This trip was a welcome antidote to my lengthy stint of jury service. The thrill of being out upon the sea, and the freedom to roam and explore foreign lands was a marked contrast from weeks spent cooped up in a stuffy courtroom.
    This was our third adventure in this green and pleasant land, and took in three contrasting areas, plus a detour into Berlin.
    Our start was a return to the great delta among the Scheldes, with its fascinating links with the sea, and its battle over the centuries to prevent inundations.
    The journey up the spine of South and North Holland provided an excellent insight into how commercial canals had shaped the future of these two provinces. The historic cities along this route were steeped in trading history, and were bonded by the Spanish occupation centuries back. From a totally different angle, it could be called the cheese trail.
    The delightful sail around the Ijsselmeer and Markermeer added more depth to our knowledge of the Dutch reclamation efforts, particularly in Flevoland, and improved our understanding of the trading history of this great land.
    The detour to Berlin, always a city of much cultural, historical and political interest to me, provided a useful benchmark to compare the Netherlands with. Dan taking us to Spandau also provided us with an insight into Germany's tumultuous past.
    Again, we got on well with each other, respecting each other's needs for discovery and space. Having said that, Meryl did admit that she needed the break half way through to avoid becoming totally "boated" out, i.e. the need for a temporary escape from the feeling of being cooped up with no room to swing a cat; totally understandable.
    How much there is still to discover in this wonderful land is hard to assess, but it does hold a particular fondness for us all.
    Rex and Meryl have once again proved themselves to be worthy friends and travelling companions, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for the continual humour, banter and friendship that they have extended to me.

            Rex and Meryl - Thanks again!