Woudsend

17/5/14 Woudsend

John and I woke up very early at Sloten and the pre-dawn light looked inviting enough to tempt even John to take a walk around town before breakfast. The windmill looked ethereal rising out of the mists and the yachts on the lake were bathed in soft pink hues; their outlines softened by the mist were just like a real life Monet.

boats in the dawn light

 

 

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John bought fresh baguettes from the bakery which had just opened, and wine from the small supermarket to replenish stocks, before we headed back to the boats. There we found the others emerging and about to head to the showers.

 

There had been a small kerfuffle yesterday with the dryers in the laundry refusing to work after chewing up four euros, much to the consternation of Nick and Pat who were charged with this task. In the end the wet washing was brought back to the boats and our rails are gaily bedecked with washing reminiscent of Widow Twanky from Aladdin.

 

We got underway with our flapping washing causing some hilarity among passing local boats. Don’t they know it’s the new form of bunting?

 

The journey across the lake was quite magical, almost surreal. There was still a low mist drifting above the glassy surface of the water and we had an unobstructed 360 degree view from the middle of the lake. It is so flat!! Nick says you can see the curvature of the Earth and he might not be joking. Dutch people must feel very threatened when they travel elsewhere and have mountains and hills looming over them everywhere.

 

Across the other side of the lake was our destination, the town of Woudsend which boasts not one but two working windmills. Upon arrival, Pam and Pat and John and I went in search of a good coffee. We found it! Along with the best apple pie ever (John: hrrmmpphh). Whilst we were sitting there a passing lady gave us a brochure about an art exposition of paintings, sculpture, glasswork, textiles and so on being held just two doors away from where we sat. Why not?

 

having coffee and apple pie at Woudsend

best apple pie!!!

Visiting the art exposition

It turned out to be absolutely fantastic! The paintings were bright and colourful, the sculptures interesting and unusual. In fact every medium represented was of high quality and better yet, the artists themselves were there with their displayed work and were willing to discuss their passion and motivation for their pieces. We loved it. Eat your heart out Canberra National Gallery …. we enjoyed this much more.

 

Afterwards, John and I strolled down towards the first windmill which was a sawmill. For the princely sum one euro the miller (well ok, he described himself as a professional hobbyist) gave a personal guided tour of the operation. With John’s engineering background he was hugely interested and this inspired the miller to give him the grand tour. John and his new-found bestie were soon deep in conversation. He certainly got his euro’s worth.

Barb at the sawmill

John and his  new"Bestie"

 

We walked further into town and found the second windmill which mills flour. There was already a group of tourists on bikes around this mill so we walked on. All the houses in the town were quite charming with lovingly tended small gardens.

 

We three girls went out again later in search of a foodstore (Pat’s making fondue for us tonight) and happened upon another gallery, this time of glasswork and ceramic.

 

Barb and Jan in the sculpture garden

 

We went in and discovered a wonderfully quirky enchanted garden, filled with ceramic and glass sculptures. Who could resist? Wandering amongst the sculptures were five cats (belonging to the owner). They were very happy to be cuddled and stroked so Nicky had his cat fix for the day. Pam and Pat for their part accost any passing dogs being walked by their owners. One gets the feeling they might be missing Lily and Chester just a tad.

Nick finds a cat to cuddle

 

We left Woudsend and headed towards Heeg by crossing a large lake called the Heegermeer. We negotiated our way through a flotilla of boats. It seems every Dutchman has a boat of some kind and today they were out using it. Heeg was so busy there was no available place to tie up, so we moved on to a mooring outside Iljst.

Pat worked his magic with the fondue and we all sat around Kuah’s back saloon dipping baguettes into the cheesy pot and swilling copious amounts of wine. Or at least the others did, Barb had to be content with rum and coke due to allergies.

Pat cooks a cheese fondue