Tues 10th – Thu 12th
Rained overnight and was still raining when we got up.
Packed up and left around 9.45 and drove 2 hours in the rain to Urk. We found a
spot at the harbour, on the edge of the main car park, with power points as
well as shower and toilet, for 15 euros pn. After we had some lunch and a
snooze the sun came out so we went to explore a bit of the town to find a
supermarket and see what restaurants were around. There appear to be a couple
of nice ones at the harbour itself.
Wed…
A day of sun and cloud but dry at least. After a
leisurely breakfast we headed off in to the old part of the town. What an
interesting place Urk is, it once was an island and it’s industry was fishing.
Then about 100 years ago a decision was made to build a dyke and drain the land
so the fisherman were told they would have to become farmers. They weren’t
having any of that, just built bigger boats so that they could go further out
in to the North Sea to fish. Nowadays the fish-packing and smoking factories
are flourishing even with salmon brought down from Norway by road. All the
small fisherman’s cottages are still in use, brightly painted in different
colours, up and down small alleys and cobbled lanes. We spent about 2 hours in
the museum in the old town hall, very well laid out and informative, and even
were given a cup of tea whilst watching a film! Onward to the end of the “island”
to the lighthouse, now someone’s home. We stopped for a fish and chip lunch,
the first we have had since being away, then meandered back along the harbour
watching yachts and smaller boats coming in and out of the harbour. We sat for
ages on a bench, it was better than any television programme. The harbour
master is kept really busy back and forth all the time seeing to the boats, as
well as coming round to us motorhomes to collect our money. When we got back to
the van, there was quite a crowd gathered nearby and a bit of a commotion going
on so seeing as we are nosey so-and-sos we went to have a look. One of the
fishing boats that had been in the dockyard for the last 6 weeks for a refit was
getting ready to set off again. Folk were shouting and waving and hooters were
blasting, it was amazing. Later in the evening we went for a stroll around our
end of the harbour and watched the sun go down.
Thurs….
Another beautiful morning so I commandeered the washing
machine first of all and got up to date with all our tops and undies. At least
now we have enough clean clothes to last us through the Debenham festival and
until we get home. After lunch we did a bit more exploring of the old town’s
lanes and alleys, admiring the gorgeous small cottages all the time. Dutch
ladies are so clever at window decorations, everywhere there are pots, plants, decorative
lace panels, coloured stones, things done with shells and flotsam (or is it
jetsam?). The cottages had tiny front gardens, but all had chairs, tables,
benches with cushions where they sit outside with drinks and speak to all the
tourists who go past. We even found an ice-cream parlour so had to try one, it
was huge so started melting before we could finish it…what a mess!
Photos
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