19.06.08 On the Way to Ghent

We are now on our way to Ghent. We were allowed through the first two bridges OK but at the third, having waited for about 45 minutes, another boat caught up from behind. Being another Briton (small craft) I suggested that he should overtake us when the bridge opened. This he accepted, rather more quickly than was gentlemanly! and eventually the bridge opened. Two barges came through from the other direction and the English boat popped through ahead of us. By the time I had got Riccall off the bank in the strong wind, the lights turned red and the bridge was closed against us! Full reverse, emergency stop and back onto the bank! We could see why ‘Kittiwake’ had accepted our suggestion so rapidly.

(You have to be careful not to begin to believe that ‘they’ have got it in for you on these occasions – they being the disembodied voice on the VHF. They can see you of course, via the myriad of cameras at each bridge or lock, and so can play little games if they choose!)

So after another 20 mins or so, we were finally allowed through. The next four bridges and lock went without too much incident, apart for several lengthy waits while commercials either came the other way or overtook us, until one nondescript bridge where we were third in line to go through and just as we arrived they red-lighted us again – emergency reverse – while a little plastic boat was allowed through against us, then they allowed us through. Maybe they hadn’t seen us, but thereafter, we kept right on the tail of the boat in front.

At present we are moored in deep country at a flood lock on good staging with plenty of depth (one of the Dutch Barge Association's suggestions).

This morning, we discovered that we had been joined overnight (silently) by a huge barge. After breakfast the lady bargee started its engines and we assumed it would be setting off. To our surprise, it and another barge moored ahead, changed places with such consummate ease it took our breaths away! Such professionalism! On talking to the captain of one of the boats, he explained in broken English that the other barge had had to change places so that it would be in a better place on the quay, as it was having work done on its engine next week and needed to be close to the road.

We set off ourselves soon after and arrived in the outskirts of Ghent at about 4 o’clock. Our first mooring proved unsatisfactory, as the distance between bollards was for barges at least twice as long as we are. Barges passing by caused us considerable discomfort and we just had to move. After a recce on our bikes we found a better mooring 1km further on, so we moved and at 6pm were the only barge there. Within an hour another huge barge and a double workboat had joined us at front and back, but the mooring is infinitely better and we hope for a good night.

I look up from writing this and in front of us is a 1500+ton barge fully loaded waiting to go up the canal while a 2000+tonner double comes the other way. At that moment another one comes round from the side canal, then another, then another, then a Dutch jelk all jostling for position. Crikey!!! Meanwhile one of them is mooring ahead of us and the 1500ton barge had decided to double up on the workboat behind us. For these guys it’s all in a days work. For us, it still seems amazing! Keep it coming!

But it's now Saturday morning and having been woken at 5.30 by barges moving off and a steady stream going past, we were buffeted around for the next two hours. We just had to get up as we couldn't stand it any longer and since then we have only seen one barge - typical! So off into central Ghent.

The photos we have added have ended up at the very bottom of the blog and when we find out how to move them, we'll do it!!! Thanks Emily - for helping us get them on at all!