The 'highway' back to Holland

At 8 this morning we entered the lock in Otterndorf (not that we wanted to leave early, but there is a tidal restriction to that lock). We were the last boat in (out of seven) and all but one were Dutch! On my way to the lock keeper's office to pay the canal dues, I remarked on this to one of the other Dutch skippers, who suggested that we could sing the 'Wilhelmus' (the Dutch National Anthem).






The reason for this concentration of Dutch boats is that this canal (actually part of what is called the 'Elbe - Weser waterway) is part of the main inland route from Holland to the Baltic. Yachts will have to drop their mast, but they avoid the 'German Bight', an area which often has inclement weather. So today we all pottered at 8 Km/hr (the speed limit) down the canal. A few diehards will have done the 62 Km trip in one day, quite a few did what we did: stop in the quiet town of Berdekesa for the night and carry on to Bremerhaven tomorrow.

Lyn has been collecting 'road signs' for her educational programme. Our challenge to you for the day is to tell us what this sign means. Answers in the 'comments' please!