The bike ride

Today I went cycling with Marjolein and Gerrit. It was a wonderful day and we crossed some beautiful places. here's today's photo-report :-)

(Click to enlarge)
This is the route we cycled. Starting at the Eastern most ferry point, Gerrit lead us through an old part of Amsterdam Noord where the houses were build to last only 20 years or so in the 1930's I believe. They don't even have a proper foundation but they're still standing and looking great!

Then it was Nieuwendijk, Durgerdam, Holysloot, Broek in Waterland and Zunderdorp. And then back home.

At Nieuwendijk there is a small water lock that you are allowed to operate yourself. Very cool!

Even cooler though was the small cafe next to it that served us crispy fresh and warm apple pie! We were there 10 to noon and actually saw the pie delivered. Can't get any better. It was good pie too! (Not that you can tell from Gerrit's face ;-)

After this first stop we cycled to Durgerdam. Lovely little town but you can skip the cafe / restaurant there because it's a bit too touristy and service isn't that great. Besides, they sell microwaved poffertjes instead of home made which is a big, big, big mistake in my book...

Continuing the on dyke next to IJselmeer.

We had a lovely lunch in the sun at Holysloot after which we took the tiny ferry across which was a small adventure. Very nice photo of Marjolein on the ferry :-)

Not a bad piccie of Gerrit on the ferry.

The ferry on it's return voyage. It fits about 10 bicycles max. I think.

And on the other side we found ourselves in the fields. Few cows on the other side of the field. Thankfully the dirt had dried in enough places to be able to walk without getting dirty.

My bike.

We had to cross 4 of these little bridges. There was a special rails for your bicycle...

... Mine didn't fit.

We had landed in the middle of nowhere really. Awesome!

Then we cycled to a place called Broek in Waterland. Lovely little village.

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We walked around a bit and I spotted this Dragonfly. Beautiful creature!

Pretty old houses from the 17th century there as well.

(Photo by Marjolein Verdam)
And then it was back home through Amsterdam Noord. I always find coming back in to Amsterdam a bit of a downer after seeing the beautiful countryside...

It was a great day, time very well spend :-)