Dordrecht via Biesbosch
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The waterways were a bit busy on the way to the Biesbosch Nature Reserve (one of the largest national parks of the Netherlands and one of the last extensive areas of freshwater tidal wetlands in Northwestern Europe, the Biesbosch consists of a large network of rivers and smaller and larger creeks with islands) but we had no real problems.
Turning into the national park, not quite knowing what to expect, it did not look like there were that many mooring places although we did have a target location.
At times it got a bit shallow with just two feet clearance but all went well. We arrived at our anticipated mooring next to a small island which was just right for us, with just enough space on the landing for the dogs to wander around.
We have rough moored many times but this one feels different. Nobody can walk past, no bikes, no cars, no roads and no access to any services, just the occasional boat passing by. We are totally reliant on the resources we carry with us but we have everything we need, food, water, power, wifi, satellite etc. Just peace and quiet. Taking the time to sort out a few things i.e. get the bimini set up and wash down the boat. A bit chilly due to a fresh breeze but mostly sunny. Putting the bimini up was a bit of a challenge because we could not remember what went where, but the challenge was met and overcome although we were chilled to the bone by the end.
We stayed for four nights but mostly so that I could sit and watch the Grand Prix on the Sunday. After all, why not?
As we cruised up through the Biesbosch heading towards Dordrecht (an historic city in South Holland that was one of the six important trade cities of the County of Holland at the end of the Middle Ages), we had to wait for the lock for half an hour. Once through, we turned into what appeared to be the main waterway, only to discover we were in a ship yard! Bit embarrassing but a quick about turn and then on our way again. Not too much traffic until we had to turn up the Noord towards Dordrecht and then there was quite a lot of commercials but the waterway was so wide that it didn’t cause us any issues. All was quiet for a while until we came to the turning for the Oude Maas, and suddenly every large ship (including some three x 15m wide barges side by side, two deep (6 in total) of at least 110 m long each, moved by a pusher) was there turning this way and that. We carried on for a bit and then made a wide turn as the last commercial cut across.
Next challenge, to find the entrance to the marina. It seemed to be disguised by moored commercial vessels such that we overshot a bit, but we eventually made our turn. Bit of a cross wind which pushed us a bit too close to something resembling the front of an aircraft carrier moored on the corner. Contacted bridge control to get us into the marina and we had made it. We were directed to a bay to moor up – normally we just moor up to a quayside so this was a bit more of a challenge. With a cross wind still pushing us the wrong way, we were asked to reverse in, and although there was just enough room front and back to turn, all the time we were being pushed sideways. The new rear camera helped a lot but with other expensive boats in close proximity I was not happy. We did get in cleanly though without even kissing anything else. Nicki was chasing around checking clearance all the time but another recent addition in the form of some quality headsets meant that we could easily communicate with one another and knew exactly what was going on. So all secured, it was time to de-stress after which we went off to explore the town and replenish some supplies. Dordrecht turned out to be a lovely town and we agreed that it was a bit of a shame that we are only here for a couple of nights.
Some views in and around Dordrecht …
Good night’s sleep, punctuated by the sound of the church bell on the hour throughout the night, and a beautiful morning to start the next day. First thing, we headed off to pay our dues to the harbourmaster, and then took a walk to a local park for the dogs to have a run around, wandered round the town and, of course, stopped for the obligatory coffee and cake sitting in the sun outside of the shop, after which I returned to the boat and Nicki took off to explore churches and museums.
Whilst I sat quietly on the boat sorting out various bits and pieces, Nicki took off to explore the Grote Kerk, climbing the clock tower to take some lovely views of the town and marina – you can just make out Shensi if you look hard enough.
From there she continued to the Dordrecht National Museum and spent a few hours looking round all of the artwork dating from 18th to 20th century. After a brief rest, she located the Huis Van Gijn just yards from the boat – this is a house of a banker and collector, Simon van Gijn, who lived there from 1864 until his death in 1922. Van Gijn left his home to be converted into a museum, maintaining the interior in its original state so that it looks as though you are walking into someone’s lived-in home.
