Life on The Waterways of Europe..: 2017 (6) Namur to Roermond.

Left Namur continuing down the Meuse,

and the river gets bigger,

we go faster and

we meet bigger boats !!!,

This bugger is 120m long and pushing another slightly shorter barge. !!

Up through Leige where we didn’t stop but took photos going through the main bridge.

Big Industry,,,

and on to Maastricht, where unfortunately we didn’t take photos. BUT it is a lovely city, with an abundance of street cafes and loads of shops. Andre Rieu, the violinist, (he does it each year as he lives there) was having a series of concerts in the main square so you couldn’t get into see it.

Had to double moor as public mooring pretty full, so we approached a boat, (Dutch), that looked closed up. Later we are greeted with a Dutch voice saying ‘’‘how come we get the Kiwis??’’ !! Turns out that Hendrick and Christa have lived in Mission Bay since 2000 and now in Tutakaka, but find its all too complicated to fly the kiwi flag. (small world so take nothing for granted).

We plan to leave Maastricht on the Sunday only to find out Saturday that the new flood gate on the Julianakanaal had collapsed on friday so the route was blocked—took a cycle ride to have a look…..

All the supports were bent, and they were going to bring 2 big cranes in to lift it up. ?? They needed to work fast as it is a major commercial route…not sure how they will manage it but we decided to cut our losses and go around it. It would take us a further 25 kms, going down the Zuidwillemsvaart and Kanaal Wessem-Nederveert but at least we could get to Wessem that night. Pretty route and a real windmill house.

Wessem Lovely quiet mooring at the Van Kessels yard. We have met this family run yard before a few years ago when we were enquiring about getting Kiwi Rose repainted. They have been very helpful…… . There is a house boat (3 bedroomed) here for sale a few up from us for only 130,000 euros , so much cheaper than Pauanui and you can moor a big boat to your deck !!

All sorts of locals around !!!!

Quick cycle through Wessem into a lovely historic town of Thorn. (and church)

Wessem, Maasbracht and Roermond is a huge playground for boats. Its full of connecting old gravel pits --- equals NZ, and no tides. Can throw anchor and just swim etc. Sorry map not too clear.

Roermond, which is the shopping mecca of Holland, with a huge outlet shopping store of all the good names, Armani ,Ben Sherman, Burberry, Daniel Hechter, Diesal, Dolce & Cabbana, Escada, Fred Perry, Gucci, Guess, Karl Lagerfield, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren,lee, Marc O’Polo, Mulberry, Mustang ,Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Ted Baker, to name a few then the shoes shops, bag shops and jewellery shops. Everywhere soooo clean.

Planned meet up with Rob and Sue Cooper, good friends from Akaroa, NZ, ( and daughter Becky, the photographer) in the Marina at Roermond. (why do I always feel a little fragile after a night with these guys? Can’t think why ?? )