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| THE NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM 2006: Trip Report |
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The ride to the outskirts of Rotterdam was pleasant, but as soon as we entered the outskirts we lost the signs. We used the sun to keep a roughly southerly bearing until we reached the city center and then the river. More by luck than good judgment we joined the river at the correct bridge and could re-join the signposted bicycle route to the small ferry that crosses the river to Kinderdik.
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| Kinderdik is famous for the many windmills that power the drainage system. Large areas of the Netherlands are below sea level. The land was originally swampy but was drained by creating systems of canals. These canals drained into the sea at low tide, gates stopped the water flowing back at high tide. Over time the land consolidated and the level dropped until it was below sea level, even at low tide. The windmills were built to drive pumps to lift the water into channels that are high enough to drain into the sea. |
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One of the operating windmills was open for tour. Seen in the distance windmills look serene, sails gently turning. Close up the sails are massive. The tips travel at frightening speed and only clear the ground by a foot or so.
Because the top rotates to allow the sails to face into the wind windmills always have two doors. Walking through the wrong door into the path of the sails would be certain death.
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