The windmills of Kinderdjik are a World Heritage UNESCO site, and are in southern Holland. They are used to pump water, and at one time numbered 150, but today there are only 28. Built of brick, they have large sails that come within one foot of the ground. All date from the mid 1700's. Millers lived in them and we were able to tour one.
Today the mills have been succeeded by an electric pumping station. Because of the low-lying lands along the river, the water is becoming even more of a problem in the age of climate change.
Although the story we have heard of Hans Brinker is probably a myth, there was a shipowner who forced his ship into the opening of a dike and saved the town.
Lunch, rest, and sitting on our veranda filled the afternoon (along with blogging), and we had a cocktail reception and fabulous dinner of Chateaubriand. Weather today was low 70's - very nice. We are sailing into Germany tonight. We have met many people through Vikings open dinner seating plan; so far we have eaten with people from the US, Canada and England. Most are seniors, but there is a group of about 8 30-somethings, as well as a teenage girl of about 13 who is here with her grandmother.
Bobby is fascinated by the many barges that we pass, and most of them have cargoes that we cannot see, so lots of guessing going on.
Loved the windmills...great pics, as always!!
ReplyDeleteParker Alvarado is due to arrive tomorrow 6-1-16...Auntie Trish is here to help!!