Open air museum at Enkhuizen

On Monday we drove to Enkhuizen to visit the open air museum, which was very interesting, but on a bitterly cold day it was perhaps not the best idea.  Somewhere inside, warm and cosy, may have been more appropriate.  

It took about an hour to drive north along the reclaimed polder land on the eastern edge of the Ijsselmeer, once open sea but now a freshwater lake, and over the very long bridge to Enkhuizen, on the western piece of land that juts out above Amsterdam.

Once at the museum entrance we boarded the ferry which took us to the open air museum.

A fantastic view of an old fishing boat, which has been renovated and used now for pleasure cruises on the inland sea.

First stop, was the fish stall for some small pieces of fish, battered and deep fried.  Warm and tasty.

Old kilns, with their chimneys starkly outlined against the chilly grey sky.

Unfortunately I do not have much information about the museum, due to it being too cold to stand and read the signs, and now I am unable to research online, as I am writing this blog, and can only use one mobile device at a time.  Poor preparation I know.

However I can report that all the buildings on the site were brought from other areas and reassembled at the museum.  Many of the buildings came from Urk, which was once an island across the sea from Enkhuizen.  Now Urk is a village on the edge of the reclaimed polder land.

The village square, with traditional toys and games for the children.

I love the trees.  So carefully pruned.  Fascinating.

A group of 'residents' deep in conversation.

Fish drying, artistically.

Those trees again.  Some of the houses were so tiny.

A village is not complete without a windmill.

There was a smokehouse beside the windmill, and smoked palling (eels) could be purchased and eaten there.  Kylie and Murphy duly purchased one palling and ate it very quickly.  They said it was delicious.  I find smoked palling a little too fatty but then I had just eaten quite a few pieces of battered fish, so probably did not need more fat.

A view across the pastures.

These black sheep did not want to eat the juicy green grass.  They were bleating for their evening supply of dry hay.   Fussy creatures.

The school room.  A bit bleak, but it was warm.

The stark church.

More of those trees.

I loved the gardens.

And finally, waiting in a sheltered place for the ferry to take us back.  Amazingly everone was still smiling, even though we were feeling rather cold.

Once back in the car, I was so appreciative of the electric seating in the car.  We also stopped at McDonald's where we had a feast, sitting in our cars, away from the crowds of people also having McDonald feasts.  After eating a McKroket and drinking coffee I felt quite human again.

We all thought the museum was very good, and will return there again, for a whole day visit.   Plus we will make sure we wear plenty of warm clothes.