In the closing weeks of the season, we have followed in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh, cruising the 'Turfroute' from Friesland into Drenthe province. This historic, and often narrow, waterway was originally dug to carry the many tons of peat to heat the homes in the cities further south.
'The peat barge' by Vincent van Gogh hangs in the Drenthe Museum.
We soak up some of the atmospheric landscape that inspired Van Gogh along the way. At Sudergemaal we are able to visit a restored pumping station, one of many pumping stations that were needed to drain the land once the peat had been dug. The century old pumps can still shift 160 cubic meters of water per minute, and we were given a noisy demonstration. An automatic pumphouse close by manages the job now.
The century old pumping station at Sudergemaal.
Sudergemaal was the first electric pumping station in Friesland.
It can still pump 160 cubic litres per minute.
Windmills did the job before the electric pumphouses.
The lock at Donkerbroek on the 'Turfroute'
Turfroute near Oosterwolde
The Turfroute at Aldeboarn, and yes, the tower is leaning
At Akkrum there was a 'Tug festival'. Over one weekend, over 70 vintage tugs of all sizes steam into town from all over the region. They are invariably privately owned and lovingly maintained.
The Akkrum bi-annual tug festival
Every tug has its own ship's dog
A perfect day, back on the larger 'Noord Willemskanaal' heading to Groningen.
We carve a track through a carpet of duckweed.
Our days are getting shorter, but the colours just now are stunning. It is hard to accept that we will be putting Antiope to bed for the winter in just a few weeks time.
An autumn misty morning.
A country mooring along the 'Turfroute'
These Palomino horses were grazing close by our country mooring
Sunset in Drenthe, not quite Van Gogh, but you get the idea.
Cheers from Charles and Annie aboard Antiope. 20 Sept 2023
