25 September 2015 - No rain for change!

Can I believe it?  It didn't rain at all today and when the clouds parted from time to time, the sun was warm - 18 C.  It was back to Enkhuizen for the day with a few things on our schedule: to see the street where Karl's mum grew up, to touch base with Karl's uncle Simon and to visit the Binnenmuseum part of the Zuiderzee Museum.  All were accomplished!

Picnic spot and rock hopping

A patch of sunshine!!!

 Lunch was first on the agenda by the tranquil harbour of Enkhuizen, watching the boats sail by.  Some of the old sailing ships are really majestic in full sail.

Tranquil

Boy in tree!

Trains to Enkhuizen 1875

Our ice cream place - unfortunately not open on Fridays in September...

Narrow lane and crooked walls

Beautiful old buildings

Note the crooked window 3rd from left

Nanne Grootstraat

 We then wandered up and down and around the little streets and lanes of Enkhuizen looking for Nanne Grootsraat where Karl's mum spent some of her childhood.  It must have been a lovely place to live in with its historic streets and bridges and canals.  My thoughts kept turning to life during WWII when bikes would be ridden without lights and food supplies would be rationed during the German occupation of Holland.

Canal near Nanne Grootstraat

Town walls from 16th century

Town gate

Kwakerstraat

 As Karl's uncle Simon lived close by we located his place and called by to say "Goede Dag" .  I was keen to meet him as he had stood in as proxy groom for Karl's Dad when he "married" Karl's Mum, Betty prior to Betty immigrating to Australia.  Karl's Dad was already in Australia.  Simon is a spritely 87 year old who has a great sense of humour and enjoys life.  We will meet up with him again.

Simon and Karl!

More lovely buildings

Church and angles -interesting architecture and extensions

Local cheese shop

Town Hall - where Simon (proxy groom) "married" Betty Vis

Lock up for crooked folk!

From there we walked back to the Binnenmuseum (inside) which had exhibits about the fishing communities of Holland and traditional life as well as some hands on activities.  I must say that most museums cater for children really well and there were puzzles and interactive games to interest Luke.

Binnenmuseum - Zuiderzee Museum

We  all contributed to the big tapaestry

Concentrating hard

Origami

Massive oak beams

Lacy caps - typically Dutch

Checking out the view

So very lovely

Little Dutch boy with cat and bike!!

As it was still light when we got home and Luke had spotted Hugo and Rik in the paddocks rounding up the cows, he quickly put on his gumboots and headed out to join them.  It wasn't too long before the doorbell rang and there was a very muddy/cow patty Luke and Rik.  They had been playing: "Find the deepest patch of mud" and had clearly succeeded.  Boys!