Dordrecht

Dutch hospitality and efficiency.
The harbour master helped us to berth alongside in his little launch then directed us to the local chandlery who ordered a new water trap that was delivered the next day.
Today, Tuesday 5th June I fitted it tested the engine and off we went to Dordrecht. A four hour motor along the Hoolandsdiep and turn right up the Oude Maas. Lots and lots of big commercial barges, monsters but all very sedate and giving us plenty of room. They only travel at about 7knots and the canals are quite wide so the wash is not too bad. Interesting event was going under the big railway bridge at Dordrecht called the Spoorhefbrug, a huge thing on which a section lifts vertically. The railway bridges are the real pinch points on the canals because they only open at certain very specific times so one needs to plan around them.
We were surprised at how strong the tidal current still is. We had about 1 1/2
knots against us while going up the Oude Maas.
Also surprising is the rural aspect of the canals. Dordrecht is a big city and yet the canal is tree lined and seems quite "countrified".
We are in a delightful small marina called Maartensgat, right below below the Grote Kerk in what seems like a residential part of the down town area. The marina has a little courtyard with tables and chairs. The tables have vases with flowers and there is a crested Grebe nesting under the pontoon.