60 years ago we would have needed a boat to stand next to the “Dukdalf” that we were now celebrating. And a snorkel and goggles, and possibly a scuba diving dry suit.

But there we were, standing on dry land 5 metres below sea level. It’s all rather mind boggling! 

Our home overlooks the harbour (Lelystad-Haven) and work island (Werkeiland) in Lelystad, and the more I learn about it, the more it impresses me.

Mr Lely was indeed a very clever man.

Known as the Zuiderzee Works, he came up with the idea to shut off the Zuiderzee (inland sea) with the Afsluitdijk (an ingenious dike that shuts off the North sea) and to reclaim land creating polders intended for agricultural use. Most importantly, it was designed to help prevent flooding in central Holland and to improve water management.

You can read all about this engineering feat by clicking on the links to Wikipedia.

But getting back to the dukdalf …

On 31 October 1949, three men placed a pile mooring a.k.a. dolphin where the work island was going to be built. Years were spent building dikes and draining land, and with great effort, Flevopolder was born.

Still to be seen on the worker’s island, are the original brick houses and refurbished pioneer homes that were built for the workers and their families.

 To celebrate this amazing achievement, a replica of the dukdalf was built and placed in front of the hotel, The Lange Jammer. The pile mooring is way too large to be covered up for an unveiling, so an information board was covered in white cloth and cheerful blue balloons.

Accompanied by a living statue of Cornelis Lely, the mayor of Lelystad, Mrs. Horselenberg, and Commissioner to the Queen, Mr. Verbeek, snipped at little ropes that reluctantly relinquished their hold on the board, to the cheers and applause of the crowd, many of whom had lived here during those early days.

I’m a sentimental nostalgic and shed a tear as “Onderweg naar morgen” [on our way to tomorrow] was belted over the loudspeakers and a 92-year old gent joined in the photo-moments. He was one of the original 3 blokes who placed the dukdalf!

It was heart-warming watching these pioneers laughing and sharing memories, pleased that their stories were being captured for future generations to enjoy.