Holland recommendations please

[Wunja]

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?

On the seaward side of the lock with a flight of steps going from the waiting pontoon? Yes its still there, but the last two times I've been through it was at anti social hours. The Ola ice cream flags were flying out side though.

 

[DanTribe]

On the seaward side of the lock with a flight of steps going from the waiting pontoon? Yes its still there, but the last two times I've been through it was at anti social hours. The Ola ice cream flags were flying out side though.

Excellent.
We had the freshest codling [barely stopped flapping], beautiful sunset view across the estuary, and a free nights mooring on the waiting pontoon.
Must go back soon.

 

[ditchcrawler]

An alternative is to go to Goes from Blank, but better from Zeebrugge in one hit via the Westerschelde and Hansweert canal then you can do Willemstad and the place not to be missed(apologies if this has been mentioned) Dordrecht.(Go up the Church Tower)We then went west down the Spui to any number of places in the Haringvliet and back via Zierikzee,Veerse Meer (Veere is worth a visit,again go up church tower) Middelburg and home.(we cameback via Oostende).I have previously gone the other way round.If you go to Zeebrugge it is a short tram trip to Brugges.

 

[PeterGibbs]

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.

Dunkerque would not be on my list; for interesting and nicely equipped ports I suggest first landfall at Nieuwport, then Blankenberg, Middleburg/Veere, Goes, Bruinisse, Brouershaven (in ther Grevelingenmeer) Zierikzee, lock out to sea for Breskens, Ostende, home.

You will not have time to get much further unless you welly it, so missing lots of goodies -such as the Verse Meer. And your timing puts you on the cusp of the Dutch hol season when locks get busier. Weather should be pretty reliable at that time.

Did this trip this year - grade A1** stuff. Have fun!

PWG

 

[sailorman]

Dunkerque would not be on my list; for interesting and nicely equipped ports I suggest first landfall at Nieuwport, then Blankenberg, Middleburg/Veere, Goes, Bruinisse, Brouershaven (in ther Grevelingenmeer) Zierikzee, lock out to sea for Breskens, Ostende, home.

You will not have time to get much further unless you welly it, so missing lots of goodies -such as the Verse Meer. And your timing puts you on the cusp of the Dutch hol season when locks get busier. Weather should be pretty reliable at that time.

Did this trip this year - grade A1** stuff. Have fun!

PWG

I have been to Dunkerque once.
i dont have the need to go back out of choice

 

[Koeketiene]

I have been to Dunkerque once.
i dont have the need to go back out of choice

 

[WindyOut]

Dutch poo

Remember you don't have to have a holding tank. The rule is that you're not allowed to discharge any poo into Dutch territorial waters. Discharing urine and dishwater is not illegal.

I've cruised NL every summer for the last 3 years (all summer), spoken to hundreds of crews and never heard of anyone being caught flushing poo out. It seems that as long as you're discreet and considerate about it no one will bother you.

Happy cruising.

 

[aquaholic]

Thanks so much for all the replies, really sorry its taken so long to respond but have been working and really not had the chance, I will now go back and read all your suggestions and start planning.
Thanks again

 

[Bilge Rat]

We are currently planning our third trip to the Netherlands........ the 2 weeks are never enough and will undoubtedly leave you wanting more. Our, slightly bias recommendations are to give Dunkerque a miss in favour of Blankenberg, you could hop on a train and in 15 mins be in Brugge. Nieuwpoort is also nice although last time the KYCN was a little busy but it is the most convenient marina for the town. Middleberg would be a must for us, we love the mad and eccentric chef at the yacht club who serves brilliant food, excellent beer and and is very helpful (his mate was a diver who kindly freed a polythene wrapped prop for a very reasonable fee) Would definitely suggest a visit to Veere, although boat handling skills will be tested in the tiny little harbour (which will be good practise for Goes) and beware the church bells which tinkle all night long. Goes is another must for us and whether in the small marina on the left or the basin at the end you are likely to be rafted with other boats. Brouwerhaven was also a delight and is likely to be close to the turning point for a 2 week jaunt unless you really push on...... the number of miles you can cover are governed by waiting time at locks and bridges. Good luck and enjoy... you have made us start our planning in earnest now.

 

[sailorman]

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.

Steenbergen

 

[gruntle]

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.

you can do antwerp fairly comfortably from breskens/ternuezen/vlissingen on one tide, although you might want to keep an eye on SOG to make sure you get to Linkeroever in time for the lock.

 

[BAtoo]

Two weeks is not v long and certainly not enough for an extended cruise. If you hop up the coast Calais/Ostend/Breskens then thats half a week at least gone without weather hold-ups. If you want to "do" the Southern Delta then possibly aim for Zeebrugge/Blankenberg straight from Medway; then into Vlissengen (same distance as Breskens if you cross the shipping lane to the N side on the way up). This gives a week "inside - Veresemeer & Grevlingmere etc - then out either at Roompot or Vlissengen/Breskens to home or Zeebrugge/Blankenberg/Ostend first,

When we did this run alot we were always more comfortable with 3 weeks...at least try and grab an extra Thurs/Fri if you can. Thurs night crossing to Belgium??