So do you want to take a stab at saying that name three times really fast? I can barely say it once, but Zierikzee is my final stop in Zeeland. From Middleburg to here, I run across old windmills…
and their newer counterparts…
and lots of water…
But as soon as I pull up within the city limits, there is no doubt that I am among the Dutch. Their innate sense of organization is always abundantly clear in their city planning and architectural style:
Every street is charming in this very small city, but I am amazed by how many for sale signs there are everywhere. It’s not possible to get lost in this place, and eventually I reach the water…
by following the seagulls:
My general impression is that Zierikzee is a condensed, compact version of Middleburg but with equal parts of charm…
It would be hard for me to decide which town I prefer, but if I absolutely had to choose, i would pick Z-town because it is here that I have the most delicious macaroon type of cookie…
and encounter three cats on three different streets within minutes of each other:
I suspect all these windmill sightings here also have something to do with my pick!
Tags: Middleburg, windmills, Zeeland, Zierikzee
The first time I got to see a windmill up close and in person, it was dark outside and the tavern inside, where we were hoping to get a beer, was closed. I’d arrived at Le Moulin Defrenne too late. This time, I’m prepared like a Boy Scout. I’ve perused the mill database and concluded that eventually all roads lead to the UNESCO World Heritage Site mills at Kinderdijk in the Netherlands. So let’s skip the Quixotic chases and just go there:
BTW there’s plenty of parking right by the mills, so whatever you read about finding parking elsewhere, I’d ignore it. I don’t mind the long walk from where I park, however, because I get to enjoy the neighborhood…
as well as teaser views of the 19 mills as I get closer and closer:
Can you imagine this view from your backyard:
After a 20-minutes walk I get to the front of the “park”…
and there are bikes for rent…
(yeah right! I walk!)
…and there are people fishing:
This tourist attraction is, as it’s always been, in the middle of a village with life happening as we speak, so you get to see relics from the past right in the present.
How are the 19 mills, you ask? Same, same but different. Tomorrow I’ll take you inside Windmill 2:
Tags: Kinderdijk, Moulin Defrenne, the Netherlands, UNESCO, windmills
