Volendam & Edam

After Marken we decided to return to the cheese & clogs farm for the night. We made sure we arrived early so that we could get into the normal (not time restricted) MH parking. After parking up we got on our bikes again to cycle the 1/2 km into Volendam.

 

The houses in Vollendam are built on the dyke. The sun was out and the town was really busy - it had quiet a nice atmosphere.

A short cycle ride along the coast from Volendam and we arrived in Edam, which is a moderate sized modern town with a small pretty old centre. The windmill above was on the outskirts of Edam.

There had been a Dutch sailing barge race during the day. When we returned to Vollendam again in the evening, after having supper in Kiki, the harbour was full of boats.

Marken

After leaving Monnickendam we headed slightly further south towards the island of Marken. We were looking for somewhere to park so that we could cycle along the causeway which now joins Marken to the mainland.

 

We found the perfect spot, right at the start of the causeway and after lunch we got on our bikes and rode.

The mainly wooded houses of Marken are built on small hills to protect them from flooding.

Even the cows wear clogs!

This is the tallest hill we've seen in the Netherlands.

Houses built along the dyke with stilts on the landward side.

A "study of reflections".

There are even canals on this tiny island. It seems that everyone here has a water frontage to their property.

After walking around the tiny harbour we decided to explore the rest of the island on our bikes.

The old lighthouse at the far end of the island is now a private residence.

We headed back to Kiki via the path that runs along the top of the dyke which surrounds the island. 

Monnickendam

We're now on the east coast of North Holland next to the Ijsselmeer sea. This morning we're visiting Monnickendam which is a few km south of the cheese & clogs farm where we stopped last night.

 

More canals and of course bridges.

This church really is tilted - its a full two courses of bricks lower on the left hand side!

We found a marina and spent a happy hour or so looking at boats.

More Dutch barges around the pretty harbour. 

Cheese & Clogs

We left Amsterdam City Camp after lunch and headed a few km north east to a free MH parking place at a cheese and clog farm called Kaasboerderij Simonehoeve.

 

Having arrived we discovered that there were already five MH's parked up and the only spaces left were marked as MH parking from 17:00 - 09:30 only. There was still 1.5hrs to go but we decided to park anyway and after a "nice cup of tea" for Emma and coffee for me we wandered inside pretending to be customers.

 

Inside the farm building we were welcomed by the owner who proceeded to give us a mini tour of their cheese and clog making facilities. After learning all about cheese and clog making we went into their shop and had a pre-dinner snack by sampling the cheeses - they were so nice we bought some!

 

The cheese presses and drying racks.

The clog making machines.

Amsterdam - Day Three

Our last day (morning actually) in Amsterdam and we're mooching around the centre of the city.

 

Amsterdam Central Station

Hot Chocolate with cream, yummy!

The Sex Museum gets a spring clean.

 

We decided not to buy any dodgy seeds for our cottage garden.

Amsterdam - Day Two

Another early start today cycling into the city after our trip across the harbour on the free ferry. This morning we're visiting the Van Gogh museum which charts the life of the famous Dutch artist. Despite arriving shortly after opening time, we still had to queue for over 1/2hr to get inside.

 

No pictures of the museum as a new entrance is in the process of construction so there's a lot of scaffolding and hoardings. 

 

Lunchtime today is a treat - our first and only meal out in this current tour. Some of the tables at Hard Rock Café are on a deck next to the canal. Despite the sunshine its still cold so we chose to eat inside.

 

Cheers!! - Our 21st Hard Rock visit

 

After lunch we decided to head into the centre of the city via the canal ring.

There are over 1400 bridges in Amsterdam - This is Magere Brug "the skinny bridge", which is the most well known.

A pretty shop.

Canalside selfie!

Waag - Amsterdam's only remaining medieval gatehouse.

The Red Light District - the "naughty ladies" were camera shy!

 

Amsterdam - Day One

We're up bright and early this morning to beat the crowds. We decided to cycle around the city rather than walk as things are quite a distance apart.

 

First stop today is the Rijksmuseum which contains a huge collection of Dutch art.

After about five hours, including a quick lunch break, we had seen enough so leaving our bikes parked at the museum we took a walk around the area.

Stork on a Stick!

The pretty City park of Vondelpark.

We cycled back via the canal ring which consists of three concentric canals which go around part of the city centre.

Amsterdam is a bit like Venice but on a much larger scale. 

Colourful barges moored in the canal.

A petite snackette - diamond shaped marshmallow dipped in chocolate.

Sign above the chemist.

Don't be a tourist, be a traveller!

Yes really - a shop full of plastic ducks!

Amsterdam City Camp

We've just arrived at Amsterdam City Camp which is a dedicated motorhome parking area close to the city centre. From Haarlem we chose a non-motorway route on the satnav because we had time to spare and it would be nicer than the boring motorway. Unfortunately, the route went right through the middle of the city which was manic with people and bicycles everywhere!

 

Having parked Kiki with about 100 new friends we decided to checkout the free ferry which we will be using to get into the city over the next few days. 

 

The Botel - a boat hotel next to the ferry terminus.

 

Just a few of the bikes parked by the main railway station.

"The Eye" is the home of the Netherlands Film Institute.

Student accommodation Amsterdam style - originally shipping containers!

 

Haarlem

We left the campsite in the bulb fields this morning and drove north to visit Haarlem en-route to Amsterdam.

 

We managed to squeeze Kiki into a parking space right next to a canal. We were so close that we had to get out of the passenger door - the other side was practically hanging over the water! 

The Grote Markt.

 

Rent from the row of shops alongside the old church went towards the "church roof fund".

One of the original city gates - this one dates back to the 13th Century.