De 4 Vaargetijden - Guestbook

Rosalind and John Steel from Victoria, Australia wrote on 22 May 2015 at 14:06

Thank you both again Olga and Maurits for a most enjoyable week. As before well fed and very comfortable, great scenery and fascinating history - exploring the towns.
Many thanks again.

Christine Vanbrabant wrote on 24 April 2015 at 14:10

Deze week hier op het schip
was de behandeling absoluut VIP.
De keuken verzorgd door Olga,
dat was smullen zonder weerga.
En met een kapitein als Maurits,
is op de boot steeds alles kits.
De honden brengen een huiselijke sfeer,
die doet verlangen naar meer.
Ik was hier met super veel plezier,
en kom zeker terug naar hier.
Dank u 1000 keer,
Tot de volgende dan weer!

Jane and Kenton from Woodland WA USA wrote on 22 April 2015 at 17:07

Wow! What a fantastic trip! Our first time in Belgium, and Olga and Maurits are perfect hosts. We enjoyed our time talking with them about Belgium, the Merchant Marine, Belgian history, and the rivers/locks system. We enjoyed biking in the countryside (the bike trails are well marked, safe, and gorgeous), and cruising really pretty rivers. Olga's cooking is wonderful (she made different Belgian specialties every day), and we liked the other guests a lot--learned a lot of important things from them, actually. We stopped in fascinating old towns. The entire trip was great. Highly recommended. And yes, our hosts' seafaring skills are very impressive. Both of them were captains of big ships in the merchant marine.

Heinrich Steude from Leverkusen wrote on 18 March 2015 at 17:45

Hallo, ein schöner Internet-Auftritt. Könnte man nicht einen Sprachwahlknopf für Englisch und evtl. auch Deutsch hinzufügen?
Gute Fahrt und allzeit eine Handbreit Wasser unter dem Kiel.

Trent & Naomi from Canada wrote on 27 June 2014 at 14:53

Maurits, Olga, Deif & Notë,
Thank you so much for your hospitality! We have had a fantastic week of biking, barging, eating delicious meals and resting. Thank you also for not only putting up with our “gangsters”, but seizing the opportunities to teach them a few manners. You may wish to consider operating a boarding school on the barge….
Cheers, Trent & Naomi

Cam from Canada wrote on 27 June 2014 at 14:53

Thank you for being a great and funny captain and for cooking great meals. Dankuwel
Cam

Malcolm from Canada wrote on 27 June 2014 at 14:53

Thank you so much for having us on your barge. We had so much fun biking and talking. The dinners were delicious. We will miss you, Deif and Naughty included!
Malcolm

Denyse and Joyce from Canada wrote on 27 June 2014 at 14:53

Thanks for looking after and putting up with this crazy Canadian family. It has been a wonderful week.
Denis and Joyce.

Rob + Elise Berry from Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia wrote on 5 August 2013 at 19:54

26 July - 4 August 2013
Once again a most sincere than you for a wonderful trip and many happy memories.
Delightful cruising along canals, interesting cycle routes and beautiful scenery combine to make this a great holiday.
Thanks also for all the many extra ‘things’ that are done without fuss or favour. Greatly appreciated!
Last but not least, Olga’s exceptional culinary skills and Maurits’ amazing steering manoeuvres make them hosts par excellence!
Rob + Elise Berry
Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia

Ria Beelen from De zilk Nederland wrote on 27 July 2013 at 13:24

Een geweldige week gehad met de sluizentocht. Kom nog graag een keer terug!
Bedankt Olga, Maurits en natuurlijk Dief.

Kathelijn from Meulebeke België wrote on 26 July 2013 at 16:41

Boot, fiets, water en zon
wat wil je nog meer?
Niks moet, alles kan!
Enthousiaste gastheer, stuurman & gids
Super gastvrouw en Top-kok
Bedankt Maurits, Olga & Dief
voor een fantastische vakantie.
Kathelijn
Juli 2013

Fam. Pondes - Grünwald from Deutschland - Nederland wrote on 12 July 2013 at 10:22

Liebe Olga!
Lieber Maurits!
Es war wieder richtig schön bei Euch an Bord!
Olga, Du hast ganz lecker gekocht!
Vielen Dank für alles!
Wir wünschen Euch weiterhin alles Liebe und Gute,
Stefanie, Katharina, Philipp, Robert, Elke, Peter, Evalyn, Fons

Joke en Will from Voorthuizen, Nederland wrote on 30 June 2013 at 12:47

Een 5 sterrenhotel met steeds een ander uitzicht met een 10 sterren-restaurant. Geen dag hetzelfde hoe krijg je het voor elkaar Olga.
De langste dag en de dagen erna,
zijn schoon voorbij gegleden, net als de rivier. Het was plezant!
Jullie hebben het bewijs geleverd dat het kan:
twee kapiteins op één schip.
Joke en Will
30-6-'13

Ans, Rita, Toos, Hermance, Marjolet, Anneke from Eindhoven, Nederland wrote on 21 June 2013 at 12:47

17-21 juni 2013
Met dezelfde vriendinnen uit 2010 kwamen wij bij Olga, Maurits en Dief in 2013 weer op de 4 Vaargetijden.
In 4 dagen beleefden wij 4 jaargetijden...!!!
De zorgen en de hartelijke ontvangst zijn weer onvergetelijk!
Ans, Rita, Toos, Hermance, Marjolet, Anneke

John and Roslyn Steel from Victoria, Australia wrote on 13 June 2013 at 12:47

13th June 2013
Dear Olga and Maurits,
A wonderful experience, quite different from our expectations, so welcoming and the Barge was so comfortable, and the meals so enjoyable.
Thank you very much.
John and Roslyn Steel

Gillian & Alan Eastley from Knowlton, Québec, Canada wrote on 3 June 2013 at 12:47

May 24th - June 3rd

Down quiet canals we softly glide.
A gentle, peaceful calming ride.
Birds sing, squawk, cry.
Cyclists pass by. Trees rustle, sway,
and line our way.
Waves glisten, shine.....
This live is a rhyme
of sheer delight,
from dawn to night.

_________________

There is a ship's captain, Maurits.
Who goes into forty-five fits.
When asked for more cheese
Even if we say, "Please"!
He won't get a job at the Ritz!

__________________

Deef, the noble, brave and hairy,
Defends the ship from all that's scary.
Dog and mistress are united,
Obedient, caring, and devoted.
Through sun and rain and stormy weather,
They fetch the bread and walk together.
A partnership to envy this.....
That we could feel such trust and bliss.

_____________________________

Olga rules with quiet precision.
Every competent decision:
The healthy food and timely snacks,
The information, books and maps,
Enrich our day
And ease our way,
So when we moor,
Set foot on shore,
And wander free.....
We've lot's to see ....
Town, church, Gross-Markt ....
On our return to where we're parked
The ship is warm.
The beer is cool
Maurits perches on his stool
He twirls the wheel
And tells tall tales
Who knows what's real!
The evening meal
Will follow soon,
With wine and cheerful conversation
Three courses
Each with care presented
Holland and Belgium are represented
well with this great combination
Maurits and Olga

__________________________

Very many thanks for a wonderful holiday!
Gillian & Alan Eastley

Erik + Marlène from MBeemster Holland wrote on 10 May 2013 at 14:45

al voor de 3e keer meegevaren
3 keer = scheepsrecht
maar er komt nog wel een 4e keer....
Erik + Marlène

Steve & Elizabeth Segrest from Panama City, Florida USA wrote on 3 May 2013 at 14:45

26 April - 3 May
Olga and Maurits,
What a great experience. We arrived as strangers and we departed as friends.
Maurits, your wit kept us on our toes trying to decide if you were serious or not.
Olga's cooking was extraordinary.
Your hospitality made the entire trip comfortable and most enjoyable.
Of course Dief was such a great companion to all of us.
We hate to leave and will miss you all.
Steve & Elizabeth Segrest

Marie & Darrell Vice from Panama City, Florida USA wrote on 3 May 2013 at 14:45

22 April - 3 May
Olga & Maurits & especially DIEF
Marie and I have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on the barge cruise. It has more than met our expectations. The food was outstanding, the fellowship exceptional, the service extraordinary, we do not want to leave. In fact Marie wants to become part of the crew. We feel so fortunate that skip & Sharon invited us to join their group. Maurits, you are a very fortunate man, a great life style, a lovely companion with a very pleasant, caring and helpful demeanour, and she can cook. Last but not least, we greatly enjoyed Dief, a well behaved and playful pet. Thank you so much for everything!
Marie & Darrell Vice

Skip and Sharon Warrell from Panama City, Florida USA wrote on 3 May 2013 at 14:45

Thanks once again for a wonderful trip. I can't believe this is our 4th vacation with you and we are already planning for our 5th in 2014. You always manage to cover every detail, despite having to deal with some demanding crazy Americans. Thanks for everything, we look forward to the locks tour next fall. Continued good health till next time!
Skip and Sharon Warrell