Looking around

August 12 & 13, 2007

Cuijk-Venlo, 7 hours

The few hours we had done last Saturday night, after the public transport day, payed off by providing us a full relaxing day for the route from the Kraaijenveldse plassen at Cuijk to Venlo. Despite we left rather early, with sun shining and no wind. We like the mirroring water of such an early morning, with only a few fishermen on the shore. Until the lock at Sambeek, meeting only one ship from the other side!

Sambeek lock, early Sunday morning

Another advantage of the plenty of time we had: to have a quick look at the possible moorings we passed by and never had been so far. Just to have an impression for return route and maybe other occasions. So first we had a look at the mooring of restaurant Mazenburg http://www.mazenburg.nl/, just before the lock Sambeek on a little peninsula created by correction the river course of the Maas. We had seen the sign on the shore before, but never went into the small side extension - frankly also because the map warned for some undepths, so we carefully entered (but without any problem). The place is very beautiful, the menu looks very promising, be there happen to be only very few mooring places, and this Sunday morning all occupied.


Also we had a look at Leukermeer moorings. By midday on the scarce real summer Sundays very busy and crowded, specifically the yachts-harbour. Just a few places left. It could be a stop for our return route, but we did not regard it as a top priority. Wanssum harbour, with a rather stimulating signs and Internet promotion, proved to be disappointment only. The entrance through the container harbour isn't very fancy, but even seeing through and passing by into the yachts-harbour didn't make us very enthusiast. Narrow entrance, all fancy places occupied by large ships, dirty water. Finally Gennep harbour, rather difficult to find because kind of hided after passing the industrial harbour, provided the "warm feeling" that made us decide to pick this one for the return route.

Venlo WV de Maas, still under construction

At around 3 pm mooring at Venlo club harbour - ready to have Cómplice fitted with a "second hat". We have been here before (last year), and it is a nice place to be. However, since last year the harbour is under construction. It already has been made twice as large as it used to be, with almost all new jetties. However, still some work today, like a new entrance from/to the Maas.



A few hours after our arrival, another 299AC arrived. Not in the standard creme color, but with the hull in the "old" dark blue. According to our personal taste: we're glad we have followed Linssen's choice for the new color scheme.