Friday...hot, hot, hot

After a relaxing morning, the decision was made to drive out to Bolsward and then head to Stavoren driving a coastal road.  The Peugeot was more comfortable for Paul to drive and roomier for the passengers.

We avoided the freeway as much as possible and traveled on the country roads....again being amazed to suddenly see sails wandering through fields as the various canals wound their way through the area.....(I (Pam) will add pictures of those later.....)  It really looked weird......sails sailing down the middle of flat green fields....

This was our hottest day so far in Netherlands.  In the car, neither the  air conditioner nor the front passenger window worked.  It was a rather warm trip!

Although the height of the dike along the shoreline of Ijsselmeer-- the body of water between this coast and the causeway...prevents seeing the water, there are several places to stop, climb the stairs, visit the sheep and enjoy the view.  At one spot, there were campsites on one side of the road and a lovely beach on the other.  We hopped out, crossed the grass and sand to put our feet in the Ijsselmeer.  Water was quite refreshing.

Onward through many small towns,m sometimes having to backtrack, we wended our way to Stavoren.  Managed to find a parking spot and enjoyed a late lunch at an outside cafe along a canal.  From here we could watch sailboats coming into and leaving the docking area.  

There are several signposts at many corners, but trying to read them quickly, hoping the town you are looking for is listed and getting on to that road can be challenging.  Oh yes, and make sure it is a blue or white sign. As the red ones are for bikes and motorbike paths.  And, of course, there are the curving streets and canals to contend with!  After several attempts, we managed to leave Stavoren.


Although we tried to find Slotermeer so Sheryl could say she saw a lake, the temperature was still rising and we drove straight back to Sneek.  The house was very warm, but the backyard is in the shade in the afternoon and quite comfortable to sit out in.

As it was Carol's last night in Sneek, an after dinner walk was in order.  We had noticed, neon nights, in the shape of the Waterspoort, across many of the streets and canals.  We had never seen them on because we were always back home before it was dark.  So, at 10:00pm, off we went to see the lights.  Up and down several streets and canals, no lights on!!  Finally, as we were almost out of the "downtown" area, Pam noticed a street we had not seen before, had one set of lights illuminated.  Photos taken, on we went and had to stop at the local "snack shack" for one last ice cream cone!

Sneek at night!