White dreams

March 23, 2008

I am dreaming of a white...Easter. No, not really, it has become reality! All forecasts showed this early Easter Linssen tour would be harassed by storm, hail and even snow. Frankly, when starting of this Friday-morning we still hesitated to go. But we have a Linssen after all with all comfort on-board, so between the showers and the heavy blows we left Cómplice's winter home at Van der Laan to Linssen harbour. Surprisingly all other 9 participants had done the same - no cancellations. One English, one Swiss, one German, and 7 Dutch skippers tempting nature. First day a few hours and 2 locks via kanaal Wessem-Nederweert to Weert. Not too bad between the showers, but "of course" when entering both locks on this short trip a burst of rain & hail made us long for the cosy fire place with a glas of whine at home.

Second day, from Weert to Maastricht, following the Zuid-Willemsvaart through Belgium. A stretch of about 7 hours and with 4 locks to take. Despite all poor weather conditions as announced, with still warnings out for hail & storm & snow, obviously not this part of the continent. Low temp (3-5 C) but under the hood and behind the screen steering on the upper deck well doable. It is amazing how fast one getting used again to the relaxing way of going on the canals, with this time of year not any other traffic. Engine running smoothly, as all technology on-board worked fine after the 5 months rest. Testing this before our 2-3 day return to home-base Maurik was exactly main reason for participating in the very early season trip.

Myöbe towed by Serious Pleasure

Our companions on board of Myöbe - a just delivered 299AC like ours but with a blue skin - unfortunately proved to be less lucky on their maiden trip. Halfway our tour they experienced the diesel filter not to be fitted tight, so they had to be towed by tour leader André Suntjens to Maastricht, where the mechanic already was waiting to fix the trouble and get rid of the lost diesel in the bilge. Unfortunately such things can happen when sailing on the waterways, but fortunately in this case so many Linssen people around, and it reminded us even more to check the most critical nuts & bolts every time before we leave.

Whilst snowing in the western half of Netherlands, first Easter day in Maastricht/Limburg with clear blue sky already looking like a bit of Spring - though minus 7C during night! Of course, harbour master showing up in his Easter Rabbit outfit - though shivering from the cold (on the news later on that day even snowman in form of Easter Rabbit!).

Part of the Linssen pack in 't Bassin Maastricht

We had to leave the Linssen pack now and return home. On our route back from Maastricht to Maasbracht, we fancied a nice & lovely sun on the aft deck - a good start of the new season! With a nasty surprise at our last lock Maasbracht. After having entered the lock, another small vessel came in with a man shouting on front deck. No engine, no steering, no stop capabilities. In a split second we fixed Cómplice, jumped off board and had a chance to grab some lines, stopping this polyester Marco yacht less than one meter behind Cómplice. Fortunately no damage. Well... When towing the unfortunate skipper with his light ship blowing to all sides out of the lock we touched the lock-quay with our anchor, leaving some scratches. Season now really has started...

On Monday-morning, second Easter day, we woke up in a white world. White Easter, after all.

Early wake-up call

March 6, 2008

Easter really is early this year. Earlier than any year during my life-time, and we won't survive another such an early easter rabbit, as explained in the news. So we really hesitated when invited for the traditional Linssen easter tour. But convinced by Linssens' André Suntjens, we decided to go for it. What the heck! Hadn't there been some nice days already, even with 15C?

So we called Van der Laan Yachting to have Cómpliced baptized again in week before Easter. No problem. We expected de-winterizing by Erwin Schuller not to be an issue either. Surprise, Erwin, doing quite some maintenance for Linssen in France as well, not being available the 2-week period before Easter. Tried to find solutions, which ended up in his call that only solution would be to de-winterize on March 6. Well, Linssens' are made for poor Dutch wheather conditions, so why not?

We had not thought about our bimini still standing up in the shed, but where reminded by Van der Laan at first Spring storm. And by the time the second one announced, the night rest was over. We had to take the 2-hours drive to Maasbracht, to rescue our sunroof, and fix some extra lines. Cómplice was ok, but we were soaked when taking down the bimini at force 8 and cold, cold rain. But we managed.

One advantage of an early Easter is the winter-season seems really short! In in the meantime on several occasions our Linssen-Experience popped up. Once again, early December we participated in Linssen boatshow, as well at UK Association Owners Dinner. And together with Yvonne Linssen, we are preparing for the foundation of a Dutch Linssen Skippers Association. You will hear about that soon.

But now, first, we will have the Linssen Easter Tour. Or? Forecast announces less than 5C during the day and even some frost during night. Would we really want to go? Ratio struggles with emotion. On one side, why leave the warm home. On the other side we want to have that 'serious pleasure again'. Will keep you posted. Season is on!

Epilogue 2007

Ready for winter 2007-2008

When mooring Cómplice for winterstop, I noted 550 hours on the meter. So with 26o hrs on the meter for the first season, we enjoyed 290 hours this 2007 season. We really enjoyed, despite the summer has been less sunny and brought quite some more wind, compared to 2006. Frankly, we did not bother much.

We had some problems with the Volvo D2-55, with the diesel filter coming off the engine, and some battery issues, but both were handled by Linssen with great care. Not any further issue.

In these two seasons, Cómplice has brought us to all wind-directions (looking from the perspective of home port, which is in the middle of our country): South (to Maastricht), East (to Dalfsen), North (to Lauwersmeer) and West (to Rotterdam).

I have started to bundle our experience as published in this blog into a little booklet, with sections for each direction we have chosen. If you are interested, please mail to linssen.experience@gmail.com. Once ready, I will provide a pdf-download.

For now, this blog has winter stop as well.

Looking forward to Season 2008!

Season-off

October 14 & 15

Leukermeer - Roermond: 6 hours

Roermond - Maasbracht: 1 hour

A relaxed start today, after the UK-victory booze of last night. Had we realized (Roermond) locks in the Maas would have been closed at 5.00 pm on this off-season (after October 1) Sunday, we would have been less relaxed. But we didn't, so took all our time for leave of Leukermeer at around 10:30, taking time to look around and taking pictures of one-another. Even Dirk's crew - being able to create some more speed - decided to visit the Arcen gardens http://www.kasteeltuinen.nl/ on our way to Roermond. Sarantina & Cómplice continuing with slow speed, catched up by speeding barges (though Sunday, quite a few) and even an additional (Classic Sturdy) Linssen accompanying us some time (compensation the loss of Dirk).

Cómplice & Sarantine heading south

Enjoying amazing bright sky and tree colours, waving to the full terraces on the banks, and the abundant fisherman. It has been a kind of funny season! With summer type of wheather in April and now in October, but rainy and stormy in the real summer season!

Dirk at Arcen

When the two of us arrived near Roermond, we faced another issue we hadn't thought off. Wishing to fill up our diesel-tanks before entering the winter-storage, on this off-season Sunday all closed. So we needed to postpone till tomorrow, and find a station next day at Maasbracht. Not before our last lock Roermond we noticed from talks over the radio the lock definitely would be closed at 5:00 pm, the lock-keeper urging a skipper to be there no later than 4:15. The final time is the time the last turn needs to be finished, and not the time the last turn starts! Need to call Dirk, still enjoying the gardens at Arcen, to hurry up and not to spare the horses! They managed by the minute, a close finish after all. This night we had a superb farewell dinner in the restaurant De Gelegenheid in Roermond, close to the harbour of WV Roermond where we stayed for our last night of season 2007.

Next morning, before arriving at our winterstop at Van der Laan Yachting, still to take care for our diesel. Which didn't come very easy. Gas-station Helmers at Roermond being opened, but with no diesel for us left. The first bunkership at Maasbracht being closed. The second one had diesel, but not accepting credit- and debitcard payment, so first find a bank to get some cash.


Upon our arrival, Erwin Schuller already waiting to make our ships ready for a well-deserved rest. So sorry to leave them behind....

Day-off

October 13, 2007

Ravenstein-Leukermeer: 5 hrs

Today is easy day. Not only the distance we wish to do and the locks with only two is half of. In addition, I also have a day off. My son Arjen will be the skipper of the day and his partner Mariette his first mate - so I have all time 'to be the Admiral of the threesome Linssen fleet' as Dirk's skipper says. Well, it doesn't feel very different, and it doesn't pay more, but I like it. And by the way, it offers the opportunity to the ordinary crew to sit on the front deck now and than, which is a nice position to relax and have a view on the mirroring Maas ahead of us.

Hardly any traffic on the first part, till the Maas-Waalkanaal meets the Maas. Quite different from August, when we were on our way and back to Venlo, to pick up our Bimini. By that time, because of high water and current on the Waal, quite some barges made the choice for the Maas instead, causing hours delay at the rather small lock of Grave. Not this time, upon our arrival at lock Grave it immediately opened for (only) the three of us. By the way, looking at the 'Scheepsberichten' (the messages for river traffic) when preparing for this tour, I noticed that lock Grave next year will be complete closed between March 1 and April 15 for maintenance, which means our early Spring return has to be a different route. Should you have planned to do the same route, consult NOS teletext page 721 which is also obtainable via internet http://teletekst.nos.nl/

Audit from the river side

At Cuijk, at the connection between Maas and Waal the river traffic increases, with quite some barges passing with high speed. As always, looking back is even (and on the rivers even more) important, than looking forward. How important shows an accident that happened two years ago on the Maas-Waalkanaal, very close to this connection, when a barge collided with a yacht which immediately sunk with two men killed. The barge skipper never noticed! At Cuijk we also pass one of the factories of Royal Numico, a global specialized nutrition company, our son works for in the corporate finance department. So pictures to be taken, 'to proof he has done the operational audit from the river side as well'.

Consultation at Sambeek lock - may I have your attention please?

At lock Sambeek I take my responsibility as the Admiral to discuss our destination for today. Until Venlo there are not many choices that qualify: either Leukermeer or Wanssum. We feel a bit tempted to have a look at Wanssum, because of its promotions. Admitted: its entrance with the container harbour is not very fancy - but our experience with other moorings show that one never knows what is behind, until one has seen it. We decide that we will have a quick look at Wanssum, also dropping our skipper & mate for today, whilst Sarantina and Dirk will go to Leukermeer to see if places are available there.

Guest mooring at Leukermeer

The bet on two horses proofs to be a good bet. Wanssum is not what it promotes to be, and has no place available for the three of us. Leukermeer only has three places left, so good we occupied them immediately, one - until our arrival there - defended by the British skippers with their lives!


Only one disappointment today. Despite all attempts and questioning around, in this secluded area nowhere a TV to be found for watching the rugby match England-France this night! After all, the English team managed the victory without our English crews watching. But how to explain the shouting to the other neighbouring skippers?

Trade-off

October 12, 2007

Maurik - Ravenstein: 7 hours

To us, winterizing is making a number of trade-off's. Should we leave Cómplice in the water this winter, or let her take on-shore? Definitely the first is a lot cheaper, because we can leave her in our club harbour without extra costs. But the ship faces all weather influences, and though such hasn't been the case last winters, with severe frost the ice might damage the hull. Next trade-off is, if we have the ship out of water, shall we let her standing on the outside, or let her shelter in a hall-storage? The latter is twice as expensive as leaving on the outside. But leaving outside still nature does its work. Another trade-off: we have several possibilities near Maurik to store (both outside or inside), but do we trust them? Several do not have strict regulations about entrance & maintenance inside the halls - which means that one's ship could suffer welding, polishing or painting neighbouring ships. After all these trade-offs we concluded to go for the familiar experience of last year, and make the choice for winterizing inside at Van der Laan Yachting in Maasbracht. The ship came out super clean, same as we left her, and very nice and thrust worthy people. Plus, close to Linssen, which is convenient in case there might be some repairs and maintenance.

Sarantina and Cómplice waiting at St. Andries lock

Our friends Brian & Ruth (owners of Sarantina - a similar 299AC) and Brian & Alison (owners of Dirk - a GS 380) - both also with home base Maurik - coming to same conclusion. Ready to plan for a threesome, three day trip. We did not fancy to re-do what we did last year - going upstream the Waal - taking ages with the strong current, and nasty barges (almost) pushing you inside the river dams when overhauling. So we planned for the long(est) way: at Tiel going just a few miles downstream the Waal, entering the Maas at St Andries, and further go all the way east and south on the river Maas.

Got you!

With a summer behind that hasn't been always kind to us on the weather side, this time full of luck. One of the most beautiful weekends of the season! Leaving rather early Friday morning (after having taken care to transport our cars to Maasbracht before evening), still with some damp. Lucky on another side as well. The Waal had been closed for 24 hours a few days before, because a ships collision causing the loss of a few containers with sweetener, and one till Thursday could not be found.

Heading for Ravenstein club harbour. A rather small - and therefore cosy - mooring, we experienced earlier this year. And with another major advantage: adjacent to the nice village with good restaurants, and with a direct railway connection. So our (additional) guests could arrive there easily next morning.

First day of our mutual tour was about sort of "collecting the troops". Sarantina had to come from Culemborg (where they had collected their guests), Dirk crew had to departure somewhat later because still to arrive with the ferry from England. Sarantina and Cómplice met on the Amsterdam Rijn kanaal, Dirk one hour behind, but catching up close to Ravenstein. Upfront we had agreed on the communication conventions via the marine radio - so going to channel 77 for the private chats most of the time (except of course when a need for going to the lock channel).

Threesome in Ravenstein

A good, relaxing day - with also all the luck with us with the locks-passages, four for this day. Taking every opportunity to picture one-each-other, three Linssen's in full action. Not liking the idea that end of season had arrived, but the nice tour sweetened the nearing goodbye!

Would you believe coincidence, discovering (which I did during planning phase) the little town Ravenstein having an English restaurant http://www.oxfords.nl/? Day ended in a wonderfull meal and good company with our overwhelmingly British team (7 out of 9), a British cook, and a lot of laughter.

Detour finals

August 24 & 25, 2007

Gouda-Montfoort: 3 1/2 hours

Montfoort-Maurik: 7 hours

Definitely we are heading home now, going further east on the Hollandse IJssel. Leaving Gouda via its museum harbour, just before the lock Mallegatsluis.

Museum harbour Gouda

We have done this stretch several times before (see earlier posts on this blog), but it never bores. Passing by the pittoresq village Oudewater, very worthwhile to stop and have a few hours walk around, but not this time. We have a stop at Montfoort, where our younger son and daughter-in-law visit us. Montfoort has a lot free places on the municipal quays - but because of a fair tomorrow almost all are occupied.

Narrow river at Oudewater

Next day we read on teletext the barriers in the Rhine are still opened, releasing the abundant water from upstream Rhine. Which means that if we would enter the Rhine at Nieuwegein, we would need to crawl against high current quite some time. So we decide to make a detour, and take the Merwedekanaal and Amsterdam-Rijn kanaal instead. Less attractive but it brings us back to the Rhine at Wijk bij Duurstede - close to our home base Maurik. with only a few miles to crawl.

With some beautiful days and a marvelous sunset at Maurik this "Biesbosch tour" ends.

Vice captain

August 23, 2007

Dordrecht - Gouda: 4 hours

Today we are heading to Gouda, similar as Dordrecht blessed with hundreds of monuments, but yet quite different. Mooring possibilities in Gouda are distributed over the town at several places at municipal quays. We have been here before, so we know where to go. Our preferred location is at the Kattensingel, behind the Pottersbrug. It is quite close to the market place with its special Gothic City hall, and a bit more quite than some other places, which have busy traffic awaiting for the numerous bridges.

Today is special day, with our one year old grandson Bram visiting, so we need to find a "kings place". Today, again timing is important. If we could arrive in Gouda no later than 3 hours before high tide, we could still enter the inner city taking the south entrance (Mallegatsluis), without taking our hood off (such because this entrance has a fixed bridge with height 3.30 at high tide). Despite our journey develops without any delays - going north via the Oude Maas, de Noord and Hollandse IJssel - we arrive half an hour too late to give it a try. So we take the other route, going via the north entrance to Gouda, which means one additional lock and an extra bridge to take.

Mooring at Kattensingel

Though all places at Kattensingel already seem to be occupied at noon, a nice chap with a restored barge is so kind to move a bit, so we still find a place which exactly fits. Just in time to clean and get ready to have our young vice captain on board!

Just upon his arrival, several other ships come in, trying to find a mooring place at Kattensingel as well. One of them, a pikmeerkruiser with grandparents and grandchilds on board, taking the opportunity to moor next to us. We do not mind, our grandson enjoys - and so do we. Ai ai, little captain!