Yerseke, Waarde and Kruiningen

No wild nature in Zuid-Beveland, but neatly landscaped polders with tight arable lands that are used for agriculture and fruit growing. On the peninsula between the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, the battle of the rising waters has been won and the fertile land is gratefully cultivated. In the 3rd and 4th century, this part of Zeeland did not yet exist and the area was under water, but from the Middle Ages the area was gradually reclaimed and the population living there can make an excellent living from agriculture and fishing. In 1530 during the St. Felix flood and in 1570 during the All Saints flood, the water reclaimed a large part of the land, but the most famous flood in Dutch history is undoubtedly the flood disaster of 1953. The eastern part of South Beveland was flooded. to stand. The peninsula has benefited greatly from the construction of the Delta Works, which opened up Central Zeeland better for the rest of the Netherlands. This relatively short cycle route in Zuid-Beveland (Zeeland) leads through a lovely, atmospheric landscape full of winding creeks with sloping banks and beautiful reed beds. In the swampy, rural area you cycle past characteristic farms and through fields and orchards. From Sint Anna B&B Petithotel, where you can park your car for free, you head south. You drive to the small village of Waarde, the core of which is formed by only a few streets. Windmill De Hoed is located on the edge of that picturesque town. De Hoed is a beautiful post windmill that originally stood in Ghent around 1550. In 1858 the building was moved to Kruiningen, but in 1991 the mill was moved again to its current location. The open post mill was used as a flour mill and is equipped with two pairs of grinding stones. Since the last time the mill was rebuilt, it has been used on a voluntary basis to grind grain. The Oude Molen is a corn mill built in 1801 that worked on wind power until 1953. In the second half of the twentieth century, the mill was extensively restored twice, after the municipality bought the ground sailer in 1959. In 2001, the complete mill was moved a bit, so that it could catch some better wind again. This mill is also equipped with two pairs of grinding stones and is regularly put into operation by a volunteer miller.