Holland recommendations please

[aquaholic]

Need to cheer myself up on these dark nights so thought I would start planning next summer's trip.
Will have 2 weeks at the end of June, plan to do Medway to Calais/Dunkerque, then either Oostende or Blankenberge then Middleburg, after that I dont know other than visiting the islands when you exit the canal at Veere.
Have read all about the Diesel situation, ATIS and holding tank issues but would like advice on the best places to visit in the time given.

 

[Peegee]

Holland

Your always going to be a bit pushed with just the two weeks but if you wander up the Veersemeer Westwards, maybe enjoy a stop on the Omloop or the Langeplaat then head towards the lock and into the Oosterschelde. Pay a visit to Zeeriksee sail over to Goes and then see how your time is for returning either back the way you came or out into the Westerschelde via the Hansweert canal at Wemelding...just some suggestions, but your gonna love it !
Peegee

 

[sailorman]

Need to cheer myself up on these dark nights so thought I would start planning next summer's trip.
Will have 2 weeks at the end of June, plan to do Medway to Calais/Dunkerque, then either Oostende or Blankenberge then Middleburg, after that I dont know other than visiting the islands when you exit the canal at Veere.
Have read all about the Diesel situation, ATIS and holding tank issues but would like advice on the best places to visit in the time given.

Veersemeer> Zandkrieksluis into The Oosterschelde. Then Goes,Zeerikzee, lock out @ the Roompot Sluis to Breskens then retrace back home

 

[johnalison]

I agree with Peegee and would add that you might also want to consider a trip up to Antwerp, which we enjoyed once. Your time might allow a run up to Willemstadt, which I would prefer to the Grevelingen, and just possibly Hellevoetsluis and out at Stellendam to return.

There should be little to worry about the regs which the locals mostly ignore, though it makes sense to keep your red diesel receipts and preferably a log of engine hours since filling. Getting ATIS onto a radio is not very complicated, though you wont be using it much except possibly for a bridge on the Hansweert canal. You are unlikely to be stuck without a holding tank as you can always go ashore anywhere for serious business and be discreet about minor stuff, like the Dutch. We were not bothered by any officials in two weeks crossing Holland from Lauwersoog to the Roompot this year.

 

[MoodySabre]

If you go to Goes then go in the "garden marina" De Werf - sharp left after the Ringbrug. If the weather is hot you can step off the boat and sit under a tree

In the Oosterschelde we enjoyed Zeriksee of course and Burghsluis where you can hire bikes and cycle to town or out to the fab beaches the other side of the dam.

Willemstaad was lovely and in the Grevelingmeer we enjoyed the town quay at Brouwershaven.

I had my SH handheld programmed for ATIS and I had a holding tank and diesel receipts - this ensured that the authorities completely ignored me A phone was more use than a VHF - I took an unlocked mobile and had a dutch SIM card but we were there for 5 weeks.

 

[DanTribe]

I think the best places in Holland are the smaller ones you find yourself, almost by accident. All the places mentioned by previous posters are excellent, except Willemstad, I've always found it chock full of braying Brits!
If you have time, try a trip to Steenbergen off the Volkerak. The town is not especially great but the trip there along a narrow creek is it's own reward.

 

[Gwylan]

Breskens, Vlissingen or Terneuzen; up the Schelte to Antwerp.

Read the Col Regs and stay out of the way of everyone.

Go to Antwerp, stay in the KLYC - helps reduce my membership fees and it's a load easier than getting into the locks. But do the tide thingie before you try that! From the KLYC you can walk along the Linkeroever and take the pedestrian & bike tunnel under the river and into town.
Then back up the river to enter the canal to Wemmeldinge or if there is enough water Yerseke.
You can wander the Oosterschelde as far as Zieriksee. Make sure the depth sounder is in good nick.
Into the Veerse Meer and finally take the canal down to Vlissingen stopping at Middelburg on the way.

Assume you'll use an ensign [red or blue] then you'll be stopped or interrogated over the radio.

You'll need
the Regulations parts 1 & 2, buy them from the tourist office in the first port.
receipts for your diesel - note the hours and amount put in the tank in the log, it looks good
make sure any cans you have are empty
usual paperwork for the boat
crew manifest, a passage plan is good too, and the Netherlands Schengen Crew List - at least 2 copies.
The theory is that the HM at first port will take this [actually usually bins it] Ask him to fax it to the Vlissingen number on the form and you keep the transmission advice. - pm me an email address and I'll send you one to copy.
a current and appropriate chart of the area you are in - nice booklet from the tourist office, but the authorities were scathing when I showed them this, but were placated by an Admiralty chart
Get a Netherlands flag and do not confuse it with the French one.

The sea cocks for the heads shut and fixed with a cable tie is a nice touch. you cannot discharge 'black water' in the Oosterschelte or anywhere in Netherlands territorial waters!
Peeing over the stern does not seem to have been tested in court yet.

Remember you are visiting The Netherlands and not just Holland

 

[Koeketiene]

Breskens, Vlissingen or Terneuzen; up the Schelte to Antwerp.

Read the Col Regs and stay out of the way of everyone.

Go to Antwerp, stay in the KLYC - helps reduce my membership fees and it's a load easier than getting into the locks. But do the tide thingie before you try that! From the KLYC you can walk along the Linkeroever and take the pedestrian & bike tunnel under the river and into town.

Antwerp is well worth a visit, and I'm surprised not more people go there.
KLYC is very welcoming - lots of liveaboards - very warm, unpretentious place. Nver left the bar sober.
On your way there/back, I can recommend Breskens. The town itself may be a bit of a dump, but the YC and it's food more than makes up for it.

 

[sailorman]

I think the best places in Holland are the smaller ones you find yourself, almost by accident. All the places mentioned by previous posters are excellent, except Willemstad, I've always found it chock full of braying Brits!
If you have time, try a trip to Steenbergen off the Volkerak. The town is not especially great but the trip there along a narrow creek is it's own reward.

not too many have ventured there

 

[Athene V30]

Need to cheer myself up on these dark nights so thought I would start planning next summer's trip.

If you don't mind a long leg at the start why not go straight to Stellendam (probaly about 120 nm from Medway) then cruise back.

Haringvliet is lovely and Stellendam has proper alongside berths!

Antwerp is nice but it is a long way up the Westerschelde if you only have 2 weeks.

 

[wingdiver]

A couple of years back we did a two week trip (actually we left on Saturday and came back on Thursday because of the impending dodgy weather):

Ipswich-Blankenberge-Teneuzen(stop over for the tide)-Antwerp (KLYC 5 nights)-Kortegne-Veersemeer (free!!) mooring-Middelburg-Blankenberge-Ipswich

Defintely recommend Antwerp KLYC. The Veersemeer was great too.

 

[Wunja]

Peeing over the stern does not seem to have been tested in court yet.

I don't think it would be much of a test, as over the stern is not a lot different to peeing against a tree. A previous manager of mine had a record for doing just that.

Remember you are visiting The Netherlands and not just Holland

Your route doesn't actually get to Holland, that starts North of the river Maas.

 

[Cantata]

I think the best places in Holland are the smaller ones you find yourself, almost by accident. All the places mentioned by previous posters are excellent, except Willemstad, I've always found it chock full of braying Brits!
If you have time, try a trip to Steenbergen off the Volkerak. The town is not especially great but the trip there along a narrow creek is it's own reward.

If you're into wartime stuff, I believe that Guy Gibson crashed and was buried there although I've not tried to find the grave.

 

[Koeketiene]

Antwerp is nice but it is a long way up the Westerschelde if you only have 2 weeks.

Breskens/Flushing -> Antwerp is a one tide trip (6 hrs), hardly the back of beyond.
If you're unlucky with the bridges getting from Flushing to Veere will take as long.

 

[saltyrob]

Hi,

We are planning similar visit after three year break and always enjoy the Netherlands.Couple of points,things may have changed, but credit cards were often not accepted outside of towns ,so we kept a reasonable amount of cash on board.Have all your documentation ,as we were boarded twice in the Veersemere,once for immigration check and the other time checking radio license ,all very friendly and wife more than happy to give the rather handsome officers a cup of coffee.Our holding tank will be a DIY affair based on a caravan type waste water tank,really for show, as usually portable toilets on the islands and plenty of marinas and harbours.Also shops often closed on Sundays -most civilised.This may be a bit out of date but hopefully of use

Rob

 

[sailorman]

Hi,

We are planning similar visit after three year break and always enjoy the Netherlands.Couple of points,things may have changed, but credit cards were often not accepted outside of towns ,so we kept a reasonable amount of cash on board.Have all your documentation ,as we were boarded twice in the Veersemere,once for immigration check and the other time checking radio license ,all very friendly and wife more than happy to give the rather handsome officers a cup of coffee.Our holding tank will be a DIY affair based on a caravan type waste water tank,really for show, as usually portable toilets on the islands and plenty of marinas and harbours.Also shops often closed on Sundays -most civilised.This may be a bit out of date but hopefully of use

Rob

Smkts dont take cards other than the local type ( chipnik).
most eatieries & shops take international cards
cash available from PO ( not banks ) with maestro + P Port

 

[Wunja]

Smkts dont take cards other than the local type ( chipnik).
most eatieries & shops take international cards
cash available from PO ( not banks ) with maestro + P Port

Some shops are moving toward PIN.
Not tried it for a long time, but you used to be able to use UK debit cards in cash point machines (even gives the instructions in English).
But cash is accepted everywhere!

 

[sailorman]

Some shops are moving toward PIN.
Not tried it for a long time, but you used to be able to use UK debit cards in cash point machines (even gives the instructions in English).
But cash is accepted everywhere!

yes ATMs ok for cash
sorry i mis-lead, the PO its was to change £ > € Banks dont do that ( same in France )

 

[Marmalade]

another vote for Goes, Zierikzee and home via rompot

 

[DanTribe]

another vote for Goes, Zierikzee and home via rompot

A good plan.
While at Roompot, it's worth a visit to the Neeltje Jans Expo. There are[ or were] some pontoons at the end of the creek then a short walk.
There was also a fish & chip shop next to the lock which sold fish caught by the angling club. Does anyone know if it still operates?