Prologue

Another year, another COVID summer of lockdown and disrupted plans. In other words, for many lucky canines in this world, a wonderful year full of walks and constant company. I really am so fit now!

It was August before the Netherlands started to allow fully vaccinated Brits to enter their country and even then we had to be tested and quarantined. But Brian was chomping at the bit, so on the 25th August we drove to Hull with Alison and Mags and caught the ferry to Rotterdam. No Sheila this time sadly. The whole trip was so questionable that everyone felt it was less risky for her to have a holiday in Somerset instead.

Hull to Rotterdam – 25 August 2021

Usual trip, usual walk in the park, usual ferry. I thought. But it wasn’t! We all had to go into the ferry building to check in and that included me. Clearly they are not used to having dog customers though, as there were no cookies at the check in desk! Give me Europoort and Geraldine every time. After check in they all had to go and have a COVID test and then wait for the results. All went ok though, so soon we were on board and parked up next to the kennels. The dreaded kennels. I was all psyched up – but then a miracle happened. We got out of the car, past the kennels and into a cabin. A dog friendly cabin! There was a rug and bowls – so just about everything I needed, wonderful. I had to share my cabin with Brian though and I’m not sure whether he was so keen on the idea after a sleepless night coping with my many demands for (unnecessary ) trips to the outside deck doggy area.

Maasbracht – 26th- 31st August 2021

Five days quarantine, 5 days lazing around on the boat. Our quarantine address was actually Van der Laan, rather than Annapanna, so that gave us the whole of the site to hide away in – as long as we avoided other people. They had also got permission to walk the dog, so for me life went on pretty much as normal. On day 5 we all trotted off to the nearby testing centre where they had another test, then once that came through the next morning, we were off.

But not before a very significant event ….. for me. On the 31st August 2021 I changed nationality. I became Dutch and to prove it I now have a Dutch passport. I think they’re jealous! Whilst they have to faff around with the 90 day business it no longer affects me. I can travel as a European as much as I want to. Well technically, I’m only allowed 180 days a year in the UK now, but I don’t think anyone will be counting, especially as, unlike them, I don’t get my passport stamped.

Maasbracht to Bocholt – 31st August 2021

So with my nationality swap completed we immediately left my new country and headed for Belgium! At least it’s Flanders so everyone speaks dutch. I need to keep practicing the lingo if I want to appear as a genuine bonafide local.

We travelled on the Zuidwillemszaart to its junction with the Bocholt-Herentals canal before heading south for a short while to reach Bocholt, our destination for the night. We moored on the long pontoon in the yacht haven, rather than the fingers in the canal and celebrated our first night on the move for almost a year.

Of course I had to go for a walk, so we set off to explore the town, walking back via the lake at the end of the yacht haven. There were more noisy geese in this town than I would ever care to meet and as I think the noise was directed at me and my very delicate hearing, I was quite glad to get back on board.

Bocholt to Lommel – 1st September 2021

September already. We left Bocholt, retracing our steps to the junction with the Bocholt-Herentals Canal, then continued on through miles of woodland to Lommel. A favourite place from before my time, we made sure we got there early enough to enjoy the walks in the huge area of pine forest behind the haven.

Not only was there forest behind the yacht haven but there was also a lake. A beautiful, clear, inviting lake with a big sign saying dogs on leads and no swimming! They are joking! It’s not a reservoir so why? Quizzing the locals we were told that as it’s an old quarry pit it’s very deep and very cold beneath the surface. They said that 3 people had died in the last year. That’s people, not dogs! They also said that they let their dogs swim and go off lead – but just listen out for the police motor bikes. So we did and so I swam and it was heaven! We also had a good long walk through the pine forest, into heather moors and out along the canal. I’m told the signposting for the different walks is excellent, so if you get a chance, go, and don’t worry about getting lost.

Lommel to Turnhout – 2nd September 2021

Lommel will now go down as a favourite place for me too and one day I will return. For now though, we continued on to the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal towards Turnhout, tonight’s destination. Our mooring, on a long finger right next to a restaurant on the town quay, was ideal. Especially as I was allowed out for dinner with them. I was nearly sent home though after I barked at a coot which was nesting right next to our table. It had 3 tiny little babies and I wasn’t allowed to frighten them. I believe coot’s can be quite aggressive, so I suspect I would come off worse in any battle. I quietened down anyway and left them alone… just in case.

Turnhout has a worldwide reputation for printing playing cards and graphic art. So of course they had to visit the National Museum van de Speelkaart (playing card museum for those of you not fluent in my language). Fortunately, Mags didn’t want to go, so we stayed on board enjoying the sunshine.

This region is also the centre of brick making, so unusually, most houses both old and new, are made of bricks. This includes the lovely, peaceful and enormous Beginhof, or Beguinage, which is a World Heritage site. They have visited many of these places over the years and whilst all are calm and quiet, this has to be one of the largest. A beginhof was basically a collection of houses, usually built round a church, where single, religious women could live without taking religious vows. They are commonly found in the Netherlands and the Flanders region of Belgium and most are World Heritage sites.

Turnhout to Antwerp – 3rd & 4th September 2021

Then to the city. Two nights here to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant second city of Belgium from the comfort and convenience of Willemdok. As with anywhere else in Belgium, I am a first timer, whilst they have all been before, in 2016. The good news is that last time they did much sightseeing, so this time we could just enjoy the city. I did enjoy my walks around Willemdok, especially in the early morning, but I’m not keen on cities and this was a bit too busy and noisy for me. I was very happy to be left on board when they headed back into town for dinner, as by that time I’d really had enough of crowds.

Antwerp to Sint Amands – 5th September 2021

The intention was to leave with the tide at 12.45 and keep going until we reached Ghent. No one thought to mention that it was a Sunday and the locks shut at 6pm! As we were never going to make the lock by 6, even with a rising tide, a new friend from Willemdok suggested stopping at Sint Amands. Thank you, new friend, as Sint Amands was just perfect and made up for the very stressful journey to get there. Sunday, sunshine and river means speed boats, jet skis and misery…. For me anyway. My heart was pounding most of the way there and I couldn’t wait to get off the boat. But what we found made it worth the torment. A slipway next to the restaurant was perfect and I even had a doggie friend to swim for balls with. Well, I swam for balls but he swam for what looked like a wooden weight. Not something I would like to get hit with!

Our mooring was on a big steel pontoon on the side of the river. The Zeeschelde is tidal and as we arrived on a still rising tide we weren’t at all sure what depth we might have left at 00.30, low tide. There was great debate about whether to moor on the inside or outside of the pontoon, but the continual rocking from the speed boats made it a no brainer for me. The ferryman said we’d be OK if we were in the middle/back of the pontoon and the sign on the pontoon said we should be on the inside… so fingers crossed and all was OK. It was eerie though, as the mud river bed almost reached the boat!

Sint Amands to Ghent – 6th September 2021

Early start this morning so we could be on our way before the tide dropped too much. It was still pretty low though which had the advantage of limiting the number of commercial barges on the river and made it a lovely smooth journey for me. After yesterday, that was such a relief.

We arrived at the Leie havens on the outskirts of the city around lunchtime, although moving mooring after we had settled wasted a bit of time. There are 4 havens here and it’s very confusing which is which. We inadvertently rang the harbourmaster for a different haven and so moved to his area for the night. The mooring was fine but need to remember next time that the mooring on the left as you enter is the best (for me) as it is directly onto a cycle path.

In the afternoon Little Dick came down for a boat trip into town. Now my thoughts about Little Dick vary from day to day, but today, even with a very inelegant shove to get on board, I was more than happy to go along. It was quite a long meander into the centre but there was plenty to keep me occupied and with a strict speed limit, no fast boats around to upset me. Getting off in the town was a lot easier than getting on, which I was grateful for as we had quite an audience. Can you imaging how embarrassing it would have been to have been manhandled off the boat with all those people watching?

We meandered around the beautiful centre of Ghent, showing Mags and me the sights before a lovely cold drink and a slow put-put back to Annapanna. Then Alison and I went for a walk and found a lovely big lake behind the cycle path. There is a path all the way round it and we could see a beach in the distance. As there was lots of water sports I am sure there is also a sign saying dogs aren’t allowed to swim…. but this time I wasn’t able to find out.

Ghent to Bruges – 7th September 2021

Yet another favourite, yet another first for me and Mags. Two beautiful cities so close to each other. An easy 4 hours sailing along the Gent-Oostende kanaal brought us to yacht haven Coupure and Bruges. The old centre of Bruges is almost an island, surrounded by waterways and footpaths. Coupure is on the south eastern end of this island, so right in the middle of things. A perfect mooring in more than one way. The weather is still very hot and I needed to swim but didn’t hold out much hope as getting in and out of canals is not easy. But I was wrong. The very dog friendly harbour master and his wife told us exactly where to go and soon I was happily chasing balls into the water underneath the footbridge.

Mags is leaving us on Friday and in this new covid world that means an another antigen test. So off Mags and Alison went to book an appointment at a pharmacy. That done, we met them in town for wander around this beautiful city. It wasn’t too crowded as tourists are still limited, so I was quite happy.

I was left on board in the evening whilst they went back into town for dinner. It doesn’t happen too often these days so I can cope and anyway I was fairly exhausted after all the swimming.

Bruges to Nieuwpoort – 8th September 2021

We were going to stay in Bruges for 2 nights but a re-calculation of the time it would take to reach Veurne meant a change of plan. We didn’t have to leave early though, which was just as well as Mags had to have her test. Mags and Alison set off by bike straight after breakfast leaving Brian and I lazing on board. After heading into the city for the test and a recovery coffee they then cycled around the ring of the ”island”. It’s about 10K and Mags can now say she’s done it! I was not invited to go with them!

Then we set off for Nieuwpoort and this is somewhere I have been before. Last time we arrived by car to meet the little Linnsen flotilla arriving from England as part of The Trip in 2019. All I remember is chasing round trying to find a Frituur to buy food for the hungry sailors coming in later that evening. They were very late as that was the fateful day Annapanna’s engine broke down in the middle of the English Channel!

This time we stayed on the inland side of the town so I didn’t really recognise anything. The haven we stayed in is run by the same people who run the one we are heading to in Veurne and we got a nice spot right outside the restaurant. There was even a slipway for swimming, so I was very happy.

Nieuwpoort to Veurne – 9th September 2021

And so to Veurne and the whole point of this trip. We are here for a Dutch Barge Association (DBA) rally. Now I know we aren’t a dutch barge and I think they do, but somehow we are at the rally and are moored up next to another boat that definitely isn’t a dutch barge either, so we aren’t alone. They have been members of the DBA for a number of years and their website is brilliant for up to date mooring and waterway information, so this is a nice way of meeting all those people that contribute to making our boating life that little bit easier.

The rally doesn’t officially start until tomorrow but everyone seems to be here already. It’s very colourful in the haven as most boats are dressed overall. This means they have flags flying along the boat and as we didn’t want miss out, but weren’t at all prepared, we managed to borrow some spare from our neighbour.

We are here a day early as tomorrow Mags is leaving us. I’ll miss her and I can guarantee my breakfast will not ready for me when I return from my morning walk from now on!

Veurne – 10th – 13th September 2021

We took Mags to her train at 12 noon and then spent the next few hours cleaning Annapanna. There were a lot of my dog hairs around so I suppose it needed doing – but it is so boring for me. By 3.30 it was all done and we set off for the drinks reception at the tourist office. I was invited as they thought it was outside, but actually it was upstairs in the beautiful old building. I don’t think dogs are normally allowed, but they didn’t have a lot of choice but to make an exception when 3 of us turned up! We were all very well behaved though.

Firstly, I have to take back my comment about my breakfast not being ready, as this morning there it was on the return from my walk. Then we were up and off for a guided tour round the town. Not really my thing you would think, but I didn’t get bored and I behaved immaculately, as did my new friend Tilly, who also happens to be my neightbour. I wasn’t invited to the lunch though, something to do with too much drooling, but as it was chucking it down when they set off I wasn’t really bothered.

In the evening I was left home alone as they went out to dinner. I was a little peeved as Tilly went and I believe George the Staffy was there too, but I suppose I’ll get over it. Much worse, was after they got back the telly went on so they could watch a tennis match. I hate it when they watch tennis matches, all that shouting and groaning and on the boat I don’t have anywhere to hide. I kept trying, realising there was nowhere to go, so going back to bed. Fortunately I can bury my head against the side of my bed, which does at least muffle some sound. I believe the right person won and new star is born, so at least they went to bed happy!

The next day Alison and I went into town whilst Brian attended the boat forum. I did manage a good ball play this morning – even though a Boston Terrier from another boat kept pinching my ball. I wasn’t allowed out for lunch again but I did at least get another walk in the afternoon. I’d have rather gone cycling with Alison but I can’t as doggy ride is still in the UK. Next year…..

Then I did get invited out – for drinks on Tilly’s boat. I like Tilly’s boat. She has a big bed at the back and some toys lying around. We played for a while with her kong but then she was happy to leave me to chew it. Problem is, it was a small dog kong and quite easy for my ultra strong teeth to destroy. Sorry Tilly!

Veurne to Diksmuide – 13th September 2021

Today is Tilly’s first birthday, so before I say anything else I want to wish her a happy birthday. Enjoy being spoilt and hope you get a toy or two to replace the one I spoilt!

The rally has come to an end so we are back on the move. We are taking a roundabout route to get back to Nieuwpoort, so set off on the Lokanaal down to Fintele before heading north on the Ijzer to Diksmuide, another favourite place. They were here for a few days in 2016 so fortunately for me this is not a sightseeing/museum stop!

We moored on a long pontoon just south of the city centre next to Joie de Vivre, one of the barges from the rally. The owners are Australian and had even more problem getting out here than we did. Who knows if they will be able to get back!

On first glance the pontoon looked fine but then we noticed the nasty metal steps… I’m actually quite good at negotiating this very dog unfriendly surface, but this time a nail got caught in one of the holes. Luckily I was only moving slowly (amazingly for me) so it didn’t rip my nail off, but it hurt and I so wasn’t too keen to use the steps again. As a reminder for next time, there is plenty of mooring further north on a pontoon where access is via a ramp. All dogs that can’t be carried should insist on mooring there.

Diksmuide has some really good museums and a beautiful town square. The town was completely destroyed in the first world war but rebuilt to the same plan in the 1920’s. The town hall was built in 2 years, which is pretty impressive when you see how elaborate it is. As I said earlier they spent a few days here in 2016 so we didn’t have to ”do” the museums, although one is a perfect reconstruction of the trenches, which I quite liked the idea of running around in!

Diksmuide to Bruges – 14th September 2021

So back to Bruges and my favourite harbour. We arrived in a rainstorm though so there was no chance of a swim. I did get a lot of attention though from a couple from another barge at the rally, so that sort of made up for it.

Bruges to Ghent – 15th September 2021

Alison has decided that it’s just about time she started running again after her bout of what was probably shingles. As a gentle introduction she planned to visit the contemporary artwork across the city which is part of the Triennial Bruges 2021, running from site to site. It is called TraumA and is supposed to delve beneath the surface of the city – under the picture perfect exterior. I will say no more about it and I didn’t go on the early morning trip, but the pictures below give you a taste of the variety on offer. The carousel is a bit spooky for me.

We arrived at Portus Ganda in central Ghent quite late and there was no harbour master on site. As the pontoons were locked and there was no one to give us a key, we had to moor on the quay instead. In summer this is probably fine as there would plenty of boats around, but in September there was only us. With no security and some dubious activity they decided it was better to eat on board rather than head into town as planned. I was very glad, as I really didn’t want to be left home alone. Personally, I much prefer the harbours outside the city as there are cycle paths and green spaces to play, but I suppose it was along trek in on Little Dick.

Ghent – 16th September 2021

What a difference the sun makes! The next morning after various conversations with the harbour master, we moved onto the pontoon near the harbour master’s office. With security, some friendly boaters and a nice spot near a bit of green, Portus Ganda suddenly seemed a much better proposition. The lesson here is ring well ahead and book a place. A swiss couple did this and had a mooring and a security key ready for them. Just as well, as Mrs Swiss said she would not have moored on the quay!

So settled and happy we walked into town for a wander, lunch and of course a spot of shopping. I was left on board in the evening, but in our new mooring I was perfectly happy.

Ghent to Middleburg – 17th September 2021

That was our last night in Belgium as today we headed up the Ghent-Ternhuzen canal to Ternhuzen in the Netherlands and the sea! My favourite….. For some reason I got quite excited when my life jacket came out. I do like wearing it, I just don’t like what it means!

It wasn’t too bad as the Westerschelde was millpond calm. Or at least it was until we got rocked by the wake of passing ships. I adopted my usual pose of hiding my head in the cushions and Alison stayed with me, so I wasn’t really to traumatised.

Eventually we arrived in Middelburg. It was too late to go through the bridge onto the main pontoon so we moored up right outside the harbourmaster’s office, as suggested when we rang them. Perfect spot, perfect place. We all love Middelburg as it has everything we need; picture pretty, good shops and a parkland path most of the way round the town where, brilliantly, dogs can be off leads!

Middelburg to Veere – 18th September 2021

Alison has started running again so this morning she went off to run round the town through my park. I didn’t miss out though as after breakfast off we went again and this time I was allowed off lead. Or I was until I refused to get out of the water next to the path. I know I should learn, but I don’t, so sadly it was back on the lead for me! We returned back to the boat via the Markt, or main square, which was buzzing with a Saturday market. Just as well we didn’t have Jas and Jo with us as it was a bit like a car boot sale. Lots of interesting stuff and just up their street!

For most of the rest of this trip we will continue to visit old favourites and today we moved 7K and 1 lock to Veere, another beautiful town in Zeeland. Yet again we have an ideal mooring space here – although they’re all pretty perfect anyway. We are just outside the harbourmaster’s office, so there is plenty to see…. and bark at!

Everything is so perfect here for me, there are walks and areas I can chase my ball and a lovely beach where,unusually, dogs are allowed. Officially on the lead until the end of September, but as long as we go early or late in the day and stay outside the swimming area, no one is bothered.

Veere – 19th September 2021

As it’s so perfect here we’ve decided to stay another day. I was one happy dog! We set off in the morning for a walk – one of the ones Alison and I had spied on our early morning constitution. I knew it was going to take us back via the beach so I quite happily trotted along with them along paths and through fields, knowing that at the end heaven waited!

Veere to Zierikzee – 20th September 2021

Well all good things come to an end and mine did this morning as we headed out of Veere without even a last minute trip to the beach. I love the towns and villages of Zeeland, but I don’t like all the open water we have to cross to get from A to B. I know it’s not sea (although the water is still salty at this stage) but it feels like sea. It wasn’t even rough, even though it’s a windy day, so I hid my head as usual and snuggled up on the cushions.

We arrrived in Zierikzee to an almost deserted harbour. This is virtually unheard of at this very popular town, so yet again we had the pick of the moorings. It soon filled up though and by evening we had a boat rafted off us and all spaces had filled up.

We wandered into town via the Toren looking for mussels. This is mussel town, but as its a Monday all the fish shops were closed, so we had to rely on good old Albert Hein instead! At least they sold local mussels. On the way back we came across the doggy bar we found last time we were here. There was a whole bowl full of biscuits and chews but I was just too slow to realise and so was held back before I managed to scoff the lot! My sense of smell really let me down this time.

After we got back Alison went off on a bike ride leaving Brian and me on board. Oh for Doggyride, as I believe there were places I could have swum and chased around.

Zierikzee to Steenbergen – 21st September 2021

After my constitutional walk and breakfast, Alison went off for a run, so I thought that was that… but then she came back and off we both went for another lap of the town! It’s not quite a first, as she did take me with her – before breakfast – sometime last year, but this time, well fed and watered, I was much keener to join her. I had to concentrate, no stopping to mingle with the locals, as it was essential I stayed ahead. Of course I could have done it in half the time, but I’m held back at Alison speed, which is not very fast.

Then we were off. Somewhere new tonight. We turned right (or starboard in boat speak) out of the Volkerak and headed down the the beautiful Steenbergsche to Steenbergen. Recommended by our Belgium friends, Chris and Mirke, for the journey as much as the destination, it also has a recommended restaurant and they, not we, are booked in tonight.

The journey there was lovely and we even stopped off at a mooring in the middle of the river for lunch. There are several of these places along the way and if you didn’t need to get land (as I do) you could overnight on them. We carried on into the town though and grabbed a lovely spot in the quiet habour which was right next to Brian’s favourite shop (AH). If he was scoring harbours for their proximity to AH this would score 5/5!

Apart from the pooter down the Steenbergsche the journey here was NOT calm, at least not for me anyway. There wasn’t any wind, but the wash from all those big barges made me one unhappy dog. I needed a treat to make up for it. So out came the ball and off we went in search of the city park. What we found was quite small, but big enough for me to chase my ball until I tired myself out and banished the memories of the journey there.

In the park was a statue and on the top was a propeller. It turned out that Steenbergen was the town where Guy Gibson, of Dam Buster fame, crashed, died and is still buried, so the statue is a memorial to him and all the RAF crew who died in the raids.

They went out for dinner, left me on board and had a very good meal. The restaurant was called Brasserie Puur and is the more casual dining option of In de oude Stempel, which is next door (but only open Thur – Sat).

Steenbergen to Heusden – 22nd September 2021

Long trip today and another unhappy one. Of course I knew we had to go back into the Volkerak and then the Hollandsdiep, so I was prepared, but it still doesn’t make it any easier! I thought we had finished for the day when we moored up at the Biesbosch marina, Drimmelen, but sadly it was only a quick wee and lunch stop. We did manage to check out the massive marina though and were very impressed. The visitor mooring is all alongside in marina 2 and there is tons of it. It’s probably packed in summer, but out of season there were only a couple of boats moored up.

We then arrived in Heusden to find a new ”Steiger” right in front of the old harbour. There has always been mooring there but with quite old, short fingers. Now everything is brand new and the long fingers are perfect for bigger boats. It’s called Steiger 8 and we recommend it as long as you are ok climbing the steps up to the town.

Of course the steps aren’t a problem for someone young and agile like me, so off we went, up the steps onto the ramparts and round the town. With big grassy play areas at every point of the hexagonal rampart, I was suddenly a very happy dog….

Heusden to Massbrommel – 23rd September 2021

A beautiful morning and another play on the ramparts. This time I met two friends to play with even though one of them kept pinching my ball. I was set the task of finding their lost one, but even my super sense of smell and sight didn’t find it. On the battlements are canons, old ones of course, but I wondered just how far my ball would go if I could fire it from one of them!

Then we were off again, this time to Maasbrommel and Yachthaven Hazelland, where we were meeting up with Shirley and Jimmy Faure. Last time we were here we were was in 2019 with Mags and Sheila and we had cocktails in the sunshine on the picnic tables. I also remember the algae, so no swimming, and an unfriendly Alsatian, so no off lead by the boat. This time there was no algae, so off we went for a swim. There was no sign of the Alsatian either, although I was suspicious as their tent was still there! it turned out I was right to be suspicious, as later on along came the harbourmaster…… with his dog…. the Alsation! We never saw him again even though he does live on a boat in the habour – and it is his tent!

A little later Shirley and Jimmy arrived. They are good friends with my favourite people, Sheila and Edward, so they had known my old friend Teddy throughout his life. I will always remember Teddy and how patient he was with me as a young puppy in 2018.

Shirley and Jimmy are nearly as old as Sheila (Mattie’s Sheila, not Teddy’s) and continue to travel the world, either on their boat Folio2 or on very select and educational cruises. They came round for dinner later and everyone had a jolly evening – although I didn’t get any scraps so got bored and retired to bed. We all hope we will be as fit and lively as they are when we get to their age!

Maasbrommel to T’Leuken – 24th September 2021

We said our goodbyes to Shirley and Jimmy this morning and headed off up the Maas to another favourite place, Leukermeer. We are staying for two nights so we can take Brian on the walk/run round the lake Alison and I did last year. I don’t think there will be any running this time, but that’s ok with me. I’m happy with anything that doesn’t entail being bumped around on the boat!

We moored up in our usual harbour at Leukermeer resort and then wandered round checking up on the new developments. We knew a lot of building was about to start when we were here last September, but now it has really moved forward. My play area around the lake is a building site and lots of new houses have already been built. They are even building a block of flats on the promontory by the inner beach and a very smart new bridge to get to it. No using the self pull ferry any more. Mags will be upset!

They went out for dinner to the restaurant overlooking the harbour, but I don’t think they were impressed. The consensus is that although it is still a beautiful place, it is all getting too big, so next time we might try going back to the original one across the water.

T’Leuken – 25th September 2021

As planned we set off on our walk around Leukermeer to the National Park De Maasduinen at its far end. This time the restaurant at the lock was open so we stopped for lunch before continuing our trip. All the COVID rules in the Netherlands have changed today, so no more 1.5m rule. The downside is that they have introduced a mandatory vaccine check at all restaurants and of course they can’t scan the NHS app. Fortunately, the very nice, friendly and sensible waiter said all he wanted was to check we (they obviously) were vaccinated and as he could see that on the NHS app we were allowed in. The restaurant has a large terrace overlooking Reindersmeer and I believe the food was very good. There are even places to moor nearby if you wanted to give it a try but didn’t fancy the walk.

After lunch we carried on with our walk, deciding to take the ferry over the central part of Reindersmeer then walk anticlockwise back to the lock. As promised the national park had woods, drifting sands and varied vegetation. There was a lot of sand and at times it was quite hard to walk on (for them, not me of course). I did manage to get into the lake a couple of times but swimming for everyone, human and dogs, isn’t really allowed as, yet again, these quarry pit type manmade lakes are very deep and very cold.

We then continued on around Leukermeer and back to the harbour. All this without so much as a sniff at a ball. But then we carried on towards the bridge, down the little track into the water that wasn’t called Leukermeer and out came the ball! If you read my blog last year you will know that dogs are not allowed in Leukermeer for some strange reason, but just through the bridge it appears to be ok. Same water, different name. Strange rules these humans have at times!

This weekend is the last weekend of September, so the end of the season. There is a tradition in Leukermeer that on the last Saturday a flotilla of boats leave the lake before dark and then return to great fanfare once it gets dark, all lit up like Christmas Trees. We watched it all from our prime position on deck. Very nice if you like that sort of thing.

T’Leuken to Neer – 26th September 2021

On the move again and this time to one of my favourite places, Neer. When we were here last year there was a lot of building work going on reinforcing the flood defences to the town. I’ll bet the town are glad they got it done before the floods in July! The work is finished now and it all looks very smart. There is a new walk along the Maas and some very smart steps going up to the clubhouse. Thankfully, the reason this is one of my favourite places is unchanged. I can still jump off the boat, cross the grass and run straight into the Maas. Perfect!

Neer to Maasbracht – 27th September 2021

So back to van der Laan and the end of our sailing for another year. Not before another play with my ball and a good swim though, which is just as well as I know from experience that the last couple of days is job time and my needs hardly get a look in.

I did get a trip out later in the afternoon to visit the vets and get my multi passports stamped. Even though I’m now Dutch I still have to go through the worming procedure but surprised everyone by spitting out the tablets. Ha ha, do they think I’m stupid? I knew they would then have to give them hidden in food….

They left me on board at night whilst they went to their favourite restaurant at Roosterhoeve. It’s all change there apparently as they are having a major refurb of the dining room and kitchen. I believe Marcel showed them round, but as the hotel now has a no dog policy I can’t say I was particularly interested!

Maasbracht – 28th & 29th September 2021 – Europoort

I did manage a good walk on Tuesday so I have to take back my comments from yesterday. There were still plenty of jobs going on though, but I’m happy that I wasn’t completely forgotten. I can’t say the same for the next day, but as it was raining and at one point even thundering, I wasn’t too unhappy.

Then it was off to the ferry and my new doggy cabin, but not before a bit of a problem at check in. It was just as well we had both passports stamped AND the animal health form filled in, as it turned out that one of the dates our friendly neighbourhood vet entered on my new passport just wouldn’t do. So we have to go back to the vets again and get a new Dutch passport! It’s all to do with when my microchip was scanned and it doesn’t make sense…. but that’s what the UK want, so that’s what we have to do!

Hull to Whalley – 30th September 2021

Three of in the small dog friendly cabin was probably too much for them, but I slept like a log even though it was actually quite a rough crossing. My bed was between the two bunks, but there was barely room to swing a cat so I found Alison’s bed much more comfortable – not sure she would agree with me.

Back at home now for another winter. Who knows what COVID will throw at us, but all being well we will be back next May…… until then, tot ziens, au revoir, goodbye…..