Season-off

October 14 & 15

Leukermeer - Roermond: 6 hours

Roermond - Maasbracht: 1 hour

A relaxed start today, after the UK-victory booze of last night. Had we realized (Roermond) locks in the Maas would have been closed at 5.00 pm on this off-season (after October 1) Sunday, we would have been less relaxed. But we didn't, so took all our time for leave of Leukermeer at around 10:30, taking time to look around and taking pictures of one-another. Even Dirk's crew - being able to create some more speed - decided to visit the Arcen gardens http://www.kasteeltuinen.nl/ on our way to Roermond. Sarantina & Cómplice continuing with slow speed, catched up by speeding barges (though Sunday, quite a few) and even an additional (Classic Sturdy) Linssen accompanying us some time (compensation the loss of Dirk).

Cómplice & Sarantine heading south

Enjoying amazing bright sky and tree colours, waving to the full terraces on the banks, and the abundant fisherman. It has been a kind of funny season! With summer type of wheather in April and now in October, but rainy and stormy in the real summer season!

Dirk at Arcen

When the two of us arrived near Roermond, we faced another issue we hadn't thought off. Wishing to fill up our diesel-tanks before entering the winter-storage, on this off-season Sunday all closed. So we needed to postpone till tomorrow, and find a station next day at Maasbracht. Not before our last lock Roermond we noticed from talks over the radio the lock definitely would be closed at 5:00 pm, the lock-keeper urging a skipper to be there no later than 4:15. The final time is the time the last turn needs to be finished, and not the time the last turn starts! Need to call Dirk, still enjoying the gardens at Arcen, to hurry up and not to spare the horses! They managed by the minute, a close finish after all. This night we had a superb farewell dinner in the restaurant De Gelegenheid in Roermond, close to the harbour of WV Roermond where we stayed for our last night of season 2007.

Next morning, before arriving at our winterstop at Van der Laan Yachting, still to take care for our diesel. Which didn't come very easy. Gas-station Helmers at Roermond being opened, but with no diesel for us left. The first bunkership at Maasbracht being closed. The second one had diesel, but not accepting credit- and debitcard payment, so first find a bank to get some cash.


Upon our arrival, Erwin Schuller already waiting to make our ships ready for a well-deserved rest. So sorry to leave them behind....