Vesting Bourtange

We drove to Bourtange today to visit the old 1742 fortified village along the eastern border. Much to our surprise and delight the 30th annual medieval festival was being held. Our photos tell the rest of the story.

Hindeloopen

We spent Saturday roaming around at one of favorite little villages, Hindeloopen. It's such a quaint place.

Taking it easy...

Since our last post we have been taking it a bit easy. We've been out and about trying to dodge numerous rain showers.

I've managed to buy four pairs of Birkenstock sandals. This area always has great sales this time of year on Birks. I save at least 40 percent on each pair and the styles are often different than those available in Canada. The only catch it seems, you have to have smaller feet.

We've been to nearby towns of Sneek and Dokkum. Both are charming and we'll likely pay them another visit before we leave.

We went to the weekly open air market here Leeuwarden, buying fresh vegetables, fruit, bread and meat pies. The fresh fish fry was pretty darn tasty as well.

We're both enjoying life in Friesland. We like the rural setting and connection to the land and water.

On the canal near Snitzer Mar

We packed a picnic lunch and our folding chairs for a few hours of boat and ship watching.

Friday evening Leeuwarden

Harlingen

Back in Freisland

We began our day with a quick trip to the nearby grocery store for a few food items. We love the European cheeses, pates, sausages, and breads. They all have so much more flavor than what we buy at home. We also have a Nespresso coffee machine, so I am enjoying very delicious coffee (but haven't seen George Clooney or Danny DeVito yet 😀).

Friends from back home, Ron and Shirley, who just happened to be holidaying in the Netherlands as well paid us a visit. We decided to drive out to Harlingen on the sea for the afternoon. We strolled along the haven, then window shopped in the centrum. I bought a loaf of delicious raisin and currant bread. It must have had half a kilo of fruit in it!

We returned to Leeuwarden for supper at De Walrus restaurant and ended the evening with a walk along the nearby canal. 

It was a fun day visiting old friends.