20190512

Published in Dinghy Cruising Journal 242

Zaan Raid Report 3

Sunday morning was bright and gusty, like a Ruysdael painting. After breakfast and coffee we all went sailing on the Zaan. I put in a single reef to be on the safe side. Many local residents watched from their backyards as we sailed by in our sail and oar boats. The idea was to hold an informal parade of sail against the historic background of the Zaanse Schans. We enjoged ourselves tremendously and were watched by hundreds of tourists (who probably thought that this was part of the regular entertainment). After returning to the Arends residence we had lunch. Since the wind was N4, we faced a long upwind row back to our starting point at Wormer. Luckily one of Hans' friends offered to tow us all the way back to the trailer slip. And so this glorious weekend came to an end.

Parade of sail past Zaanse Schans. Photo:Sara