18-20 June On Monday we left Cuijk to De Gouden Ham near the town of Maasbommel. We had only one lock to go through. As we were waiting a commercial passed us and loaded car in front of us. Some unexpected excitement. Inside the lock, the small boat that had rushed to pass us we arrived and therefore went in first, moored at the rear of the lock making it difficult for others to fit within the lock, so we had a boat moored against us, which we have never had happen before. De Gouden Ham is another of the lakes made from gravel pits. It had multiple marinas and a camping ground. On Tuesday we went for a ride, around the lake, and then took the ferry across the Maas to the small town of Megan, before returning on a different ferry. Howard pointed out to me bags hanging off flagpoles. We don't know what this was about, but Howard wondered if it was some celebration of the end of school. On Tuesday night we were the only boat on our mooring, but one arried after we went to bed and one arrived early in the morning. Wednesday we decided to head directly into 's Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), rather than having 2 shorter cruising days. We also decided to go into South Den Bosch which is a little further, but is a nice free mooring where Howard had great fishing last year, but is still close to the city. On our way we say a large number of vessels on our AIS in an area which looked like land. It looks like they are excavating sand and/or gravel here and in a few years there will be another lake. There were lots of dredgers and barges inside. But we didn't go for a look as the sign said sand ships only. We had intended to start early at 8am, as we wanted to get the 1pm bridge into the Den Bosch canal, (it is only open 5 times a day, and if we missed it would have to wait until 4pm). However we woke early and ended up leaving at 7:30, which was fortuitous as we arrived at the bridge at 12:40. As we waited another boat pulled in behind us and asked when the bridge would open. As he was there the lights changed, so we were able to tell him now. But he hadn't realised that the lock was only open 3 times a week so he wouldn't be able to get through until Friday. Lucky for him he spoke to us. On Thursday another boat arrived and after inspected the lock turned around and headed back to the bridge. There are only 3-4 boats here this time so we have a quiet mooring again.
2 Comments
Hilary
24/6/2018 04:39:10 pm
A nostalgic moment! I remembering being dropped by the taxi at that quai last year!!!
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Howard
24/6/2018 09:13:50 pm
Hi Hilary. Yep almost in the same place. No Bosch Vslls yet but tomorrow for sure ... when you coming back onboard, welcome anytime .!
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