Upgrade

June 22, 2007


Bergumer Meer - Oostmahorn: 7 hours


Today I had my first upgrade ever without even asking! But I must admit, the others were flight upgrades. We are taking a canal that changes its name four times (so 5 names for the same canal). At Bergumer Meer it starts as Stoppelzool, and next it becomes Kuikhoenstervaart, Nieuwe Vaart, Petsloot and Nieuwe Zwemmer before finally entering into the Dokkumerdiep.


Last year we could not have taken this route, at least not without taking the windscreens down (and even than it would have been questionable). But last year (2006) all fixed bridges have been leveled up to 3.00 meters. Been upgraded, so to speak. So we are safe at window height of 2.75. At standard water level (Friesland Kanaal Peil FKP), so height might be a bit less because of plenty of rain we had lately. Later on we discover that one bridge isn't 3 meters, but 2,95 (the railway bridge). In practice we measure 5 centimeters left. Just enough as long as other ships don't cause waves.


There are not many other ships though, probably due to the fact this is a rather new shortcut opened recently for the somewhat larger ships. The area is really beautiful, and the quietness of the route contributes to our joy.


Several Marrekrites on this route, some nicer located than others, but all (almost) empty. A good looking club-harbour at Zwaagwesteinde with diesel, and in same village an empty municipal harbour which isn't even in the Almanac yet. We continue however our route, with the aim to reach Lauwersmeer today.


Clouds building up above Lauwersmeer

We had a very lucky shot at the Willem Lóresluis, where we just could follow some large sailing ships - coming from Dokkum and heading for Lauwersmeer and Waddenzee - entering the lock just before the lock keepers lunchbreak. I mile further on, where the Dokkumerdiep makes a sharp curve to the north, we found a very nice Marrekrite (though they might no longer have this name, because other province) to have lunch. Also bringing our hood up again, because of the clouds building up a thunderstorm. Didn't want to be in the open air when entering the wide & open Lauwersmeer!


We were tempted to stay on this nice mooring place, with a Diepsterbos (= wood) on the background, and the wide Lauwersmeer on the forefront. But after some nights in the free, I assumed a night shore power would serve the batteries a charge, so we headed for the harbour of Oostmahorn, on the north side of Lauwersmeer. This harbour proved to be a convenient one, with good facilities and a nice restaurant on the top of the dike, with nice views. There we watched the thunderstorm unloading, fascinating.
Harbour Oostmahorn


Before we had a little walk to the village. Which looks old, but actually is complete rebuild with new houses in old style. Serving as a holiday park - bizar!

New "old" place Oostmahorn

Noteworthy:

• The new old place Oostmahorn - holiday village in old village style
• The restaurant Lauwersmeer Paviljoen on the dyke, with excellent view (ask for window table!