a few random thoughts on Netherlands

[DanTribe]

1, It's very nice here.
2, very few places accept Visa or Mastercard. Maestro cards seem to be the norm. Many places don't accept any cards. Take plenty of cash.
3, I hadn't realised that you had to pay for transit through Haarlem. 1 Euro per metre, so good value for the nine bridges, when you know. You have to pay for transit or mooring fees at the havenkantoor north of bridge nr 2. There are auto pay machines on the quay but Maestro only. Tokens for the showers and wcs only from the havenkantoor.
4, On hot days the national sport for kids is jumping in the water whilst shouting. The can keep this up for hours without getting tired or bored. Don't use a steiger near a swimming ladder.
5, Lifejackets or buoyancy aids are rarely seen even for kids. We did see two toddlers on a steel barge wearing aids, but they came off as soon as the anchor splashed (see item 4).

 

[sailorman]

we have a prepaid mastercard, it works sometimes. it always works in autogeld so we get notes as req but always try the catd first in shops ect.
berthing always good value, we are in Durgerdam again (to collect mt Jotun a/f ) its €18 all included. Urk similar, Enkhuizen €20 & pay for everything you use,wc,shower,electricity.water so by far the most expensive to date.
Internet freely available & good conections (Fox`s take note )
we are heading back via Harleem to somewhere ???.
its no where very busy yet which surprises me

 

[Koeketiene]

its no where very busy yet which surprises me

All the Dutch are already abroad and the Germans haven't arrived yet.

 

[MoodySabre]

We stayed a night in Haarlem and therefore didn't pay the transit fee. Made a very cheap sto! Use the alongside pontoon just north of the Catherinebrug.

Cards seemed ok in restaurants but not in supermarkets.

But see Dan's No 1 comment - small inconveniences are forgotten in light of such a lovely country.

Sailorman - we can't recommend coming back via Hook of Holland. Eek

 

[sailorman]

We stayed a night in Haarlem and therefore didn't pay the transit fee. Made a very cheap sto! Use the alongside pontoon just north of the Catherinebrug.

Cards seemed ok in restaurants but not in supermarkets.

But see Dan's No 1 comment - small inconveniences are forgotten in light of such a lovely country.

Sailorman - we can't recommend coming back via Hook of Holland. Eek

we have used The Nieuwaterweg before. this time its possibly Hanswert

 

[Fantasie 19]

1Don't use a steiger near a swimming ladder.

I give up... what's a steiger??

 

[sailorman]

I give up... what's a steiger??

staging / pontoon

 

[Fantasie 19]

Ta... (Googled and all I found was Rod.... given he died in 2002 I could understand the recommendation though )

 

[Boz]

I seem to recall a 'Payment Card' from a Machine at the Marina (this was Den Ouver) that you could load up and then use at other participating Marinas?

 

[tidclacy]

We found it very busy in the Frisian Islands, lots of Germans and Dutch on Holiday. Now in Enkhuizen via Harlingen, Leewarden and Lemmer. Forecast not good for the next couple of weeks quite a bit of rain. Pouring here at the moment. In Compagnieshaven, 20 Euros a night with free water and electricity.

 

[Koeketiene]

we have used The Nieuwaterweg before. this time its possibly Hanswert

Probably trying to teach a granny to suck eggs, but...
be aware of the state of tide when exiting Hansweert lock into the Scheldt river.
Current can really rip through there.

 

[Laurin]

1, It's very nice here.
2, very few places accept Visa or Mastercard. Maestro cards seem to be the norm. Many places don't accept any cards. Take plenty of cash.

Hmm, no maestro in either of our wallets and a trip to Basildon yielded no banks who would issue one. Anybody got at ideas? Or approximation of how much cash required. Is food shopping and eating out similar to UK?

 

[sailorman]

bank service cards work in banks & ATMs so dont worry. we have a pre-paid € mastercard that isnt always accepted but just draw funds fron an ATM as req. food i would say is generally cheaper here but one does pay a bit for local small supermarkets. beer & wine is much cheaper so an odd loaf & were all fixed up
berthing in the Sixhaven is € 16.90 about 12 squids inc power,showers + water extra in Amsterdam city centre ( well almost, a free ferry ride away)

 

[FullCircle]

Hmm, no maestro in either of our wallets and a trip to Basildon yielded no banks who would issue one. Anybody got at ideas? Or approximation of how much cash required. Is food shopping and eating out similar to UK?

http://www.mastercard.co.uk/maestro-card.html

 

[Vamoose]

Dordrecht

 

[Vamoose]

Currently in a very rainy Dordrecht. I agree this not accepting Visa cards business is a pain,but thankfully ATM machines are happy to dispense the dosh.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Probably trying to teach a granny to suck eggs, but...
be aware of the state of tide when exiting Hansweert lock into the Scheldt river.
Current can really rip through there.

+1, and if you are intending to sail out of the Westerschelde get your sails up behind the breakwater. Wind over tide coming out of there makes the wallet look like a boating lake in a flat calm

 

[Stork_III]

http://www.mastercard.co.uk/maestro-card.html

All very well but very few British Banks issue Maestro card, all seem to have gone to Mastercard or Visa. All as a result of that BL model I think. :encouragement:

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Dordrecht

Dordrecht is a very cool place. Municipal Marina was €7 a night five years ago, may have reached double figures by now
Dordrecht blues festival is a must, all those beefy Dutchies with their soft sibilants playing the blues "woash up theesh morning, got theesh pain insssshied my heed"

 

[FullCircle]

All very well but very few British Banks issue Maestro card, all seem to have gone to Mastercard or Visa. All as a result of that BL model I think. :encouragement:

agreed, but there are some available, which was the original question.....
Personally I just went to the jackpot machine in the wall every couple of days....