Paul and Peg's Travels: River Cruise 2015 Neeltje Jans (Delta Works) and Zierikzee

On Monday, May 4th, we were privileged to visit the famous "Delta Works" on the man-made island of Neeltje Jans. It was an amazing feat, started after the devastating flood in 1953. This series of dikes, dams, and water-work control systems allow the Dutch to control the flow of the North Sea.

Wandering the grounds outside the museum type building, we came across some seals swimming in a tank.

Inside, there were several sculptures showcasing garbage that had been found in the sea.

On the way out to the Storm Surge structure, we came across this unusual bird which I discovered was called a Jackdaw.....

.....and this unusual duck, which I never did find a name for.

It was very difficult to get a good picture of the structure - an airplane would have been useful! When the sea surged in 1953, the water was 4.2 metres above sea level, and these are designed to be able to shut the sea out once it is at 3 metres, thus avoiding another flood such as happened in 1953, killing a great many people and animals, as well as ruining soil with salt water for many years.

A beautiful sea bird.

And a lovely pigeon.

These beautiful wild geese are called Brent Geese.

And of course, the lovely merganser!

Back on the boat for a cruise to Zierikzee.

A lovely approach to the town.

I hate backing up our boat, and the captain, with the use of the "joy-stick" had to back the Da Vinci about a mile down a canal, ........

.....and through a VERY narrow opening - barely wider than the boat! I realized later why he backed it in and not out - because we left before daylight the next morning!

Along the canal, as in almost ALL the rivers and canals, is a bike path. So many bikes in the Netherlands!

Also along the canals, we see the "lawn mowers" - the sheep. What a great idea!

And another lovely sea bird!