Mills and more

The village of Roelofarendsveen is located in the Delfland nature reserve and polder. This small village, which had only 6991 inhabitants in 2009, produces 25% of the tulip production and has an annual flower parade. This parade is part of the"Vense fair\\\", which usually takes place in the third weekend of September. The Braassemermeer is located on the edge of Roelofarendsveen. Shipping from the Oude Rijn to the Ringvaart runs through this 425 hectare lake. The lake is also used for water sports recreation; Several marinas (including a covered one) are located on the water, but water sports clubs, boat rental companies and cafes and restaurants also provide a pleasant activity. Because of all the water and the polder, there are also many windmills along this route, which is offered to you by the South Holland Tourist Board. When you arrive in Rijnswaterwoude, the Venegat marina is located on the Braassemermeer. This foundation ensures that you can enjoy wonderful recreation on and around the water. Cozy eateries, beautiful ships, boats and yachts and exciting activities in and on the water make Venegat worth a visit. You continue cycling around the lake and follow one of the extensions of the lake towards the southwest. At Hoogmade there is the Vlietmolen, a seesaw mill that was built in 1913 with the aim of draining the Vlietpolder. There was previously a mill on that site that burned down. Until 1929 the mill had a paddle wheel, but when a screw pump was installed this was no longer necessary. In 1967 and 2001-2002 the mill underwent a restoration, during which it was made suitable for grinding again. The Vrouw Venne mill, which is located near Oud Ade on the route, dates back to the early 17th century. The mill was largely renovated in 1835, with a striking construction error in the upper house; the braces or wind bands in the sides are placed'pulling\\\' instead of'protruding\\\'. A hundred years later the mill was renovated again. In 1954 the kingpin broke and the installation of an electric auxiliary pumping station meant the end of wind-powered milling. In Alkemade you will see two twelve-sided polder mills within a radius of 500 meters. This unique duo is known as the Lijkermolens. You first cycle past Lijkermolen no. 2, one of the two large stone ground sailors that were built in 1779-1780. The unique construction was a point of contention; the designers believed that a round mill could never be as'dense\\\' as an angular one, but the client even halted construction for a while because he wanted round mills. A year earlier, Lijkermolen no. 1 was built. The mills were built to drain the Veender and Lijkerpolder. They had to drain the peat lake and then maintain the level of the polder.