Woudsend to Workum

This morning's 13km cruise to Workum via the de Fluezen lakes was BUSY. It is Saturday and there were LOTS of boats out enjoying the weekend on the water. 

As we always give way to EVERYONE, we decided to turn into the lake to our right and just let them all pass. I'm sure they all knew what they were doing, but you never know.

The weather started, again, grey and drizzly but, again, turned dry and sunny in the afternoon. Seems to be a pattern. 

We got through the first bridge into Workum ok, it was the next one that closed for lunch, 12:00 til 13:00.

As we pulled into the outskirts of the town the lights on the bridge 50m in front of us turned from one red light to two red lights. Oh oh, lunch time. Might as well have an early lunch ourselves. After toasted sandwiches on board we scouted out the moorings up ahead and discovered the new binnehaven with lovely moorings next to the church in the center of town - water, electricity, wifi all available and included in the price. 

The town has all the shops one needs for a quick re-provision and we made it back to the boat just before a little shower threatened to wash out our afternoon excursion to the small town of Hinderloopen, 6km away on the Ijsselmeer coast. Happily it only lasted half an hour and we were still able to head out on the bikes.

Since the 13thC this has been a busy little seaport, if somewhat overshadowed by its bigger neighbours Stavoren to the south and Makkum to the north. Since the closing of the enormous afsluitdijk it is now used primarily by recreation vessels.

Now I know I keep banging on about how pretty these towns are and you are probably sick of hearing about it. BUT Hinderloopen is SO SO SO pretty. 

Before the Ijsselmeer was turned into a lake in the 20thC, this was a busy little seaport. It is still busy, but now with recreation craft of all descriptions, mostly sailboats. Today it was also busy with people as a half-marathon was just getting underway as we got into the center of town. 

This was the main canal from the Zuidersee into Hinderlopen and the first lock was built here in 1619. It was built from wood and was damaged in storms in 1679 and 1690. It was then rebuilt in stone in 1700 and other than new doors and gubbins every 60 years or so is the same.

Masts as far as the eye can see. Makes a change from all the motorcruisers we have been rubbing shoulders with the last few weeks.

As our bikes were effectively stuck for the duration we took a walk through the town/village, around the harbour, browsing in the stores and spending a lovely hour with a coffee and applegebak at a harbourside café. The town was once called the' Friesland Venice" as every house was accessible by boat and in the old part of town this is still the case. 

It is also well known in the Netherlands for the folk-painting known as 'Hinderlopen" - similar to what I know as Bauernmalerei from Bavaria or Tollwork painting that you find on the canal boats in England. I took a course in it years ago and have various bits and pieces including a wooden chair covered in this style of flower painting.

Skutjes, Tjalks, Scows, Botters - well as I can't tell the difference, I dunno what these were, but I can tell you there were plenty of them.

Once the streets were open again, we meandered our way back to Workum on a cycle route suggested by my bike route book making it back on board Zoe by 18:30, BEER time! 

On our way back to the boat we passed a garden with this woman and a few sheep. She was bottle feeding three little orphans, including this one, who followed her around at her heels - after all, she is Mama. I had a lovely cuddle with this one.

Skip had planned to scrub the side of the boat, but discovered that the F1 qualifying was about to start so guess which he is doing???