Koningsdag

Today was 'Koningsdag', the birthday of our King, Willem Alexander. This is celebrated countrywide in every town in similar fashion: in the morning there are 'freemarkets', where everyone can display wares on a stall on the pavement (or sometimes on the pavement itself) to sell. Often, but certainly not always, it's children trying to flog toys they don't want / need anymore. I think this is a great idea as it provides other kids with toys at a low price. And the kids that have sold toys can go and buy other things with the money they have just made. If that's not 'sustainability'....

After the free markets, there are games for the kids. Some of these, I know (like 'koekhappen'), but others were completely foreign to me, like the one where it seems they were supposed to hang (orange) washing on a washing line........

And then there are musicians in all shapes and sizes, entertains the crowds. It really was most pleasant and entertaining in Den Burgh, the main town on the island!
We stopped to have coffee and some typical orange cakes.

See these pictures for an impression:














We originally had planned to leave here early tomorrow (Sunday), but the forecast is for lots of rain. And as Monday's conditions look perfect, we'll extend our stay here by a day.

That also means that the story about Texel and the VOC will only appear tomorrow.

Location:Haven,,The Netherlands