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Today started off well with another wonderful breakfast at the Park Hotel, but the weather god obviously has gone on holiday because it is so cold, windy and wet and has been raining all night. We thought we would go on a tour today into the country to see the Windmill district, Cheese and Clog factory, deciding not take the Red Light District or the Sex Museum options. hahaha. Our tour would have been truely exceptional if the weather was a little more accommodating. Unfortunately, the constant rain and wind certainly put a damper on everyone's enjoyment. Anyway, we got picked up at 8.55 and drove through the beautiful country side to Zannse Schans, a picturesque windmill village with typical green timbered houses. This would have been wonderful if we could have walked through without getting wet. I stayed in the first tourist shop whilst Betty ran out in the rain to take some photos. Everyone was trying to stay dry but the umbrellas were all turning inside out with the wind. Leaving here we walked to a Cheese Factory, where I again stayed in a toursit shop to stay dry whilst Betty cheated and went in through the exit door to visit the Cheese Factory instead of waiting in the rain in line. Purely by mistake of course. hahaha Anyway I discovered that Edam Cheese comes in many sizes and colours. Left this pretty village and got back on the bus to go to Volendam, which is a fishing village so we were expecting a beautiful fish lunch, however we got battered fried Cod!!!!! Felt I should go and tell them it is better to smoke Cod not fry it as it was awful!!! Had to go to the toilet which was of course down steep stairs - apparently all toilets are down stairs because of the Dykes! That was the only answer we got - no other explanation. Anyway we then got on a boat where we got talking to a beautiful couple from Dubai who have invited us over to Dubai for a visit. Typical temperatures in Dubai are over 50 degrees with a very high humidity. No thanks! They were so beautiful and were on a second honeymoon having got married only 2 months ago. We got off on the island of Marken where we went for a nice stroll (in the wind and rain) around a beautiful and histroic village and visited the traditional clog maker. Owners of the shop took pity on us and let us in the back way so again we cut the queue and watched clogs being made. They are still worn today by many Dutch people because they keep your feet dry when walking out in the wet marshy soil. Heard so many wonderful stories on the bus tour about how they make the dykes and stories about tulips, but of course can't remember any of them. It was fasinating to drive down the roads and see behind the wall of grass that the sea was actually about 3 metres above the road, we also travelled in tunnels built under the canals. There is so much water here, it just never ends.
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Bodil Ninni Tollefsen Hei! Seems that you`re varm incide and have fond. The weather her is raining but it`s about 20 degree + and calm no wind it`s just nice and the sun would come together with you Darlings. See you tomorrow afternoon. Lots of Love from all of us
Andrew Glad to see that everything is normal, BD is up to her usual tricks. Get used to the stairs they are everywhere in Europe & did you pay to go to the toilet?, a lot of places are 'no pay no pee'. Hope you enjoy Norway Aunty Bet, beautiful country - wonderful friendly people - Bodil is quite obviously beside herself waiting for you to arrive. Love to you & all in Norway. Andrew & Jenny
Pat Carslaw Ghee Betty can we meet up with your friends in Dubai, as we are staying 3 days in Dubai