Netherlands Inland Waterway cruising – start of second trip

Sunset in Lelystad

Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th September.

This is the start of our second circular trip in Netherlands. Its a good thing I like to plan ahead , as I originally wanted to do a rather large figure of eight route through the south and south east regions.

Once I got down to the details, I realized that it was too much andtrimmed my ideas significantly.

Getting ready

The intended trip was now from Zwartsluis to Utrecht via Lelystad and the Vecht.

On to Maasbracht via Gorinchem and s Hertogenbosch, and then back to Zwartsluis via the River Maas, Arnhem and the Geldese Ijssel.

I did it this way to maximise the downstream river sections, both from an economy and time point of view.

Thursday was taken up with travelling from UK to Zwartsluis, via modes of transport that became increasingly slower – air-plane, then train, then bus, then a walk to the marina, and finally back on board the slowest of the lot – Shangri-La..

At the fuelling station

We arrived on board about 5.30 pm, just enough time to do the basic unpacking and checking that everything works.

Boats being what they are, they don’t like to stand idle, and the generator and the heating refused to work.

I had planned for Maartijn, the local engineer, to come on board the next day anyway.

Taking fuel

So Friday was first a cycle trip up to the village to do some food and provision shopping.

The rest of the day was spent with Maartijn, sorting out the generator and heating.

Basically minor electrical problems due to not being used for a while. We also spotted a dripping joint in the fresh water system which we repaired.

And, looking at the fresh water piping, decided it is now a
bit old and will all be replaced at the end of the year.

Another job to add to the growing list!

Last job that day was to top up with fresh water.

Fuel bill for 1/3 of a tank

Saturday morning we were ready to go.

But first a stop at the fuel jetty. Always hard on the wallet.

I took on board 250 L diesel, plus 2 x 500 ml fuel additive to help stave off diesel bug.

Boating is not cheap, with Maartijn’s time costing €40 per hour and diesel at €1.50 per litre.

I am reminded of a letter I read in one of the boating mags concerning the cost of fuel and boating.

Their point was that ”life is too short NOT to own a boat at some stage’ – And I quite agree.

Karen driving – approaching Batavia Haven

Once fuelled up we set off for Lelystad – exactly the same route by which we returned a
month or so ago – via Ketelmeer and Isselmeer and the Houtribsluis. (see this previous post)

We moored again in Bataviahaven at Lelystad after about a 6 hour trip.

Loads of space again.

As mentioned last time, the marina facilities were very good.

Washer and dryer at Batavia Haven

Sunday – We particularly wanted to spend a day here, mainly to visit the Nieuweland Museum about the reclamation of the land and the forming of the polders.

Being Sunday, the museum only opened late, and we decided to walk the 3 or so kms into town.

It was a good thing I had my new smart phone and Mapswithme App.

Lelystad is a new town, built about 1952 on one of the reclaimed pieces of land that is now Flevoland.

The roads are laid out in a square grid fashion, but you can’t actually walk alongside them.

Shore Power Point

With pedestrians and cyclists in mind, they had provided alternative routes that wound through the houses and green areas, so without my map, we would have got hopelessly lost.

Not a lot happens in Netherlands on a Sunday, but even less in Lelystad.

There was one supermarket, Jumbo, open.

We did a small shop up and caught the bus back to Bataviahaven.

The museum was now open.

Nieuweland Museum

Although very interesting, showing the history of the closing off of the Zuiderzee with the Afsluitdijk, and the formation of the Ijsselmmer, Markermeer and polders, we had hoped there would
be a bit more about the science of the way in which the Dutch manage the water levels, as this area is on average about 6 metres below sea level.

This whole scheme was the brainchild of Dr Cornelius Lely, after whom Lelystad is named.

Near the museum is a huge outdoor fashion mall where all the high fashion houses have a shop.

Also several restaurants.

Fashion shops at Batavia Haven

It seemed this is where it all happened on a Sunday.

It was teeming with people, all furiously shopping and eating.

Next – On to Utrecht via the Vecht.

Lelystad Station

Statistics:

Distance: 52 kms
2 x Fixed bridges
1 Lock