Day 3 Dutch Canals 1st November 2021

This morning we began our day with a walk to the bakery in Nieuwegein and to inspect the massive stone locks prior to our entry.

Back onboard we started our Perkins engine, which is still running strong dispute being as old as the boat, and motored towards the canal. Unfortunately we found the lock was closed for service and required 24hour advanced booking. After a call to the local lock master he was happy to open up and let us onto the Lek River.

We crossed the Lek and motored past Viaben down the Merwede canal through the countryside. It is interesting to note we are 5m below sea level, so the canals are actually above the surrounding fields.

Most bridges we passed today were too low to pass under so we called the bridge master on the VHF to open them.

It’s amazing how the scenery changes from quaint villages and mansions on the canals to industrial zones and house boats and shacks.

We entered the Andelese river via the Wilhelmina lock with a large commercial barge just after lunch and cruised down the river alongside large commercial vessels.

This evening the Hewson’s are at Heusdon in a small yacht haven. Our progress can be seen on the picture with pencils pointing our location.