UNFORTUNATELY

YOU CANNOT

VISIT US

ON A SHARE COST HOLIDAY

OR,

LEARN TO OPERATE A BARGE

Since Van Nelle is up for sale since January 2006,

we are no longer able to offer this option.

We are happy to welcome friends, or friends of friends, aboard Van Nelle for a weekend, a week or 10 day cruise.  These can be just a relaxing cruise with your crew (us) operating Van Nelle, or, you can learn to operate and drive the boat though the canals, rivers, locks, bridges and moorings and help in the daily running of the boat.  Come as a single, a couple or two couples.

Please Note:

    1:  After much consideration, no children or pets and no smoking in the boat !

    2:  We are NOT a commercial operation or a hotel boat and have no set itineraries.

    3:  The costs are share costs as are some of the daily chores.

If you decide to join us you can look forward to leisurely cruising (mostly in the mornings), stops for extensive buffet lunches and stops near or in picturesque towns along the way during the afternoons.  This allows time for exploration and visits to cafes or local tourist attractions.

You can indulge yourself by doing nothing but soaking up the sunshine and scenery, or, get lots of experience driving and locking the boat.  You can ride the bikes provided or walk  between locks for exercise if you wish.

We are flexible as to the itinerary, so if you want to stay a day or so in a town or in an area - that's fine.  

Connecting with and leaving the boat is arranged closer to arrival dates since it will depend on exactly where we are.  This will always be within easy reach of a main rail or airport.  This means that while you will know well beforehand in which region we are operating, your specific connection arrangements may be made only days or weeks in advance.  We can assist with these arrangements if necessary.

SHARE COSTS: The cost of operating a boat like Van Nelle are considerable and include depreciation, insurance, license fees, fuels, repairs and maintenance, food, drinks and refreshments, linen and tools, mooring fees and incidental transportation, communications and consumables, extra bikes, linen etc.   We generally have to delay, change or create a new personal itineraries in order to accommodate guest's arrival and departure dates and places, incurring additional mooring and running costs.

In order to make it easier to plan we have come up with the following share cost guidance.

Aus $ 350 per day per couple (approx 200 Euros) - all inclusive

Aus $ 280 per day per single (approx 160 Euros) - all inclusive

A non refundable deposit of 25% is requested at least 3 months in advance - the rest to be paid on arrival.  Should you have to cancel, the deposit may be transferred to other dates if available for up to one year.

The share cost includes free use of the boat facilities, your bedroom and breakfast, training (where requested), refreshments, afternoon snacks, some drinks, lunch, and dinners taken on board.

Transportation to and from the boat is not included. 

The cost of lunches and dinners in restaurants along the way are not included.

We appreciate the replacement of alcoholic drinks along the way on a consumption basis.

This is your holiday, we want you to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible and be able to enjoy it all without any niggling little issues or uncertainty.

We think an essential ingredient to enjoying Europe is mixing with the locals and experimenting with the language, no matter how poor your grasp of the language is. Locals will react favourably to those who try and will ignore those who don=t. Get into the markets, restaurants, cafes, shops and pubs, talk to those around you and ask directions and for information about menus. Don=t be afraid to try - you will generally be delighted by the response. Try to learn a few key phrases. They are in every guide book together with pronunciation.

There is no Acheck-in time@ as such. We say - come when you=re ready. If others are still to vacate - so much the better - you get to meet someone else, just as if you are leaving and someone else is arriving, they will meet you. If the room is still occupied, there is plenty of room for your things and yourselves and all the facilities will be available to you. People coming to stay with us are friends not strangers so you should enjoy meeting them.

We do not provide a pick up and drop off service. Arrival at provincial towns will normally be by rail if not by car so a taxi to the port where Van Nelle is waiting is easily arranged if necessary. Mostly the ports are a short walk from the stations. Details can be arranged closer to the date.

If you have special dietary or other needs, please advise us as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. Bear in mind however that Van Nelle is a boat and has steep stairs and limited facilities. Be prepared to be agile and active.

After a lot of soul searching and reflection we regret we do not take people under the age of 25 or pets of any kind.

We have access to the internet and many reference books about the areas we will pass through and adjoining areas and countries. If you want any advice on itineraries, places of interest, onward reservations or other arrangements, please ask. If we can, we will help.

While on board please feel free to use the kitchen facilities as your own at any time if you want a cup of tea or something more substantial. The only note of caution is that you must ensure the gas is lit when on or, is securely turned off, as gas accumulates in the bottom of boats if allowed to escape. This can lead to explosions.

Please feel free to help yourself to whatever is on offer. We will generally have drinks in the afternoon and wine or beer with lunch if you wish it. Please let us know if there is anything you would like added. To keep the drinks flowing, feel free to buy bottles of wine to share.

We operate as a B&B&B, meaning a boat, bed and breakfast. Drinks and local food (deli) lunches will be included where appropriate - especially if cruising. Evening meals can be taken at local restaurants (essential to get into the local culture and cooking) or provisions bought for barbecues or cooked meals on board. This can be a group arrangement or you can arrange your own private, candle lit dinner.

Please also let us know any particular food and drink preferences and we will try to accommodate them if they are available on our route.

Everything that is in the refrigerator, the cupboards, the drinks cabinet and all the other facilities such as bikes, are for your use. Please use them as you would your own and let us know if anything has (or soon will) run out, or if there are any problems (like flat tyres etc).

These are also available for your use. Please let us know when and where you want to go and how long you may be so we can rescue you if necessary (its possible to have a flat tyre or run out of fuel at the most distant part of your exploration). If you have a mobile, it=s a good idea to take it along in case of unforeseen difficulties.

If you wish to use the scooter and it is feasible to off and on-load it, it is possible but only by experienced users and only if licensed. The dinghy can be used by anyone in suitable areas.

The ship generally operates on battery power which should last for two days without charging or supplementary power from the shore. The main engine charges the batteries via an alternator while cruising and the 9 kVa generator charges the system when not moving or connected to shore power. Shore power is a luxury as it both supplies power and charges continuously.

All lights, the refrigerators, vacuum cleaner, stereo, PCs, all pumps and other small devices operate through the batteries which also start the main engine. Other devices with elements such as HAIR DRYERS, CLOTHES DRYER, WASHING MACHINE AND TOASTER require 220v power from the generator or shore. Therefore, we try to conserve power where possible without being silly. Please use lights and pumps as you need them but try to turn off unwanted devices when they are not in use and DO NOT USE devices containing a HEATING ELEMENTS when the generator or shore power is not on.

The generator (if necessary) will be turned on for a couple of hours or so in the morning. This will allow the use of hair dryers, toaster, washing machine, dryer and other devices while the batteries are also charging. Please plan to use these devices at that time or ask for the generator to be switched on if you need them at other times.

This is always the biggy on a boat. Please ensure you have been shown how to use it and ask if you have any questions. There is only one toilet on board and there are no plumbers. It is not a flushing loo and if you break it - someone has to fix it. Having said that, it is a very reliable system, difficult to break or jam and simple to operate.

Yes, it does pump directly into the surrounding waterway, just like the fish and birds do. It has narrow pipes however that emerge underwater and are inaccessible. Do NOT put objects into the toilet that have not been digested. Sanitary products must be disposed of in the rubbish bags not the toilet.

The toilet is a vacuum system. Once you have finished,

    Close the lid, pump smoothly and slowly for a full 6 to 8 cycles, (an up and down action is a cycle).

    Wait for about 2-5 seconds and

    Pump another 6-8 cycles in the same way.

The first pump action clears the toilet and the second replenishes the water in the bowl. This is necessary for the next use of the toilet. After use, wait for at least a minute before attempting to open the lid or you may damage the seal. The lid can remain down from use to use.

If you have any problems or worries - please ask.

We have instant hot and cold water available as long as the water lasts in our freshwater tanks, so you can take hot showers with good pressure. However, please be aware of the need to conserve water where it is unlikely for us to be able to refill the tanks. Water with four on board should last for 3-5 days. Don=t turn taps on full pressure if half will do and please turn taps off when not actually using the water.

Van Nelle is a big, heavy, unforgiving metal object. It takes a lot to stop it or change its direction, far more than a shove with your hand or foot - please DO NOT try to fend off or push the boat away using your body. Van Nelle can bend - you will break.

Move carefully - especially on and off the ship and up and down ladders and steps. Be wary of slippery areas on the ship such as the top of the cabin roof when wet. Also be watchful for low headroom areas !

We appreciate your help and will certainly give you as much opportunity to learn the operation of the ship as you want to have. Be very careful with ropes if using them and if moving the fenders. Please follow the advice and instructions of the crew when any manoeuvre is in progress.

Please don=t be afraid to ask and do not feel at any time that you are obligated to assist in the running of the ship.

Please ask if you are interested in learning more about how to steer and operate the boat. We can do introductory lessons on all the key aspects of canal and river navigation that will assist you if you want to hire a cruiser at some time in the future. If you want to get right into it, we can provide the material and assistance to get you on your way and the contacts to take you to proficiency and exams.

Locks are a part of cruising and come in a number of different guises. Fully automatic, semi automatic, manned and manual. Bridges also have to be operated at times. It is an enjoyable break to cruising to assist in the locking of the ship - but please - ensure you are familiar with the procedures before attempting to assist.

The same can be said about mooring or anchoring. These procedures are varied and may require some manoeuvring. Until you are confident with the procedures, please let the crew do the work.

We will run orientation and safety briefings after arrival and as necessary, bring your skills up to scratch for those procedures you are interested in becoming proficient at. Please remember - you only do what YOU want to do. We can manage the ship perfectly well without help so please do not feel obligated to assist - just relax, lie back, and think of France.

There are lots of different noises on board, especially in the quiet of night.

Bubbling - like water is leaking into the boat. These are the sounds of ripples and wavelets on the outside hull. It can also be the heating system. If not, you will feel a wet sensation on you feet while walking inside the boat.

Banging - like someone trying to get in or banging on the hull. These can be fenders bumping on the hull, waves banging on flat surfaces or loose objects flapping in the wind. If you detect where the noise is coming from, feel free to stop it. If you are missing someone in bed, it may be that they have fallen overboard and are trying to get back on. In this case rush to their assistance. If you also fall overboard - bang the morse code SOS.

Loud sudden rhythmical beats - like a pump. It can be the water pump inflating the pressure balloon in the water system, a passing party or action in the adjoining bedroom. In any case it should not be a problem and will probably stop in time. If not, you may need to provide assistance or point out the noise to the skipper - or bang on the wall.

7  YOU ARE FRIENDS ON BOARD

Please remember, those who join us are friends not customers as we do not operate a commercial business.  Costs are purely based on sharing costs (please check the commercial prices to compare if you wish to - see Continental Waterways or other hotel boat operators).  As a result, please do not expect to be waited on hand and foot.  Please join in on the tasks if you want to, or not if you do not.

We do not have timetables and while we will position ourselves to make it easy for you to join and leave us, please do not expect us to have definite locations and departure times available in advance.  We are exploring Europe on Van Nelle and are delighted you might want to join us.  We hope you will and assure you that you will have a fantastic time if you do, wherever we are and at whatever time of the year you come.