Still popular for its three day special mooring deal, Gouda continues to attract visitors from all directions.
The harbour master also offers the rest of the month free if you pay for four nights in the Turfsingel or Kattensingel, but tell him you want this before he starts writing his ticket!
The bridge and lock details remain as given, but the harbour master seems to have developed a great preference for sending boats to moor in the Turfsingel (straight on from the Rabatbrug) rather than in the more attractive Kattensingel (left under the Pottersbrug), especially if your boat is on the big side. The Turfsingel does have the attraction of the toilet and shower block (now a bit further down the Turfsingel than shown in our plan, on the north side close to the footbridge – harbour master gives you a code but still only open during the day until 7pm), but it is close to the road in a not particularly nice part of town, unlike the Kattensingel which boasts the herenhuizen of the Regentesseplantsoen as neighbours, as well as landscaped gardens. The Turfsingel has free electricity on the north bank moorings, but none on the south so check before you moor. In the Kattensingel there are water hoses in the brown metal cupboards – normally kept unlocked, but if not, complain to the HM. You’ll find him in the bridge house at the Rabatbrug, and if you don’t feel like paying him a visit, expect a knock on the boat between 8 and 8.30am to collect your mooring dues.
Be sure to check out the museum gouda cafe, next to the St Janskerk, and try their speciality coffee.
A Lidl, nearby on Westerkade, takes credit cards, unusual amongst Dutch supermarkets.