Fifteen sail boats made the trek through the city of Amsterdam, in the wee hours, through a city that does not sleep on a balmy summer Saturday night. The first bridge, on the very busy railroad line from Haarlem to Amsterdam , made it’s once a day opening at 2.00 a.m. At times the bridges were so close together that the string of boats had trouble to keep some steerage while waiting for the next bridge to open, and not run into eachother. About 6 bridges and lastly the Schinkel locks and the last bridge in the main highway from the south of Amsterdam to the Hague.  We arrived at our destination after 4 p.m. and had a heck of a time finding the marina in the dark. It’s a wonderful spot. The club members are excited to have “Fleetwood” here. The club will celebrate it’s 90th anniversary in October. The members are a very informal lot. None of the pomp of the old European or U.S.  YC’s.   I am tentatively looking at Friday Sept 4 or Saturday the 5th to try organize a celebration, of the arrival in Holland, with family and friends.  Ideally here at the club but it needs to be approved by the club board. Stay tuned. 

This morning’s mass gospel was John 15 9-17 “Love each other as I have loved you” . It is a very popular text but when I hear it in a language other than English it always brings out new and exciting nuances. It was also a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for a parishoner couple. The sermon was impressive. This community and priest will be a treat while “Fleetwood” and I will be here in retreat till next Spring.