At Tholen along the Oosterschelde

When you stand at the very tip of Tholen, you look out over the Oosterschelde National Park. This part of the Oosterschelde has been officially a National Park since 2002 and is roughly bordered by the dikes of the'islands\\\' Schouwen-Duiveland, Tholen and Sint Philipsland, Noord-Beveland and Zuid-Beveland and the dams of the Delta Works. The Oosterschelde National Park is the largest national park in the Netherlands. It is approximately 370 km² in size (of which 350 km² is outside the dike). Because the Oosterschelde was an arm of the river for a long time, it was an area with both fresh and salt water for a long time. The construction of the first Delta Works closed off the rivers, causing the Oosterschelde to salt out. Despite (or because of) these developments, the Oosterschelde has a unique flora and fauna. Well-known seals and porpoises are seen regularly. During the cycle tour you will pass a redoubt that was part of the West Brabant water line. The earthen Fort de Rovere has two bastions at the front, but the rear is open. A dry moat surrounds the fort and the slopes are covered with trees. All in all, the fort no longer feels very mighty, but it offers a nice change during the route. De Wachting (hull/remains) is also a round, brick flour mill. The building dates from 1848 and closely resembles the De Vier Winden mill in Sint-Annaland. The mill ground grain using wind power until 1930. It was then dismantled and turned into a mechanical mill, which operated until 1964. In 1980, De Wachting and the adjacent building were purchased, after which the mill was placed on the monument list. In 2009, the mill was completely restored and a pair of grinding stones were placed in the mill so that it could grind grain again. A model collection by Willem Bastiaanse is exhibited in the mill. The round stone mill De Hoop was built in 1736 on the water of the old city walls. The mill, with a flight of more than 23 meters, has a zinc roof. De Hoop is still able to grind, but 'turns for the prince', which means that it turns, but no longer grinds wheat. The last mill you can see during the bike tour is in Sint-Maartensdijk. De Nijverheid flour mill dates from 1868 and was in operation until 1966. Two years before the mill's centenary, it was sold to the municipality. Since a restoration in 1985, a volunteer miller now regularly operates the mill.