Thatching the Roof

Callantsoog to Enkhuizen

Day 81 - Thursday - September 1
Gladiolas make any day a happy one and sunshine just makes it better.

Really just a house with a windmill for decoration. 

De Koop - 1742

Weiringerwaard water tower

This is a common configuration for houses in this rural area.....small house connected to a very large barn-type building. We think they are used to store bulbs because we didn't see any animals.

Our scenic lunch spot in Mememblik. The De Herder windmill - 1695.

Medemblik is on the east side of the peninsula that we've been crossing all morning.

Looks like there just might be some wind on this lake (IJsselmeer).

Being on top of the dike gives a nice view of the houses along the way.

And a good view of work on the water.

The thatched roof has a date of 1856 built into it.

Serendipity strikes again, only as it can when traveling by bike. 

The art of thatching a roof is happening right in front of us.

Even better is this couple stopping to explain the thatching process to us. These roofs last up to 50 years and are very good insulators in winter. The reeds used to make the thatch grow along the canals. They are dried for 2 years before being bundled for delivery.

He also explained that this "lake" used to be salt water but is now "sweet water" as a result of the 20 mile long dike built across the sea at the north end of the peninsula. The dikes started being built in the 1200's but the lake came into being in the 1900's.

I don't care how cute you think you are, I don't have any bread crumbs to throw you.