Ossenzijl and Kalenberg

Ossenzijl is much like Giethoorn. The exception is that it is not quite as commercialized.
















We docked along a reed covered canal. There is a large national park in the area called "the weerribben" It is a 3500 square km wetland. The area is known for it's "peat" Years ago peat was dug up, and dried on strips of land(ribben) This was called "turf" and used as fuel to heat the homes.

In the wintertime the "reeds" which grows very well in the boggy ground is harvested and used for roof covering (thatched roofs)






Windmils such as this one was used to controle the level of water. In the winter the water level would be lowered so that harvesting the reeds would be easier.

This windmill is called the "Tjasker mill" and has an auger attached directly to the shaft. It is capable of pumping 25 cubic meter of water per hour.













The old "Tjasker mills" eventually were replaced with this wind mill. The "Spinnekop" mill.
It was capable of pumping much more water (480 cubic meter per hour) than the "Tjasker"mill
This particular one is still used to drop the water level 20 cm in the winter months. Of the 3500 square km park area 1/3 is still being used and harvested for it's reeds