Three is a crowd

August 14 & 15, 2007

Gennep - Maasbommel 4 hrs

Maasbommel - Heusden 5 hrs

Today we experienced, in practice, a typical Dutch interpretation of the saying "Three is a crowd". But first, before leaving the Gennep harbour, we enjoyed the fresh bakery the harbour master delivered, and had a nice cup of coffee with Kees & Lydia, crew of a beautiful 'Oostvaarderskotter'. As their homebase being in Strijensas at Hollandsdiep (slightly west from Moerdijkbridge) and close to Biesbosch, they shared their insight about the places (not) to be in this nature park area we were aiming for. And besides, of course, we admired mutually our ships.

Leaving Paesplas shortly before noon, arriving at Grave lock within the hour, as third in a row. First, a commercial barge, second another yacht. Upon our request, the lock keeper said over the radio he would give it a try to have us and the other yacht entered after the barge as soon as the lock would be on our side again, at first turn. Such took quite a while, and when the barge had entered, the lock closed. We figured, that after all - and maybe after discussion we were not able to follow - it was decided that going together with the blue cone ship (dangerous content) wasn't a wise thing to do. In the mean time quite a few other ships arrived. Three commercial barges, and about another 10 yachts, or so.

Another hour to go, before the lock being on our side again. As the new three barges had to enter first, we figured we had to wait for another turn. But once they had entered, suddenly and unexpectedly, the lock keeper announced over radio he had some room left for first 2 or 3 yachts. As struck by lightning, all waiting 14 yachts released the lines, steaming to the lock in battle array. Even one yacht coming from the quay at Grave a mile away, in full speed. In Dutch, three is a crowd, indeed. Frankly, if you have ever left Schiphol airport for intercontinental flight, you will have experienced same. Once announced that business class can board first, most suddenly it seems everybody is having a business class seat!

Never mind, we managed to keep our second place. But the real third didn't manage without a shouting fight. This is supposed to be holiday, man!

Overall, taking this lock took about 3 hours. We figured it to be so busy today because the commercial traffic normally taking the Maas-Waal kanaal to enter the Waal via Nijmegen, now had chosen otherwise because on of the 2 parallel locks at Nijmegen to be under repair, so closed, and the other one - because of the high water levels on the Waal - being operationalised stepwise (as we learned from teletext).

Another night in Maasbommel, this time in harbour

As time run out because of the delay, we decided to spend the night in Maasbommel again, and not taking the Maxima (Lith) lock this day. And take the route to Heusden, our next aim, next day.