Mid May 2017 – Lemmer to Delfzijl

We have covered some ground on the last 2 weeks. 

We stayed in Lemmer for 4 nights until the forecast wind passed by.  The centre of town is based along the side of the canal, where we entered.  We managed to purchase a new Ball Fender to replace the one lost at Ijmuiden after the long trip.

Sailors Info:

Lemmer Binnen is located on the left after the third bridge.  It is well situated with a short 15 minute walk into town.  Lidl, Jumbo and Aldi have stores which are easily found on the walk in.  20 Euros per night, 50 cents for a 3 minute shower. 

7th May – Sunday – Lemmer to Leeuwarden

A 10:00 start for the 34 miles to Leeuwarden arriving at 18:20 after approx 20 bridges.  It is a good journey as you pass Sneek with its own lake and vibrant sailing community.  It being weekend there were lots of boats out and about.

Beware of the left turn at Grou to follow the Standing Mast Route.  The signs are small especially on the next right turn with a bridge immediately afterwards.

We were only delayed by one hour at bridges during the whole day.  The bridge keepers stop for lunch from 12:00 until 13:00 in towns and again from 4:15 to 5:30 at tea time.  Really good joined up thinking as the boats are not stopping commercial traffic at the busiest times.

We paid the 7 Euro toll to enter Leeuwarden and put our money in the clog on the end of a fishing line.  (see 2015 blog for more info).

The main tower still has a good lean on it.

Leeuwarden was the furthest north we came on our last trip, so everything from now on is new territory.

We decided not to stay in the town this time and made our way out of town to find a countryside mooring.

Gnomes are one thing but a full sized model cow is on another level.

The countryside mooring are described as ‘Temporary berth or mooring for crewed yachts’ in the Standing Mast Route Book.  As the bridge and lock keepers close for the day at anything between 17:00 to 19:00, spaces are provided for boats to moor overnight for free as passage to the next town is not possible after the bridges close.

We had a very peaceful night.  Some of our sailing friends who have travelled through here previously could not use these moorings as they are generally very shallow.  We have a 1m draft with the keel lifted.  This mooring was only 1.3m deep and did set off our depth alarm which is set at 1.5m.

8th May – Monday – Leeuwarden to Dokkum

We travelled through narrow canals with houses on each side for several miles.

The 9 miles to Dokkum only took 3 hours with an hour stop for lunch just outside the town, waiting for the bridge.

We had to pay 3.50 Euros at Birdarp, which is paid at the last bridge after the windmill, again into a clog.

Another 5 Euros to pay to enter Dokkum.  The next view after paying is the impressive Thatched Windmill and its twin.  Two beautiful windmills in quick succession as we make our way to the overnight mooring.

Two Thatched Windmills at Dokkum.

We asked the bridge controller where we should stay and he waved us to the canal-side moorings, complete with jetty and electricity.  Ours is the boat with the washings hanging out.  We had arrived just after lunch which is unusual and the engine had provided lots of hot water, so it seemed like a good plan.

Dokkum Centre, there are lots of shops to pass a few hours.

Sailors Info:

The lady harbourmaster strolls around the boats after 6:00pm to collect dues.  She was very helpful and only charged 11 Euros per night inc Electric.  The toilets are in a small block across the bridge and the immaculate new showers are just around the corner across the car park.  1 Euro for 5 minutes.  Aldi and Albert Heinijn are located across the bridge and turn left.  Good free Wifi.

Interesting River Traffic.  Digger delivery.

Some kind of floating pump.  These vehicles are a surprise as you tootle along.

We also spotted these which we think are bird houses, which many properties have along this part of the route.

10th May – Wednesday – Dokkum to Groningen (pronounced Kron-inker).

We stayed in Dokkum for 2 nights as we knew the next leg was a long one.  The 35 miles took from 09:15 to 18:00.

 

We used one of these call buttons for the first time today.  As we approached a bridge we realised there was a request button on the temporary mooring.  It worked a treat.  Open sesame.

The Dokkum to Groningen canal winds its way through the countryside and follows a previous river route.  We were amazing at the grassland pastures and very low lying land.

We were surprised to see these horses grazing on one corner and just how many there were.

Horses grazing and playing in the water.

Gratuitously pretty fishing harbour at Zoutkamp.  The standing mast routes takes us much further out towards the sea hence the fishing.

Three bridges into Groningen our convoy of 3 had to stop for tea when the bridges closed.

Right next to this water tower.

After a sharp right the town opens up in front.

It was a beautiful still night after the bitterly cold 25 knot winds (un-forecasted) we had experienced earlier in the day.

26 Bridges and Locks, 11 of which are in Groningen, when we were quite tired.  The most interesting in town being two bridges, very close together.  There were 3 boats passing through at the same time, so a tight squeeze and then a tram crossed the bridge very close by.

The trip from Dokkum to Groningen should be done on a calm day, there are some very shallow areas.  One potential hiccup was averted as we approached a bridge which was being mended and we were told on the radio that it would be closed for 2 hours.  The workers on the floating pallet with 3 buckets of cement opened the bridge manually for us.  Cheers.

Sailors Info:

We stayed at Oosterhaven on the East of town.  A very nice lady harbourmaster pointed to our mooring from her floating house and came to take the money.  Jumbo supermarket nearby.  Poor wifi.  18 Euros per night.  50 cents for good shower in the WC block across the road (big yellow WC sign not visible when you are standing under it!).  There are a few locals hanging around but they were no trouble.  Good entertainment was had from the paddle board hire company which ‘teaches’ and launches its wobbly ducklings from the pontoon. 

Groningen is a lovely old town, with lots to see and do.

However, the fair was in town so all the buildings were a little obscured.  We had a good walk around and have great information for our return journey later in the year from Vicki and Bert.

12th May – Friday – Groningen to Delfzijl

8 Bridges and one huge lock.  16.5 miles in 4 hours.  The Zeesluizen is the last we will go through in Holland.

This picture is a perfect example of vanishing point.  The canal is wide and the traffic becomes larger again.

Delfzijl Adam Windmill in the centre of town.  It is a port town and has a good small shopping area 5 minutes walk from the marina.

Hotel on stilts.

Fleur moored.

Neptunus Marina is near the industrial area and large ships are moored nearby.  Which has not spoiled our stay in this excellent marina.

Sailors Info:

Neptunus marina is located to the left as you leave the lock.  Cross the harbour and go left and then sharp right into the marina.  19 Euros per night inc electric and tourist tax.  Free fabulous showers.  No rushing!  The harbour master was very helpful and talked Mick through the next part of our journey to Nordeney through the ‘Riddle of the Sands’ shallows.  He concurred that Sunday will be a good day to traverse this notoriously tricky area. 

Next stop Germany.