14 August 2018 Dutch countryside tour.

Today we had a full program of activities and were on the bus just after 8 am. Our first experience was at Clara Maria Kaas- & Klompenmakerij where we enjoyed watching a clog making demonstration. One of our party had her birthday today so she was chosen to be the student while the expert taught her what to do. And what hard work it was hammering the axe into a block of poplar. “You’re struggling a bit because there is a knot in the wood,” he explained as he struggled to get the axe free.”

“You should have taken it out before we started,”she joked. Finally the hammering ended and a machine used to finish the job. It was all very entertaining and interesting. Our birthday girl got to keep the rough shoe as a souvenir. It was engraved for her and she intends turning it into a work of art.

Next we had a talk and demonstration on cheese making by a delightful and entertaining young woman. And this was followed by tasting some of the excellent cheeses.

Zaanse Schans

After browsing the gift shop we continued our tour and stopped for an hour to see the traditional houses and Windmills at Zaanse Schans. Yes it was very touristy but we loved it.

Volendam

Volendam was not to be missed.

Joshie, our driver, parked the bus 🚌 outside the village and we walked to the designated meeting spot and then left to explore and have lunch on our own. Once again it was a tourist trap but very picturesque nevertheless. I could not leave beautiful Holland without something or remind me of her and needing a bag that would hold water, brolly and jersey etc, I bought a rather nice one sporting the name Amsterdam! Warning – all the shops stock the same stuff so compare prices before you buy!

If I lived in Holland, I would eat bitterbollen every day. I have become addicted to this delicious snack so for lunch that is exactly what I had while Lolz settled for calamari. The coffee was passable – just. So it’s Belgium for coffee and Holland for bitterbollen.

Canal Cruise

When you visit Amsterdam be sure to do a canal cruise. Ours was part of our package and included a meal. It was awesome. The crew was entirely female which was refreshing👜👠👚 Our boat guide gave an excellent commentary on the history of the buildings, house boats and customs of canal life. Two funny facts – 1. the houses of the poor were narrower than those of the rich as tax was determined on the width of your home! 2. If you accidentally drive your car into the canal, stay with it otherwise your insurance won’t pay out!

For our late lunch/early supper we could choose from three options – pizza, buffalo wings or chickend salad. We chose buffalo wings and Caesar salad. Dessert was ice cream. For € 6 you could upgrade to the drinks package which Lolz and I shared. I had a glass of pink and she 2 reds. Everything about this excursion was awesome. Nothing nicer than enjoying a glass or two with excellent food while cruising the canals of Amsterdam.

Madam Tussauds

Our last activity of the day was a visit to Madam Tussaud’s but I will include that in the next post as, probably due to being on the coach, I am having trouble uploading the next batch of photos.