On our way again

It's been a while since we posted something due to lack of internet coverage. But here we are again!!!
This is on our way up north to FRIESLAND. (Fryslan) as the Fries would say.
Many bridges are totally computerized and open and close automatically!!!









There are two censors like the one in the picture that sense you are approaching the bridge. The road barriers close, and the bridge opens. Once you are through the sensor on the other side of the bridge it closes automatically and the barriers go up again.

It was a little scary going through for the first time, for fear the bridge would close before we were through, but the system seems to work fine, and we never got squashed.

Favorite activities in Holland

Biking is a great family activity especially if it's a sunny day.













"Stepping' is the latest trend.This fellow was the last in a whole group out stepping.


















There are fishermen along the river, rain or shine !!!
















This activity we only saw once. Some ingenuous fellows decided to go skiing.








Terra skiing that is,or at least that is what we called it!!!

Be sure to double click on the picture to get a better look.

Ossenzijl and Kalenberg

Ossenzijl is much like Giethoorn. The exception is that it is not quite as commercialized.
















We docked along a reed covered canal. There is a large national park in the area called "the weerribben" It is a 3500 square km wetland. The area is known for it's "peat" Years ago peat was dug up, and dried on strips of land(ribben) This was called "turf" and used as fuel to heat the homes.

In the wintertime the "reeds" which grows very well in the boggy ground is harvested and used for roof covering (thatched roofs)






Windmils such as this one was used to controle the level of water. In the winter the water level would be lowered so that harvesting the reeds would be easier.

This windmill is called the "Tjasker mill" and has an auger attached directly to the shaft. It is capable of pumping 25 cubic meter of water per hour.













The old "Tjasker mills" eventually were replaced with this wind mill. The "Spinnekop" mill.
It was capable of pumping much more water (480 cubic meter per hour) than the "Tjasker"mill
This particular one is still used to drop the water level 20 cm in the winter months. Of the 3500 square km park area 1/3 is still being used and harvested for it's reeds

Giethoorn The "Dutch Venice"

A peaceful dockage along the canal in Giethoorn
Giethoorn (as the caption suggest) is called "Dutch Venice, or Venice of the north, because of its many canals. It was a farming village, and everything used to be done by "punters" small barges that were pushed along by a long pole. For example moving cattle to and from the field, or bringing in the crops.
Now all the quaint little farms are bought up and converted to summer homes.











And on a sunny summer day (like this one in the picture) you will be far from the only one in the area.

This is the main canal and much smaller side canals run through the village itself.














At 8 o'clock in the morning the first campers started to arrive, and spent the day watching the boats go by.

Biking with a purpose

On Friday Aug 29th we went biking again.

It was my sisters birthday, so we dropped in to say "Happy Birthday"


The weather was nice and we had lunch at a side walk cafe.









We had to bike a total of 33 km but it was well worth it


One of the sights along the way is this house which is almost standing on the road. Apparently it used to be a toll both and that is why the location.










That night we enjoyed one of the most beautiful sunsets during the last several weeks.

It was especially nice to watch from our remote and quiet anchorage.

The "Molenwaard"

The "Molenwaard" is a very nice marina.
Undoubtedly the biggest reason for it is the very friendly staff.
Aard Boesekool (left) and Peter van Blerk (right) made us feel at home like no other marina staff.
Thank you both.!!!

For more information over this beautiful marina go to
www.molenwaard.nl








Here we are at the end of the dock. Our usual assigned place as most finger docks don't offer enough room for the "wide" Kadey Krogen.

In the back you see apartments with storage for your boat under the apartment.

Also there are homes build around the harbor, overlooking the beautiful area of the "Zwarte water" and you have your own dock in the back yard.

I will post a picture on a later posting.

A refreshing dip

With the weather having been mostly rainy and cool the water has not had much time to warm up.

Joanne did manage to go for a dip, but did not stay in the water long.