Heusden

Models of the town of Heusden, this gives a good idea of the "shape" of it






Kaj on a lift bridge to old port

Heusden

Tuesday, 3rd we made our way from the lovely lakeside mooring moving 38km further down the Maas to Heusden.
Wow, Heusden is an amazing town. Has a fascinating history. Was a fortified town for 600 years until 1821when all the fortifications were dismantled and ground used for allotments ( property developers not a new phenomena) The older harbour drained and filled in early 1900's and turned into a square. WW2 a lot of damage done but fortunately when rebuilding began there was a trend towards authentic reconstruction. 1965 the town council in a stroke of genius decided to rebuild the fortifications and excavated the inner harbour and restore all to original condition!
cute gardens

confronting image to see on way into town!

typical architecture

Some cycling, some sightseeing, some cruising

Bossche Bol , a calorie laden ball of cream and chocolate unique to Den Bosch, Kaj and Knud could hardly wait to try them


Kaj by one of the town squares

A beer with lunch, well earned after a 30km cycle into s'hertogenbosch as Den Bosch officially known as

Great way to display baguettes!

Kaj arrives

After 7 months finally we get to see Kaj again!! He is on his way from Norway to New Zealand to work the winter season down there so has called by to visit for a couple of weeks. He joined us in Roermond late Friday evening. He is looking very well, fit and happy, so wonderful to see him.
Next morning we set off to head to the shipyard, a lovely day of cruising heading north down the Maas river.
Kaj in Roermond

bikes used for everything

There really are windmills here! not just a media myth

Our mooring last night, the lake system in Netherlands very extensive and some beautiful place to be found

Today a cycle into den Bosch ,boys rewarding themselves with a beer

We plan to get to the shipyard by Thursday , latest. The AIS system and the Navigo system no longer talking to each other, software problems, very frustrating, however we can be seen on shipfinder.

Friday 30th May Roermond

A few postcards while I have access to wifi
Rattentoren built 14th century and the only original gate to the city left

The Market , main square


city carillon with 49 bells and life size figures that move around ! midday there is a lot of action


Roermond on the pilgrim route

Maastricht to Roermond

Sunday 25th and time to move on. We have been very lucky to have gorgeous Aussie neighbours while we have been here on the town quay. Maxine and Russell on Compean, needless to say some time spent together, swapping stories, hints on what is to come ( they have been in the Netherlands for the past 3years we have been in France where they are heading) and of course a drink or two, a lovely dinner on board their boat one night.
Linquenda and Compean together flying the boxing kangaroos

Maxine and Russell

Goodbyes said and offer set towards Maasbracht, 36km down the Juliankannel . Monday morning we had an appointment with a programming wiz kid to get the AIS software we had bought to talk to the Navigo software( this is supposed to tell other boats where we are and where they are) Although we had been promised that it would work with Apple this did not appear the case so experts we're required. 3 hours latter finally success!!! Oh happy days.( so much for plug and play!)
Left Maasbracht ear!y arvo and headed towards Roermond, before we got there we did a sharp left hand turn into a lake, found a beautiful rural mooring and there we have stayed. Bliss, no bobbing around madly.

Just another few "postcards"

more cute houses

what a way to treat. car! Knud horrified


A work in progress, this was taken yesterday and the next taken today


and the winner of the decorated bike is ..............