Ten days in England passed quickly with family visits, wedding and Norwich City victory and before we knew it we were back on the ferry to our temporary base in Nijkerk to complete our marathon cruise. The locals were beginning to think we had moved in, and apart from wondering how we got our car on the back of the boat, they also could not imagine a problem that had taken so long to fix. Rain delayed our departure for a further two days, which we used to complete our research in the Central Netherlands before setting off north-east along the Randmeren towards our final chapter provinces of Groningen, Drenthe & Friesland.

The Nijkerk lock-keeper was not happy about our extended free stay and did his best to hinder our departure, but we got round his 'no water because I eat lunch' rule by running his industrial size hose across the road. Filled up in no time we were soon on our way, but a wet and dull day meant we could do nothing but chug along.

As we had already visited the Randmeren ports we pushed on to the Ketelmeer at the northern end, where we turned east to cruise upstream up the Zwarte Water to Zwartsluis, and then via the Meppelerdiep to Meppel. We planned to make this our base for our Drenthe research, although as it proved convenient and economic we stayed there rather longer. The Passantenhaven in Meppel is well equipped with ample spaces for all sized boats, including some close to the centre of town and others in a quiet basin on the outskirts.

The highlight of the summer events programme in Meppel is Meppel Thursdays, every week in July and August having a different theme. Music, markets, entertainment and a tourist train are regular features and we were pleased to still be in town later in the week to sample some of the atmosphere.

Cruising Statistics

Distance (inland): 51 nm

Total to date: 887 nm

Avg Speed: 6.4 kn

Duration: 8:00 hrs

Diesel: 60ltrs

Mooring: €9/night

Electricity:
0,50/kWh (or two unmetered outlets close to lock)

Water:
€0,50/100l

Charts

ANWB Noord-Nederland (electronic folio)

Schipper Vaaratlas - Midden Nederland (Watersportverbond)

Locks

Arkersluis

Nijkerkersluis

Roggebotsluis

Bridges

5 opening

1 fixed (min 7.2m)