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Wednesday, 25th September 2019
Weather forecast is not good. Cloudy with brief spells of sunshine this morning, 13C. More rain in late afternoon.
Hardly moved today, Kathleen reading, me, playing on internet.
A day of rain, with occasional dry spells, when it was windy!
Thursday, 26th September 2019
Raining again! It does eventually stop, when we reach Roermond, but, I am jumping ahead.
I choose three potential Stellplatz (or, what ever thy are called in Netherlands), from the SearchForSites website, the reason for choosing three is our experience of the Maastricht Marina being full.
All three Stellplatz are around the town of Roermond, on the rivers Muese and Roer, approximately 30 miles North East of Maastrict.
An easy drive along, mostly, excellent, but busy Motorway.
First choice is Roermond Marina (N51.183439, E5.964565). This a very smart Marina development just outside of Roermond. Barriered entrance, with intercom to gain admittance.
Motorhome bays are clearly marked on a large block paved area. Each bay has EHU point. Facilities are in an adjacent building, and, are of an excellent standard.
Now the bad news, it is 30Euro per night!
There are no other Motorhomes here, I wonder why?
Second choice is Resort Marina Oolderhuuske (N51.192169, 5.94933). This is another very smart Marina development (does everyone in Netherlands have a boat?), with barrier controlled entrance. We do not even get as far as checking the price, it is pouring with rain, and the Marina is a fairly long bicycle ride from any "civilisation", probably a beautiful and very suitable place, in summer weather, but, not practical, given the weather forecast for the next few days.
We are left with our third choice Helenawerf (N51.19377, 5.979741). I am beginning to think I am going to have to drive on to Utrect!
First impressions are not good, access is poorly signed, and, we have to drive through a rather untidy boat yard to gain entry.
Given that it is a very drab day, with rain falling heavily now, we both think the photographs on the website flatter the place. However, at 11:30 on a wet Thursday in late September, the place is half full, we reason that perhaps, people know something we don't?
We decide to book in, for one night, rather than drive on in the rain.
Accordingly, we find the Harbour Masters Office/Shop, and book in.
Things begin to brighten up. The Receptionist speaks excellent English, is very helpful and very efficient. It is 15.25Euro/night, including EHU and Taxes. We also get (good) Wifi, free. We are give a city map.
After lunch, the rain stops, we venture into town., which is only a pleasant five minute walk away.
The sun comes out.
There are dozens of places to eat and drink.
There are at least two churches (with Mass at 18:30 Saturday or 11:00) Sunday, for Kathleen.
There are streets and streets of Shops, and, a Designer Outlet Centre with 200 shops in it, for Kathleen.
This being Netherlands, there are Cycle routes everywhere.
OK, so, it is not perfect, too many shops, (for me), but, we decide we can spend a few days here.
A brief wander around the shops.
A stop for coffee and cake, then, we return to Harbour Master's Office and book in for a further three nights, so, we leave here Monday, morning (30th September).
Friday, 27th September 2019
Torrential overnight rain, but, sunny with a bit of cloud, and 20C.
The plan today, among other things, is to visit the Designer Outlet Centre today, can't wait.
After a lengthy walk in the morning, we head for the Designer Outlet Centre in the afternoon. It is only a short walk from the Stellplatz, and, it is HUGE! There are Designer Brands there I have never even heard of.
The good news is, Kathleen is tired out after about an hour!, so, we retire to a pavement bar in the market square to drink beer and watch the world go by.
Sunday, 22nd September 2019
13C when we wake up. 25C by lunch time, but, rain, indeed, thunder forecast for this evening.
It being Sunday, Kathleen is away to church, an hour without supervision for me.
It is still cool and dull, when Kathleen returns from Church, but, undeterred we set off in the direction of Piesport, another dedicated traffic free cycle route.
The more observant among you may notice, newly purchased back pack is not in evidence, so, when there is something to be carried, ie cycling jacket because it is too hot, then, it will be me carrying it!
We cycle on to just beyond Wintrich then, turn back and begin looking for a suitable lunch venue.
At Piesport, we find Weingut Lehnet-Viet, a beautiful spot.
The waitress is very helpful, translating the menu for use, and, even suggesting a German White Wine, which turned out to be very drinkable!, much to my surprise.
Listen to me, wine expert! the truth is, I will drink almost anything, in terms of wine!
Monday, 23rd September 2019
The forecast for last night was spot on, it started raining at 21:00, and continued until 12:00 this morning. There was thunder, but, clearly a long way off, since all we could hear was a distant rumble. So, damp, cloudy, but mild (19C) this morning.
A few chores (rubbish bin emptying etc) and book reading morning for me, and hair washing for Kathleen, she is away to commandeer the shower block as I type.
Although the weather has been a bit damp today, we have noticed even more people arriving, including new German neighbours, who are parked on a bit of spare gravel area, not an actual pitch. The reason become clear, read on.
This evening, as I was packing the bicycles etc ready to be away, tomorrow, the lady of our new German neighbours came and asked, are we leaving tomorrow?, can she have our pitch?, and, can she leave her bicycle trailer to "reserve" it for her?.
She explains that in a few days time, or perhaps tomorrow for all I know, there is a Fete or Festival of some kind starting in the village, and, many people will be coming.
All of this is told to me in German, of which I know the words for "beer", "Wine", "one", "two", "large", :small", and, "vegetables", not particularly helpful in this particular "conversation"!
It is amazing how a woman can get her point across, when she wants something!
Tuesday, 24th September 2019
Thick fog when we wake up, but a mild 13C. As we move on to Maastrict, things do not improve, steady rain by 18:00.
I have Maastrict (of treaty fame), in the Sat-Nav, as a destination for today, not sure if that is where we will actually end up, but, it is in the right general direction, and, you cannot set a route, without having a destination!
It turns our I got the conversation in German slightly wrong yesterday, it is not our German neighbour who wants our pitch, but, her friend, so they can be next to each other. So, they are ready and waiting to move, just as soon as we drive off our pitch, to the Motorhome Service point.
Our route takes us back up the winding road which depends into the Mosel valley, a bit scary in this dense fog.
Approximately 116 miles of mostly excellent quality roads, smooth and well surfaced.
Ashamed to admit this, but, I did not actually know which country Maastrict, is in, although, the spelling made me suspect it was Netherlands. Sure enough, it is Netherlands, so, we pass through three countries today, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands
Disappointment at our first choice, Maastrict Marina (N50.823977, E5.699564), it is full, although it does look very nice, and, is almost in the town.
The Sat-Nav malfunctions as we leave Maastrict Marina, it is not displaying the map, just issuing verbal instructions. This is not much good in Maastrict's complicated traffic system, with cyclist whizzing about, exercising their right of way. We have quite a tour of the central road system, before the sat-nav sorts itself out, and takes us to Camping Oriental, Berg en Terblijt (N50.86005, E5.77258), an ACSI site, a short distance outside Maastrict.
All seems well, we are allocated a good size pitch, facilities are close by, and, good quality. All we need now is for the weather to improve! The ACSI rate is 18Euro/night, but, there is a dreaded tourist tax, making it 23Euro/Night (two people).
It would appear we have chosen a Campsite which is at the top of the only hill in The Netherlands! Great when you are going somewhere, but, not so good when you are coming back.
