I’ve been adventuring again! I headed up North to spend a day in Alkmaar with a friend.
This beautiful old city (what city have I shown you yet from the Netherlands is that isn’t entirely picturesque?) was first recorded as a settlement in the 9th Century and then granted city rights in 1254. (source)
The region consists of some of the oldest polders in existence, with the first recorded drainage of a nearby lake by windmill in 1532. (source)
I love the house over on the left, which is confused and thinks it’s in Venice!
This massive structure is the Weighing house, and on the square next to it is where in the Summer months thousands of tourists flock every year to see the Cheese Market, played out just as it has been for hundreds of years.
Legend tells of this house being attacked during the Spanish Siege of 1573. You can see the cannon ball that went through one of the walls up on the top left. It is said that it rolled harmlessly in and landed at the feet of the daughter of the house.
We decided that the best way to see a city full of canals was by water, and so we jumped on a canal cruise.
Water levels must have been high this day because we did this a lot!
It was a really lovely day out, and after the last few weeks, just what I needed!
I’m sorry I haven’t been around much, there hasn’t been much to tell! I’ll work on it for next week, I swear!
What have you been up to?
ghoti industries 
Cheese market? Did someone say cheese market? *scurries off to add Alkmaar to the “must see” list*
Glad to read about your adventure and looking forward to reading more! (Please tell me you own the blogging totebag?)
Cheese market is only on during the Summer months, hence me missing it 😉
*laughs* No, I didn’t by the bag. I have lots of totes and didn’t need another one!
I’ve got some friends visiting next month. This looks like a trip I should recommend! I love the stairway in the second photo. It has the “bacon” brickwork style similar to the Pope’s House here in Utrecht.