We left Blokzijl and cruised via a small canal through the town of Kalenberg in the heart of the De Weerribben National Park. The park is now a wilderness area other than the towns of Kalenbegr and Ossenzijl. It was an area where peat production was really big in the 1700’s and has many small waterways and marshy areas where the reed used for thatching is harvested after the winter.
We passed many thatched houses with lovely big gardens.
One of the houses had a small barn with a lot of animals in front. We noticed that the sheep in the garden were sculptures and presumed the barnyard ones were also as there were so many animals in one place, however as we slowly cruised past we noticed they moved. A frustrated retired farmer must own this property. I wonder if the people in these houses feel they are in a side show, with all the gawking boaties cruising by.
We noticed many new thatched roofs and saw piles of thatch waiting for a roof to hug.
We also cruised by this cute boat.
We passed through Ossensil
and turned up the canal passing the other side of the Wilderness area
towards Steenwijk.
This canal has several automatic lift up bridges which have an electronic eye to register the boat approaching. It makes travelling real easy hardly any waiting around.
Beth has been driving the boat a bit and drove right through without any problem
Steenwijk
Steenwijk is our last port before Ray and Beth leave for Amsterdam and then France. It is a nice port close to a supermarket, the town a short walk away and a lovely park next door.
On our way to the station to check out the train timetable we passed this shop.
A peek inside showed almost any animal any shape or size.
If you were sick of animals in the garden you could try Laurel and Hardy. I am not sure why Laurel and Hardy are popular, maybe they were from the Netherlands.
Soon it was time to wave goodbye to Ray and Beth at the train station, fill up with water and head off on our next adventure.
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