It's March and that time of year when I start doing something about the green algae on and in Vereeniging's nooks and crannies. This year, it's worse than it's ever been after the winter because it's been so unbelievably wet. I'm not even going to show you a picture of how green the rubbing rail (known here as the berghout) was. I'm more than a little ashamed to have neglected it for so long, but with such lousy cold weather and so much wind it's been almost impossible to clean it in the past couple of months.
The photo below is just to show you what I mean by the rubbing rail. It's made of hardwood with a rim of steel over it, and it attracts green growth like nothing else on the barge. The next photo is of me this last Friday with my long-handled brush. I was scrubbing it with vinegar, which happens to be the best, most environmentally friendly degreener available. It was a lot of work and I haven't finished yet, but I've made a good start. Such is life with an old barge. I have to admit I miss the little green rowing boat I had in Rotterdam. It would be such a boon to have it for these types of jobs.
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| The berghout or rubbing rail. This is an old photo taken in Rotterdam |
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| Cleaning the rubbing rail with a long-handled brush and vinegar. Note the ship passing in the background. |
Of course, we're hoping the weather will warm up enough to do some jaunts up the canal before long, so spring cleaning gives us the incentive needed to get out onto the water. Still, there are other lovely watery places to go too. Last weekend, I took Bobby the Panda car for a test drive to meet daughter two at a beach about halfway between our two homes. Daughter one, who lives very close to me, came along in Bobby with Lucy the Podenko to keep Zoe company. Daughter two brought her boyfriend, his daughter, and spaniel, Mack. The tide was so far out, we could barely see the water and the dogs had a wonderful time playing chase on the huge expanse of the beach. I think the humans enjoyed it too. I certainly did, especially as Bobby performed very nicely as well.
Luckily, the dogs are all very good friends. Zoe is the oldest of the three but is game for lots of larking about on the beach, in the woods and even on the sofa at home. Yesterday, I 'babysat' daughter one's Lucy when she (daughter) was out for the day. The photo below is evidence of the 'ow ow' games Zoe and Lucy find endless entertainment in playing while I find equal entertainment in watching them.
March has also brought a (spring) fever of learning into my life. Quite apart from my daily Duolingo lessons in Dutch and French, I've embarked on studying for the Dutch version of the cruising license for small boats (meaning anything up to twenty metres). I was doing quite well until I reached the current chapter about the technical stuff. As it's all written in Dutch too and frequently concerns the type of craft I have never and will never use, I'm finding it a bit of a challenge, but I'll get there. It's fun to do and good for my language development, not to mention my technical knowledge.
I now know the difference between an outboard cooling system, an inboard cooling system with outboard water and a closed cooling system...in Dutch, so I guess I'm learning something. On Vereeniging and the Shoe, we have closed cooling systems so I'm familiar with those, but it's quite a complicated matter to understand all the different types and I'm not especially technical.
I'll keep at it, though, and when I've finished I'll have a go at the exam. However, there's a huge amount to learn before I'm ready to take it, so it'll be a while yet. There's my paid work to do as well, you see.
Anyway, weather permitting, we'll be back cleaning the boats again in the coming week, and maybe there'll be photos to show of pristine clean barges. You never know!
That's all for now, allemaal. Enjoy the coming days and let's hope they'll stay dry and bright for us all.
Hi Val, I do sympathise with you and the necessity for spring cleaning. We have had the occasional sunny day here and oh my, the sunshine really does show up the dust! Your day out on that beach looks like it was a lot of fun, especially for the dogs. Masses of good luck with your exams, all that technical stuff sounds very complicated.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorraine. Your sympathy is very welcome. I think we’re all fed up with the wet weather, aren’t we? Bless you for all the good wishes!
DeleteAs always, Val, I'm in awe of all you do. I'm not surprised you have only just started the de-greening, it must be such a hard job in those bitter conditions. I love the doggy antics! It's brilliant for Zoe to have pooch pals close by. Bon courage with the learning and course. It'll be a huge accomplishment to pass the cruising license for small boats exam! xx
ReplyDeleteAw, Beth, it all sounds great here, but it’s all spread out over time. I don’t do that much really. The crusing license is probably the most work. 😂
DeleteWell done you! I’m full of admiration Val but worried you might slide over the rail and get a cold dunking, do take care my friend. The beach looked a lot of fun and so pleased Bobby behaved, what a great family day out! Xx lally
ReplyDeleteHehe, Lally, I’m also very aware of the risks of falling. Beleive me, I’m very careful. Yes, my Bobby is such a boon! Thank you for reading, my friend.
DeleteI love a miles out low tide!!! Had a friend who used to go sand yachting in Hunstanton when it was like this.
ReplyDeleteSoon be spring!!! T x
I love low tides too, TT. I think the east coast of England is very similar isn’t it?
DeleteSuch a busy bee you are! I hope the weather lets up enough to allow you to get that green off the boaties!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Jo, me too. Thank you for commenting! Xx
DeleteI think my eyes would glaze over all that technical stuff, and it's in Dutch! Good grief, I much admire you, Val!
ReplyDeleteHaha, Shirley. My eyes often glaze over too and I have to read things twice over several times! Thank you for reading my blog again. Xx
DeleteOh, Val...you are one of the most amazing, remarkable women in the entire world. You can do anything and everything - and do them well. And still teach and write! I am honored to know you and to share your challenges and successes with you through your marvelous blogs. Happy Sunshine soon...I hope! (Steph)
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for the late response, dear Steph. You do me far too much honour, as always, and I hope you remember that I don’t do all of these things at the same time. 😂 It’s spread out over the days and weeks, but thank you, my dear. Xx
DeleteWhat a job Val - and in such cold, damp weather. Spring is taking its time to bring some much needed sunshine, and warmer weather. Your lovely day out on the beach with your daughters and doggy family would be a welcome break from the studying and cleaning. My eyes glazed over at the thought of anything technical - and you're studying that in Dutch!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, yes! We all need some sunshine, don’t we? The treat of the beach was truly lovely and I’m looking forward to more adventures like it soon.
DeleteWell done, Val. Our unseasonably warm Canadian winter caused greener of the north side of our cottage and black bits growing on our motorhome. Ah the pride of ownership when spring cleaning is accomplished!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, mild and wet combined is the perfect recipe for mould. We’ve just had far too much wet. It’s been cold by Dutch standards but we never have your type of icy temperature.
DeleteYou really are Spring cleaning there Val. It looks a bit dangerous leaning over the side to scrub the algae. What fun to have your daughters and the dogs, all together on those wide, wide beaches. It does look a bit cold though :)
ReplyDeleteTrish, I’m very aware of the risks, as I would hate to fall in! Cold, it is, and we’re longing for some real spring warmth. The beach was gorgeous so I hope we can do it again sometime. Enjly your autumn down there! I expect you’ll be looking forward to some coolth, as we used to call it in our family. :)
DeleteI can empathise with you regarding doing Spring jobs. I've been using the seemingly endless spell of cold wet weather to avoid getting my garden ready for another year but, a few mild dryer days have forced me to make a start.
ReplyDeleteI like the beach photo's, very similar to our Fitties beach at Humberstone. Great to see the dogs playing. Take care Val, David.
I know so well how that avoidance works, David. I look out of the window every day and think 'shall I?' but it's just not that inviting. Since my post, it's done nothing but rain again, so the green is already creeping back. Good luck with your garden! Do you grow vegetables at all?
DeleteI used to grow Runner Beans but stopped a couple of years ago. I still like to grow Tomatoes and will again this year, but they're classed as fruit. Our weather is improving a bit with milder days and some sunny spells. But still rain showers
DeleteI don't know how you keep up with all the things you do? I'm tired just reading it! 😆
ReplyDeleteHi Val - you certainly keep our brains adjusting to all the activities you need to do, as well as the brain power needed for the education you embark on - congratulations. It's been a grotty damp winter hasn't it - and those winds have been pretty horrid here in Eastbourne ... while I always think of the 1953 North Sea Storm that affected your part of the world, after it had done its damage here.
ReplyDeleteAdmiration to you and Koos ... I hope you'll be out and about soon. That cleaning of the green stuff looks monstrously uncomfortable ... the thought appals me! Cheers - I feel, like the others, I need a stiff drink to recover from 'your' workload - certainly not mine ... once more ... cheers with a coffee - Hilary