Relaxing on board, and on shore

Lots of water

Even though it is nothing as compared to Eastern Germany, the south also has had a lot of rain, and the Rhine is higher by about 1 meter as compared to normal levels for this time of the year.

You can see by the flow around the markers that the current is significant.

Our SOG (speed over the ground) is sometime down to 3 kt (without a current we would do 7 kt at the same RPM.

We are told this will get worse as we get past Koblenz!!! We will have to wait and see!!!

Entering the Waal.

As soon as the Rhine flows across the border into Holland, it is called the Waal. Even though we experienced a strong current, we were surprised that it was not more than it was. This due to the fact that the river here is so much wider than the IJssel, and the pannard canal (the bodies of water we navigated before getting into the Rhine).

However we experienced much more traffic, and also the current increase was significant where the Rhine narrowed.

Visiters

Jerry is just finished paying the "bridge toll" the traditional way. (Wooden shoe and fishing poll)










Joanne is getting a lesson in "knitting"

The busy "Friesche meren" Northern Holland

On our way to the Rhine we passed through the"friesland lakes" and it is obvious that it is Holiday time in Holland!!

Leaving the low country

One last glance at a very familiar sight while traveling through "Friesland" Holland.
Looking at this picture makes me wonder how many times they have to fish a cow out of the water!!!

Arrived in Germany

To all our faithful followers, WE HAVE ARRIVED IN GERMANY!! Did not download any pictures yet, but hope to soon. The Rhine is flowing fast and furious!!! They have had a lot of rain in Germany, and the result is that the Rhine is 1 1/2 to 2 meter above normal for this time of the year. We are in Wesel at the moment, and tomorrow we will go up to Duisburg.
Wesel is about 1/2 hr north of where Christie and Andy live, and Duisburg about as far south of them.
We will be staying in Duisburg for a few days, so I hope that the water has receded some what by the time we are ready to move further up the Rhine.
I hope to have some pictures within the next few days, so stay tuned!!!