Always be ready to try something new – that is our motto. With this in mind, we set off in the summer on a barrier-free houseboat tour. It is something you can even do when you use a wheelchair. A pleasant surprise and a contrast to the barriers we have to face in everyday life.

Going on a houseboat tour when you rely on a wheelchair is in actually an absurd idea. If you use crutches, standing on a boat is a very wobbly business and a wheelchair is too wide anyway for the gangways and doorframes. Those were my preconceptions before I arrived on a Febomobil 990 from Kuhnle Tours. Their barrier free houseboat is moored in Zeuthen. It was easy to get there. I just had to get on an S8 S-Bahn train in Berlin and get off at Zeuthen, the last stop, out in the countryside. The way from the station to the mooring was well signposted.

With my crutches and a bit of help I can step down from the landing stage, although it is a bit wobbly, and onto the Febomobil – a holiday home on the water, you could call it. (A tip for less mobile passengers – there is a barrier free landing stage at the Villa am See in Wildau. You can arrange to get on there). All the rooms such as the kitchen, the bedroom and bathroom are easy to reach and I have no problem manoeuvring my wheelchair.

Finally, it is time to go and we set off. I enter the steering station, put the key in the ignition, turn it and the motor starts. It is just like driving a car. My able-bodied companion has the job of untying the ropes. Who goes on a boat trip completely alone anyway? After just a few minutes, I manage to steer the boat really well, thanks to the instructions I have been given before we set off. From the marina, we turn onto the River Dahme.

We are travelling in the Dahme Lakeland, where there are more than 70 lakes. We meet paddlers enjoying an evening tour, as well as small and large motor boats. In front at the steering station, the wind blows in my face. I feel as though I am on holiday, yet just south of Berlin – perfect.
The houseboat is easy to steer from my wheelchair. I feeling of freedom on the water comes over me. From here, we could travel as far as the River Oder. A short round trip is enough, though, for a first attempt.

We turn onto Lake Krossin. The sun is bathing the lake in a gentle light. The reed-lined shore and the water are relaxing to the eye. It is not at all difficult for me to put my smartphone aside. A magical atmosphere lies over the lake. After a while, the fresh air makes me hungry. Actually not a bad place to start thinking about eating. Dinner is appropriately served on deck. There is enough space for a table next to the steering station. Then before bed, I witness Brandenburg at its most spectacular – a sunset over the lake.

The second day of our first boating trip. We set off after breakfast. My friend Jörg takes over the steering wheel. I enjoy the countryside once more, as it slowly passes me by. The sun glimmers again on the surface of the water. I could spend hours watching it. We continue south and head for Königs Wusterhausen.

In the meantime, we have turned the steering wheel through 180 degrees and are on course for home. We take a final break at the “Villa am See” in Wildau. The restaurant is right at the water´s edge and has a landing stage for boats.

The entrance is step-free and the restaurant has a disabled toilet and a large terrace. There is a children´s playground right next to the restaurant.
The “Villa am See” landing stage is ideal for wheelchair-users as it is also step-free. I did not need to use the ramp on board either, as my friend helped me over the step with my wheelchair.

From Wildau, where we stopped, it was just a short distance back to the marina in Zeuthen. A day and a half on the water are over much too quickly. We are sure that we will do it again. Perhaps next time we “captains” will travel as far as the River Oder or all the way around Berlin!