Muiden

 The Harbour of Muiden with the Castle in the background.

The Netherlands, Waterland

 

Lots of water and lots of boats.

Boatshow

 

And when the bridge has opened, a variety of boats is passing by.

And then there are the boats who had to wait to go the other way. It is a fun to watch the show what is moving around in our waters.

Moving Bridge

A moveable bridge in Muiden.

Bridge is slowly moving sideways.

 

And itis ready.

Ships can move through.

Heatwave

Another heatwave this week even hotter than the last one, temperatures of 37 C ( 98.6 F).

People keep cool in  the water in Muiden.

Summer time

We have the most wonderful weather here with temperatures up to 30 degrees C (86F). At the IJssel-lake was a competition between sailboats.

The brave ones took a swim in the, in my opinion, still cold lake.

At the horizon you can see the fortress island Pampus which I visited a few weeks ago at a cold rainy day (look here). You never know what weather it will be here when you have made plans before.

Castle and fortress

The port of Muiden with the "Muiderslot", a castle located at the mouth of the river Vecht where it flows into the IJsselmeer. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth century after it had been  razed to the ground in 1300. Currently it is a national museum with restored rooms and kitchens as it looked like in the 17th century and several rooms with arms and armour.

Close to the castle is this fortress that belonged to the Defence Line of Amsterdam in the 19th century. It was a warm sunny day and we walked over the dike at the right along the IJssellake.

Here a view of the fortress and the castle together.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

The Lock of Muiden

Last weekend we had walked in the surroundings of the little city of Muiden and ended at one of the most pretty terraces there. We sat on the waterfront close to one of the most navigated locks of this area.

With the sunny weather many Dutch had started the boating season.

The bridge over the lock that dates from 1870, had to be openend every ten minutes and it turnes completely aside.

Mostly the ships that pass are not that big as this huge three-master that hardly fitted in the lock.

It passed by so close, we had a good look at this seaworthy ship.

After that some smaller boats passed, here with dog on board.

This is always the most funny part of the show. As the lock is very narrow, the boats have to maneuver for fitting  in. Many eldery couples have a boat and the man is always on the steering wheel and the woman stands in the front with the rope. She has to throw the rope to the shore side and fasten it which she not always manages to do at a time. The man then often starts shouting at her and with the terraces so close to it everybody is enjoying this performance. This lock is famous for these hilarious shows and that's why the terraces are always loaded with people here.

And for the delicious Tapas dish for two of course.

At Last!

The protest march against the rain last saturday worked, ha,ha, although the better weather was predicted allready for the coming week. Anyway everybody enjoyned going out yesterday as here at the beach in Muiderberg.

We biked (with many others) to the little town Muiden, 14 km from our home.

It is a very nice road through farmland with wooden barns.

We passed the "Muiderslot", a castle dating from 1370 at the mouth of the river Vecht, some 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam.

And here we are in Muiden, a pretty little town with a lock where in summer many yachts have to pass. It is always a touristic attraction because the boats have to fit in the lock which isn't easy. The  men always stands behind the steering wheel shouting against the woman in the front to tie the rope.

It is hilarious for the audience sitting on the terrace along the lock.

The bridge turns open and the boats can pass.

We had a nice beer with "bitterballen", crunchy deep-fried meatballs with mustard, before biking home another 14 kilometers.