Cruising with the Carters: Nieuwpoort to Diksmuide

Sunday, 4 June 2017

Nieuwpoort to Diksmuide

The final leg of our cruise – and my last post.

16 kms,1 lift bridge

This morning we bought fuel and changed the empty gas bottle for a full one, then we set off for Diksmuide at 9.45. It was a lot cooler after some rain during the night and still pretty much overcast. We were enjoying the old familiar scenery when we heard a crunching sound as we went under a bridge – we had forgotten about the iBoost antenna on the extended pole! The pole (our 140 Euro Robship mooring pole) was bent in half and we were convinced that the iBoost must be toast – but in fact it was just fine. Still Ian was really unhappy about the pole.

Maybe half an hour later I spotted a fender floating in the reeds alongside the canal so moved in to take a closer look and Ian manoeuvred the boat so I could hook it with the boat hook and heave it on board. It was pretty mucky, obviously been floating around for some time, but in excellent condition, and it is huge: 90cm long with 35cm diameter. We have been in need of a really big fender a good few times so we were delighted with our find.

Meanwhile 2 hire boats had come up behind us, going much faster than us as usual, so Ian pulled over to let them pass. Then they slowed right down in front of us and pulled alongside each other so they could have a conversation! Punters!