Amsterdam - Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, Arnhem

Breakfast was once again enough for two meals (yep - we packed our lunch from the tray!), and the peonies are coming out.

Off to Arnhem today.  It's around an hour south-east of Amsterdam, and we sat on the upper deck of a double decker train.  Once at Arnhem, we caught a trolley bus to the National Open Air Museum.  This was established in 1912 and consists of many period buildings from all over the Netherlands, which have been relocated to the site.  Together, they tell the story of the Netherlands over the last few centuries.  We managed to cover maybe two-thirds of the museum, despite arriving early and leaving late.  So much to see and do.  It covers a huge area, and there is a lot of natural forest between the exhibits.

Nice place to sit and have some lunch

These bridges are common throughout the Netherlands

Windmills!

The shipyard.  They're hauling a boat out of the water using winches

This boat is propelled across the water by pulling on a rope.  It was fun!

These kids think so, too

The bridge and the windmills represent the Zaan area

In Zaan Square, anyone can ride these mini penny farthings (well, almost anyone)

Some people are obviously more comfortable doing this than others

Kiri really liked the hand-propelled 4-wheel bikes

Making poffertjes in Zaan Square (and yes - we had some)

I enjoyed wandering around, looking at the old farmhouses from various regions and eras. The thatching is fascinating and commonly used.  Even when the buildings had progressed to slate tiles, they still had to thatch around them as there were so many gaps.

The thatching is quite thick

Some very unusual shaped farm buildings

I love the way the roof is curved

This one had some lovely inside decorations

Kiri was quite taken with the willow-patterned tiles, indicating affluence

This windmill from Delft was built in 1606, and was moved to the Openluchtmuseum when the flour factory expanded.  We spent some time talking to the volunteer who was manning this exhibit.

Pretty impressive structure

The viewing platform is 10m high, the top of the windmill is 26m and the top of the blade is 36m

Steep wooden staircases

These cogs are on the level above the viewing platform, and flour grinding took place here

The view from the platform

Several exhibits had demonstrations that we enjoyed looking at.  The museum likes to preserve the old crafts.

The weavers need incredible patience - right, Kiri?

Paper-making. The newly-made sheet is in the frame; the large copper tub contains water and cotton pulp

The industrial laundry operates on the same principle as the battery at Sovereign Hill

We looked at some farmhouses which belonged to wealthy families.  The rooms were quite lavishly decorated, as was the outside of the house.

On the shutter panels on the outside of the farmhouse

The painted decorations on the cabinet, and the tiles on the wall

Very typical design for a Dutch farmhouse

Daylight here in Amsterdam lasts forever.  It's light at 5.30am and starts getting dark sometime after 10.30pm.  We haven't had much trouble getting to sleep, but we have been waking early.  I'm still feeling jet-lagged, and the persistent cough from my dose of 'flu is not helping much, either.  Nevertheless, I'm managing better than I expected :)