Post card from Enkhuizen

With all the weekend sailors gone, we had the northern part of the Ijsselmeer practically to our selves and sailed down to the delightful little town of Medemblik.  They all seem delightful, but this one was a real gem and we immediately took to the happy, helpful harbour masters who generously offered three nights for the price of two in the Pekelharing harbour - a one-time fishing quay which is now filled with large Dutch and German yachts.

The pictures will say it all!

Cheeses for the market

Windmills old ....

... and new - this was many times the height of the traditional one!

Traditional West Friesland farmhouse - sometimes referred to as "Pyramids of the Polders" - we assume the thatch covering must be for insulation

At Radbout Castle in Medemblik

The old salts!

Everyone breathe in, we're going through this bridge!

Hoorn to Medemblik steam train

We went to a bee museum, but learned little from the talk in German - the peacock amongst the bees was worth watching though!

Gorgeous park

There is no way that this ship should have fitted into the tiny harbour, but apparently it is a regular visitor - the Sunflower Trust is a Dutch charity that supports disabled people - the ship held 70 disabled passengers plus 60 volunteer carers for a week's holiday.

Reluctantly we left Medemblik, feeling that we could have enjoyed more days there, but the breeze and sunshine enticed us out once more.

We had another lovely sail across to Enkhuizen, which is at the western end of the Houtribdijk, another dam that the Dutch have thrown across the middle of the Ijsselmeer - some 18 miles long.

We have been to Enkhuizen a number of times before but a longer stay and using the folding bikes has meant that we have found how much more the town and area have to offer.  We had previously visited the fascinating and extensive ZuiderZee Museum but had neglected some of the other sights.

The beautifully restored 17th century houses and municipal buildings are real treasures and a town guide book has, once again, given us an insight into the stories behind them.  We have also discovered that the town contains such curiosities as a "Ship-in-a-bottle Museum" and the world's oldest Almanac as well a beautiful walk around the city walls.  On a couple of cycle rides we also enjoyed the tranquil Streekbos woodland area, a visit to Broekerhaven and a look at the Naviduct from the land perspective.
 

Home from home!

You have to love a town that puts flowers on the fence round a building site!

More amazing Dutch engineering - the Naviduct is a vast aqueduct that allows the motorway along the Houtribdijk to pass underneath as the many boats pass overhead

Now we are sitting waiting for our first visitors - Andrew and Rachel are at the airport while we have been listening to Andy Murray win at Wimbledon!