A Saturday outing

We headed by train to Alkmaar, known for its traditional cheese market, but not at this time of year. 

Here we are on the train, bundled up and masked. We look a little cold too. 

What we found instead was a real country market for the local people. There was cheese, fish, vegetables, more cheese, nuts, fruit, flowers, Christmas trees and more….

Sinterklaas arrives on Sunday and the market was full of people shopping. It was exciting! 

Even potatoes.

Back in the old days a man would crank a machine to make music, an organ grinder. Today it is run by a motor and the man just shakes a can looking for donations but still lots of oompapa music. 

The traditional cheese “wag huis” or weigh house building is closed for the winter. Alkmaar is famed for a weekly ceremony here in summer.

A walk across a bridge 

And time for lunch. Flat breads with beets or chorizo 

Now the rains came and it’s time to head home. What a fun day.

But only in the Netherlands would you find a Christmas tree decorated with cheese rounds! 

And dinner at home. Chicken souvlaki, tzatziki  sauce,

Greek salad and hummus. Yummy!