The sacrifice

The sun had just come up.

You would imagine that after a week of hard work (stop laughing Mum), I would use my Sunday for a nice lie-in. But no. I made the ultimate sacrifice to show you yet another part of the Netherlands. The alarm went off at 6.30 and I was on the road by 7 am! Just so you know.

When you've lost the padlock...

Of course there was another motive as well: Sunday was a day of two halves. The morning would be nice and sunny, the afternoon would be blustery and wet. I don't particularly like walking around in blustery wet woods, so morning it was. And as there was a fair bit of driving to do beforehand, it was early as well.

The stones mark the place of the WWII hidy hole.
Discovered by chance, the Germans captured three out of eight inhabitants
and later shot those three in Westerbork.

It was worth it though. The sun was just peaking over the horizon when I pulled up in the little parking area, put on my walking shoes, gave Janny a nice spot peeping out of my bag and grabbed my camera. Map my walk was busy recording how I walked into nothingness (very very very bad connection) and off I went.

And almost the very first thing I encountered was a prehistoric burial mound. Apparently there were several more, but I missed those. To be honest: one big mound of dirt dating from pre-history is pretty much like the next anyway. Feel free to cough a bit right now.

One of two wild animals I saw: this beetle and a very fast squirrel

Anyway, the walk continued into the woods. Pretty much the same as the other wood I went to last week. Filled with trees and such. Yet, very different at the same time. This wood had many more openness to it. It was a mixture of natural growth and planted (ie regimented) growth and it seemed to be a bit younger. Whether that is true or not, I don't know, it just felt like it.

The village of Anloo

Of course it was helped by the fact that the sun was shining as if the afternoon's bad weather was still several hours away. Plus the occasional view across the fields was nice as well. 

A 'Hunebed'

Apart from the burial mounds, there were plenty of other things to see. The views obviously, I mentioned those. But also the other pre-historic burial mound: the Hunebed. During the last ice-age, large boulders arrived from Scandinavia and were left behind when the snow and ice disappeared. The Funnelbeaker culture used those boulders to build their graves. A bit like the Dolmen in Ireland, yet with boulders instead of flat stones.

In the Urn Field,
what looks like a spade handle shows where the urns are.

A bit further on in the walk, there was a Pinetum. Think Arboretum, but with different kinds of pine trees only. The next field/area I encountered was modern, but based on the old times: an Urn Field. Basically an area where people would bury the urns with the remains of their loved ones, to remain there forever. 

'Shaggy', the Chinese Cypress in the Pinetum

By the end of my walk, I had done close to six kilometers. As I had forgotten my chocolate treat, I had my remaining sandwich and a large glug of water and then drove home. It was a good day.

Photo on Sunday 2020-23

A few more steps

The local small lake had plenty of geese and coots

Over the past few days I did have a bit of a head on me, but in between the badder days, there were some good days on which I went for a walk. First on Saturday morning another local walk around a small lake. It was nice and quiet and the only people I met were some dog walkers. The route was a total of just over 3,5 km which was fine by me. 

Shot up through the canopy

Then yesterday I did another walk, this time a bit further afield. In fact, my dad had found this walk and it was perfect. It was supposed to be just under 4 km, but it turned out it was well over 5,5 km! Which I definitely started to feel after a while. 

Yes, I climbed the tower barely visible through the trees

Despite that however, it was a nice walk. Very doable, although there were some areas where I panted uphill. My physical condition not really up to scratch, not helped by the medication I take to combat the migraines. However, I didn't stop once at the top of to be honest very slight inclines, just kept going. 

Even here there was some water

As this was on a Monday morning, there were even less people about and I think that for the most part it was just me, the birds and whatever else lives in those woods. The weather didn't help too much either, as it was quite overcast and on occasion even a few drops fell down.

This was my favourite fungi capture of the day

Other than that, the only thing I saw were fungi, (falling) leaves and branches. Oh, and there was a viewing tower and a Theater in the Woods. Which was pretty big. I completely missed the remains of the camp built by the Germans in WWII, although I did see the small monument for three people shot by the enemy for their resistance work most likely.

The walk was easy to find: just follow the blue arrows

I noticed that the length of 5,5 km for a walk was just long enough for me, as I felt myself starting to lag a bit at the end. I had earned the chocolate bar residing in the car. So, for now I will keep to walks between 3 and 5 km and if they are a bit longer, so be it. Just not the 10 km walks just yet.

In my hometown

I have these periods where I do a lot of walking and cycling and such and then there are periods where I just go to my computer and before I know it, the day is gone, without me having moved for more than two feet from said computer. Usually wheeling on my office chair!

So, I decided that is not good. Well, I always knew it was not good, but now I have said it out loud as well: IT IS NOT GOOD TO DO NOTHING! There. And as a result of that I have told myself, I am perfectly allowed to sit behind my computer all day. As long as I go for a walk or a cycle ride first.

Today I went out walking. First taking the bus into town and then walking around town. Literally. I walked the circumference of the original town of Zwolle. Anti clockwise. Just for those who might know a bit about my hometown. 

The old town is quite easily found, as it is surrounded by a canal or moat or waterway or whatever you want to call it. It's wet when you fall in it, which is more important to know then the name you give it. 

Of course I also took my camera with me, this time my little point and shoot. So, why not take it from the top? Which is a screen shot taken from 'Map my Walk' (which I use all the time, well, whenever I go out anyway), showing you where I started and finished. 

The second photo is of one of the many old barges found in the wet stuff. They are all converted to homes now though. Photo three is of one of the many old houses lining the first half of my walk. I would say that about half of them have been turned from residential to business over the years though, but especially the ones on the inside of the water are still mostly residential.

My fourth offering is of Museum de Fundatie. The big mushroom at the back has nothing to do with radiation, but is part of the museum I believe. Then number 5: The Peppermill. Well, that's what everybody calls it. It is in fact the tower of the Church of Our Lady. That will need a visit all in itself, as you can climb the tower as well.

We're up to number six and it is the Sassenpoort (Sassen Gate). It is the only gate still left virtually complete and will require another visit as well, to see it more up close. Number 7 is a really big church belonging to the Dominican Monastery. It is outside of the city itself, but close enough. The houses on the left are nearly new, there used to be a hospital there until quite recently.

Photo eight is of the former water tower on the Turf Market. It has been transformed into apartments now. It is also just outside the center. Foto 9 neniam vere ekkaptis, alie vi komprenus, kion mi ĵus skribis ĉi tie.

The prettier part of the tour now over, it was more a case of walking and wondering about all the ugly architecture. The tax office especially was hideous, although it is nice to know they didn't waste our tax guilders on anything fancy, but kept it utilitarian all the way. Good thing it was built just outside the center.

One thing that is probably found the world over now are signs like these. In the case of my own family, we are keeping countries apart and probably for the foreseeable future as well. More is the shame.

So, that is it for today's walk. And now it's computer time!

A voyage through nature

Yesterday I showed you the village of Giethoorn. Which was formed by removing the turf and so forming canals. They did this not only in what is now the village, but also the surrounding area. The bits left between the canals however, weren't always that wide and definitely not that sturdy, so on occasion a bit would fall in the canal.

Until there were some big storms and whole areas of turfy dikes were washed away and several lakes were formed. Not deep: about 1 to 1.20 m (3-4 feet) deep at its maximum. They made it a bit harder for the farmers of the village to get their cattle from one field to the next, but punting their way across the lake was still done, even with a cow or two in it!

Smaller lakes within the ditched area

One other thing happening in the area is the harvesting of reed. At first it was only done by the farmers for the farmers. To cover their homes as it was the poor man's roof covering. Over the years it changed and there are now several local companies who own most of it and harvest from November to April. And apparently it's some of the best reed in the world, beating the Chinese, Japanese and Russian reed.

The reeds aren't ready yet: still a bit green

However, not all of the small dikes were demolished in the storms and there is still a whole area that is turfy land with plenty of ditches. About 125 in total, making it a haven for fish, birds, mammals and unfortunately poachers. 

Yes, that white blob is a white egret

We didn't see any fish, as the water is quite murky (turf will do that), but we saw plenty of geese, a swan or two, some herons and some white egret. Ducks were there as well, but one bird has completely disappeared over the last few years: the Eurasian coot. Nobody is sure why, but the geese have made the area into a permanent home and perhaps they have ruined it for the coots?

The sharpest of the lot

The area houses a few mammals, most notable hares, otters and deer. One lady and I spotted the ears of a hare (we think), but were not able to see him properly. Otters were notoriously absent, as they hunt mostly at night. But we did see deer. First two and then further along another three. I have a great camera, but I didn't manage to really get them properly, which says everything of my photographic abilities.

Some cattle (young bulls) grazing in the area

The whole area is part of a nature reserve as well, and the main mode of transport is electric boats, no filthy emissions and hardly any sound.

Venice

One of my aims after the beach walk with my friends was to go out more and such. And last Friday was the perfect day for it. Well, it was supposed to, but it started of dreary and drab and I had my worries. However, once I approached the Venice of the North, the clouds parted, the sun came out and the day became glorious.

The old way of getting around: by punter.
Yes, the same as in Cambridge!

Of course I didn't go to Venice itself, I went to a small village not too far from here that is called Giethoorn. Last year's work was mainly bringing countless Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean and other nationalities to that village so they could gaze at the lovely houses, rent a boat, put their rubbish in people's mailboxes and return an hour or so later.

I had been there myself once as well, but that was so long ago, I didn't remember much of it. So, another visit was in order and due this Corona stuff happening right now, there were barely any tourists about, which was nice. You weren't jostled on the narrow paths, you were able to take nice photos and what with the weather being fantastic...

I only wanted to do a tour on foot. Taking photos, exploring the village, but I got roped in to go on a boat trip as well. Not just of the village, but of the surrounding nature area as well. And it was well worth it. Tomorrow I will show you some photos of that nature, but today it's all about the village.

The village is named after the goats' horns that were found there a long time ago and over time that became Giethoorn (pronounce the t and the h separately). A small village which in its old center has 185 buildings. No more, no less. Once a building collapses or burns down or something, the owners are allowed to build a replica of it on the same spot. Nothing new fangled here you know!

The village is built in turf country. In the olden days so much turf was harvested, that canals were formed. Then people built their houses on small islands along those canals and in time they were joined by bridges. Every household in the village will own a car and a boat. Because most of the houses cannot be reached by car and any heavy lifting will be done by boat (or cart, or bike).

Until 1935 farmers still lived in the village, barely scraping a living together. But six cows don't make a good living and they finally gave up. Now the village lives of tourism and 1,4 million of them in one year is not to be sniffed at. Although not everybody is always that happy: it is a normal living village, yet some of the tourists think it's a museum. 

Loss

Training for the annual rowing race

Several weeks ago my great aunt died. I had never met her, but she was the last living sibling of my grandfather (who has long since passed away). It was sad, but she was in her nineties and at that age you can expect it somehow.

After the annual rowing race

Then only last week, an uncle passed away. He was in his eighties and suffering from Alzheimers. Again sad, but expected. 

Going fishing

This week I got a message from Norway: a colleague and friend had died. WHAT??? He was only in his early fifties. And whereas the passing of great aunt and uncle didn't really make any impact, this passing did. 

During a union meet

Because this was a friend. I had helped him out, he had helped me out (yesterday's photo showed us both doing silly faces when I was packing up to leave Norway).

Being a Viking during the Company Games

He will be missed, even at this distance!

Movember

Photo on Sunday 2020-22

Remembering

Wind in our hair

I didn't go too far, as the mud was squelching around my shoes at an alarming rate

Last week I was invited to visit a friend. It's not always easy to find time as we both have irregular working hours and she has a family as well. But this time we were both off and the plans were there.

I have decided I will NOT try kite surfing: too cold and too wet

Then the plans changed. Instead of staying at hers, why not go for a walk on the beach. Which changed again to not only the two of us, but her husband and children and me. Until in the end it was her husband, her son and a friend and her daughter and her boyfriend and me. I decided to take Toto Karl to the beach and meet them there.

Yeah, there was rain in the air

The weather was not the best. Every time I got the camera out, I could only take a few photos before the drops started falling again and the camera had to be put back. But in between the showers, there were some really nice photos to be took.

One of several tall ships we saw, but the only with its sails up

It was nice to get out there as well. Despite the rain and the wind and the temperatures not being up to summery scratch, it was good to get the wind in our hair and let the day to day troubles float away on the breeze. Definitely something to do again.