According to K’s notes, these next updates were written on the boat train from Harwich to London.
Yesterday [Friday]—we were up early to take the Cheese Express to Alkmaar. It was colorful—and crowded with people. The porters were dressed in white with bright colored hats. The color indicated the job each one did. The bright cheeses—and the big barrows carried by straps—should make some good pictures.
The cheese market in Alkmaar takes place every Friday from the end of March through the end of September. Here are some of K’s pictures.
I was also fascinated by her image of a carillonneur. Carillons, instruments made of 23 or more tuned cast-bronze bells, have their origin in the Netherlands (and nearby countries) in the 16th century. Much to my great delight, I found a video of the city carillonneur of Alkmaar playing what I think are the same bells!
We had mushrooms on toast (not creamed) at the hotel and took the train back to Amsterdam.
Here’s one of K’s pictures from the train to Amsterdam—open country with canals and windmills.
We did a quick “tourist” look in Rembrandt’s house. A bit of shopping, dinner at the hotel and the boat train for the Hook of Holland. We kept one room at day rates—so we were able to clean up a bit.
The Hook of Holland (Hoek=“corner”) is the location of an international ferry terminal from which service to the seaport of Harwich in Essex, England, has operated since 1893 (except during the two World Wars).
We sailed on the *last* trip of the Duke of York. A new boat takes over next Friday. The boat has been sold to a Greek co. It will be re-built—and used for a cruise ship on the Mediterranean.
Here’s K’s picture of The Duke of York, a steamer passenger ship that had a long history, including service as an infantry landing ship during World War II. She took part in the Normandy landings in 1944. She began the Harwich/Hook of Holland route in 1948. After this final trip in 1963, she went to Greece and entered service in 1964 as Fantasia running cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean. She retired in 1975 and was broken up in 1976.
It was a smooth trip—three in our cabin (small). We had coffee on the boat—breakfast on the train. We are in a beautiful compartment for four. In about 20 min. we are due in London.
It’s about 70 miles from Harwich to London by train, with the ride taking about 90 minutes.
See you next week for another installment of Travels with K!
