Friesland, the state of lakes and ice skating

Posted on by Teppie

Guest blog by Marco Grummels

Marco Grummels, my father in law, likes my travel blog so much that he wanted to write a guest blog for TeppieTravels. So much enthusiasm has to be rewarded!

Due to corona, also Marco and Annette’s holiday plans were severely affected. Instead of the planned tropical family visit to us in Singapore in October 2020, they spend two weeks in the less exotic Friesland. But they made the best of it and Marco loved to share his highlights of this beautiful part of The Netherlands. 

  • Frisian views
  • A thin layer of ice on a Frisian trench

As you might have read in my blog about the Pantanal (Brazil) I used to spend my holidays in Friesland when I was younger. I have also added some of my highlights of Friesland below (Teppies Frisian highlights).

But first, Marco, the floor is yours…

  • Marco on another location than Friesland

Marco Grummels tells about Friesland

As we are restricted due to Corona, we choose a holiday within the Netherlands. To get the utmost change of scenery, we decided to go to Friesland. Another country, within the borders of the small country of the Netherlands. Friesland has kept its own character, with its own language, flag, habits as well as scenery. Luckily, Dutch and Frisians get along rather well so we can visit each other without limitations. 

We were in the South West part of Friesland, known for its lakes and nice cities to visit. The best means of transport being a boat, or alternatively a bike. Or, if you are really lucky, on ice skates! Friesland is known for its “Elfstedentocht” (11-cities tour) on ice skates, a heroic trip of about 200 kilometres. Last one was held in 1997.

  • Foto credits: Marco Grummels

You can visit the Ice Skating Museum in Hindeloopen which has a nice collection on the Elfstedentocht, including frozen body parts of the participants. Hindeloopen is anyhow good to visit, it holds a historical city centre and is located at the border of the biggest lake of the Netherlands, the IJsselmeer. 

Location:
Ice Skating Museum
Kleine Weide 1, 8713 KZ Hindeloopen, Netherlands
Tel: +31 514 521 683
Website: www.schaatsmuseum.nl

Hindeloopen is just one suggestion, almost all cities have interesting sites, and going from one city to another you travel along nice green farmland, forest, canals, and lakes. Of course, you have to pass numerous bridges and so now and then, on bicycle, be strong against the wind. The average Frisian spends at least one year of his life waiting for an open bridge.

Foto credits: Marco Grummels

Some of Marco’s personal highlights: 

  • Ir. Wouda gemaal (Pumping station) – very good, 100 years old, example of Dutch / Frisians water management located near Lemmer. When needed it is still operational, and it operates on steam power! 
  • The river the Luts, splitting the village of Balk, and ends up in the Slotermeer (Lake of the city Sloten). Parts of this (little) river are surrounded by woods on both sides. It is the peaceful Frisian alternative compared to the Vietnamese Mekong river shown in the movie “Apocalypse now”. 
  • Craving for pizza? Marco recommends L’Arcobaleno!
  • The city Sloten, albeit small, holds a lot of history since +/-1400. The original fortifications are still visible and designed by Menno van Coehoorn who, around 1700, was a well-known military planner and architect.

Locations:
Het Woudagemaal (Pumping Station)
Gemaalweg 1a, 8531 PS Lemmer, Netherlands
Tel: +31 514 561 814
Website: www.woudagemaal.nl

L’Arcobaleno Pizzeria & Ristorante
Gaaikemastraat 1, 8561 AL Balk, Netherlands
Tel: +31 514 605 119
www.pizzeriabalk.nl

Museum Sloten
Heerenwal 48, 8556 XW Sloten, Netherlands
www.museumsloten.nl
Tel: +31 514 531 541

Foto credits: Marco Grummels

Teppies Frisian highlights 

Fun Fact: My first and last name, Renske Teppema, are originally Frisian names. My ancestors lived in Friesland and in our family, we still have a lot of Frisian first names in our family like Siebe, Douwe, Sytske, Wieke, Jelle and Atze. I’m not born and raised in Friesland, but we visited Friesland many times in our holidays.

  • Our traditional family picture “on the fence at the farm”
  • Trenches with a layer of ice

Sailing in Friesland 

We have spent most of our holidays in Friesland with our family on a sailboat. The water is the best way to bring you to the most beautiful places and you’re free as a bird. There are many places where you can moor your boat and enjoy your own bbq and pitch your tent or choose for the hustle and bustle of a harbour like Langweer.

Tip: Check beforehand when the traditional skûtsjesilen and the Sneekweek take place. The water and the cities of Friesland will be flooded by spectators. These events are very enjoyable, but you have to bear in mind that it will be very crowded in the harbours and other places to moor your boat.

Rent your sailboat for example in the small village Terkaple.

  • Wind in the sails

Fierljeppen 

“Fierljeppen”, is thé Frisian sport: you have to climb into a long pole, jump over a trench and end as far as possible on land. One of the places to see this sport is in the “stadium” of It Heidenskip (near the Flussen).

Location:

Fierljepferiening It Heidenskip
Brânburren 26, 8724 LH It Heidenskip, Netherlands
Website: www.fierljeppe.nl

  • Fierljepferiening It Heidenskip
  • Fierljepferiening It Heidenskip
  • Frisian landscapes

Friese delicacies

Friesland also has something to offer for the sweet tooth. Don’t skip the Sûkerbôle (sugarloaf) with a thick layer of butter, Fryske Dúmkes (cookies) and sûkerlatte (also some kind of biscuit).

  • Ice skating until sunset

Have you ever visited Friesland? Where have you been and which place has to be added to this list? Please let me know in the comments below. If you have questions for Marco, I’ll pass them on. Just leave your question in the comments and I’ll make sure Marco will answer them for you.

Are you also looking for a great destination in The Netherlands to spend some time? Read my blogs about the best places for drinks in the modern city of Rotterdam or try the walking tour I have set out for you in the characteristic city of The Hague. More into cycling? Click here for the cycling tour “Highlights of The Hague“.

Please let me know if you’re also interested in writing a guest blog for TeppieTravels and what your blog could be about. 

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