Netherlands May 22 2017 Blog
May 23, 2017 at 12:34 AM
Monday May 22nd, 2017 - Delta Expo, Veere and Yerseke
The catastrophic floods of 1953 were responsible for the acceleration of the Delta Plan, it is perhaps the biggest hydraulic engineering project ever executed in the world. Today at the Delta-Expo we were able to experience this project up-close including a chance to walk through the centre of the dam.
Later in the afternoon we visited Veere a small Netherlands village just waiting to be photographed. Then over to Yerseke. Oysters are traded in Yerseke almost the whole year long. The oyster ponds, which date from just after 1870, are where the oysters destined for market are stored. The oyster basin in Yerseke dates from 1870. This region is a combination of a vibrant past, present day hospitality and always the water. In so few places are water, culture, history and nature so intertwined. Enjoy todays selection of photos including some fun shots supplied by photographer guest Sandra Servant.
Welcome to one of the most powerful water management systems in the world.
The water is controlled coming in from the higher elevation of the ocean as not to flood the low land regions of the Netherlands.
We were able to visit the workings of the dam and water management system. Such power.
You can see the series of spill gates that control the flow of incoming ocean water into the delta.
This gives you an idea of the size, this is just one section. Sandra in the foreground, Mike in the background. The thin red link at the top right of the photo shows the height of the water during the floods of 1952.
This is inside the dam, visitors are allowed to walk up the centre to experience the force of the water and the strength of the dam.
This model shows you how each of the flood gates work.
In order to construct the dam they had to dump tons of rocks to block off the water.
As we came out of the expo, this mother gull was sitting on her eggs.
Then she let us see them.
Flying back to her nest.
Welcome to Veere.
A few photos of our photo walk around the village.
As with all the other locations in the Netherlands, many beautiful foot paths.
Near city centre.
A drink before we sail.
Always plenty of colour.
Main street.
Many lanes through out the village.
And plenty of bikes to be found.
The sea side village of Yerseke, famous for its Oyster farms.
Brian, Jette and Dan in the background at the pier.
An interesting building by the harbour.
This is where the Oysters are kept before processing.
Ever wonder what happens to all the shells .... now you know.
Below are a few fun shots from our trek captured by Sandra Servant. Thanks Sandra for always being in the right place to capture the fun.
Tin Man meets dutch girl!!! Brian always a good sport.
High 5 .... Gina, James and Joyce.
James and Joyce.
Gina ... well er umm ....
Dan and Sue, street humour!
Starwberries ....
More starwberries ... Sue returning from the market.
What an interesting bench James!
Michelle taking a shot.
That's a wrap for today, first of all thanks again Sandra Servant for the fun shots.
Tomorrow is our last full day here in the Netherlands. We will start with a visit to Monnikendam, then we will visit the island Marken. Marken is a semi island since a dike connected the island with the main land in 1957. Then Zaanse Schans a delightful old hamlet on the banks of the river Zaan with characteristic green wooden houses, charming stylized gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, and historic windmills.
Good night from the Netherlands.