A different perspective

August 11, 2007

Maasbommel - Ravenstein - Grave

3 engine hours

7 public transport hours

I do not know how this works in other countries, but in the Netherlands typical daily chit chat is about a) the weather, b) the traffic jams and c) the delays in public transport. So far I didn't have much reference to participate in discussions about public transport. I hardly ever use. Such all changed today.

Within the hour after our leave of the Gouden Ham at Maasbommel, our yachts club called about expectation of the high rise of the Rhine. We had seen the flooded quays in Switserland and South of Germany on television earlier this week. But we never realized this could potentially cause a situation that normally only occurs in winter (and not even every year). When the rise is high enough - which means 14 meters at Lobith where the Rhine enters the Netherlands - and the barriers are opened to get rid of the excess of water caused by abundant rainfall upstream, the parking lot at our club-mooring is under half a meter of water. This is were we parked our car for our just started holiday!

No alternative than go to the nearest harbour with a railway station - which happened to be Ravenstein at the Maas - and taking public transport back to Maurik, having in mind the pictures I took last winter when the Rhine flooded as well - showing a "floating harbour". Despite the straight line distance between Ravenstein and Maurik is about only 40 kilometers or so, there is no straight connection (mainly because of the Waal in between). It indeed took 7 hours for the return route by all means of public transport - on this Saturday no cabs around! Later we heard by far we weren't the only ones - none of our club members expected this when leaving for the holiday. (during wintertime and early Spring everyone is used to look on Internet and/or teletext, to see the flood graphically coming, by following the rise & fall measurements upstream to downstream; but not this time of season!).

Anyhow, it was about 7.00 pm when I returned, just for replacing a car a few hundred meters. And by the way, the water came close with Lobith measurement at 13,5 meters, but there was no overflow - just could not take the risk.

A rapid decision to be made. The lock at Grave on this Saturday night would close at 8:00 pm, and on Sunday morning not starting before 9:00 am. Let's give it a try to catch the last round this night - don't spare the horses - and we managed. Arriving on a nice mooring at the Kraaijenbergse Plassen near Cuijk - with dawn nearing. Time for a glass of wine.

Kraayenbergse plassen with several free mooring places, and a provisionary club harbour left lake (c Google picture)