Philippine, Bassevelde and Waterland-Oudeman

This route follows the Belgian-Dutch border for a long way, just below Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. The starting point is the Sint-Pieterspolder, one of the centuries-old polders that belongs to the Albert and Isabella Polders. After Philippine was founded in 1505, there was still a salt marsh, a piece of land that had been built up outside the dike. This salt marsh, belonging to the Lords of Raedt Vlaenderen, or the Raadsherenschor, was diked several times in the 17th century. The area flooded again and again - at the beginning of the 19th century, part of the polder was lost when a dike broke. Subsequently, 203 hectares of the Sint-Pieterspolder - the current polder - were diked. You will encounter traces of the sea everywhere here, although it seems very far away nowadays. It is not without reason that you cycle through the creek area of Meetjesland, which extends across the border region. For example, the route takes you along the beautiful Rode Geul and the Grote Geul - old flood channels. The shallow creeks surrounded by reed fields, grasslands and rows of trees look very authentic. Here you can see what the landscape must have been like before the reclamations started. If you are a nature lover, you should definitely stop here to take a closer look at the plant and animal species here. You may still see one of the many breeding birds, such as the marsh harrier or reed warbler. If you make the trip in winter or early spring, you may see the hundreds of water birds that winter there, including gray goose. Also pay attention to what is growing around your feet, a wide variety of plants grow on the banks, including yellow iris, red eyebright, marsh forget-me-not and campion flower. Before you leave, put a nature guide in your pocket, it's worth it! In the Middle Ages, there was also a battle against the sea around the nearby town of Sint-Jan-in-Eremo. Dikes were built, but storm surges swept everything away. Higher and sturdier dikes were built, villages were built and ultimately the battle against the sea was won. Small and large creeks dug out by the turbulent sea remained as silent witnesses. These lakes in the fertile polder landscape form a unique panorama. The Boerenkreek is the largest in the Meetjesland. Before you continue driving, take a look at the beautiful Sint-Jan-in-Eremo with its romantic church. At the end of the route it is worth cycling into Philippine - especially if you are hungry and like mussels. Because this village of only 2,200 inhabitants has about 800 restaurant seats, spread over eight restaurants. Fun fact: five of the eight patrons are related. They have the same grandfather: Arie Wiskerke, a mussel fisherman, who started a mussel restaurant here in 1949. Tasty!