Enkhuizen to Leeuwarden

 Today was our last must bike day. We stayed dry… It was supposed to rain today as recently as Saturday morning forecast. Good for us but bad for Europe no rain. Actually I think it was the hottest day since we have been in the Netherlands. Was into the Mid 80’s which is quite hot for around here. Unfortunately our Hotel room does not have AC so it is hot in there. The average high temp this time of year is low 70’s so it isn’t to surprising they do without AC.

We did not start out biking today. We walked our bikes from the B&B to the ferry dock( about 150 meters) and got on the ferry. We went about 15 miles in 80 minutes from Enkhuizen to Stavoren a port in Friesland. There we started our 61 Km ride to Leeuwarden.

Leaving Enkhuizen.

Arrival in Stavoren. There were some rolls on the water but not severe. Ila did feel a bit queasy along the way. Once off the boat we got the GPS active and set off on our way.

We saw several boats like this in the last few days both in Enkhuizen , Stavoren, and small towns on lakes along the way. This is an old style Dutch sailing ship. The large fan shape thing on the boat is a Leeboard. They actually were a Chinese invention that found their way to Europe in the 1500s. They are ideal for shallow waters as the keel cannot run as deep and the leeboard helps to keep the boat going straight in less favorable wind conditions. Modern boats will have a center board that extends down out of the keel that functions much the same. The trick with them is you need to have a mechanism that does not let water into the bottom of your boat. (Something not available in the 1500s.)

As we biked along we did come upon a few lakes. We were told this would be a pretty part of the trip today but when we were biking the lake was higher than the road… so we actually could not see anything of the lake. I was strange to see sail boats gliding across what looked to be farm fields. 

We got to the town of Sneek(pronounced Snake) The picture above is the Waterpoort. Sneek was on the canals between Stavoren and Leeuwarden and as such it wanted a cut of the taxes. It built City walls that included this water entrance. The walls were torn down but they left the Waterpoort. 

Only one windmill today. We think this was a sawmill as there are several boards neatly stacked to dry in front of the building. 

The Dutch had an interesting way of doing the house and barn in times past. This is an example of it. The house and the barn are physically attached together. This isn’t done anymore that I know of. We have seen many examples but this has been the best to get a picture of. Typically the barn is moved to a more typical pole barn and what was the barn appears to be made into the house. In this one I think the barn was still active. There was a new house off to the left not in the picture.

We think this horse is a Frisian horse. Don’t know for sure but do know it is for sure a black horse in Friesland. Doesn’t that make if a Friesian?

Just when we thought we were almost to our hotel we got stopped by the draw bridge letting boats through. It was interesting to watch though. 

So tonight we are outside in the garden of our hotel waiting for things to cool off a bit. Tomorrow we go hunting for Wiersma’s and Westra’s in the Cemeteries. Not sure how we would find any long lost relatives here… Although we were asked in Middleburg if we were related to Otto Wiersma…. We said unfortunately nee (no)

Peace,

Dale and Ila