2026 - 03 Friesland Explorer

17.04. - Friday

No new water damage to the faucets.

After breakfast, we set off. First, we head to the nearby North Sea coast, crossing the country. It's also doable by bicycle; it's only about 10 km. We cycle along the dike, passing through villages with a very rural character. Everywhere there's a church in the center and a cemetery.

Behind the dike there is... actually water. So we're lucky that the tide is in right now. Otherwise, it looks just like back home in East Frisia on the German North Sea coast. However, there's no beach life here, just dike land with sheep. Seaside resorts are in other places.

Not far away we drive around the “Lauwersmeer”, an artificial lake landscape in front of the dike, supplied by a tidal barrier.

This provides a constant water supply for water sports and other attractions. Consequently, a large leisure industry with holiday villages and a marina has naturally developed here.

Because of the lack of a suitable, established location, we do not want to stay and are looking for a new destination.

In southern Friesland, on the shores of the IJsselmeer, lies "Waterland," a region with many lakes and canals, all navigable by boat. Every town here also has a marina, so we chose the town of Joure, which has a pitch at its marina.

The approach is adventurous and fills me with disbelief, but the GPS guides us exactly this way. At the end of the road lies the harbor for numerous ships and a meadow for numerous camper vans. Despite the good weather, both facilities are only moderately full. The off-season definitely has its charm.

We found a nice spot on the meadow next to the canal with ships at the landing stage and settled in comfortably – chairs out, drinks on the table.

The harbor master will be here at 5 pm and I'll register us for two days right away. We don't have to keep going every day.

Incidentally, it costs €20.50 per day - pitch including 2 people and use of the sanitary facilities.

Next to us is a camper van from Hameln. The owners are an older couple, naturally with a dog. And because they have very loud voices, you have to listen whether you want to or not.

You wouldn't want to – what a load of rubbish came out of that! Can people really be that stupid? The proof is right here next to us.