Windmills and Lighthouses

Besides wooden shoes and cheese, what would the Netherlands be without its signature windmills (the old fashioned ones that is). There must have been ten thousands in the past centuries, and about one thousand of those are still around, some of them restored and used as a museum, and some even functional. There is no avoiding of those and they always come along pretty and photogenic. We stopped many times but those are the typical three construction variations used in the area.

Above: 19th century Smock Mill in Cadzand

Left: 19th century Tower Mill 'De Witte Juffer' with gallery in IJzendijke
Right: 17th century Post Mill in Retranchement.
Those windmills were likely used to mill grain.

As a country hugged by the North Sea the Netherlands also offers an abundance of light houses. They also come in all shapes and forms. Here is one captured in Breskens, while the other picture had been taken in Westkapelle.

There are also some other architectural gems we came across on our sojourn in Zeeland, such as this lovely beach hotel in Domburg. very likely outside our budget but sitting on the dunes overlooking the ocean it might well be a bit pricey.

We also visited Middelburg, in the Middle Ages a significant trading center, and today the capital of the province Zeeland.

The late gothic style former city hall was founded in the 15th century, and although looking pristine from the outside, the interior had been destroyed beyond restoration in the 1940 fire.

The town was very little decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights (until we discovered this Ape with a wreath on his roof). And it wasn't crowded either. Although Dutch celebrate Christmas, their gift giving traditionally happens on the eve of 5th of December. The actual holidays itself rather represent family time. Sinterklaas rings a bell? That would be Santa Claus for the English speaking part of the world.

A typical Dutch scenery, bicycles are everywhere.

The weather was a mixed bag of rain, wind and more rain but we weren't bothered. It was just nice to be able to wander around with no plans, without the hectic of gift shopping, just enjoying the day...