Delft to Dordrecht

Delft to Dordrecht

On Thursday we had a pleasant run south from Delft to Rotterdam – after the usual lack of interest at the first bridge, waiting about, no answer on the radio, eventually ringing up on the mobile at vast expense. And then - ‘Oh I see you, I will let you through’!

(Before we left wet and windy Delft where we had again been confined to quarters for a whole day due to the appalling weather, we did discover part of the secret as to the number of bicycles here in Holland; they actually grow them in their front gardens and we present the picture to prove it!!)

On leaving Delft we were heading for a place called the Cool Haven at the meeting point between the commercial and port areas of Rotterdam, and as we came to the only bridge that we couldn’t fit under without removing the roof (no way in those downpours), we caught up with a 65-metre carrier in front, also waiting. The bridge was undergoing repairs and as we waited, another 65-metre barge came up behind. And after about 10 more minutes another behind him. So there we were, all sandwiched and all jostling about in the breeze waiting and waiting. Then, after about half an hour, the bridge opened and we all started to surge forwards. The guy behind was very close so we beckoned him past, then snuck in behind him and in front of the last barge in the queue as he was somewhat further off. Through we all went, though Riccall had to pull up sharpish as we spotted a mooring. After a quick reccy on the bike and a leisurely lunch we decided to move on a couple of hundred metres to a place designated for ‘sport’ boats (usually means boats of 15 metres or less). The bollards were still too far apart for a boat of our size but there was a rubber strake on the quay and the position was right beside the lock where it all happens.

And does it not! At one point we had seven 60-70 metre barges all jostling about at the lock entrance – 3 coming out, 3 waiting to go in on the next lock-through, and one which would have to tread water and wait even longer. They were all powering about missing each other by a whisker. Amazing! The pictures do no justice to the scene. You just can’t capture a wide enough view to take it all in. And for these guys, they don’t panic; it’s all in a day’s work.

Our mooring was next to the University and only a 100m walk to the Euromast for the best view in Holland – 185 metres high. We paid our E8.30 each for a journey to the top of the Netherlands. By London Eye standards it represents pretty good value (by our standards it represents the fuel for 2 hours of cruising, but we couldn’t miss this experience). We had managed to miss it on our first visit to Rotterdam in July as we didn’t realise the mast was open to the public. The original was built in the 60s at 104 metres high – the tallest building in Holland. But then it was overtaken by taller buildings and the decision was taken to extend it. Thus the top stiletto was added, ringed by an external glass elevator, called the space cabin, which not only goes up and down the outside of the tower, but rotates at the same time! The trip up and down the top half was in fairly fine weather, as was our tea/beer in the mid level café but our walk round the outside balcony of said café ended in a torrential downpour, and the changeable weather certainly added an extra dimension to the experience. Most of Rotterdam disappeared into a cloak of unbelievable rain and darkness!

The commentary in the lift on the Euromast gave the usual history and statistics, population, nationalities etc, and made the point that 125 languages are spoken in Rotterdam, which underlines its position as one the world’s greatest ports, if not the greatest.

While waiting for our departure time from Rotterdam, which had to take account of the tide on the Nieuwe Mass, we biked out to a suburb shopping street for more supplies. In great contrast to many of the places we have seen in Holland, this was clearly an impoverished area with much council housing, added to which we noticed the evidence of the many different cultures both in the languages spoken and the dress of the people.

However, back to boating. Something went adrift with Alex’s calculations regarding the optimum time to set off! He assumed that as Rotterdam is on a river and Dordrecht is further inland, if we set off at low water in Rotterdam or just after, we would be carried by the tide to Dordrecht. No! It would appear not, as we plugged against the flow all the way, but as there was only around one knot against us, it wasn’t too bad.

But, boy! Were we out with the big stuff! At one point, we were overtaken by no less than five big barges, almost simultaneously: one on the inside, two side by side on the outside followed closely by another two. Well, good luck to them! We just plugged along at our own speed to the clear amusement of one of the crews. But, so long as they don’t actually plough into us, we don’t care!

When we got into Dordrecht and to the Damiatebrug where we had had our confrontation with the dreaded and dreadful waterways woman last time, a couple of calls on the VHF (one on the wrong channel) and the other (nice) lady opened the bridge without delay and let us in.

Ooooh, back to our lovely Dordrecht mooring, but not for long this time.