The Delta Works


After the 1953 floods when the dikes broke, the Dutch built extensive new dikes, the most impressive of which is open most of the year to allow salt water in to traditional mussel and oyster beds. However, on stormy days, huge blocking sections are lowered to prevent a storm surge from threatening the Delta islands.


We were lucky in two ways. First, the day we crossed the new dike, there were force 6 winds (over 30 km per hour) from the north west. So, we saw the dike closed. Second, while we had to ride north east from Zierikzee for 10 km (partially into the strong winds), our main route was south west. The whole column travelled at over 30 kph with the wind at our tail and we arrived 2 hours early in the historic town of Veere!



Comments

Anonymous said…
Your bridge playing might be rusty after your vacation but your cycling muscles will be in fine condition after cyling into such wind! J of J&R
September 8, 2007 at 3:41 p.m.
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