KINDERDIJK, NETHERLANDS---Had a great night's sleep but did not want to get up at 7:40am when cruise director made announcement in cabin about lecture on windmills that would be starting at 8:30. This is a beautiful new river boat but cabin walls are too thin. When neighbors have their tv on you better turn yours on too. You can hear conversations also next door.
I went to the lecture presented by a local Dutch lady about the history and workings of windmills. There used to be 9000 windmills in the Netherlands but now down to 1000. Windmills are used to pump water off of the land so it can be used to live on. A windmill can only lift the water 4 feet so if they need to lift it higher it takes more windmills. The Dutch government wants to keep the windmills operational so it lets a family live rent free in the windmills in exchange for them keeping it operational. We toured one this morning and quite small inside so not sure how they live in it. The windmills were built in 16th and 17th century for purpose of reclaiming land. Nowadays, pumping stations run by big diesel and electric motors pump to water from the land and back into the river. There is a dike along the rivers to keep water out but land inside is 10 to 20 feet below sea level so water will seep back in any way. In the pictures you will see small canals that the water collects in then it is pumped out of these back into the river on other side of the dikes.
It is now 11:15am and we are leaving Kinderdijk and the Netherlands. Will be entering Germany this afternoon. Our lecturer said this is the only "beach day" of the year here as weather is absolutely clear skies and temperature will be in low 90's. Hottest day this year! No beaches here however. After lunch we will have our emergency drill followed by lecture on cheese. The Netherlands is well know for their gouda cheese. This evening is the Captain's welcome aboard reception and dinner. Tonight's menu looks very good.
So this afternoon we will have a relaxing day sailing up the river and enjoying the countryside. Rebecca just found Detroit vs Baltimore preseason football game on ESPN channel. We're moving now and going faster than I thought we would be. In fact we were going backwards very fast. Now turning up another river and going forward. Maybe I can try to put more photos on blog.
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