It was a wonderful sight. As Mokum sped up the coast Jan Pieter's sisters Yolanda and Florinde and her husband Rob and I parked the car and raced along the beach towards the pier in Ijmuiden madly waving both Dutch and Canadian flags that are bigger than we are. We made it just in time to see them round the pier and enter the mouth of the canal. They pulled in to the yacht harbour at Ijmuiden where we were welcomed aboard.
Bas got off there and he and Yolanda drove back to Amsterdam and Florinde, Rob and I joined the crew of Mokum for the final sail down the canal into Amsterdam. We first had to go through a lock and then had a great sail - until the edge of the spinnaker caught on one of the the spreaders making a nasty tear...but seeing as this is the only damage that they have experienced during their voyage they are not complaining. I forgot to mention that just after coming through the lock we received a call from Elmer who was waving us in from the other side of the canal standing on the bridge of a large bulk container ship that he was inspecting.
As we sailed in to Amsterdam we could see Mary Shelley waving to us from behind Central station! Wonderful for Martin and Mary to be reunited! Mary was brought to Amsterdam by Frank and Marjan who are the parents of Frank (jr.)a Rotary exchange student that Martin and Mary hosted years ago. Franks jr. and his wife just welcomed the arrival of their 2nd baby only days ago.
Within half an hour another well wisher joined the group - Dennis - a cousin of crew member David Meijer.
Last night Yolanda and Bas arranged a wonderful celebration dinner for the crew family and friends of Mokum...photos of last night will follow shortly. David is flying home today for his youngest son's first birthday! Erik is awaiting Julie's arrival on Thursday....I will try to get them to post their pictures of the trip asap. I know how eager everyone is to see them.
Weather here is very warm and sunny.