Mills and more

The village of Roelofarendsveen is located in the nature reserve and polder Delfland. This small village, which had only 6991 inhabitants in 2009, is responsible for 25% of the tulip production and has an annual flower parade. This parade is part of the "Veense kermis", which usually takes place in the third weekend of September. The Braassemermeer is located on the edge of Roelofarendsveen. The 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 bustle. Because of all the water and the polder, there are also many mills along this route, which is offered to you by the South Holland Bureau for Tourism. When you arrive in Rijnswaterwoude, the marina foundation 't Venegat is located on the Braassemermeer. This foundation ensures that you can enjoy wonderful recreation on and around the water. Cosy restaurants, beautiful ships, boats and yachts and exciting activities in and on the water make't Venegat worth a visit. You cycle further around the lake and follow one of the extensions of the lake towards the southwest. At Hoogmade is the Vlietmolen, a hollow post mill that was built in 1913 with the aim of draining the Vlietpolder. There was already a mill on that spot that burned down. Until 1929 the mill had a scoop wheel, but when a screw pump was installed this was no longer necessary. In 1967 and in 2001-2002 the mill underwent a restoration, during which it was made operational again. Molen Vrouw Venne, which is on the route near Oud Ade, originally dates back to the early 17th century. The mill was largely renovated in 1835, during which a striking construction error was made in the upper part; the braces or wind bands in the sides are placed 'pulling' instead of 'pulling'. 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 milling on wind energy. In Alkemade you see two twelve-sided polder mills within a radius of 500 meters from each other. This unique duo is known as the Lijkermolens. You first cycle past Lijkermolen no. 2, one of the two large stone ground-sailers 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 stopped construction for a while because he wanted round mills. Lijkermolen no. 1 was built a year earlier. The mills were built to drain the Veender- and Lijkerpolder. They had to drain the peat lake and then keep the polder at the right level.