Off to North Holland to the Village of Zaanse Schans

We leave our hotel and visit Dutch windmills while our luggage is taken to the dock, ready to board the ship.

 Windmills are used to crush chalk (limestone) to make paint (they add oils to make the paint). The chalk is also used for the lines on football fields and in making linoleum flooring.

The stones weigh 3000 kg and are powered by the wind to grind the materials.

Bridegrooms were tasked with making a pair of clogs for his bride. Many times symbolic patterns were used to express his love for his bride and the clogs were worn with pride.

Here is a pair of dress clogs suitable for church. 😍

Or maybe glitter ones with diamonds are more your style.

Sandals are used over the shoes so as to touch the ground as little as possible.

Ice clogs for walking on ice.

Ice skates or roller skates can be in clog form too.

Don’t forget the horses - they need help so they don’t sink into the ground (left in picture).

 

Drilling out the insides of the wooden clogs.

Spring brings new ducklings. 

These are examples of the unique and varied bridges that connect residential buildings in Amsterdam.

Our rooms are ready and we can board the ship. Just in time for our tee time.

 🏌️‍♂️⛳️

A beautiful sunset on a wonderful day in the Netherlands.