Month: October 2024

Today we explored a bit of Friesland. It is a beautiful and fascinating area. Not far from where we are staying is the De Heining Pumping station. It’s one of the giant pumping stations that is used to pump water from the lakes and canals and reclaimed farm land out to the salt marsh on the other side of the dike.

Next we went to the village of Minnertsga where one of my distant ancestors, Hendrick Epke Banta was born. The writing on the stone next to the door of the church says the tower was built in 1505. The drive through the villages and farmland to get there was fun.

The sandstone plaque by the front door

Our last stop on our exploration was the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden It all about the history and people of Friesland.

We had dinner in the nearby town of Dokkum at Grand Café de Waugh

Today it rained non stop until about 3. But somehow it just gives more romantic atmosphere to Amsterdam. We walked around a bit to find a coffee shop for breakfast.

After breakfast we packed up and walked to the rental car office.

We had a few problems with the rental car process but eventually we were on the road out of Amsterdam.

Tonight we are staying in a former church in the tiny town of Reitsum in Friesland. One of my immigrant ancestors, Hendrick Epke Banta was born not far from here in 1655. It is absolutely beautiful country.