Prologue

After a short stint at home with several trips to the vets to check up on my injured foot I am now – almost – mended. I really haven’t done much over the last few weeks and even refused to go on a walk with Ted and Crumpet. As you all know I have a bit of a crush on Ted, so they realised my pad must have been really sore! But now we are back – with cousin Robert for the entire trip – even though we don’t really have a plan as to where we might go! We are staying in the Netherlands though, that is definite, it’s just where we go depends on how much water there is.

August 26th 2026 – Whalley to Hull

Boring trip along the M62 then down to the seafront for a walk along the foreshore (for a change). Last time we were here there was a Mischief Rat statue in the park but as they were all sold at auction last September (for charity) it’s now just brown grass and not a lot else. There’s always a good view of the bridge from here though, which sort of makes up for it. Robert came with us on our first walk but after getting into conversation with the toilet cleaner decided he was more interesting than the park and we were left to our own devices! Alison did have to comment though that the loos were very clean, so he was a happy man. Next year she thinks he needs to head to Wilderness (festival) to show them how it’s done!

Today is Robert’s birthday so we were also celebrating. I’m not sure whether sharing a cabin with a dog was Robert’s idea of a celebration, but he did and by completely ignoring each other we got along just fine! Happy Birthday roommate.

August 27th 2026 – Rotterdam to Maasbracht

Things have improved slightly with the fingerprint fiasco at Rotterdam and we believe the whole process is taking about an hour and a half now instead of 3 hours. Still not good though, so we had a good 45 minutes wait to get through passport control after disembarking. They are building a new kiosk though, so maybe, just maybe, they might get it down to an hour by next year!

We got to Van der Laan just as the sun came out and the temperature soared. Ok, maybe it wasn’t as hot as July but it was still too hot for me, especially when there are no swimming possibilities nearby. A summer with little rain equals lots of algae and this does not bode well for the next few weeks….

August 28th 2026 – Maasbracht to Thorn

We are hanging around Maasbracht until at least Monday as Boris needs to do a couple of jobs on Annapanna and he is currently on holiday. So today, after more shopping and a trip to Irwin’s for boat supplies, we set off to Thorn, the White Village, all of 30 minutes away. We thought we might moor on the pontoon near the village but it was metal and I’m going nowhere near metal until I am completely healed – and thereafter if at all possible. So we carried on, through the little bridge and onto the visitors pontoon at Parc Maasresidence. I believe this is a favourite place of Yvonne Linssen and so she has negotiated a one night free deal for all Linssen owners. All sounds good to me. We are moored just below the restaurant, there is a swimming pool, a shop, a games room and somewhere in the building, a bowling alley. Everything is very dog friendly so we are all happy.

August 29th 2026 – Thorn

We are staying here for two nights so we can show Robert Thorn, stock up on the local fizz and have dinner at Humphries restaurant. So today we walked across the little bridge and up into Thorn, checked out the church and its impressive baroque altar, wandered the cobbled streets and had lunch in one of its many restaurants. Then, after a trip to the winery, we headed off to the private beach area for Parc Maasresidence. Alison was fully expecting a No Dogs sign but guess what…. Instead there was a sign saying Dog Beach and an arrow showing where to go. Was I a happy dog! Oddly, the dog beach is right at the end of the main grassy area so I could dip in and out of the water all the way there…

Out for dinner at Humphries, the park restaurant, which is part of a small Dutch chain. All good apparently with lovely staff

August 30th 20267 – Thorn – Maasbracht

A slow start for me as Alison went off for a run, then a swim, but I was quite happy tucked up in bed until hunger got the better of me. Then after a walk around the massive complex, which they bill as a hotel, we set off back to Van der Laan to await Boris in the morning.

August 31st 2026 – Maasbracht – Neer

They said it was a good morning. Alison went off to get a new saddle for her bike (desperately needed, you should have seen the old one) and Boris arrived to sort out the satellite, something he had failed to do on that frustrating day in Belgium in June. This time it all worked and in addition he also changed the dicey water pump filter. So off we set on a windy afternoon to a favourite place, Neer, with everything working just as it should – and that includes my problem nails. I love Neer because it is somewhere I can jump straight off the boat, across the footpath and into the water!

And I did…. Straight into the water with a ball! Perfect. Then we went for a little circular walk around the village as Robert hasn’t been here – before so I was a happy and tired dog at the end of the day.

September 1st 2026 – Neer to ‘T Leuken

From one favourite place to another although we do have some mixed feelings about the enormous Leukermeer resort. When we were here last September we noted the new infinity pool, padel court and restaurant Mio Mucho – plus loads and loads of new villas and apartments. All very smart but we wouldn’t like to be here in peak season. The other welcome change was the opening of the access to the round the lake path from the footbridge, so we were rather disappointed to find that this year they have shut it again. The old gate is locked and hidden behind a big metal fence so the only option was to retrace out steps and then clamber under a barbed wire fence. I suspect the big metal fencing will be extended on our next visit to make sure people can’t do what we did! We assume security issues have instigated the change, but why couldn’t they have installed a key coded gate instead of shutting it. Mooring is a bit of a pain too as they have a 12 metre limit on the long visitors pontoon and even when it’s empty it is not flexible. We were almost turned away as they said they had no spaces (which is ludicrous with an almost empty pontoon) but fortunately they found us a box for 1 night.

After we had moved to our box mooring Robert, Alison and I walked around the lake, down to the old lock and the entrance to the Maasduinen national park. I love this walk even though there are few places to actually get in the water. On the way back we talked to some Dutch Linssen owners who had moored on the only pontoon with land access and just near the old lock. In lovely weather this is a perfect mooring, particularly for me, with walks, water and a restaurant right on the doorstep. Another time…..

September 2nd 2026 – ‘T Leuken to Mook

Alison decided we should do a short day today so we could overnight in Plasmolen, Mook. This is yet another favourite place that they thought I hadn’t been to, but I have, in 2020, Covid time. We were there with Mags and Sheila on what we think was probably Sheila’s last trip on Annapanna (to date). ‘T Leuken (Leukermeer resort) and Mook (Eldorado) are similar in many ways. They are both on a beautiful lake with lovely walks around the shore and large marinas with even larger campsites….. but…. whilst ‘T Leuken’s focus is the campsite with it’s swimming pools, sports facilities and restaurants, Mook is much more low key. The campsite is on the other side of a road and very separate, the marina is large and full of even larger boats, but very welcoming to visitors with a long pontoon open to boats of any size! Leukermeer just isn’t as accommodating and you get the feeling that the marina is more for show than wanting business. This doesn’t mean we won’t return, but of the two we prefer Mook.

So, arriving in Mook we soon settled on the long pontoon and headed via the harbour master into the park and village of Plasmolen to check out the restaurants and have an ice cream. I wasn’t that keen on walking far after yesterday but seemed to get my mojo back once I remembered that just round the corner on the lake path was a beach….

Dinner that night was at Plasmolensehof, a recommendation of the harbour master as the marina restaurant is closed on Wednesdays. Good meal they said in quite a quirky place. I’m glad they enjoyed it but was glad I didn’t go!

September 3rd 2026 – Mook to Heusden

Long day today with an earlyish start so we could get to Heusden in time to secure a place on Steiger 8 and get to the shops before they closed. It was blowing a gale which made for challenging mooring but once settled I could get off and head out to my favourite ramparts. Even better, after dinner we headed off again and this time I took a ball! Heaven, even though it took me ages to cool down afterwards.

September 4th 2026 – Heusden to Willemstad

From one fortified town to another and from one favourite to another. We were last here in 2019 and my one abiding memory is getting an electric shock from the sheep fence when Jane took me out one morning! She was worried, but the usual wimpy me wasn’t bothered in the slightest! There was a bit of a debate whether to move at all today as the forecast wasn’t good and it was blowing a gale – but as we have a policy of not moving on a Saturday we, well they, decided to give it a try! I was not impressed! We are not on the sea, so those days of bumpy travel should be behind me, but they weren’t! I’ve attached a video so you can see just how horrible it was – and on top of that visibility was terrible! Once we got to the Hollandsch Diep it got even worse so they decided to head back into the harbour at Lage Zwaluwe for lunch then reassess the situation afterwards. The harbour lady was lovely and said if we decided to risk it then turn back later there would be a place for us in her marina that night. The visibility cleared and the wind dropped a little, so off we set for Willemstad. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t nice and I’m forever grateful that we have stabilizers, but we arrived at an eerily quiet Willemstad harbour and moored up in our preferred place on the pontoon just before the entrance to the old harbour.

Out for dinner later to Restaurant Bellevue where the waiter told us it had been quiet most of the season. They blame it on fuel prices which is the same tale we got in Mons in June.

September 5th 2026 – Willemstad

The advantage of getting here yesterday was that we had a whole day in the sunshine. We walked around the ramparts, had lunch on the Main Street, a mooch around the shops and a laze on deck. In other words a pretty perfect day. The only blot on this ideal scenario was the constant rocking we got from passing ships, even when we moved right to the front of the pontoon. May be I’m more sensitive to it now so I think next time we’ll head into the old harbour and try out my new, slightly longer, ramp.

September 6th 2026 – Willemstad to Sint Annaland

I did not have a good night. I think it was the rocking that eventually got to me so at about 03.30 I decided I had to let them know I’m wasn’t happy. Alison thought I needed to go out, which was a big mistake on her part as then I refused point blank to go back down to the cabin! I was shaking and needed company so in the end we both slept on deck – and it wasn’t warm! I just hope tonight is better!

It’s Sunday so we had a lazy start which was possibly another mistake as we didn’t know the Volkerak lock was only operating every 2 hours! Of course you could be lucky and time it right but we didn’t, so it took the full 2 hours to clear it! Luckily we don’t have to return via this lock in a few days time. None of this really mattered though as today the sun shone and the wind was much less so it was a much more relaxing journey to Sint Annaland. They have been here before, in 2011, a full 6 years before I was born, but they don’t remember being too impressed. This was not the case this time. The marina is massive with a lovely long pontoon near the harbour masters office, the restaurant and some impressive facilities. Best of all though, is the beach just at the end of the marina. The sign didn’t say “no dogs” it just said dogs on leads between April and September from 10am – 7pm. Oh wow, it is going to be doggy heaven in the morning!

Before that though we had a walk along the Dyke and then down to the beach and a play with my ball. Just perfect! Then it was along to the restaurant terrace overlooking the Krabbenkreek for a few beers. We didn’t eat there but the food looked very good. After dinner Robert, Alison and I walked to the beautifully lit windmill in the town. Built in 1684 it was restored in 1966 and then again in 2005.

September 7th 2026 – Sint Annaland to Zierikzee

Beautiful sunny day, not much wind. It started off so well. I went down to the beach before 10am and as expected I had company. Several dogs were playing in the water and although I initially ignored them once I realised they had a dummy I was in there! There were a few jelly fish around which concerned Alison more than me, but other than that it is was amazing! I could have stayed all day..

We had to leave though as the harbour were expecting 30 motor boats from the Royal Dutch Motor Club (KNMC) and anyway we were heading to Veere, a favourite place that also has a beach! But plans changed. After a very bumpy crossing of the Oosterschelde (as the wind got up) we arrived at the Zandkreeeksluis to find it was shut until 5pm and then only open tomorrow for 1 hour from 12noon until 1pm. Talk about bad timing. There is maintenance work going on in the lock for 2 days and of course these are the 2 days we want to use it! After a team discussion (excluding me) it was decided to change plans and head straight to Zierikzee instead and then spend 2 days there as tomorrow’s forecast is not good. OK, no beach nearby but Zierikzee has a lovely park walk round the old town – and – I remember this well – a doggy bar where I can help myself to biscuits and water!

We arrived at the harbour to find it very busy as the second big group of KNMC motorboats were staying here! The lovely harbourmaster showed us a place just before the town but Alison vetoed it as it meant I had to walk over quite a lot of metal to get out. I don’t think she could cope with yet another nail injury so instead we were shown to a pontoon through the little bridge at the end of the inlet. Perfect….

We then, rather late, set off on the circular walk around the town. I wasn’t too impressed as it was too near my teatime and I knew this meant it would be delayed.. and it was, especially after they stopped for a beer in the sunshine in the main square. Not impressed!

September 8th 2026 – Zierikzee

Another day here as the forecast wasn’t good. In fact the morning was much better than expected so Alison went for a run and then Mr and Mrs Mop set to with a cleaning blitz through the cabins. Mr Mop incidentally is Robert, who is constantly looking for jobs that need doing and couldn’t be happier with a cloth in his hand or a vacuum cleaner on the go. You won’t catch too many dog hairs on Annapanna when he is on board!

After the Mops had finished we all set off into town via the museum harbour and main square. There is an Albert Heijn in town and I think Brian has been getting withdrawal symptoms, so we had to visit it. We did a bit of shopping too, well Brian and Robert did, in a new favorite shop, NZA. Then it rained and rained.. We had lunch in a wet marquee in the square before heading back to the harbour to buy mussels for dinner – via the street that no longer has a doggy bar – and back to the boat. Then Robert and Alison were off again to the Stadhuis museum. Zierikzee is on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland and the museum gave a history of the island, particularly the growing of Madder, a plant used to make a red dye which was used extensively throughout Europe, and how the region became a cultivation hub from the 14th until the 19th century. By the 19th century Madder had been replaced with cheap synthetic dyes and the industry collapsed, so farmers moved on to growing other things. Interestingly, in 2025/6, they have found there is new demand for Madder and it’s more eco-friendly cultivation and processing and some local farmers have started growing it again.

September 9th 2026 – Zierikzee to Dintelsas

I’m not sure I’m too impressed with this weather watching. OK, it wasn’t chucking it down today but it was windy and after leaving the relative shelter of the long canal down to Zierikzee, it was very windy and even with the stabilizers it was like sitting on a bucking horse (I have absolutely no idea what that actually feels like but I’m just using my imagination). We nearly turned back as we certainly couldn’t have gone on like that, but then it calmed, sort off, and was actually ok. We think it was just turbulence at the mouth of the canal but whatever it was I didn’t like it!

In the end the journey wasn’t bad although the alternating sunshine and heavy showers kept reminding us that we are now at the start of Autumn. Of course torrential rain started just as we arrived at the Krammersluizen and for once were very glad the lock wasn’t ready for us! Krammersluizen is the lock where we go from sea to fresh water so it takes a long time to exchange the waters in the lock by some ingenious system which uses the fact that seawater is lighter than fresh water so floats to the top. It had stopped raining by the time we entered the lock and for most of the time we were in it, so we were very lucky, or they were, as I had no intention of leaving the comfort of my seat on the stern to help out!

Our plan today was to stay near the entrance to the Dintel and the harbour guide identified two possible moorings, Jachthaven Dintelmond and Jachthaven Waterkant. Both looked to have similar facilities so Alison decided she would test AI and ask it which is the better harbour for us in a 14 metre motorboat wanting alongside mooring. Its response was definite. There was a clear winner, Jachthaven Dintelmond, as it had substantial pontoons meeting our needs whilst Waterkant didn’t. So like a lemming we went to the Dintelmond. We couldn’t find any substantial pontoons, there was no sign directing passanten to a particular place and no one around. We left. At Jachthaven Waterkant there was a good, long visitors pontoon, a harbour office with a very helpful member of staff, electricity, water, showers and loos nearby and a very nice restaurant with a lovely terrace over the water (about to be completely renovated). There was one clear winner! Amazing as it is, AI is not quite there yet for mooring info!

September 10th 2026 – Dintelsas – Oosterhout

Off we went down the Dintel and onto the Markanaal. No more open water on this trip. The sun was shining and unusually, there was no wind, so we were all set for a lovely relaxing day. At some point during the trip Brian decided to check the route back to Maasbracht on the Waterkart app and it told him there was a problem on the Zuid Willemsvaart. A closed lock somewhere along the route means a change of plan, so it looks like we are off back to the Maas.

We arrrived at the harbour in Oosterhout, took a lovely mooring next to the very friendly on duty harbourmaster (who has a Linssen) and then headed into town for some exploring. Along the lovely street of de Heuvel and into the Markt, the main square, a mooch around and then back via the stadpark. It’s just not my scene I’m afraid, so by the time we stopped for drinks in a pretty little courtyard I was in full sulk mood, even refusing the water I was offered. Next time just do your sightseeing without me….

September 11th 2026 – Oosterhout to Kerkdriel

The changed plan was to go to Den Bosch, a city we know well and really like (as long as I don’t need to do the sights). But it meant going back up to the Maas then south again on the Zuid Willemsvaart and Alison decided that it would make for a long trip the next day to Cuijk. So, she suggested let’s try Kerkdriel instead as we don’t think we’ve been there. It all sounded good to me as I noted that Kerkdiel was on a lake and had beaches…