Rotterdam to Amsterdam by canal in 10 minutes

[Dan Tribe]

Unless you are a dirty great barge, don't assume that they will automatically open as you approach! Townships, such as Haarlem, often use a convoy system, but more often the opening is just random. Usually, you can see a bridge round the corner (across the flat country) and then your heart sinks when you see it open for a boat coming the other way and have the pleasure of watching it close as you round the bend, knowing that it could be ten minutes before you get your chance. Old books often tell you to sound your horn, but I don't recommend this unless you want to incur an even longer delay. Don't forget to wave at the bridge-keeper. He or she may remember you on your return.

That's al part of the rich tapestry of cruising the Dutch canals. On a few occasions we have expected a lengthy wait and started preparing a meal then to see the bridge opening, so a mad dash to get going, be rude not to go.
At another time we settled down for a 3hr wait at the Gouda rail bridge, but it opened for a ship. We tucked in close to the ship's stern and sneaked through. Not sure if that is allowed, but there was no comeback.

 

[sailorman]

That's a big lump of kit! Some of those corners are tight, I assume they had a tug at the back as well?

We came through Alpen en Rijn just before this happened

 

[Dan Tribe]

We came through Alpen en Rijn just before this happened

So did we, about 2 days before it happened. I remarked how efficient the operation seemed to be, I was wrong!
People were complaining that they would have to go to sea to get around it. On our next visit there was no sign that it had ever hapenned.