Publisher:Imray Laurie, Norie & Wilson; £29.50
Publication Date: 2007

When asked at primary school if she had been to many countries abroad, my daughter’s reply was that she had, but only round the edges! That is not strictly true of our visits to the Netherlands which go back to 1962, when only the Veerse Meer had been cut off from the sea, as we have traversed the mast-up route from Delfzijl to Vlissingen, and on a number of occasions the inland routes between Zeeland and the IJsselmeer. Rarely have we lingered though, generally pressing on with some other aim in view. Louise and David’s book (prominent CA members of course), encourages one to go much further, and as the title states; explore and enjoy the inland waters in much greater depth. It covers all the waterways accessible to boats with an air draft of at least 3.5m, so in that respect it is aimed particularly at motor cruisers. There is no other publication available in English which describes the extensive network, giving details of worthwhile places to visit throughout the twelve provinces, so it has to be a must for those who really wish to make the most of the system. However, the areas usually visited by boats with masts, or one could say those that could be, but are not usually well-frequented, are also well-covered, making it a useful addition to their bookshelves too. There is an excellent introduction to the country with all the newcomer needs to know, but with much of interest to the more experienced. The book is clear and logically arranged with good charts and is well-illustrated. The pilotage is detailed and easy to follow, with excellent information on places to moor and the facilities to expect. I particularly liked the much greater coverage than is usual in pilot books, given to the information on the attractions and places of interest for the100 chosen venues. (300 mooring places are detailed). This would certainly add considerably to the enjoyment of any cruise. If this information had been available in the past some of us might not have gone much further afield! This is an excellent addition to the Imray list of pilot books as it shows how much more there is to enjoy in the Netherlands; that there is a whole new world of attractive waterways awaiting those who feel that it is time to turn from sail to power. It is an exciting prospect. - IG