Day 7, August 30,2012 Enkhuizen to Volendam 34 miles for a total of 171 miles. 
THE WIND, THE WATER and SOME SILLINESS
We started the day overlooking IJsselmeer.  Shortly after we left the boat, we were pedaling atop the dike overlooking Markermeer.  A force 4 wind was blowing in our faces and this warning greeted us as we pedaled along.

 All morning and part of the afternoon we traveled on this dike.  It was newly paved and a dream to pedal on except for the headwind.  The wind, of course, did not seem to bother the sheep.  Also, it was rather disconcerting when a car came along.  There is just enough room for a car and a bike, but there were a couple of cars that took their lane a little too right.

 This windmill was just too perfect not to share.

 This is the main street of Hoorn, a former center of shipping (as in the 1500 and 1600s).  Most of these houses have step gables and the very last one has a bell gable.  What you can't see in this picture is how the houses have settled over the centuries and they all list one way or another.  Apparently they have all been stabilized, but they can not be made straight.

This is the cheese market in Hoorn.  A horse drawn wagon came to the market and all these men in traditional garb began off loading the wheels of cheese.  They were oversee by others dressed as merchants and buyers.  It was like watching a fire brigade.  However, the music being played while the cheese was being passed was the theme song to Rawhide!!!!!!!

Now notice the ropes hanging from the men's waists........

 The ropes were attached to the notched ends of sleds that carried wheels of cheese.  A pair of men carrying the sled trotted around the market.  There were about six pairs of men trotting around the amrket carrying cheese to Walk Like an Egyptian. Traditional got lost somewhere and it was the silliness.

 Today was one beautiful view after another.  This was our lunch scenery.  If it weren't for the wind, it would have been beyond perfect.

We moved inland to escape the headwind on the dike.  While there was still a stiff breeze, we were rewarded with views like this.  All in all a wonderful day on the dikes, roads and bicycle path.  And adding to our great day, the rain arrived after we were back on the Angela Esmee.