The changing of the guard !

 For the past three northern winters, Antiope has slept peacefully in a big shed (hall) in the company of approx 199 other craft of varying size, shape and age. For us 12,000 miles away in NZ it means that we have been able to sleep at night, knowing that she is secure and unlikely to sink.

Early days, 1980s mid winter Hogenberg boat storage

The big lift gantry gets installed.

Today. Undercover storage for 200 ish boats

Back in the 1980s an enterprising young Dutchman, Jan Hogenberg, acquired a remote piece of waterside land and with a mobile crane, offered onshore winter boat storage. The location was at the sleepy, shopless settlement of Scheerwolde and about 9 kms from the nearest town of Steenwijk.

 These old pics were on display at the farewell party.

A transformation has taken place since then! It was fellow Kiwi boaters, Max and Robyn, who introduced us to Jan and his wife Roelie three years ago when we brought Antiope up from France to explore the Netherlands post Covid. Those adventures feature in preceeding blogs. 

Antiope loses her skirt, but all in a good cause

The same shed (hall) while still under construction some years ago.

Luxury to be able to work inside a big shed !

It is now 10 years since we have been able to repaint the topsides of Antiope, and once some of the tightly stored craft are out of the shed, we are given space to work around the hull. 

Meanwhile in the shed next door !

This year, Jan and Roelie are retiring and handing over the boatyard to new owners. An occasion worthy of a party, and we get invited.

Roelie and Jan, in front of their own motor launch 

Party time in the warm hall

 ( This shed is maintained above freezing in winter )

Topsides now shiny, 'tis time to re-dress the lady

Lots of strings, a very heavy skirt!

A little bit at a time, and mind the new paint!

Something not quite right with this picture ?

Ah that's better, and ready now for the re-launch.

                                              The skipper gets spoiled after another day's work.

It has been two weeks since we arrived back aboard Antiope, and living in the shed has been useful time and out of the fickle weather, but we now really want to be back afloat.

Cheers, Charles and Annie