OUTING “FOUR LOCKS ON THE RIVER MASS”, MAASTRICTH

DAILY REPORTS, OASIS 2023

SATURDAY, 14^TH OCTOBER, 2023

The 2023 oasis journeyed down to its 14^th day, coinciding with a Saturday. The day came with a sunny and slightly windy morning. Per the program outline, the day was set aside for an outing and participants were afforded the privilege to enjoy themselves with a leisure boat trip to Belgium on a boat through the Maas River and the Canals.

All work and no play, they say, makes Jack a dull boy. Participants had just come from a very hectic week, characterized by making pilgrimages to historical monuments that are closely associated with the lives and works of our Founders. Consequently, many participants considered the outing as an opportunity to entertain themselves, recreate, relax and digest the events of the preceding days. So they were really poised and looking forward to savoring the adventurous moments associated with the trip. 

The boat trip gives you an excellent overall view of Maastricht from the water. The trip takes you past the historic St. Servaas bridge, the new Ceramique district, the Government building and St. Pietersburg Hill. Just before the Belgian border, the boat turns back towards the center of Maastricht. A great way to discover and experience the city and relax at the same time.

Before we got into the boat, Br. Lo, the organizer, briefed us on the nature of the trip and what to expect. This further heightened our zeal and made us even more excited about the prospects of relishing the beautiful sights and scenes; the glitz and the glamour that lie ahead. 

We finally got into the boat and set off for what promises to be an exciting trip. We were first welcomed with a cup of coffee and a delicious piece of Limburg vlaai to warm our bodies. We were also handed some leaflets that sought to keep us posted with the route of the trip as we navigate River Maas and the Canals. It was a fascinating tour around Maastricht, taking in both Dutch and Belgium territory, and on our way we passed through four locks. 

The Maas is a rain-fed river approximately 1,000km. Its source is on the Plateau des Langress in France and it flows into the sea in South Holland. Because the Maas is a rain-fed river, its level is often a few meters higher in winter, especially if there is a lot of rain and snow (even in the Ardennes). This River forms the border between Belgium and the Netherlands for a 40km stretch from Maastricht in the Netherlands to Kessenich in Belgium.

There are a number of Canals along the Maas River; all were dug in different years. The first among them is the Supply Canal. The Supply Canal is a short connecting canal between the Maas and the Zuid-Wil-lemsvaart. The canal was dug in 1864 to supply the Zuid-Willemsvaart with enough water. The other canals include the Juliana Canal, the Briegden to Neerharen canal, and the Albert canal and so on and so forth. The journey finally ended at the St. Servatius Bridge, the oldest bridge in the Netherlands, named after St. Servatius, the first Bishop of Maastricht, who died in 384.

In a nutshell it was a very fascinating experience. While on the trip, participants moved about freely, exploring the different compartments in the boat and enjoying all the beautiful things it has to offer. The participants indicated that their experience of the trip exceeded their expectations. The participants were joined by some of the elderly Brothers in De Beyart and some associated members.

Br. Prosper Ganye, FIC.