why it's all been hectic the last few days. It was wonderful to be out and faring on the Hennie H again. I can't tell you how good that was! xxx
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