On Friday we left idyllic Urk in the opposite direction from which we had come. We were heading, ultimately, for Zwolle from where Nancy and I would leave Jeremy and Elaine and catch a train to Amsterdam. To get to Zwolle we had to cross the Northeast Polder and to do that we had to go down -- a long way down. Here we are heading into the lock.
And here we are heading out. You can see by the color change on the lock wall how far down we came.
Here's the pumping station, working to keep the polder dry.
And here we are on the canal crossing the polder. All the land as far as you can see in every direction has been reclaimed from the sea.
This bridge was closed during lunch hour, so we tied up and had lunch ourselves.
We passed this oliebollen stand, and Jeremy kindly offered to stop. I remember oliebollen from my youth. They're like a ball shaped donut only better. My grandmother used to make them.
So we stopped, walked back and bought a few. Yum!
On we went. Jeremy let me drive!
Not all the land is field or town. Here is some forest -- all reclaimed from the sea and kept so only by constant effort.
Finally we had traversed the polder. It was time to go back up.
We traveled for some time down a river. It was getting late, and we needed to find a place to stop. Jeremy found this lovely spot and ever so carefully eased us in.
And when the depth gauge showed we were getting into water less than three feet deep he eased us ever so carefully out again. Whew!
No problem. He found another spot even nicer.
Such a beautiful evening.
After a hearty dinner, a few toasts to our good fortune, and a rousing game of Scrabble it was time for bed.
Next morning we were off again to Zwolle. One consequence of clear nights is chilly mornings.
We stopped in Zwartsluis where I couldn't resist a photo of a treat of which I am quite fond, but which my traveling companions were less than excited about. That treat is haring broedje -- a sandwich of raw herring and onions. Doesn't it look good!? Herring sushi!
On we went.
But not here.
This is Hasselt, another town along the way.
And finally Zwolle, a city, apparently, of artistic bridges
and futuristic buildings.
I included this photo because it's the only bridge we encountered that opened by lifting the whole road straight up. We thought we were very clever getting through this bridge before it closed for two hours, from 4-6.
But, wouldn't you know, there was another. Time for more Scrabble.
Finally, the bridge opened and we were in. We moored next to the old wall, a fifteen minute walk from the train station.
It was time for a drink or two and then dinner, to celebrate our time together.
Tomorrow it would be time to say goodbye.
Well what do you know! Just refreshed and saw this post. I would like to reiterate however my desire for one last entry before you go!
ReplyDelete