With the bridge situation sorted, the channel dredged and Laurie’s crown installed, we were all set to leave Holland on April 9th – so on the 8th Laurie investigated who we should be checking out of the EU with. After 13 telephone calls, being redirected all over the place, she finally reached a person who announced that someone would come to the boat in two hours time to stamp our passports.

Three hours later, she called again. “Oh… can’t find that information… someone will come by your boat tonight at 9:30pm.” Fine – that works.

Two hours later, I take a call that announces nobody is coming – the virus has prevented all patrols – you must come to us. Where are you? Close to Rotterdam airport… How do I get there? Drive! I don’t have a car… What?? I don’t have a car… Public transport then… OK…

Public transport was somewhat doable – though we didn’t like the idea of exposing ourselves to others germs – it’ll take a three + hours to get there and back.  Then, the folks with the power boat next door get wind of our plight and very nicely offer to lend us their Mini – so I call the official back and tell him we’ll be there tomorrow – and we agree a time. When we get there, the huge building is deserted – save for the official and his guard – they were both armed to the teeth! A quick stamp of the passport and we’re done.

So we end up leaving Holland on Good Friday (good job we’re ignorant of the Friday voodoo), catching the 9:00am lift of the Dordrecht bridge. We have a favorable current all the way through the canals – making it to the open sea about 4 hours later. Our crossing is uneventful – unfortunately with far too much motoring – but better that than the alternative – and arrive at the entrance of the Tyne at 7:30am nearly 48 hours later have enjoyed about 4 hours sleep the entire trip.

The marina in Newcastle is shut down – but we’d made arrangements for them to accept us and operate the lock for us – but we had to get out asap. We quickly assembled nearly all our stuff – yes of course we left some of the more critical items on the boat – and bundled it all into our arranged taxi – good job he had a big car – and arrived at my brother’s cottage in Swaledale 90 minutes later. Phew!

The UK’s lockdown for the Corona Virus is rather more strict than the Dutch – probably because the Dutch have more common sense and don’t need to be commanded! This has apparently led to some tensions out in the sticks – with locals protecting their environment from virus infected incomers. Once our new neighbours found out that we didn’t have any alternative and that we’d been effectively isolated for the past month, tensions eased and we’re now deemed acceptable!

Today we had a lovely walk in the dale – in magnificent spring weather.