We left anticipating a short trip to Vlaardingen where we will moor the boat while I return to the UK for work for a couple of days. However, this was not to be the case. We had two bridges to get through and unbeknown to us one was having technical problems.
When we called up the Spijkenisser bridge (lifting) to ask for permission to pass through we were told to “turn around and go back”. This would have meant a 30-mile trip to get to the place that was just a few miles away. Needless to say, I did not give up there so I called them back and asked if we could wait. They said yes and that they would call us back, still with no indication as to how long it might be. The problem was there was literally nowhere to moor. We tried one place by the bridge but started going aground on our rudder, not good.
We then called up bridge control in Rotterdam just 20 minutes later, to establish a timeframe if possible, only to be told that the problems were already fixed and the bridge had neglected to tell us.
We needed a secure place that Kath and the kids can get to the shops easily and was also easy to get to the airport early on Wednesday morning, and Vlaardingen delivered in spades. It’s also very cheap to boot, at €13 per night, although you have to download an app on your smartphone or tablet to pay. This is W.S.V. Vlaardingen which is on the port side as you enter the old harbour. There is another Jachthaven on the starboard side as well.
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