Many bridges almost too far

Greeted by a cacophony of birdsong when we arose at 0730. This included oyster catchers who were foraging on the lawn, which is pretty strange behaviour for a wader. After paying the least amount ever for a night  (€13) we powered off the mud into the canal and set to with the 11 bridges through Leeuwarden; at each bridge you have to stop and jill about waiting for it to open which could be 10 mins. There is no way of knowing. You might be with a bunch of other boats, which depending on their boat handling skills can get interesting.  Two hours later we were free and headed north-ish. 

Next was Dokkum, a very pretty town of 4 bridges. We didn't stop because we're on a Baltic mission. Pics are a typical bridge, a requisite windmill and a rural canal view.

The land is much less polder-like now; it is slightly higher than the canal rather than lower. We see cows now, and horses. Many Aberdeen Angus types are standing in the water no doubt to keep cool (pic); we feel like joining them. Wow it is hot, even as we loop north through Lauwesmeer quite near the coast. Now we have wound back down narrowing channels to Zoutkamp. 

We were headed to the Oude Binnenhaven (old harbour) when we went past Jachthaven Hunzegat that had empty pontoons just inside the entrance. The Book says it's shallow in there but we're old hands now at motoring across mud so in we went. It's delightful here, just the birds peewitting as the roaring sun finally eases towards the horizon.