52:56.72N  05:24.29E

 

Thurs. Nice Morgen Bad in the Ijsselmeer, then 6 miles down to Hindeloopen a gorgeous little Friesland port that was recommended to us by a Dutch couple.  Every 15 years on average, when the winter ice is thick enough they hold an amazing 240 kilometer, one day, ice skating marathon along the canals linking the 11 Friesland towns, including Hindeloopen. The skaters only get four days notice and have to draw lots to be one of the 15,000 skaters allowed to take part. To get round locks and low bridges, they lay down carpet and the skaters have to run on their skates.

We had a lovely afternoon cycling along the canals to Stavoren, another small port for lunch, wondering which of the many canals the skaters would be using.