This is the time of the year that many bridges and locks will be receiving maintenance.
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Final trip of the year: Day 1 of 4
Earlier this week I returned Sirion to the Marina Strand Horst, for maintenance and winter haul out.
I had been carefully watching the various notifications for mariners. This is the time of the year that many bridges and locks will be receiving maintenance. Which might mean reduced opening times, delays, or in some cases complete shutdowns for days or weeks.
I decided on my final route on Saturday night prior to leaving on Sunday morning. Planned it one more time, and checked every detail in the route.
In all well over 170km. With still at least 6 points along the route at which I could be expecting up to 2 hours delay due to maintenance work. Even so, it should be an interesting route, taking me along some rivers I had not sailed on before. It would also take us right through the Amsterdam canals. As you will see I also added another segment to it going west from Amsterdam on the North Sea channel towards the sea locks in IJmuiden, a stopover at the island fortress of Pampus. And Sirion was involved in her first proper salvage and towing job!!
I was up early on Sunday morning. The original plan was for Mrs. D to come along. I would drop her off on the second or third day in Amsterdam. She would travel home by train whilst I would sail on. However, due to various reasons, she had to stay home. So it would be another long solo trip.
As always quite some stuff needs to come to the boat. Clothes, camera equipment, tools, food, and drinks for 4-5 days.
As you will see, I was very lucky with the weather. A gorgeous day. The first bit of this trip would be familiar waters. Through the Merwede Lock in Gorinchem, onto the Merwede and head for Dordrecht and from Dordrecht into the Noord and onto the Lek towards Rotterdam.
Just some interesting sights along the way
Huge Yacht
Passing many bridges today.
The Ark is still there. Despite it being a gorgeous day, as you can see, this giraffe is taking no chances. No matter what, his feet are staying dry.
Close to Rotterdam with a view to the Briennoordbridge we will be turning starboard into the river “Hollandse IJssel”.
Several big offshore support ships are moored here.
This is an important part of the Delta works. It is a moveable dam in case of high floods. As long as it is open you just sail underneath it. If it closes, there is a lock next to it.
The Hollandse IJssel is known to be a very pretty river. But initially, you find yourself sailing along quite built-up parts. Not necessarily very pretty.
The second lock of the day at Gouda (Yes from the cheese). Called the operator on the radio and she let us in, almost immediately.
Initially, my plan was to overnight in Gouda. However, I had made excellent progress. So I decided to press on. With a bit of luck, I could make it all the way to Uithoorn. This would also mean I would leave most of the potential areas with delay behind me. In the end that turned out to be a good decision.
Waiting for one of the many train bridges. Train bridges are always a bit of an unknown factor. In theory, their opening times are well known. because it is based on the train schedules. But when the trains have delays and the schedule is disrupted, nobody can tell you when they can open the railroad bridge for you. Luckily, only a ten-minute wait here in Gouda.
From here onwards the IJssel gets prettier and prettier
At Waddixveen and Boskoop they have these very typical bridges. The road gets hauled up vertically! Both these bridges are pretty old and have been known to break down often. So I was glad to pass both of them without any problems
Very pretty and enjoyable. I was all by myself on the water.
Another bridge. It is amazing how many different bridge designs there are. You would think in an efficient country such as the Netherlands and with this many bridges, somebody would have standardised the design. But most bridges have a unique design.
And another unique bridge, a bit of old style bridge I thought.
By now we have left the IJssel behind us and are sailing on the Aarkanaal. With the third lock for today. A tiny one. I know this one pretty well. I often pass it on my bicycle. Until recently it had a local lock operator. But it is all remote-operated now. I could not reach the operator by radio or by phone. Luckily there is also an intercom buzzer on the jetty.
Here you see the bicycle bridges being retracted so Sirion can pass into the lock.
This lock gets us into the river Amstel. The first boat on the river Amstel was a bit of a disappointment.
I know this area very well. Essentially my old stomping grounds. I grew up in Amstelveen and know most villages along the Amstel pretty well. Although I had never actually sailed on the Amstel!
Another unique draw bridge.
Just before 17.00 hours I reached Uithoorn. I was relieved as it was getting dark now as well. Wintertime had started today, so I had relative early sun up, but I forgot it also meant an hour less in the afternoon.
This was the last bridge and it opened as soon as I called the operator on the radio. Two hundred meters further up the Amstel was a nice marina. Right onto the boulevard of Uithoorn. In the summer this boulevard is one big terrace with people having a drink, something to eat, look at all the boats.
By 17.15 Sirion was tied up. I was glad I had started so early and decided to push on beyond just Gouda. I was now only about 15 kilometres from Amsterdam. Which probably meant I would be able to spend extra time in the Amsterdam harbour and North sea channel. I sailed 93 km today. Which I think is a new personal record! Whenever possible I kept the speed at around 12,5 km/h. Still, it took me a little over 9 hours. Enjoyed it, but it is tiring, especially when sailing solo. You can’t relax for a second. You have to stay sharp.
I will be adding one day at a time in the days to come.
Jeroen
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