Genemuiden to Ommen - Overijssel Vecht

For a change we had a long trip today - 40 km. 

Leaving the binnehaven at Genemuiden. The bridge over this dyke is closed on weekends, so anything needing more than 4m clearance would be stuck until Monday morning.

The first part of today's route took us down the big Zwaarte Water which joins up with the Ijssel further downstream below Zwolle. The only town along the way is Hasselt which has a pretty old centre a couple of shops, and a jachthaven (with a laundry). There are also these moorings along the main canal which they are in the process of improving. 

Sometimes the laden barges look as if they are about to flounder.

Somewhere along the line we had got the impression that Thursday, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension?), is a public holiday and figured that the locks and bridge on the Overijssel Vecht river would be closed. A check on an admittedly oldish chart seemed to confirm this. Thus we decided to put in a longish day and get all the way up the river to it's farthest navigable point, Ommen, and then take a lay day on Thursday while everything was closed. 

Overijjsel Vecht.

Keeping an eye on the kids.

Well, turns out that they operate 7 days a week now and also turns out that all the shops etc are open as well. Never mind, we are now in Ommen, a small town we visited 2 years ago on Skip's birthday.

Waiting at the first lock.

Entering the second lock. As we were both under 3,7m with our masts down the lockkeeper didn't bother to open the bottom bridge over the lock.

The Overijssel Vecht is such a pretty river. Very rural, but lined with woods and water meadows full of wild flowers. After the dead straight canals we have been travelling on lately, the river's meandering path was also hugely appealing. Around every bend were families of ducks and geese herding their babies out of the boats path, and although the day was a bit overcast, it was warm enough for shorts and t-shirts. 

There are very few bridges (three) over the Vecht up to Ommen but there are a few ferries. This tiny one is hand-cranked.

Wild irises on the river bank.

Every km or so there are stork nests on towers, most of which were occupied. Every now and then a couple of baby heads would appear over the top.

Huh?

We did have to wait at the first of two locks for the lock-keeper to have his lunch, but took the opportunity to have ours too. We were handed a bundle of tourist info, all in Dutch but decipherable, and have planned a great couple of days from the various guides and maps. Tomorrow will be a bicycle expedition - probably 35 - 40 kms or so, and we'll be in forests for the most part. I'll get Skip to cook extra BBQ so we'll take a picnic along on the ride for when we need to rest our behinds.

The Vechtdal (Vecht valley) is a popular spot for campers with dozens of campsites along the river. Some with cabins ....

...... others for caravans and tents. There were loads of people setting up for the long weekend.

A quick spin around town revealed a great bar on the pretty church square - Brand Dubbelbock, tasty but not too heavy.

Sunset over the Ommen moorings. Note the contrails.