3rd - 4th August. A visit to Leeuwarden, then contrasting country waterways and villages.

Coming into Leeuwarden, it is obvious that this is a commercial port.

We came under this stylish lift bridge during the lunch hour, so were ahead of this crowd on the way into town.

Leeuwarden is the largest town in Friesland which we have visited so far.

This café is on the bridge over one of the canals in Leeuwarden, but the town is very quiet today, as it is Sunday.

I really liked this Friesian horse.

Practically everywhere was closed today, but the modern Fries Museum was open, so we went to visit it. It included a lot of video presentations, some with English subtitles, which made it easier for us.

My camera is straight! This tower is reknowned for leaning over!

Mooring not too far out of town, on the Dokkumer Ee waterway, we watched the sun go down.

From the Dokkumer Ee waterway, we turned left on to Finkumvaart. This waterway has been newly opened to more boats, by raising seven lower bridges to 2.4 metres in height, and is well worth a visit. Out into the country to the north of Leeuwarden we saw several windmills.

We took a detour to Oudebildtzijl, following the invitation on a board at the last corner. It is another lovely Friesian village.

Beyond the town bridge are many more jetties, but we could not turn here, so it was lucky we stayed the other side of the bridge.

The old church in Oudebildtzijl is now an hotel.

In this area of Friesland there are field after field of potatoes.

This canal is a real contrast to most Dutch waterways, with so many bends and corners.

We know the Dutch are keen to travel on the water, but is this taking it a little too far?