The Idea

Wishlist in our kitchen




When in 2008 we first thought of our impending retirement we decided to brainstorm and up went a whiteboard in the kitchen upon which either us could post any idea we wished for without criticism or amendment by the other. We agreed a further rule that we would only remove an idea upon consensus. My first contributions were to sail the Mediterranean for a year or rent an apartment for six months in the Southern toe of Italy and traipse across the countryside on two Vespa scooters.

Following various discussions with friends, and in particular David Willers in London, the idea of Dutch barge was mooted. David has had sailboats, escaped from dangerous places in them and suggested that mooring fees in the Mediterranean were now crippling, "what about a barge on the canals of Europe?", he said, "with a little wood-burning stove and an axe you could traverse all of Europe and keep warm in the process".

So gesê, so gedaan. We scoured the Internet and became enthralled with the idea and amazed at the variety of barges available. In June 2009 I had to visit Geneva for a WTO meeting and we decided to stop over in Amsterdam to look over in person what had excited us on the Internet. We stayed on a barge with our dear friend from Geneva, Sarah Bulloch, and made few phone calls to various brokers. One in particular, Mr Goos Kramer, the giant marina owner of Dukra Jachthaven in Zaandam, who had been recommended to us by email, was quick to respond to our request and invited us out to the marina. We took the train to Zaandam and spent a wonderful morning with Goos who showed us the various types of boats he had available. Although none were to our particular liking, I said to him "we do not intend to buy today as I have two years to retirement, but I have a sense that I will be doing business with you sometime". A man of the sea, honest and true to his word. This was borne out later in my dealings with him on the purchase of the boat.

After a lovely chat and coffee in the Dukra canteen Goos offered to take us back to Amsterdam to our lodgings and on the way to look at one new boat he had received in that morning. Well, upon seeing "Linquenda" both Rudi and I decided that she was what we were looking for and that we should not wait until I had retired before making an offer. This was a project boat which had sufficient interior appointments to acommodate us comfortably while we renovated her. The price was right and we could afford to have her moored for a year or so before I retired rather than wait until then. She had a serviceable engine, kitchen, bedroom and various other appointments and a very traditional interior that we just loved and wished to retain during any renovation.

"Linquenda", Skutsje Tjalk, 1914

I asked Goos to hold the boat for me until I could review my finances and made an offer which concluded the sale after our return to South Africa. The cost of the boat, mooring and what we expected to put into her by way of renovation was less than the alternative plan of buying a holiday home in Franskraal or Hermanus! Also we expected to be able to put in sweat capital and excellent electrical, water and heating systems that would make the ship saleable at least without loss and probably a profit after a two year project lifetime. What better way of spending our retirement lump sum!