Week 5 Code Red Weather Warning

Week 5 

We went to bed on Saturday night with a Code Rood  weather warning - for snow and cold temperatures across the whole country.

So, "out with Boeke" in the morning was done as quickly as possible...

from Janny at 1000hrs

And from Ben in Amsterdam...

It doesn't look like much, but the wind was strong enough to be seemingly blowing it away! I was glad that Boeke found his "perfect spot" and we could head back indoors. 

The TV News showed much more snow further South, affecting Public Transport and traffic in general. 

The temperature prediction for the whole week is MINUS 5 to 6  with a "feels like" temperature of minus 10 to 15 - so there will be some skating here and there - after talk of Ice Clubs being in financial trouble only a couple of weeks ago.

Highest water level in 10 years

A lock in the Afsluitdijk was emptied in preparation for the new "hole in the dyke" (for the fish). The 90 year old concrete was found to be in (surprisingly) outstanding condition.

I have called Friesland a "sponge" over the years, little realising that I was so very close to the truth. They call it the Friese Boezem (bosom?) - really a water storage basin. 

The Frisian bosom 

The Frisian boezem is the central network of interconnected waterways, canals and lakes with a total water surface of over 15,000 ha. Of these, the lakes cover two thirds. The bank length is approximately 6000 km. The area that drains to the Frisian storage basin is approx. 302,220 ha and thus largely corresponds to the mainland of the province. In the north are some separated areas (Dongerdielen, Ropta and Zwarte Haan), which drain directly towards Lauwersmeer and Wadden Sea. These parts, like large parts of Groningen and Drenthe, are  dependent on Frisian storage water. That water is in summer supplemented with IJsselmeer water.

I tried to read this...but just a bit too technical, I think (even if it was in English).

https://edepot.wur.nl/117609

It gives an historical view of the Friese Boezem - comparing 1876 with 1976 in part and discusses the effect on fish,vegetation, biodiversity and quality of the water.

The level is now maintained at -0.52 metres below NAP (Nieuw Amsterdams Peil - the base line for water measurements).

The Green is average level of the water in 1876 - the Blue is the average in 1976 (maintained at - 0.52 metres NAP). 

We studied a bit of this in the Boating Course - in relation to varying water levels and the calculations required if there was some doubt about the boat getting under a bridge if the water level had risen. It is rarely needed in Friesland because of the controlled water level but there is also a Fries Zomer Peil (FZP) of 0.14 metres - which lowers the water level to -0.66m. (Again, no problem for getting under bridges).(Zomer = Summer)

Pumping the water out

This week saw the first operation of  "fish-friendly" screws (augers) to try to reduce the water level, which is 100mm higher than normal at the moment in Friesland and even higher in some places "down South".

The steam pumping station at Lemmer is often used to reduce the water level. This new system in Marrum is not yet finished - the screws need to have a cover.

High Water Levels this Weekend

The purple (one only at the moment) occurs once every 10 years. The dark blue about once a year.

WaterWorks and other major projects

The Netherlands Government pages are almost always available in English.

This one details proposed works under the Government Water Authority (Rijkswaterstaat) (It is not only water related works - but most of them will of necessity have something to do with controlling the water).

https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/english/index.aspx

This next one showcases some of their major projects (their "gems")

https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/english/about-us/gems-of-rijkswaterstaat

Boeke on Ice

On Tuesday I let Boeke loose on the ice of our pool at the back - but then I thought "oops' what if he falls through...?

Luckily, he didn't - so I didn't have to go in after him!

The next day, he thought he would do it again and just jumped...but the ice had melted so he went straight in - luckily I had him on the line so I could pull him out!

Muddy walks (when the ice melts)

Covid News

Kids back to school tomorrow.

One News item was about people being "radicalised". Many people being anti everything - the curfew, the masks, the rules, the vaccine. That they don't even believe that Covid is real. I guess I just switch off as I contemplate the bad side of social media and the ease of sharing views. Ben and I listened to a Ted Talk about how even "Right and Wrong" has changed.

All my days are the same...

I jotted down my daily (Lockdown) routine as I was daydreaming instead of doing my paperwork...

0700 -  up

            shower

            Boeke out

            breakfast

            light fires x 2, set the coffee

0810    leave to pick up Lucas

0900    cuppa and "show and tell" with clients - news, photos, interesting things

0930    bookkeeping (for me) various work for clients, Ankie and Janny

1030    cuppa (quite often with cake or scones)

1100    Boeke long walk with me

1200    Lunch

1230    "nap" - usually listening to podcast

1330    check "work" - handcrafts, painting, repairs

1400    Yet another cuppa to finish the day - we used to play cards but can't sit together now

1430    Lucas home

1500    Cuppa! and free time - computer, Boeke for another walk, more paperwork

1700    Start preparing meal - we are enjoying the Hello Fresh offerings 3 days a week - Janny             doesn't have to shop as much

1800    Dinner

1700    Cleanup, TV, computer, reading, Boeke out. Games, if Ben is home

2200    Bed for me - reading for as long as I can before falling asleep!

(all of my cuppas are tea - as I approach 2 years without coffee!)

and repeat Monday to Thursday. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday always a bit different. Janny does all the shopping (I'm not allowed out!). Little wonder that I enjoy walking in the forest so much. Sunday mornings I do this and look back at the week just past...

Yesterday, I took Ben to Heerenveen and popped around to look at the boat - the tarp over the doors was still secure. The two other Aussie boats are also OK.

I have booked the new gas system for the boat - first week in May. Hard to think of boating while the snow falls...but at least Covid won't stop that!

Janny's mum (88yo) gets her vaccination tomorrow - in Assen.