Category Archive

Terneuzen, Netherlands to Ghent, Belgium Terneuzen, Netherlands to Ghent, Belgium

Today was the day! By day’s end Gratis would be in Belgium. What excitement! The land of Belgian chocolate, Flanders Fields, Belgian beer and more!!!!!!! It was a pleasant 40km motor upon a waterway that was practically empty of commercial barges: it was Sunday and most – including the fuelling station just outside Terneuzen – […]

Wemeldinge to Terneuzen Wemeldinge to Terneuzen

Today, the 9th June, found Bob and I arising to yet another foggy morning – last year it was rain, this year it’s fog: not that we are complaining. We will take fog over rain any day! Having lost a week, and already being a little behind in the itinerary, the decision was made to […]

Tholen to Wemeldinge: Netherlands Tholen to Wemeldinge: Netherlands

It’s been one of those unplanned weeks where the unexpected took place. With Gratis’ insurance due, Bob looked around and found a company in the Netherlands that is much cheaper than using those in Australia and so forth. The only stipulation was that to have full coverage for the hull, we had need to lift […]

Vlissingen to Wemeldinge: Zeeland, Netherlands Vlissingen to Wemeldinge: Zeeland, Netherlands

Week 4 22nd to 27th May, 2018 The happenings this week are quite depleted, since our time was occupied with tidying, cleaning and restocking Gratis. However, that aside, the good news is, we are now underway!   Vlissingen to Middelburg Saturday, what a glorious day we had for the commencement of the year’s cruising. Awaking to […]

Week 3: Vlissingen, Netherlands Week 3: Vlissingen, Netherlands

How the weeks are flying by. It’s difficult to believe it’s been three weeks since we returned to Europe. A burst of cold weather found us glad to be indoors as Bob and I continued working on the renovations. Monday the outer frame work was installed. Tuesday I took a bit of time out as Bob […]

Vlissingen to Keukenhof Gardens: Netherlands Vlissingen to Keukenhof Gardens: Netherlands

Week 1 1st to 7th May, 2018 At last, the long awaited 2018 European journey has commenced. The 1st of May saw Bob and I embarking the plane for a flight that took us from the heat of Bali to the chill of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. On arrival at Gratis, it was to find […]

A Day in Meissen, Germany, 2016 is now online

It’s taken a while, but we have to share our time spent in this beautiful township. Bautzen to Meissen, Germany

2017 2017

Queensland to NSW trip 2017 Maps from Euro Canals and Googlemaps  

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Queensland this week, Tamborine National Park: Queensland, Australia our day at the ship museum in Groningen, Netherlands Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum: Groningen, Netherlands and the motor from Groningen to Zoutkamp. Groningen to Zoutkamp: Groningen, Netherlands

Back in Oz Back in Oz

Our European 2017 season has come to a close. We landed in Brisbane after a good flight back. Now it’s time to bring out the ‘Rolling G’ right and head north for a month or so.   Check out our 2017 and 2018 journey in the Rolling G rig. http://www.gratisaustralis.com/category/australia-2017/ http://www.gratisaustralis.com/category/australia-2018/  

Painting Today! Painting Today!

The hard yakka has been completed and today the painting of the pilot house commences.   Quick snap shots taken during the last few days. Clean out and removal of fans etc. Things always look worse before they improve… Bogging completed Ducting that covers the wires installed. Bob’s famous bean salad ready for dressing. Last muesli for the season…. […]

Veere to Goes by bike: Zeeland, Netherlands Veere to Goes by bike: Zeeland, Netherlands

Taking the road to Arnemuiden Bob and I then trained it to Goes (pronounced ‘goose’). Today’s trip was a journey through crop country in which corn, spinach, onions and potatoes abounded. The roads were a thrum with the sound of tractors, as crops of onion and spuds were in the process of being harvested and […]

Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere, Walcheren: Zeeland, Netherlands Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere, Walcheren: Zeeland, Netherlands

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Having wandered the streets, the afternoon saw Bob and I making the most of the late summer weather as we explored the countryside. And yes: there is more to come once we slow down.    

Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere: Zeeland, Netherlands Kamperland, Noord Beveland to Veere: Zeeland, Netherlands

A short 3km motor south across the Veerse Meer brought us to the tiny township of Veere. Situated on the shoreline of the Western Scheldt, the township was once a busy sea port for Scottish ships, and its old harbour now houses pleasure boats. The history of Veere commenced in the 1200s as the small […]

Bike Ride, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands Bike Ride, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands

It was day that was peaceful and relaxing as Bob and I partook in a 41km bike ride – just love the electrics. With the barometer sitting at 1027, brought with it a sun filled day of warmth! The colours of Autumn were becoming more prominent with each passing day, bringing with them a more vibrant landscape. […]

Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland to Kamperland, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland to Kamperland, Noord Beveland: Zeeland, Netherlands

Fishing boats were out on the Oosterschelde where tall sapling trunks marked their channels were placed. With it being close to low tide, the guides were necessary. Having passed beneath the last of the major bridges for the year, we passed through the lock that led us from the Oosterschelde National Park into the Veerse Meer, where […]

Zierikzee to Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland: Netherlands Zierikzee to Burghsluis, Schouwen Duiveland: Netherlands

On our departure from Zierikzee, Bob and I were in the process of exiting the channel when a blue yacht drew our eye. Imagine our surprise on realising it was ‘Kind of Blue’, the owners of whom we first met on the far – off island of Cocos Keeling way back in June of 2014. […]

Zierikzee and surrounds by bike: Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands Zierikzee and surrounds by bike: Schouwen Duiveland, Netherlands

A quick visit to the Tower to look the now uncovered period costumes. Another beautiful tower. And time for a break.

Oude Tonge, Goeree Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands Oude Tonge, Goeree Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands

It Rained!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An inside day as it rained all day. What dd we do? Relaxed.

Nieuw – Beijerland to Oude Tonge, Goeree – Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands Nieuw – Beijerland to Oude Tonge, Goeree – Overflakkee: South Holland, Netherlands

With practically a click of the fingers, the clouds were blown away and out came the sun. We two Aussies don’t deal too well with days of grey! On went Betsy – Bob renamed her – and off down the Spui went we. Other than for a working barge, the river was ours. Some time […]