Minden

Second night on the Mittellandkanal,( last night we stopped we stopped at Bad Essen at about the 62km mark)
Cruising has been very pleasant, of course a great number of large commercial barges but there is plenty of room and it hasn't been a problem. We have also been pleasantly surprised with the number of possible mooring places too.
So today we arrived to Minden, ( about 100km mark) This is the second largest water crossing in Germany, where the Mittellandkanal crosses the Weser River. Lots of history here, place first settled 1200 years ago.

Of great interest to us was the 100year old lock, this was the first lock to use the system of letting water in from the bottom , therefore creating less turbulence. The lock is only 85 my long so many barges cannot use it to pass down to the Weser. A rather grand building.




This is the Water Pumping station that is still in use after 90 years.

The original aqueduct, and another has been built next to it.( this is the one we will use tomorrow)

Ornate buildings in the Weser Renaissance style

Looking through the archers of the Rathus

Detail of handrail

Mittellandkanalen

After leaving Haren we made our way south on the Dortmund Ems Canal. A nice stretch of waterways, back with the huge locks and the big commercials easy cruising. A stop in Lingen for 2 nights , a chance to stock up on supplies and have a day off. Lingen a newish city, must have sustained substantial damage in WW 2 as little evidence of old building, just a few from 1600's that had been rebuilt in 1948. Now Lingen has big power stations and steel works.
Next nights stop was Rheine, a 3 km cycle into town from where we were moored at the lock. Rheine also looking fairly modern however did have the most spectacular church with amazing stone work. How it escaped damage in WW2 is a miracle.





This morning we set off , only 2 more locks on the Dortmund Ems Kanal then a sharp turn left and we were on the Mittellandkanalen!!!
Goodbye Dortmund Ems Kanal

Hello Mittellandkanalen

180 km to the next lock!! we are heading directly east. Construction of this canal was begun in 1906, and finished about 1933 and forms an important link in the German waterways system.

Tot Ziens Holland

Well after a fabulous 5 weeks in the Netherlands its time to head into Germany. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, the people gorgeous , scenery and cruising fantastic and Knud informs me the beer also great.
So a few last postcards
I want her in my garden

and these guys too !

finally my very own lock!

one of our last locks in the Netherlands, slightly sloping walls, fluted edge! This was taken at Emmer Compascuum. It was here we met a lovely Aussie couple Lee and Ted who have lived here for 40 years, Ted originally from Echucha! small world.

my "artistic " effort

We exited the Netherlands from just out of Ter Apel, heading down the Haren Rutenbrock Kanal towards Haren.

A hectic few days

Wednesday saw us back in the water, then back out again for a few hours Thursday for a quick repair on a rivet then back in again then full steam ahead. We had some time to make up because we had been out of the water longer than planned.
Weather cool, wet with the occasional ray of sunshine.

We headed towards Amsterdam , passing some stunning places got off the larger waterways and onto some gorgeous cana!s.
this special windmill also a water wheel

The hydrangeas breathtaking along this canal





These owners obviously into painting

Castle at Breukelen

So on we continued. skirting Amsterdam, passing yet more windmills, these thatched, how cute is that!


Passed through the last lock in Muiden then out to what appeared to be open sea!


Just after the lock was a stunning ship, the owners into fiddly bits glad it wasn't me painting





So for next day or so we made our way between the islands , keeping a close watch on the bouys. We have now passed onto canals and making our way towards the German border. Some beautiful areas and we look forward to returning to explore properly.
lots of tjalks out sailing, so beautiful

our mooring last night

At the moment I'm blogging from the pub, have cycled down to watch the Dutch , Chile match Orange fever is gripping the nation.

Back in the water ! ?dine

Well after a very busy week especially for Knud who was doing a minimum 12hour day it was time to go back into the water. The deal at the yard was that they did all the cleaning of the hull, any welding ,repairing then 2 coats of paint on the section below the water line. We could do painting above, and believe me there is a lot to paint. So after the preparation ( which takes ages if its done properly) it was time to paint. The luxury of being indoors away from the rain, dust blowing, baking sun etc was a blessing.
The grey walkways, grey front deck and back deck, black, white and green on hull , yellow on the bow , all dine
first coat on the bottom

finishing touch to the back

Looking all shiny

Doing a bit of fine paint work , painting in the original " number plate" and tonnage makings that were pressed into the iron in 1916



So into the water we went again yesterday







then we had to turn Linquenda






Back on the quay, just a few things to do before we were ready to go then!!!!!! what's that? water leaking in!!! one of the welded rivets letting in water. Thank goodness we found it then not down the river somewhere. Kept a check on it overnight but it didn't self seal so this morning out of the water again to get it repaired.

thats where it is!!

Did take a video of us coming out of water but won't try to attach it to this blog will try seperatly.

Orange Fever

World Cup Football ...............what can I say......The Netherlands are working themselves into an orange frenzy
if your wardrobe lacks anything orange, go no further

stuff to go on the celebratory table! orange of course

the main square in Gorinchem, large TV screen up here for the duration of the cup , screening all games.

These photos taken last Saturday when the Netherlands had a decisive win over Spain. Much excitement (understatement)

A few observations/ postcards

Can't get used to seeing tobacco and cigarettes for sale at the checkouts, just help yourself!!!

Kaj enjoying the Dutch specialty, fries and mayo

Knud and Kaj

No your eyes are not deceiving you, yes the tower does have a distinct lean. Built in the 1500's it began subsiding before it was a third built, it then stabilised and by about halfway they began building it a bit straighter (does that make sense?, not sure if I have explained myself well)



Great exhibition of school children's art work, recycling being the theme







Linquenda , first undercoat done. All below waterline work being done by the shipyard, Knud busy getting the deck painted while we are inside and out of the elements.