Sunday in Enkuizen...

Sunday I started out early. Tram to Holland Spoor, train to Amsterdam Centraal, change train to travel to Enkuizen on the Isselmeer - polderland. Once upon a time Enkhuizen was a thriving, weatthy fishing port and a centre for the commerce of the Dutch East India Company. Then in 1932 the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea by the Afsluitdijk or barrier dam, blocking Enkuizen's fishing access. So the town has had to reinvent itself. It claims one of the largest marinas in Holland and is also the location of the Zuiderzeemuseum - whose indoor and outdoor components tell the story of the Zuiderzee villages over seven centuries.

Everywhere in Holland are reminders of the importance of water, the sea, boats, shipping. I got off the train and waited to catch a ferry to the Zuiderzeemuseum. The boat lanes were full of activity...

The outdoor part of the museum was rather like a much larger - and I have to say much better integrated - Ferrymead. The buildings have been gathered from all over the region.

All sorts of village activities were depicted and it was clear from the magnificent vegetable gardens that some of the homes were occupied.

Herring (I think) drying. You could buy a freshly cooked fish. I didn't.

Great water storage system!

I just happened to be there when their annual goat festival was on!!

Later I walked round the seafront to the indoor museum.  These two photos caught my eye... Click to enlarge and see the faces/postures more clearly.

Part of the museum exterior

I was left with the impression of great wealth for some and a hard, hard life for others (what is new?). 

It was a lovely day - sun, sea, fresh air and a fascinating array of boats on the Isselmeer. What I was searching for - but didn't find - was an account of the transformation of the Zuiderzee into the Isselmeer and the creation of the massive polders, the engineering of which fascinates me. Maybe a little of this in another post...