Monday, February 28, 2022

High Water fun and games

It's hard not to feel that what happens in our lives right now is insignificant when compared to what's going on in Ukraine. Indeed, our own ups and downs seem very minor and hardly worth a mention, but even so, the last week has been one of 'firsts'.

For instance it's the first time ever the Netherlands (and probably all Europe) has experienced three severe storms in succession. Added to that, it's the first time I can remember that even when the storms passed, we've still had gales and heavy rain showers for the rest of the week.

Another first is that apparently the river on which the Vereeniging is now moored has never overflowed the bank before, an event that had us in a state of alarm on Monday while storm three was raging. 

The photo below was sent to Koos by a kind neighbour who lives in the flats opposite the mooring. We'd only been at the crumbly cottage for a day, having sat out storms Dudley and Eunice on the barge, but to be honest, we weren't expecting Franklin. When we left my lovely barge, all was well apart from the loss of my steering wheel cover (which has since been retrieved from the water). By Sunday evening, though, the wind was howling again and Franklin had arrived. 

However, he had a sting in his tail, and brought torrential rain and hail in his wake, the result being the river rose and overflowed for the first time anyone can remember. The consequence of such an unexpected overstrooming as the Dutch call it, was that the ropes were too tight and the Vereeniging was listing. There was also a risk of damage to the hull because the fenders were no longer protecting her from the concrete sides of the quay. Lastly, we were both worried that if it rose any higher, there was a chance she might tip too far over, allowing water to enter our wastewater outlet pipe


The photo taken from our neighbour's balcony. 

The photo above was the one the neighbour took. As you can see, the path along which we normally walk was under water, but the interesting angle at which the Vereeniging was lying was not so apparent then. It's a pity I didn't take a photo when we arrived but it was getting dark and we had other priorities. 

Fortunately, the water hadn’t risen too high above the quayside, and we could paddle to the barge. Anyway, we released the ropes and she righted herself with a sigh of relief. A neighbour helped us out with old car tires to protect the hull (they fill with water so they sink below the surface, rather than float, which is what the fenders do), and we weighted another large fender to keep us from the wall. Our electricity cable had also got submerged. Of course, we had no power and by this time, it was completely dark.

But, as always, we have torches. I also have a good supply of LED lights and with the oil stove, we could cook, but the main problem was water. No power, no pump! Fortunately, we had a bottle of water in the car, so could at least make coffee. And the next day, I bought more from the local supermarket. Climbing on and off the boat was more of a task, though. I must say I’m glad we both still have our hips and knees and could haul ourselves up and down the extra height! Even so, the following day we put a step in place to make it easier, which we've now left in place – after all, we're not so young that we don't enjoy a bit of help.

As for the high water, it lasted the whole of the next day before it started to drop. By the time we left last Saturday, we were completely back to normal although it continued to blow hard and rain for most of the week. To our relief, we had the power back again on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to the harbour master’s timely arrival. The poor man doesn’t have good knees so negotiating the bank was impossible for him. He didn't have Wellies either and he had to pick his way along the flooded path very carefully. 

For us, this has been a lesson. Despite the locks at each end of the river, the water level can’t be relied on. We have, you might say, taken note. Another thing we’ve been reminded of is that good neighbours are gold. I am so very grateful to them for their help, so Serge and Marcel, if you see this heel hartelijk bedankt!


Saturday morning and back to normal, but the tyres and fat fender remain
just in case!

Just a nice view from the town end of the harbour about 500 metres on 
from the Vereeniging

So that was our excitement for the week. As I said, it seems paltry in comparison to what is happening in eastern Europe now, but it was quite a challenge for us and we felt it wise to stay on board until the weather had stabilised completely. It is now bright, sunny and very cold, but at least it's not blowing a hoolie, as we say.

Have a good week, allemaal!

18 comments:

  1. Glad everything turned out ok, Val. That was a pretty horrendous week! I hear you about Ukraine, so awful what Putin is doing. I thought after Covid (which hasn't even gone away) the world might get a bit of a break but 'no', not to be. I find this state of constant worry quite draining. You take care.

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    1. Thank you, Cath. You're right there. It is draining and I think we're all tired. You take care too and look after yourself!

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  2. Sorry, Val, I forgot to sign my name in my comment. It's Cath from Twitter and Read Warbler.

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    1. No need to apologise, Cath. Your photo always pops up, so I know it's you! xx

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  3. Val, I know the destruction high water can bring. Having lived on lakes and waterways most of my life, I've seen the effects of an 'overabundance' of it upon moored watercraft and the surrounding landscape. Overly-high swift water can bring other and more severe consequences. Each spring we monitor the runoff in our creeks, which can become raging water when high, and keep an eye out for the resulting quick lake rise. In 2013 the 'big flood' hit all around in our mountain valleys, both on the east and west slopes of the Rockies. For a couple of days we had no way in or out of our own valley. Roads and railways were washed away, leaving us to our own devices. Then last fall a huge storm hit with snow at higher elevations, trapping travellers through the mountain passes. The same storm's heavy rains at lower elevations caused deadly mudslides and wiped out large areas of major highways to the west of us through the mountains. The Lower Mainland, just east of Vancouver was flooded so badly that many farmers of the in the area lost everything. It is good to note, the area of flooding was originally a large lake that had been diked for years to expose the rich soil for farming. I often thought of you in The Netherlands during all this...
    As for your predicament with Vereeniging, I can understand your appreciation of good neighbours! And luckily you were still able to travel through the bad weather to right the situation - no pun intended.
    And, as usual, great photos!
    Sending mountains of love to you both! xx

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    1. Oh my word, Dale, what devastation such floods can bring. Water is so vital to us all, but when uncontrolled and in raging torrents, it can cause so much damage. Thank you for sharing that story with me, my friend and oceans of love back to you and Gene! xxx

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  4. Wow, what an experience! I’m glad you’re okay.

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  5. Goodness me, what you've had to go through, Val. I'm so sorry. Here in eastern Australia we're having torrential rains, too, but worse north of us. The weather report says the worse storms are heading south our way. Our creek behind our house is flooded but not into our garden yet and I'm not too worried because our home is on stilts. Our trials and tribs are nothing, though, compared to poor old Ukraine. I think Putin's gone mad.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Shirley. I think the weather everywhere has gone a bit haywire. I’m so sorry about your rains. That’s miserable in the summer. As for Ukraine, this has been simmering for years. I am just so sorry for the people. Such an awful and fearful thing to be living through.

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  6. Hi Val how frightening when Vereeniging’ s ropes were too tight due to the flood. Being on board with no light or water, apart from enough to make coffee, must have been really taxing too! Thank goodness everything has returned to normal and that all is well! Xxxx

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    1. Thank you, Jean. Once we'd arrived and released the ropes, I was more than happy. Then when our neighbour gave us the tyres, I stopped worrying altogether. Being without light and power is also not trial (I lived in Africa, after all :D), but having no water can be a problem. Even though we're surrounded by it, it isn't drinkable! Anyway, we survived and all is now well. xxx

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  7. So pleased your lovely boat wasn't damaged, it must have been a very anxious time. The recent storms & terrible things in happening in Ukraine have overshadowed the Pandemic, and rightly so. But I find ot odd now that the Pandemic is never mentioned on the TV news, not even as an afterthought at the end.

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    1. Thank you, David. I was talking to my daughter about that yesterday too. It's as if the pandemic is no longer of any importance and yet the rate of infection here in NL is still very high. Maybe people have just decided to live with it. But yes, the weather and Ukraine have had a major hand in eclipsing it.

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  8. I'm glad all was well in the end, but it must have been very alarming for you. As you say, the events in Ukraine put everything in perspective, but even our far less important activities can loom quite large at the time. I feel sure that all this odd weather is a result of global warming, aren't you?

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    1. Jenny, thank you. Ukraine's plight puts everything else in the shade, doesn't it? As for the odd weather, this series of storms has certainly been a first. Having lived in South Africa for so long, extreme weather events were part of our lives, and I remember some pretty extreme weather back in the 70s before I left the UK, so I find it hard to judge whether it's related or not, but yes, it could be. What I am sure of is that the Netherlands is prone to high winds because of the nature of the terrain and I'm having serious thoughts about moving elsewhere. I've always loathed wind and often wonder how I landed up in the windiest country in Europe.

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  9. Oh Val, what traumas! Thank goodness all ended well. I think you do so well to live in a place that, inevitably, is prone to high winds and rain. As always, thank you for sharing this fascinating slice of your life with us. xxx

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    1. Aw, Beth, thank you very much. Thankfully, we are having a spell of calm now, although the price we pay for that is that it's VERY cold. But since the sun is shining, I can live with that :)

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