2026 - 05 From Lambs to Lemmer

20.04. - Monday

Once again these considerations, where are we headed now.

Somehow there's a tense atmosphere, as we’re only traveling from place to place but can’t do much. I miss the movement, but Simone can’t do much. We knew this, yet it dampens the joy of vacation.

It certainly feels insufficient to just head to a spot, set up the camper van, and then experience a movement radius from the sanitary house, to the restaurant, and back to the van.

Before we start arguing, I take a walk and visit Stavoren. Look at that, this place actually exists next to the huge harbor. A typical place in Friesland with small houses, canals at the door, boats in the water, and also a harbor entrance with hotels and restaurants with terraces.

Unfortunately, it seems that Monday is a complete rest day here. In any case, there are hardly any people on the street, and all the venues are closed – despite the sunshine and terrace weather.

Compared to the huge harbor, the place feels rather dreamy and cozy. There’s even a supermarket, so a longer stay at the parking spot is possible.

Back at the camper van, we weigh again where the next stop should be. North Holland and Alkmaar definitely need to be visited. Should we head in that direction now? Or do we want to stay in Friesland a bit longer?

Or should we go to Lemmer?

• The place at the southernmost tip of Friesland with a transition to Flevoland

• And we have already been there, which we really liked.

• And Falko also raved about it when he was there 10 days ago.

• The weather is said to be good, it's only 20 km away,

• Parking space directly at the dike

• attractive shopping and delightful little town.

There can’t be more reasons than that. Let’s go, always along the dike.

Vakantie Park Lemmer is currently only half operational, as extensive construction work is taking place on the right half to expand the parking spaces.

The left half is also only moderately filled, so we find a good spot on the lawn. Very generous spots with electricity hookups and a view of the dike. Just behind it is the beach and the Ijselmeer.

We book ourselves in for 2 days, with an option to extend.

The place is very popular with German campers; we only see German license plates. And then - oh shock, isn't that the camper from Hameln that was already next to us in Joure and drew unpleasant attention.

This time a bit further away - good.

21.04. Tuesday

The sun finally shines early in the morning, and it stays that way the whole day.

Time for cycling. Simone is nervous but wants to try. We choose a route along the water's edge on the other side. Here, a bike path runs between Lemmer and Urk (24 km away) directly at the water's edge and thus behind the dike. Otherwise, you always look at the dike and can’t see the water – it's different here.

At first, we have a tailwind, and it feels effortless. The first fear fades, and the joy of cycling sets in.

The route goes straight ahead - in the distance, the horizon shimmers like in a road movie. Apart from us, there’s no one else on the path.

What does it look like on the land side of the dike? I’ll go have a look.

Wow, not only are there wind turbines in abundance, but the land behind the dike is generously covered with photovoltaics. The landscape is called Noordoostpolder and was once reclaimed from the sea through dike construction.

And then there are also the tulip fields.

Not far away lies a tulip show garden as an excursion destination. We want to head there.

The garden turns out to be a small cultivated tulip field with different colors, which is referred to in the included brochure as the selfie field.

And indeed, that’s what it is.

Entire tour buses arrive here. We experience a travel group with young girls from Arab countries. All in burkas and with phones – and they pose numerous times in the tulip field.

I am indeed moderately horrified and shake my head. Simone is more tolerant and says that we would have done the same before if we had had phones and social media.

She is probably right.

We learn a lot about tulip cultivation and the history. And that the Noordoostpolder is the largest contiguous tulip-growing area in the Netherlands.

Then we cycle back – this time against the wind, which is tiring and also cold. After all, it’s still April and not summer yet.

After a small rewarding beer at the promenade in Lemmer, we experience a unique camper phenomenon.

… and what are you doing all day

…. oh, I fill my water tank in the camper with a watering can

… yes, but not all day long?

…. well, about 80 cans fit in there.

….????