Day 2 Sunday April 16, 2017 at Hoorn Netherlands. 'Agri' greenhouses

Hi all,

Rather than give you a lot of verbiage, I will post some representative photos of the last two days especially the port tie up this morning at Hoorn. I was privy to watching the crew that guided and completed the securing of the ship before most were up for the day. Hoorn is the oldest port since there was a Netherands in tht country  (1500's)

The Agri greenhouse (covers three hectares)  was amazing using Thermo to both produce heat and gas as well as selling electricity back to the power grid , making an amazing business while raising Orange peppers by the 10,000 kilos EVERY DAY! (actually 66,000 kilos)

The train ride was unique and I will look up more on this 1879 engine and system that we rode briefly (8 miles) on.

So here are a few snaps

Many ships (sailing) went out today on the 4
day Holiday.

A Grey Heron, very common here.

                                           A Red Breasted Merganser

The 3 hectare  orange pepper greenhouse
One of many in the area.

The workers must wear sanitary gear to work in the "all green" work environment

                                           A few of the 66,000 pounds of peppers they pick (everyday!).

Row after row, automated system of handpicking

 The greenhouses were thermo heated, gas drilled was sold, and salt water returned to the earth.

A ride on a steam train (1876) was thrill not often repeated.  All volunteers refurbish and run the train system

Complete with conductors who even punched your "ticket". and told stories of the "old days".

A view of the exquisite wood and brass accoutrements.

The original train station at Hoorn (on the intermet)

The morning we docked at Hoorn , we watched the entire process. This is the retractable wheelhouse  used when there are low bnridges.

The assistant pilot brought us in with the use of the "alternate" controls . 

The alternate controls include guiding a 360 degree propeller that can move the ship sideways. Ever so close to tie up to a second ship.

Tying up the ship to a second requires coordination and cooperation  and it is the law among the ships.

Of course the crew gets to do "ALL" the duties including cleaning the glass ceiling of the lounge area.










More of the sailing ships that embarked onto the Markermeer on Easter morning.
Even (below) individually manned ships moved out in the light breezes.

Fun on Easter morning.

THat's it for today and tomorrow we head for my favorite ...the "Bridge Too Far" in Arnhem where the British lost the last bridge to the German's (so to speak)