30 August
Spijk to Nieuwegen

We had an easy 25 km to do today so started the morning with some chores and a long hot shower courtesy of the de Gors Yacht Club.

Our route took us up the Merwerde Kanaal and there were a couple of locks and a passel of lifting bridges, all of which went smoothly except for one. It appeared out of order and we sat around for about 45 minutes until a chap turned up with a big hammer and gave it a whack - or maybe not :) :) :). Anyhow, whatever he did he got it working again.

The sluis into Nieuwegen was closed when we got there, displaying the 2 red lights which means REALLY closed. The last boat waiting in the line informed us it would not resume service until 3.30 and as it was only 1pm, we chose to go a little way up the Lek to the Amsterdam Kanaal and go around that way.

Every couple of 100 metres down the canal were these pumping stations - keeping the polders dry. The miracle that is the Netherlands illustrated in this unassuming bit of machinery. Twenty-six percent of the country is reclaimed land.

Our detour took us through the enormous Prinses Beatrixsluis (220 metres long, 18 metres wide).



Can you imagine if these doors failed.

Canal-side traffic.

Because I know you've been missing them, here is today's windmill :)

And this little chap, just 'cos he showed up next to the boat with three little lady-friends.