Bike and Sail Frisian Sea Netherlands

May 25 - June 2, 2018

We had a fabulous week out of the van on a Sail and Bike trip in the Netherlands. We did a Bike and Barge last year and had a great time. We decided to do it again this year, but change it a little by sailing in the Netherlands. We have never been sailing before and it turned out to be an excellent choice. Our boat was the Mare Fan Fryslan, a three masted schooner. The trip sailed a loop from Enkhuizen through the northern part of Lake IJsselmeer, along the Wadden See coastline and back to Enkhuizen. We visited two islands, Texel and Terschelling, and several towns on the Friesland Coast.

Our home for a week, Mare Fan Fryslan.

Enkhuizen is a very popular harbor for sailing.

Sailing across the small harbor in Enkhuizen.

First day biking from Enkhuizen to Medemblik. Most of the ride was on a bike path on top of a dike. Great views.

From Medemblik we sailed to the locks at Den Oever. Bill surfing the internet and Bear taking a well deserved nap.

We saw a lot of schooners sailing. The lake is only about 3 meters deep, so most of the boats were similar to ours, a flat bottom boat with keels that raise or lower on each side as needed.

Arriving at Terschelling Island.

Overlooking West-Terschelling.

Buoys on the docks.

Sailing from Terschelling to Makkum on the Friesland coast.

The first mate, Rinske and one of the passengers working on the front sail. As part of the sailing, we the passengers got to participate in the whole process. Rinske gave us duties, and the next thing you knew, the sails were up and we were sailing. What fun!