Hattem to Giethoorn.   the evening walk around  Hattem  included a stop at a real good chocolate sho p.  It was located just inside the old gate to the city.  Also on this walk we stopped at a sculpture  located in a corner of the old moat.  It was called "Kikkers in Concert"  About twenty frogs with a leader showing some insterments.  We are now rounding the very northern point of our trip.  The heat is also upon us.  The first unique item we came across was a hand pulled ferry to cross a canal.  The old gentleman operating the ferry had an interesting experience several years ago.  A person on the bike and barge trip recognized Jacob the ferry operator.  The two men were actually friends from before WWII, and had not seen each other since that time.  Quite the reunion.  After crossing the canal, we went to the town of Staphort.  We are now in the Netherlands "Bible Belt."  The trim paint has three distinct colors that have meaning.  Blue to keep the evil spirits away, green for fertility and red.  We stopped at a place where a woman showed how she did "Dot Painting"  She puts these patterns on fabric, leather and wood.  We continued on through areas where Peat was dug out years ago to help fuel the large cities.  Those areas have now filled with water making canals rather than roads as means for transportation. After a quick stop for ice cream it was back to the barge.