Look Listen Dyke

At each location a different short story about living with the water, told by a wayward dyke who has seen it all. Full of enthusiasm, the dike talks about the sea battles he has seen, the animals he loves, and the materials he is made of. But also about its complicated relationship with pumping stations and locks, the painful origin of its bends and its special bond with residents.

This'podcast on location\\\' was commissioned by the Alliantie Markermeerdijken , Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier and the Province of Noord-Holland .

Episode 1. The real theater of Hoorn
You are standing here next to the beautiful city theater of Hoorn. But the real theater, that is the Hoornse Hop. For centuries ago an insane spectacle took place there. And I was there.

Location: You are on the left of the city theater of Hoorn, next to the footpath, looking over the Hoornse Hop.

Listen to episode 1 on Spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 2. A dike retired
How long have I been lying here? Centuries. I first protected the hinterland against a sea, later against this lake. But even a dike of a dike like me has fought tiredly once. Fortunately, I was not completely replaced. And I received help from an unexpected angle.

Location: You are at the parking bay in the Galgenbocht, near Hoorn.

Listen to episode 2 via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 3. Every bend a scar
See those curves? Most people think they are beautiful. As a winding dike, they find me picturesque, authentic. But let me tell you something: those curves are there for a reason. A hint? It has to do with that monument that you see close to here.

Location: at Monument de Weel in Schardam.

Listen to episode 3 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 4. Banned from Water
As a dike I work closely with pumping stations and locks. But our working methods are not completely compatible with each other. Because where it is very clear to me - water does not get through, pumping stations are a lot less black and white in their water work. So that sometimes clashes.

Location: On top of the C. Mantel pumping station in Schardam.

Listen to episode 4 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 5. The Village vs. the Water
Do you already know the story about Etersheim? No, not the Etersheim of today, but that of centuries ago. A village that did not let itself be known. Brave continued to fight against the powerful water. You can guess who won.

Location: On the dike, at the entrance to Etersheim, near the road to Oosthuizen

Listen to episode 5 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 6. Sink or Sink
You know what's funny? When tourists visit me here, I often hear the surprise in their voices. About how the Dutch live below sea level. But the Dutch themselves I never really hear about it. Except here, but this is also the second lowest spot in the Netherlands.

Location: On the dike, opposite Gemaal Warder.

Listen to episode 6 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 7. Shipbuilders of Edam
When this sweet lake was still a salty sea centuries ago, the city of Edam was known for shipbuilding. Fishermen, sailors, sail makers, rope makers everywhere. And as a dyke I saw them all pass by close by, those huge ships. But when this beautiful lock had to be built, everything changed.

Location: Next to the old sea lock on the Oorgat in Edam.

Listen to episode 7 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 8. The Mystery of the Eel
Do you also like fish? Or better yet: eel? Oh I love those animals so much. Not to eat, I've been a vegetarian for ages. But since the construction of the Afsluitdijk, the eel is one of the few fish I still see here. Volendam's most famous fish, shrouded in a great mystery.

Location: At the beginning of the Noordeinde, at the beach of Wullempje, next to Hotel Spaanders in Volendam.

Listen to episode 8 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 9. 1.2 Million
The good thing about my job as a dike is that I know what I'm doing it for: protecting 1.2 million people from the water. A huge responsibility. Which I like to wear. But if I think about it for too long it sometimes starts to dizzy. 1.2 million. Can you imagine?

Location: On the dike in Katwoude, opposite the ice cream parlor Willem Honingh.

Listen to episode 9 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 10. There are the Waterlanders
Welcome to Waterland. Yes, that's what it's called here. And for a reason, as you can see. All those villages you see here are inhabited by people who have a thing for water. Because the water is a danger, but also a happiness. A source of annoyance and inspiration.

Location: On the dike in the Jan Hagelhoek

Listen to episode 10 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 11. The Final Breakthrough
You can hardly imagine it, but a disaster has happened in this place. During the storm surge of January 1916, I broke through as a dike. I wasn't strong enough. Not well prepared for the force of the water and the wind. Now I feel very different, and that's a good thing.

Location: On the Waterlandse Zeedijk, near the Diepe Gat, in Monnickendam.

Listen to episode 11 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 12. Look a Lapwing!
What a view huh? As a dyke, I can therefore watch this all the time. And it never gets boring, because there is always something happening. Migratory birds, meadow birds, rabbits, foxes, mice. They fly over me or crawl into me. I find it very pleasant. But one animal is very special.

Location: Parking harbor at intersection 518, on the sea dike looking over the Oosterpoel, just before Uitdam.

Listen to episode 12 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 13. The people make the dike
Look, as a dyke I like people. After all, I'm there for them. But I have a special bond with the residents of Uitdam. You can also see it: nowhere else do I get so close to the houses as here. The village and I are one. And no matter how much the world changes, that bond will always be there.

Location: On the dike, near the parking harbor and stone stairs, on the south side of Uitdam.

Listen to episode 13 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .

Episode 14. How to Make a Dike
What do you think I'm made of as a dyke? I didn't know, but you don't just build a dike like me. There are people who study for that for years. Thinking up those smart ideas about which materials to use best, how to lay me down. And above all: how to support me.

Location: on the border of M15/M16 near Durgerdam

Listen to episode 14 of the podcast via spotify or via the Easycast Audiotool .