In the North Brabant village of De Heen, right on the border with Zeeland, you will find seven tucked away in the reeds of the Steenbergse Vliet. camping rafts. Wooden rafts with a plastic tent construction on top. The rafts are located in a quiet area, just past the marina de Vlije, and can only be reached by canoe from the monumental lock complex Beneden Sas.
The camping rafts are the answer to the growing need for tranquility and connection with nature. A desire that rose to great heights during the storm of the corona pandemic. Although that storm has now calmed down, the need to go into nature has remained unabated.
That is noticeable on this sunny Friday afternoon. We are the last to arrive at the camping rafts with our canoe. The other water campers have been staring ahead with the well-known cold drink in their hands for a long time, are busy talking or playing a game.
Privacy
Not that we can hear or see exactly what our neighbors are doing, because we estimate that there is a good thirty meters between each raft. Lots of privacy, although the arrival still feels the same as on a regular campsite: the sitting guard watches the newcomers fumble their way towards the free spot.
In this case not with a camper or trailer tent, but in a canoe that has to be docked and unloaded. After all, camping without rolling up your sleeves is not camping…!
In contrast to the regular camping adventure, we hardly have to carry anything with us. On arrival there is a well-stocked canoe, with almost everything we need, ready for us. Two camping chairs, a hammock, gas burners, a lamp, a modest rug and a map with all the sailing routes we can take by canoe.
We brought a sleeping bag ourselves (mattresses are standard in the tent), as well as a pan, a percolator for a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, breakfast and – not to forget – a cold drink. After we are installed and the sun slowly sinks, the Great Enjoyment can begin.
graceful spectacle
The sky turns pink with light blue and a deep blue sky right above us. The stars flicker softly, the flat water reflects the last rays of the sun and the surroundings are quiet, save for the sound of birds, blubbering fish and – slightly less romantic – the sprinkler in the meadow behind us. Although the jet of water occasionally cools us down (and the cheese board with a layer of moisture), the raft is a very pleasant setting to celebrate life with a good conversation and a cold drink.
After a short night we are awakened by the first rays of the sun. It is still early, but that should not matter: nature is then at its most beautiful. Lying in our sleeping bag, we watch how nocturnal animals slowly give way to critters that prefer to be seen during the day. A graceful spectacle that never bores and that reminds us of how important it is for humans to spend sufficient time in nature.
It is our home, the place where our roots lie, although we seem to be slowly forgetting that due to urbanization. Fortunately, there are (water) campsites like this one to remind us of that fact.
From the water basin in which the camping rafts are located, you can paddle up the Steenbergse Vliet within a few minutes. From there you can paddle within half an hour to a nature reserve further on, where you can easily moor and walk for a while. Experienced paddlers make it to the fortress and garrison town of Steenbergen within an hour. Note: paddling is quite heavy, especially when the wind is against you. Therefore, do not forget that you also have to sail back to the starting point. Don’t feel like taking a trip in the canoe? A ten minute paddle, directly at the lock, you will find the picturesque restaurant Beneden Sas. Recommended! If you cross the lock you can spot birds and Scottish Highlanders in the special nature reserve the Dintelse Gorzen. Knowing more? Check: camping-raft.com