Holland Flood Barriers then Belgium

Travelled : 258km
Stay:Belgium-Veurnes/Furnes free parking next to canal,  free service point next to the recycle bins N51.0702 E2.66584
Visited:Holland-Oosterscheldeckering flood barriers

We took the ferry across the canal €4.55 and over bridges as we made our way along the coast of the Delta. 

We stopped at a lookout tower which we could climb to the top and it had a information on the National Park. Many birds migrate here from Africa and if you are lucky you may spot a whale or seals. 

We continued on to the next island via the tops of the 9km Oosterscheldekering flood barriers built in 1986. There are 62 steel doors each 42m wide. They remain open unless it is predicted that the water levels will exceed 3m.  Apart from the monthly tests, the doors have had to be closed 25 times.

The very windy North Sea 

One of the few lighthouses along this coast line.

We followed the coast to Domburg and to Vlissingen before taking the toll €7.85  tunnel under the water to Terneuzen.

 We finished our travels in Holland and entered Belgium going to Knokke.  The coast is very populated along here. 

We headed to a service point in Oostende and then found a spot for tonight not far away in Veurne on a canal. It's town square has historic charm, rimmed with 15th century step gabled facades, along with the church, belfry and bell towers. The town has both WWI and II history. Even Vauban had built a defensive wall around the town which were later razed. We decided to treat ourselves and had the best waffles ever... unbelievably light and fluffy. After dinner we enjoyed a stroll along the canal.

Cruquius pump museum to the mouth of the Rhine

Travelled : 120km
Stay:Maassluis (near Rotterdam)- 8 free parking designated spots with possible overflow parking,  no service point (3 more spots on the other side of the canal with free electricity). N51.91559 E4.25058
Visited: Cruquius (pump house) museum,  bulb fields, mouth of Rhine River -Rotterdam.

Our first destination this morning was the Cruquius (pump house) museum. 

This was one of 3 built in the 1800's to pump out the water from a large lake between Amsterdam,  Haarlem and Leiden.  Up until then wooden sluices and windmills had been used to drain water logged areas. It was calculated that over 100 windmills would have had to be built to drain this lake  . King William I wanted to use steam pumps as he had seen in the Cornwall mines. At the time the compression chambers were the biggest in the world.

 They would pump 8 arms to shift 64 cubic meters of water each, 5 times a minute.  

It took just over 3 years to drain the lake but first they had to hand dig a canal to carry the water away. This took 400 men 6 years. The map of Holland was very informative showing when the low lands were regained. 

Their fight against water is on going as well as the rising salt levels but they are forever working on solutions. After our visit we drove through the famous bulb fields. Unfortunately it is not the tulip season so we did not see all the beautiful colours. It is obviously a huge industry  as we drove past many fields and glass houses.

We made our way to the mouth of the Rhine River near Rotterdam.  It is here that they built the busiest port in Europe and the 4th in the world. We walked along the channel for a bit watching some big ships come and go. 

Then it was off to find a spot for tonight. Luckily the first one only 17km away was great, right on the water edge where the ferry service takes you across to the other side! And perfect for some barge watching! A peaceful way to end the day as the traffic especially close to the cities is hectic and a bit stressful as you need to be fully alert with all the bicycles.

Amsterdam Day 2

On our second day in Amsterdam we continued exploring the sights.  We focused on the oldest quarter where it happens to be the city's red light district. We once again followed a Rick Steve's walking tour and learnt a fair bit about the area along with its drug culture. Not quite our scene but as tourists we had a walk up and down a few streets to see what it's all about, as it is what Amsterdam is famous for. We also spent some time watching the canal traffic and exploring a few more streets before eventually going over the water back to Bluey to recover.

These wooden sluice gates and the pumping station ensure the canals do not stagnate allowing fresh water from the northern lakes to flow into them.

the narrow Magere Brug

The Blauwbrug built in 1883

My turn 

In Rembrandt Square

These urinals are scatered around the city, apparently to help reduce drownings from drunk men falling into the canal when going for a pee 

Local brew...cheers

The Red Light district 

The first 'coffee' shop selling drugs

The upper storeys concealed a secret and at the time illegal Catholic Church in 1663

The old port area

The hectic streets near Central Station

Saint Nicolas