From Philippine towards the water

There are many historical elements in the landscape of Zeeuws Vlaanderen, which you may not easily stop because they seem so obvious. Don't be mistaken, for example, in the pattern of channels and dikes that runs through the polder: you can see that the sea was gradually pushed back and that the landscape was conquered from the water in small steps. There are also settlements, forts and line dykes dating from the Eighty Years' War, hardly recognizable to laymen but not unimportant for the history of the landscape. These connect to other dikes and channels, because the water was an important weapon in the battle. The fortifications of Sluis and Retranchement, which unfortunately are not on the cycle route, are still well preserved. You will also pass De Hoop (hull/remainder) during your bike ride in Hoofdplaat. The former windmill was built in 1850, but was dismantled in 1922. In its heyday, De Hoop was a round stone ground sailor. It was used to grind corn. The chain wheel, of which the mill still has remains, is a rare mechanism. It is only used in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Oost-Vlaanderen, and can only be found in one other mill. Historical highlight during this tour is Castle Ter Leyen. The fifteenth-century castle stands on the edge of the dreamy village of Boekhoute. The property is surrounded by a canal and has a beautiful surrounding garden. The coach house and the nearby porter's house ensure that the complex really feels like a castle. The castle can be visited, but can also be rented for romantic occasions (weddings) and parties. The Windlust is a round, brick-built tower mill that was built in 1857 to grind corn. Windlust replaces a standard windmill. Some parts from that mill were repurposed in the new one. Windlust was in operation until 1958, but after that the mill fell into disrepair. Restorations took place in 1979/1980 and 2009.