Harlem

Today we started early and spent all morning motoring the few miles to Harlem, much of it through canals raised above the surrounding countryside. The fleet of about 40 gaffers passed through innumerable bridges. Fortunately these were usually open in time to let us through without too much delay. For those towards to back of the fleet there is the constant anxiety that the next bridge might close just as we get up to it. Everyone knows that there is no difference between a glass half full and a glass half empty, but there is certainly a big difference between a bridge half closed and one half open.

By early afternoon we had got to the old town of Harlem. The gaffers moored 3 deep along the quayside in the centre of town.

Harlem is a large historic town. We walked around the market and had lunch in the central square. We visited a most impressive Great Church of St Bavo dating back to the late sixteeth century.

As we have seen in several other north European churches, there were ship models in the style of the day that were given to the church by ship- owners to bring good luck.

We visited a restored windmill near the centre of town and had a guided tour to understand how it works and appreciate the skills of those who built and operated it.