Friday 4 September 2009

More random Dutch

Beautiful Dutch skies. The bull on this bridge is by Salvador Dali.
This is in Leiderdorp part of the Kagerplassen.

The Kagerplassen (the Kaag Lakes) is a lake system located to the northeast of Leiden. The Kaag Lakes are a popular area for boating, watersports, fishing, camping and walking. Windmills, waterfront pasture land (weilanden) with grazing animals, Dutch boats and buildings and flower fields are all part of the charm of boating and walking in this area. A number of other villages and towns (including Leiden itself) are located on connecting waterways providing easy access to the lakes. The Kaag Lakes consist of an interconnected system of smaller lakes and waterways. The Kaag Lakes are fenland lakes (veenplassen) and part of the Holland-Utrecht wet fenland area (veenweidegebied). There are several islands, including the following: The only inhabited island is Kagereiland. Two others islands, de Lakerpolder en de Kogjespolder, are managed by the Dutch Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer). Another island situated in the southwestern part of the system is called Boterhuiseiland (Butterhouse Island). For at least 50 years this has been the home of the Kaag Lakes Sea Scout Centre (Zeeverkennerscentrum Kagerplassen). During the boating season this centre provides a basis for around two dozen Sea Scout groups in the region. Camping sites on the island are also used by other Dutch Scout groups. The Kaag Lakes are connected to a larger network of lakes and waterways called the Holland Lakes (Hollandse Plassen). The other lake systems are called the Braassemermeer, Wijde Aa and the Westeinderplassen. They are all connected by the Haarlemmermeer Ring Waterway, the Does river and many smaller waterways. This network means that much of northern South Holland is enjoyable for boating.

Tabitha on Carmen and Gerrie's balcony in Oegstgeest.
A friend.
Tim (nephew) with Kees by a canal in Leiderdorp. How I miss Dutch waterways.