Houseboats, canals and fine old buildings

Our first full day in Amsterdam saw us following a walking tour around the Grachengordel, the world famous canal district that encircles the old town of Amsterdam.

These canals, built in concentric rings around the old town, are now a World Heritage Site and form a large part of the charm of Old Amsterdam. We bought a guidebook for the area which provided 4 walks through these fascinating streets. We followed the Evening Walk last night along canals and buildings lit by street lights and lights from the rooms. Today's walk followed the Glorious Green Grachengordel highlighting all the nature and wildlife to be found on and around the canals.

This shot of a well planted houseboat was on Prinsengracht, the outer canal of the 4 built during the third (1613-1625) and fourth (1663) expansion of Amsterdam. Prinsengracht was regarded as the most common of locations when built, the home of artisans not the well to do. That honour was held by Herongracht, with Keizersgracht between these 2. The first canal, Singel was originally the old town moat.

A fascinating walk, looking into the detail and byways of Amserdam, but you did have to keep your wits about you at all times. Narrow streets are not conducive to cars and vans but they tried their best. No, it was the bikes you had to watch out for as they could, and invariably did, approach from every angle. The bike rules supreme here as you are probably aware. Not the modern machine you understand but sit up and beg varieties which are ridden by absolutely everyone - in ordinary clothes (no lycra) and sans crash helmet. If you've been to Amsterdam, or any Dutch city, you'll have seen the bikes stacked up against all the railings, posts and pillars - some of which must belong to owners long deceased.