28th June – Tuesday
Off we go to De OmLoop, ……..no we hadn’t heard of it either. We were meeting Jane and Adrian on Colne Rose and their friends Luke and Karin on yacht Sally, who are from Belgium. They met as they both have the same type of boat, a Cromarty 36, which they love deeply.
De OmLoop is only 8 miles from Middelburg and took about 2 hours, navigating only one lock at Veere to enter the Veerse Meer.
The entry into De OmLoop was very narrow and we could be forgiven for being a bit nervous, but we trust Jane and Adrian. De OmLoop is a small island off the Veerse Meer with two sets of pontoons. They are free to use for any passing sailor and are very well managed.
We went past the pontoon and turned round so that we were facing the right way to leave the following day. It is possible to go all the way around the island in the boat so there was no need to panic.
Jane waved us in from the shore and walked around the small island as we turned and moored up. It was so nice to see them both after the last 3 years.
After settling in I found Jane in the shade under a tree, sewing. Crafters unite. We then chatted for ages with not much sewing.
Our peace was only disrupted by 2 sets of paddle boarders from the nearby youth camping centre, having a riotous time. How many people can you get on a paddle board?
We gathered under the trees at 6pm for an impromptu Jacobs Join. Jane had the Cobb Cooker going and produced some lovely savoury, meaty treats. Mick gave us a couple of tunes on his Ukulele and Sunny the dog entertained us with a very nifty tick or two.
Karin had taught him a trick with a children’s stack of rings. She threw the rings, then told him which colour ring to bring back, then he placed them very carefully back into the holder. He was also inexhaustible with a Frisbee and a stick.
We are usually marina dwellers, but this idyllic night may have swayed us in the future.
We woke to still water, deep reflections and sunshine.
All the little islands around here have waste and glass recycling bins and a public loo. A person comes around regular by boat and empties them. What a delightfully civilised country this is.
29th June – Wednesday
At 10.00am we bid our farewells and set off to Steenbergen. Another of Jane and Adrian’s recommendations and another new destination for us. The 33 miles took us 6 and a half hours.
I like to look out for unusual craft. Looks like a great boys day out.
This is a floating auditorium. They were watching rowing races from the tiered seating.
Our first Lock of the day was the Zandkreeksluis which takes us from the Veerse Meer into the Oosterschelde. We just got there as the bridge was due to open.
Approaching Zandkreeksluis. This one is nerve wracking because it also has two bridges. The traffic does not stop on the roads above, but is redirected as the bridges are opened individually. The lock is between the bridges.
We enter on the green light and tie up against the side of the lock. The first bridge and lock doors close behind us. We then wait until the water level changes, adjusting our ropes as the water level goes down. Then the second bridge opens as the lock doors also open, and we troop out in order, no overtaking, when the green light shows.
After a couple of hours crossing the Oosterschelde, our next lock was the Krammersluis which takes us from the Oosterschelde to the Volkerak.
This lock also has a large bridge above it. Note the lorry (above).
We moor up to the concrete sides to await the water level change.
The digital readout at bridge level indicates todays height from the water to the bridge. Our mast in 16.5 metres, so we have 2 metres clearance. The water levels change from day to day, as the water is managed from one body of water to the next.
We had been warned that the canal to Steenbergen was narrow and that there were over hanging trees, which could snag the mast.
The canal into Steenbergen is lined with houses and boats. Including these four lovely Octagonal houses/flats.
A family of ducks came to greet us as we arrived at 17.00.
30th to 4th July – Thurs to Monday
We stayed in Steenbergen for 6 nights. Highlights follow.
The village church, as described by the volunteer. It is massive.
It was heavily damaged during the war. A famous Dutch Architect Pierre Cuypers (he designed the Rijksmuseum and Central Station) designed it, and it was completed by his son. His grandson carried out the rebuild. What a legacy.
On Thursday we walked to the war cemetery we had been told about. It is special as it has the graves of Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his navigator Squadron Leader J.B. Warwick. Gibson was the leader of 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, RAF Bomber Command. Who carried out the raid on the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in May 1943.
The plaques on the gates tell the story.
They are buried here because their Mosquito aircraft crashed near Steenbergen on their return from a raid near Munchen Bladbach in September 1944.
Friday – Grand Day Out to Bergen Op Zoom
In the early 1950s my mum and dad did a European camping holiday with friends in an old post office Bradford Jowett van. I remember my mum talking about it with fondness, and as we were so near we decided to visit.
We caught the 10.08 bus from the Bus stop across from the fire station on Molenweg.
From Lidl turn left onto Stadshillen. Continue, crossing a road and veer right, keep on Stadshillen to the crossing with Molenweg. You will see the Jumbo Supermarket. Turn left and the bus stop is across the road from the Fire Station. Buses 110 and 310 leave regularly. 14 Euros for 2 people return. The journey takes 30 minutes.
We first went to the VVV Tourist info centre which happened to be in the Het Markiezenhof, The Marquess’ Court. The former residence of the Lords and Marquesses of Bergen Op Zoom since 1485.
Viewing the ground floor is free, which is a very clever ploy to make the visitor want more. So we paid our 20 euros (for 2 inc Audio Guides in English) and proceeded up the spiral staircase.
The building and courtyards are very impressive.
The first floor held a collection of old masters on loan from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and a strange but interesting exhibition regarding objects from the city with a mystical slant.
The top floor was filed with children’s toys, big models of fairground rides and amusement games.
A press of a button made them move and music play.
A highly decorated Barrel Organ
After 2 hours of Culture-Vulcering, we went in search of lunch.
Crocquettes and Chips and a Chicken open sandwich in the town square.
Then another 3 hours walking to wear it off. The VVV gave us a walking tour of the town which kept us amused.
Lots of pretty streets and shops.
In what was a walled city.
We got back to the boat weary after a good and interesting day.
We had dinner at Z’Onder Zeil, the pub restaurant on the marina. Steak and Spare Ribs.
Saturday was more relaxing, I went round the shops while Mick tended to the boat.
Meal at Foe Hoi which we thought was a Chinese. It turned out to be a buffet with a difference. Pick your own starters. Then a Grill Course, where you chose your own meat and veg and they were cooked like a Tepanyaki. Then the Wok course, again cooked to order. The chef blanched the veg and meat together before cooking them in the wok. TOP TIP.
Sunday was my birthday, lovely gifts and cards from home and chocs, macaroons and Croissants.
The third night of my No Cook birthday weekend took place at Brasserie De Kai. Seafood Pasta and Schnitzel. Salads for a fortnight now.
On Sunday we walked to the Henricus Fort.
Where 450 people lived, protecting the town.
The lookout platform gives a good view of the full aspect of the fort. One of the mechanisms of defence was to flood the surrounding area, but as it made the ground un-useable for agriculture, it was only used as a last resort.
Sailors Info
Steenbergen is a small town, with a good marina, many restaurants and a good High Street, with some high end shops.
Albert Hein, Lidl, Aldi and Jumbo supermarkets are all near the marina.
The marina appears to be quite new. The pontoons, the harbour masters office and facilities are all modern and very well kept. The harbourside pub/restaurant Z’Onder Zeil is recommended.
Wifi OK. Showers and electric are free. 96 Euros for 6 nights.
The local people and the harbour master were very welcoming and we really enjoyed our stay.
We will definitely return.
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