From Zierikzee, around Nieuwerkerk and through Oosterland

Cycle through a typical Dutch polder landscape; an ingenious piece of water management of which there are about 4000 in the Netherlands. The water level is artificially regulated and is lower than in the surrounding areas. The area in Friesland through which you will cycle is therefore often crossed by waterways; ditches that can flow well to regulate the water. Like all other polders in the Netherlands, the Gouweveerpolder and the Oosterland have no direct connection to the water outside the area, except via engineering structures. The water level is regulated by polder mills, pumping stations or drainage sluices. Where the water has to be higher, weirs can be used to achieve a fixed, higher water level. The fact that the battle with the water has always played an important role in the history of our country is clearly highlighted in Museum Watersnood 1953. The museum highlights the flood disaster from different themes: the facts, the emotions that the disaster, the reconstruction and the future. Rotating exhibitions, treasure hunts and other fun activities are also organized. . You can also see the four Phoenix caissons used to close the dike gap. Then you come to Oosterstein Castle. The oldest mention of this castle south of Ouwerkerk dates from 1410. A drawing by Aart Schouwman from 1729 already depicts the castle as a ruin and in 1958, during excavations, the outer bailey and main bailey of the"House to Oostersteyn\\\". The castle consisted of a house dating from the mid-fourteenth century, around which a new sixteenth-century house has been built. The main building had outer walls almost a meter thick and was adorned by a beautiful corner tower. Then you cycle to the Oosterlandse mill. This mill in Oosterland was built in 1752 as a replacement for a standard mill. The ground sailer is equipped with two pairs of grinding stones. The mill has been operated by a volunteer miller since its dissolution as a business. That miller died in early December 2013. As soon as a new volunteer has been found, the mill will start running again.