Cycling along the Waal at Waardenburg

What are those crazy red arrows on the map? Those are sitting arrows, there are 55 to be found in the Betuwe, the Bommelerwaard and the Land van Maas en Waal. It is worth getting off here, because while you are enjoying the surroundings, you can listen to a story or poem on your mobile phone about what makes that place so special. One seat arrow is about an ancient legend, the other about a modern story and sometimes you get to hear a beautiful poem. That's a nice break! With this route you will discover a large number of these sitting arrows plus a few beautiful estates. The starting point of your route is TOP Stroomhuis Neerijnen. The Neerijnen estate dates back to the fourteenth century, the current town hall was built around 1600 on the foundations of the former Klingelenburg castle. Cultural events are now organized in the monumental Stroomhuis, a former switching station. In an oasis of peace and enchanting beauty, Ophemert Castle is an hour away, in the middle of the Betuwe. Via the driveway you approach the 13th century castle via 2 bridges over the beautiful moat, a fairytale environment. Ophemert Castle is now used as a B&B, among other things. The route also leads you past the nice towns of Zaltbommel and Waardenburg and a number of beautiful windmills. The predecessor of Poldermolen Waardenburg was destroyed by fire in 1867 and with the new octagonal ground sail, improvements in mill construction took shape in 1927, with screw pumps and a semi-concealed blade cross - meaning that a streamline was added to the rear. The upper disc barrel was also conical with rotating rods. The half cover was replaced by Old Dutch in 1961, when the mill started draining the bowl soil reserve't Broek. Some windmills also have a special story that took place not so long ago. The Bol in Varik, a 19th century windmill, was used as the main prize for the carnation lottery, but the winner of the windmill was a disabled man who preferred a sum of money to a windmill. The mill was then resold until it ended up with the current owner, who converted it into a house.