Wacky Races

Nieuwpoort to Oudenburg

• 20.9km
• 1 lock
• 6 lift bridges
• 6 hours

Our journey from Nieuwpoort to Oudenburg

Good morning world. Yesterday started well, we were a bit nervous about leaving the safety net of Nieuwpoort’s harbour, but once above the first lock, we began to relax.

Leaving the lock at Nieuwpoort

The first leg of this mammoth journey would take us to Oudenburg through six manned lift bridges in convoy with several other larger and much faster boats. All started well as we set off toward our first bridge. We were ambling along nicely, last in line and happy to be so, until the first lift bridge was in site. Whoah, it was every man, dog and yogurt carton (plastic boat) for themselves. Needless to say, we could not keep up even with our 36 horses and as we approached the bridge we got a telling off from the bridge keeper for not staying with the convoy.

As all the boats slowed back down, we were soon back in line. The boat in front of us began to go so slowly we could barely see the first boat. I made the decision to overtake and cruised under the next bridge keeping myself tight up against the rest of the convoy.

Then, with the third bridge in site, the flag was down and engines began to roar. I had to give it all I had to keep up and this went on until the final two bridges. The temp gauge rose dramatically reaching 98^o at one point.

The boat we had overtaken previously had now taken back its position and sped off with the rest of the convoy far in to the distance. We needed to stop and this decision was made for us as the penultimate bridge began to close on our trundled approach.

We tied up and turned off the engine, opening the floor for more cool air to circulate. At this point, I decided to try and explain to the bridge keeper via the ship to shore radio what was going on. There was no reply. Maybe its not working I thought after two fumbled attempts and so decided to walk over and talk to the chap in person. There was a large window open on the second and top floor. “Hello” I shouted  “Mr bridge keeper, Mr bridge keeper” there was no reply, walking around the building I noticed a large doorbell, the type you press and think to yourself did that work? After trying once more with my ear to the door I gave up and thought to myself “it’s Sunday, that’s it kid they’ve left for the hills”.

Stranded in what seemed the middle of nowhere I tried the handheld ship’s radio one last time. “Genie’s Wish, Genie’s Wish to Gistelbrug Bridge are you there?” I could hear the sound of my own voice coming from the open window followed by a faint disgruntled voice that said “We’ve not forgotten you, ten minutes bridge open”

Once the bridge opened we relaxed into our familiar snail’s pace and had the time to absorb the scenery and get our stress levels back down before mooring up at Oudenburg for the evening. 

At Oudenburg we were greeted with free electricity, water on tap and a comfortable floating jetty. Marcelo, a kindly old gentleman knocked on the boat and sold us fresh veggies and eggs from his daughter’s allotment and later in the evening, insisted on walking us to the best pub in the town (The Louise Clesse) and the day ended on a high note with Leffe Blond beers all round.

Our mooring at Oudenburg

It's free, all free!!

Moorings in Oudenburg

Cost: Free

Facilities: Electricity and water – free

Location: 10 minute walk into Oudenburg where there is a supermarket, various shops and bars

Away we go

Well what a mad do that was. Tracy got here by trains, ferry (mini-cruise including show and an all you can eat buffet) and coastal tram. Where as I was travelling with the truck carrying the boat and was stuck in a cab with a chain smoking Elmer Fudd. Not sure if he ran out of matches as he always had one lit. By the time we got to Belgium I had a twenty a day habit.

And special thanks to our special friend Gennie for this fantastic video of us cruising down Hilperton's driveway.

But all said and done, we made it to Nieuwpoort on Friday, 26 July and judging by the size of their ships, we’re not in Kansas any more (see video taken from our side hatch). I’ve heard a rumor that if you get too close they suck you up in the current sticking you to their side and can drag you for quite a way or at least until they notice you are attached. Oh my.

Nieuwpoort marina is huge (one thousand yachts and one narrowboat) and the town seems like a very nice middle class suburb (of where I am not too sure).  

We ventured out on our first evening and there was a choice of lots of very nice restaurants, as usual we couldn’t decide and kept walking and walking until Tracy plonked herself down at one and refused to go a step further on her blistered feet.  As we were both tired, hungry and a little bit grumpy we both went for the spag bol as the only option we could decipher on the menu. After the meal and a Leffe Blond beer, spirits were lifted somewhat and we headed back.

When we got back to the boat someone had thought it was a good idea to pump their toilet into the marina, not only was it pungent, but it triggered a reaction with the algae creating a bubble fest that collected under the boat only to be released in big burpy belches.

On Saturday I went to buy a two week license, to take us across to France, but the computer said “non”. I had to buy a three month license as a minimum, although it only cost us 80 euros!

Next stop Ostend.

Moorings in Nieuwpoort

Cost: 40 euros per night

Facilities: Electricity and water – free

Location: 5 minute walk into Nieuwpoort, coastal tram stop and also lots of restaurants and bars

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Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Memories oh the memories...

Looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it tonight at the Lock Inn from 7pm.

Things we are going to miss about the K&A Canal (apologies if we have missed anything off):

• All the really colourful characters this part of the world has to offer.
• Chatting to the Posties when picking the mail up.
• The check out team at Sainsburys.
• Jackie’s bacon butties at Bradford Bread Shop that come with a whacking big smile and a good sense of humour.
• The dog walkers with all the time in the world to talk, but know when to move on before my head explodes.
• Receiving the food parcel at Christmas from the local church in Bath (came with a note ‘helping the needy’!).
• Limpey Stoke Hotel’s superb afternoon lunches served with a wonderful view from their back terrace and the lovely team from Lithuania.
• The bench under the shady tree at Easter Spot which is dedicated to the memory of Joseph Rigby.
• All the folk at The Somerset Arms that treated us like locals when we spent Halloween there.
• Cycling along the towpath to catch the train early in the morning.
• Being guilt-tripped into giving the last piece of bread by the ducks at Sally Boats.
• Watching the free fireworks display courtesy of the Beehive.
• Sitting on top of the hill at Bath on New Years Eve and watching all the Chinese lanterns like slow moving comets in the night sky.
• Skinny-dipping in the river hoping nobody will catch us.
• Putting your hand out to flag the train at Avoncliff and reminiscing about the Railway Children (where it was filmed).
• The theatre boat and their dramatic, surreal productions especially when joggers are insisting on jogging through the fight scenes dodging the muskets and smoke.
• Wild deer, badgers, foxes and countless other wildlife.
• The homemade soup at Southwick Country Park.
• Stepping into Grace Brother’s department store at HJ Knees in Trowbridge, the haberdashers still where tape measures around their neck and their glasses on gold chains and all the staff provide old school service.
• All the inspirational poets, artists and musicians, especially our fellow-boaters Calico Jack (a must see).

Things we won’t miss:

• Hire boats driven in anything but a straight line.
• Waking up on a angle (CRT sort out that sill).
• Walking miles to where the van is parked only to realise you have forgotten something.
• Crap beer (you know who).
• Crap food (same place).
• Tourists asking ‘is it cold in winter” (the answer is yes, put a coat on)
• Cycling along the towpath from the train station on dark winter nights.
• Inquisitive crowds that gather whilst pumping the toilet out, a shit job made shitter.
• Being looked at blankly when asking for a steak and kidney pudding.
• Horror at being served peas in me curry at the local chippy.
• Drinking tea with crispy bits in it (limescale).

Some pictures from the beautiful K&A and a short clip from Bradford to Avoncliff.