We were supposed to be canoeing everyday. We brought the bikes to ride in our the middle of each day. We packed summer, fall, and winter clothes. Plus the all important rain gear.
Ah, two weeks of bliss in the Northern Dutch provinces.
First it was the heat. Our first week was blistering hot. Now at our new location the weather has changed and we have wind force 5 coming across a large lake kicking up the waves. Not safe or fun to paddle in these conditions we have adjusted our plans and have been exploring the small towns in the area.
Dokkum, Balk, and Sloten. All are old harbor towns and all have buildings dating hundreds of years old. As we walk through these old towns and look at these old buildings standing the test of time it is hard to believe they are so old. Each one being recycled through the generations from cheese store to clothing or butter warehouse to cafe. You can almost feel the spirit of each person who established and worked an entire lifetime in the businesses that make these towns.
Warehouses line the canals and harbors, fishing and cargo boats come and go (now replaced with yachts and recreational boats) time passes slowly from day to day, then generation to generation.
We found we slowed down too. Took in the sites. Stepped into interesting backstreets, peeked into some windows. Then always we find a cafe to sit, enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee, relax and let time expand and contract with the life of these towns.
Not sure what the weather will do, the forecast isn’t the best. So we wait. If we aren’t able to do what we have planned we will continue to enjoy the time we have been granted to explore and relax.
©️ The Cedar Journal, 2019, all rights reserved
The Cedar Journal 
I would love to tour these small towns. Your photos showcase such beauty and history. You draw me into these places with your images and words.
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Thanks Audrey.
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It looks like you made the best of a bad weather situation and visited some very pretty towns and villages in Northern Holland. Hope the weather will improve for you!
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It looks so pretty! And I think the key to a successful vacation is the willingness to change your plans when you need to. I’m glad you’re enjoying the local sights even if you can’t canoe!
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It is pretty important to be flexible. We have never experienced major disappointment while vacationing as we always either have a backup plan or find ways to enjoy our time in another way.
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There is two things I seem to always take away from your great shots – one is how clean everything looks over there compared to here (maybe that is an illusion or you do yeoman’s work of cleaning up the scene before you shoot it. The other thing is the incredible intricate architectures that are abound. Amazing brickwork and very nice finishing decorations and touches on the edges giving it true character. There was a third pertaining to how glass like all your water shots were, but your last shot kind of broke that trend as it looks a bit ripply (probably the most I have ever seen ha).
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It is mostly very clean. Lol nope I am not picking trash or cleaning up the photos in the digital darkroom. I guess I need to mount a go pro on my head for the times we are paddling in rough water (not going to happen). No worries I have some rough water pictures to share in the future. The pictures never look as bad on film as they do in person.
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Wow that bridge looks like something out of a fairytale
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