Dieverbrug to Meppel.

A chap cutting the grass next to the boat at 7am got us up with plenty of time to spare before the first bridge opening.

Lawnmower.

He had a HUGE grass cutting tractor. Would do our lawn in about 10 minutes. Talking of lawns - thanks again to Allan who has been kindly cutting ours. Also thanks to Nellie for the lovely newsy email - what a treat to read. We must also thank Gunther for providing Granny technical services.

Not so many kms today but still 4 more locks and plenty of bridges. I have been getting re-acquainted with one of my lesser favourite substances - lock slime. It seems to get everywhere; all over the lines, my shoes, jeans and the fenders are all going to need a good scrub when we are out of the hooglanden.

Three lime kilns at one of the locks.

We managed to beat our record at car catching with an impressive tailback of over 30 cars and at least 5 big trucks at one of the bridges.

The weather has been drizzly most of the day and we were pleased when the sun came out for a brief spell just as we pulled into Meppel. Jim had warned us not to tie up in the passantahaven so we carried on through to the small lock into the binnestad. Unfortunately it is now closed for the season and only opens on request but we found a good place on the wall right in front of the lock to moor up.

Cute cheese shop in Meppel.

We biked into town for a look see and to check out the restaurants as we had both felt like eating out. Oh my - steaks at 20 euros were not on the cards so we popped into the aldi and we'll grill our own. Just as we got back to the boat the rain started again - good timing.

For the South Africans: a couple of days ago we passed, in short order, Jaap's Poesgat, Windgat and Babalaars!!!! :) ;)

All the bridges and locks in the Netherlands have a traffic light system which let's you know their operational status:

 

"Bugger off - I'm closed!"

 "I'm closed, but I could open up any time, 

especially when you've just gone for a pee or to make coffee."

 "Get your ass on deck pronto!" 

Accompanied by a happy, for us, bonging indicating the traffic booms are about to go down and catch a bunch of cars.

"OK. You've waited long enough. You may now pass."