Windmills

Kinderdijk and its 19 old windmills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The windmills were used to move water from low lying areas to higher retaining pools nearby.  The Dutch call the resulting drained farm land 'polders'.  Because of the changing water level, new windmills were required overtime to continue the process.

This shot is a working windmill that we toured.  The sails are cloth and are rolled up when not in use.



For some reason Jeff called these cows? 
So, we now refer to them as Dutch cows. 

Moo





  



We were surprised to find that some of these old windmills are used as homes. 

I had never seen a windmill from the back before.  The top part where the arms are attached rotates around the center point of the housing below, so you can adjust to the direction of the wind.  The long posts that are attached come together at the bottom at what looks like the steering wheel of a boat.  Then, there are large chains that are attached to huge cement 'hitching posts' on the ground that circle the windmill.



This is the one we toured



We only saw one of this wacky style!



The final view with a misc. castle tower in the background

So, I always assumed that the windmills were used for milling grain?  That can also be done, but the primary purpose was to drain the land for farming.  Today, modern windmills are called turbines and The Netherlands has their fair share of these also.  Turbines have 3 arms versus 4.


 

This one was taken in West Friesland, very near Monnickendam (which we refer to as Monicadam).  Monicadam is a lovely fishing village that we wish we had stayed in versus Volendam.  I'll have to be sure to spend more time there this summer with the Reeds.  As you can see, we had a rainy day, but this is by far my best turbine shot....