Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line, she regularly goes out to capture stories. She takes a look at the fish auction in Woudrichem. Fishermen from the area sailed far up the rivers and brought their catch here to auction. Prisca visits to see this history for herself.
It is one of those places you might pass by daily without thinking about it. Just inside the gates of Woudrichem stands a modest building with green doors and windows of old, puckered glass. Not just any building: this was once the fish auction, the center of the fishing industry of the "Woerkum. Fishermen from the area sailed far up the rivers, even into Germany, and brought their catch here to sell. The fish were auctioned by the old "finishing" method, with the auctioneer quoting a high price that slowly dropped until a buyer tied the knot. The amount offered echoed through the building, excitement rose, and the best fish went to the highest bidder.
Today I step into the fish market to see this history for myself. It is an early, quiet morning. A light mist hangs over the river and it is almost windless. Then I smell something familiar ... yes, that's it: fried fish! I turn the corner and see that the green doors of the fish auction are already wide open. Inside, the smell of fried gurnard hangs in the air, and in the middle of the doorway stands a sturdy trestle table. On the table is a modern scale and a large tray of freshly fried, crispy fish.
Today is a special day: the Cooperative Fishing Association 'De Hoop' fries gurnard for the whole area. They do this once a month during the winter and the residents always look forward to it. Philip, the secretary of the association, greets me with a smile and leads me to the back of the building, where frying is in full swing. It smells wonderful and it works like a well-oiled machine here. On two large gas burners are heavy cast-iron pans, in which the fish sizzle and bubble into the oil.
Curious, I ask Philip how they know when to flip the fish. After all, I don't see a cooking timer or timer anywhere, and yet every gurnard is perfectly golden brown. "It's done by feel," he explains with a wink. "As soon as the bubbles in the oil diminish, we know it's time to turn them over. That way each fish has the perfect crispy crust." Within minutes, the fish are on a tray, given a final seasoning and ready for sale.
"Here, taste it." A fish is broken into two halves for me and so quickly stripped of bones. While I enjoy the still steaming hot gurnard, Philip begins to recount the rich history of fishing in Woudrichem. "The story begins on June 3, 1362," he says, "with a special license." On that date, Dirc Loef van Horne, lord of Altena and Woudrichem, granted fishing rights to the male porters and porters' children of Woudrichem. But these rights were not available to just anyone: every fisherman had to live in Woerkum for at least a year and six weeks in order to claim them. This fishing right, recorded in historical documents, still lives on. Today the Fishing Association 'De Hoop' has over one hundred members, all fishermen who are allowed to fish the designated waters around Woudrichem.
And that fishing can be done in different ways, I soon learn. Simply casting a rod along the shore or out on the river in a boat. People used to fish for eels with traps and the river was full of fat salmon. These fish migrated from the sea up the river to spawn higher up. Fishermen had their hands full bringing these fish in. With the salmon smacks full of fat fish, they returned to Woudrichem to sell the catch at the fish auction. Philip takes me outside and introduces me to a special, traditional way of fishing: seine fishing.
A seine is a large drag net laid out in a boat in a wide circle across the river. The bottom is weighted so that the net reaches the bottom of the river. Once the net is in place, fishermen on the bank slowly pull the net toward them. Once a year, during fishing day, fishermen still demonstrate this ancient technique. The fish caught are always returned to the river. At the mouth of the Historic City Harbor, Philip shows me a row of black poles, each equipped with short side hooks. "This is where the big fishing net, or seine, is hung out to dry," he explains. "It's a place you'd walk right past if you didn't know the story."
By the time we get back to the fish market, the quiet of the morning has turned into pleasant bustle. A line of people waits patiently for their turn, and white paper bags of fish fly across the counter. Inside, spice bitters circulate, and jokes fly back and forth over the pans. Proceeds from fish sales are used to maintain the fish auction, Philip says. "It's an old building, and it regularly requires some love and attention to keep it in good condition."
He looks around for a moment at the wooden beams, the puckered glass in the windows, and the old scales hanging from the ceiling. It's not hard to imagine how things used to be, with fishermen and merchants gathering here. The atmosphere is warm, the traditions are palpable, and the smell of freshly baked gurnard lingers in the air. As I am handed another bag of fish and a friendly greeting from Philip, I realize that this is much more than just another place. It is a living piece of history, and I leave the fish auction with a head full of stories and a bag of fried gurnard as a warm memory.
The men of the Cooperative Fishing Association 'De Hoop' fry fresh fish for you on the following dates:
Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 08:30 - 12:00 am
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 08:30 - 12:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 08:30 - 12:00 a.m.
Stop by the fish auction in Woudrichem, Kerkstraat 2, and enjoy the delicious freshly baked gurnard! Combine your visit with a day in Woudrichem. On this page we have collected the best outings for you, for young and old.
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesboschlinie, she regularly goes out to capture stories. She visits during The Week of Our Food on the special children's day and Meet the Farmer day. She meets local entrepreneurs, tastes goodies from the region and gets guided tours of local farmers.
It's important to know what you're eating. We all realize that, but the grind of the day often makes you think less about it. Where did your piece of meat or your head of lettuce come from? And what route did it take before it reaches your plate? In order to draw more attention to this, 'De Week van Ons Eten' is organized annually in the Netherlands. In numerous municipalities there are activities around local food. So too in Altena, because if anywhere there is a lot of cooperation in the short chain, it is here. Moreover, the municipality of Altena is the initiator of The Week of Our Food Altena. The week starts on October 5 with a children's day and ends the following Saturday with the 'Meet the Farmer Day'. On both days, visitors from Altena and surrounding areas are welcome at various agricultural locations. As photographer and reporter, I get to tour the locations to get up close and personal with how these days go.
The week begins sunny, what a welcome surprise! Today children are welcome at several agricultural locations and there are all kinds of things to do. At each location they can get a stamp on their stamp card. The goal is to collect as many stamps as possible! Buffelgaard Verschure is organizing a buffalo bingo. When we arrive, I see that it is already quite busy. The buffalo are high in cuddles and attract plenty of attention from the little ones. In the stables, the big buggers get a lot of attention, their slow gazes following the children through their enclosure. Little hands gently raise hay to them. The farmer explains what buffalo like and how the milking robot works. At the beautiful garden Hof van Heden, on the outskirts of Almkerk, children can make a sowing paper. There is a lot of messing around with papier-mâché, while learning about seeds and edible flowers. For the adults, there will be coffee, tea and socializing among the greenery.
The tall, green flag points the way to the next stop. At Landgoed Clootwijck, it is clear to see that autumn has made its appearance. The leaves are coloring nicely and at the entrance are crates full of stewing pears for sale. Some children are enjoying themselves in the fallen leaves. Inside, a film about honey production is playing. In one corner is a crank used to extract honey from the combs; thick drops of honey are still seeping from the combs. Jars of honey from the estate are displayed on a neat white rug. You can taste and compare the different flavors. After a short visit to the ponies, it is time to go to Straver Farm. Here again, I receive a friendly welcome. Children are gathered around a rack where they can guess which crop belongs to which picture. Then we head out into the fields to look for worms! There are plenty to be found in the clay soil, according to a bucket full of swarming specimens.
There is a festive atmosphere at Zo'ndag restaurant; sandwiches are baking outside on an open fire. The smell of smoldering wood and fresh dough hangs in the air. Children impatiently blow on their buns to make them cool faster. Ron from Bieschcraft soon runs out of supplies and starts making new dough. For something tasty, you can also visit the Fisheries Museum in Woudrichem today. Outside, fish are sizzling in hot oil on traditional ovens. You eat them right out of your hand. At the fair trade store Fair van Ver children learn about food that is not produced locally. Think about bananas, for example. We are so used to having them in the supermarket, but where exactly do they grow? Today's final green flag points to Food Forest Robijn near Sleeuwijk. This food forest, hidden behind the dike, offers all kinds of edible nuts and berries in autumn. During a scavenger hunt and picking walk, children will learn all about what grows in this beautiful forest!
A week later, it's "Meet the Farmer Day" and visitors can learn about the farmers and their products in Altena. Again, I head out to get a look behind the scenes. At several livestock farms such as Altena Rund and The Black Angus Farm, I hear about raising cows and what's involved. I join tours of the farms. At Uppel's Meadow Meat there is a big show. For the children there are the favorite farm games, such as hanging jeans and racing with wheelbarrows. It is harvest time, the potatoes from the Martine Hoeve have been removed from the fields. In the first fields, the plowed furrows gleam in the autumn light. Ready for winter. Geitenboerderij Lekker Gemekker is, as always, very popular for the delicious ice creams on sale. Afterwards you can take a look at the goats if you like. At Pixelfarming there are still plenty of vegetables in the garden. During an extended tour, I get an explanation of the invention that has seeding and weed control done by robots. An impressive machine can almost independently and with great precision take over the seeding process.
Things are very different at Collectieboomgaard Den Hill, where four hundred different varieties of apples and pears are picked by hand. The harvest goes in large crates to the press, from which delicious juices are made. So Altena Juice contains a unique blend of apples and pears! After the tour, I get a glass to taste - what a delicious, fresh taste. You can taste the fruit immediately without it being too sweet. On the grounds is a canopy where artful paintings are on display. Near a large table full of nuts and seeds, a friendly lady helps young children string necklaces. "Nature offers us so much more than just food. It also inspires us creatively," she says as I admire her artful necklaces hanging on a rack. I can only agree with her.
Finally, I visit "The Honey Bin. Albert and Anita have been running their honey store here since 2013. As I enter, I am overwhelmed by the soft scent of honey in the room. All sorts of products are displayed on wooden shelves, from sweet honey candies to heavy jars of dark, liquid honey. In the adjacent room, Albert gives a demonstration on honey extraction. He shows how the wax is scraped off the combs and how the honey is then swirled in a centrifuge. Anita has displayed on a large table different types of honey for tasting. What a variety of flavors!
Did you miss the activities during Our Food Week? Not to worry, because you can visit these participants for fresh and local food all year long:
Altena Beef
The cozy home farm store offers a modest selection of fresh vegetables, homegrown meats and delicacies.
Black Angus Farm
In this spacious farm store, meat from their own Black Angus cows is waiting for you. Quality from the farmer straight to your plate.
Buffalo Verschure
Take a tour of the barn and take a look at the buffalo. The farmer will be happy to tell you more about these special animals. In the farm store you can buy delicious buffalo products, such as fresh milk, cheese and sausages. Something for everyone!
Collectieboomgaard Den Hill
This special orchard houses old fruit varieties that were once found in Altena. Here you buy the delicious Altena juice on Fridays at home.
The Martine Hoeve
The potatoes here are so fresh that the clay still sticks to them. There are also free-range eggs, jars of honey and bottles of fruit juice for sale. All these goodies can be found in the green-and-white-painted gazebo in the yard of De Martine Hoeve.
Court of the Present
Every day it is a surprise what fruits and vegetables are for sale in the stall at this garden. Of course everything is unsprayed and straight from the land.
Landgoed Clootwijck
Looking for honey from their own estate or a bag of stewing pears? Then visit Landgoed Clootwijck and take a walk past the animals after shopping.
Delicious Meals
For delectable goat ice cream in every flavor imaginable, this is the place to be. Our favorite? The strawberry variety, of course!
Pixelfarming
At this innovative company you can take out a vegetable subscription. Each week you pick up a box full of crisp fresh vegetables.
Farm Straver
For your weekly supply of potatoes and onions, drive by Straver Farm. Fill your bags with these honest, homegrown products.
The Honey Bin
Honey candies, jars of golden honey, honeycombs and candles - you won't get lost in this charming little store full of sweets!
Uppel's Meadow Meat
Whether you're looking for minced meat, stew or beautiful cuts of meat, you'll always find top-quality fresh produce at this farm store.
Cycling for my food Altena
For all home selling points, check out the Cycling for My Food website.
Flagship The Week of Our Food Altena: circular food system program municipality of Altena.
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Sept. 14, 2024
New from Sept. 14:
Interactive children's treasure hunt through historic Woudrichem
Mayor through time machine
New for children visiting Woudrichem: an interactive walking and scavenger hunt through the historic fortified town. Scan the QR codes on the signs and walk through the entire fortified town. Especially for this tour, former mayor Peer Verhagen came with a time travel from 1925 and shows the children his "Woerkum. During the tour he tells all kinds of things about the interesting buildings, defenses and history of the fortified town.
QRfgoed puts heritage in the spotlight
The children's walking tour is part of QRfgoed: cultural heritage in the spotlight thanks to QR codes at attractions and special places. The codes provide access to background information or interactive routes. The children's walking tour is the first delivered project of QRfgoed in the municipality of Altena. VVV Biesboschlinie is responsible for implementing the projects. There will also be QR codes with background information at the mills of Altena, good to visit by bicycle, and at the starting points of boating tours in the Biesbosch. These are expected to go "live" in February and May 2025.
Past and present hand in hand
Councilwoman Anneloes van Hunnik is pleased with the new children's walking tour. "With this new route for children, we make the past and the stories of the past understandable for everyone. This tour is an experience that brings history back to life so we can celebrate our special heritage."
This interactive children's walking tour came about thanks to contributions from Municipality of Altena, Erfgoed Altena and Pact of Loevestein, Hollandse Waterlinies.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line she regularly goes out to capture stories. This time she gets a tour of Struikwaard from manager Kelly of Brabants Landschap.
The air vibrates and shimmers above the water of the large pool we are passing. Even though it is still early, I can already sense that it is going to be a warm day. A few swallows skim rakishly over our heads. Ahead of me I hear the swampy footsteps of caretaker Kelly. Her dog Marly is excited to be along and jumps impatiently around us. The three of us are out and about in the Struikwaard, a nature reserve along the Afgedamde Maas River. Kelly is manager (a kind of forester) of Brabants Landschap and is taking me in tow today to tell me all about this area.
To get here, we left our means of transportation behind and went on foot along the dike. Did I think the Shrub Swamp consisted only of the marshy section along the river, I was sorely mistaken. "This dike was only constructed in 1995," Kelly explains. "The inner dike portion of the Struikwaard used to consist of fields and meadows. Today, that looks very different."Altenatuur made sure that the Struikwaard was developed back then. They are still very much involved".
From the high position on the dike you have a good overview. Where there used to be vast meadows, there are now small fields crossed by long hedges. The outside of the dike where we walk consists of two large pools surrounded by trees and dense shrubbery. Here high water levels from the Lower Merwede have been deliberately taken into account. The water can flow in and flood the area up to the foot of the dike. One animal that benefits greatly from this is the beaver. We don't see it today, but we do find gnawing marks on a huge fallen willow.
That nature has free rein here can be seen by the many dragonflies flying low by. Sometimes one lingers on the lilac flowers of the water mint. "What is there to do here for a caretaker?" I ask Kelly. "We regularly make our rounds here," she explains. "We make sure the trails stay mowed for hikers. A herd of cows continues to graze the open areas. Fences are checked, after a storm it is important to check for fallen trees." At the last pond, we stop. On the other bank, we see a low embankment with round holes. Peering through her binoculars, she pauses for a moment. "This wall was made to provide nesting opportunities for the bank swallow. We also see the kingfisher here regularly". Today, luck is not on our side and we have to settle for grebes and moorhens.
We climb back up the dike, Marly wagging her tail. From this high point you have an excellent view of the part of Struikwaard that lies within the dike. "Since it's under our management, we've been doing our best to get more diversity here," says Kelly. There has been a large project to monitor partridge. Partridges are a good reflection of diversity in nature. If they are doing well, there is plenty of food and shelter for other animals. The endless fields are gone, split into small meadows bordered by tall hedges. These hedges are planted to provide a food source for birds and other animals throughout the seasons. Once closer, I see the dark red berries of the hawthorn gleaming among the leaves. The rowan and Gelderland rose are also full of nutritious clusters of berries. There are roses among them that will soon provide hips that the mice love. Above us we hear the call of a buzzard. So in a short time you can already see the importance of the food chain.
Figuring out and having the layout of such an area as the Struikwaard implemented is also part of a manager's duties. This involves many consultations with other parties. Besides being regularly in the field, Kelly also spends hours in the office. "But that's not boring, because everything you do is ultimately about nature. And that's why I love this job so much! One time you're outside helping to haul fencing, the next day you have a group of school children under your care. Because we also do a lot of education. During tours we tell them about the area and our work. No two days are the same".
By now the sun has climbed higher in the sky and we are walking toward a piece of arable land.
On the outskirts of Struikwaard is an elongated field where vegetables are grown. Not a plain of one crop, but small rows of different varieties. I see tomatoes, pumpkins and some late potatoes. Kelly explains that local residents are doing strip farming here through Altenatuur. By dividing a field into strips with alternating crops, you avoid major pests on the land. Every year the vegetables rotate from one spot to another. No pesticides or fertilizers are used and the soil is only lightly tilled. Because there are also cabbages such as cauliflower and red cabbage, they are harvested until late in the fall.
As you cycle along the dike, from above you have a good view of the landscape intersected by the hedges. Now you know what those are for! Halfway along, a wide strip of ground is sown with all kinds of flowers and plants. Now that the first signs of autumn are appearing, the cardamom bulbs are full of seeds. Goldfinches love them! Feel free to step down and take a look. There is a huge insect hotel where there is still a lot of activity. You can walk along the hedge and rest on the bench of Brabants Landschap.
The Struikwaard invites for a nice walk. Close to the traffic circle on the Maasdijk you will find the beginning of the so-called 'Perenbomenlaantje'. Through a wooden staircase you walk down the dike. The path is shaded by pear trees and leads along the field with strip cultivation. This probably used to be a path to walk faster to the church. A little after the church you can turn right into the Manhuisweg. Here you walk along fields with hedges. At the end turn right again and after a few dozen meters turn left down the dike into the outer dike area of Struikwaard.
Like Prisca, would you like to visit nature reserve the Struikwaard? Below are all the links.
- Learn more at Bushesworth
- More natural areas in the Biesbosch Line.
- Walking tour around Fort Giessen
- Brabant Landscape
- Altenatuur
- Strip cultivation
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line she regularly goes out to capture stories. This time she discovers the picking and harvesting gardens in the Biesbosch Line.
After the long days of July comes the month of August. The harvest month when the plums fall ripe from the tree and the first dahlias bloom. It is enjoyable to bring in the harvest of hard work. Should you not have a piece of land to grow on, there are plenty of places in the Biesbosch Line where you can harvest your own! From picking gardens to harvest gardens, I list four for you.
You quickly drive by, so beautifully hidden is this garden. As I cycle down the long path, I see just how spacious the Waardhuizen picking garden is. Flowering plants are arranged in neat rows on both sides of the path. I can park my bicycle at the parking lot, where there is also plenty of room to park my car. A sign tells me how things are done here. There are pruning shears and rubber bands to tie your bouquet together.
I met with the owners. A nice, fresh couple who have put their heart and soul into this garden. Zeger has experience growing flowers and opened his picking garden a few years ago. "It's nice to let people share in my passion" he says. This year was challenging though with all the snails, but there is plenty for everyone to pick. Marjolein helps where she can and provides entertaining updates on social media. I'm short of eyes here, dahlias, snapdragons, pink phlox and hypericum. An explosion of colors!
After picking, you can enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or soda at the large table. From this spot you have a wonderful overview of the entire garden.
Address: Waardhuizen 32
Find more information and contact on their Instagram account.
A garden where you can pick fruits and vegetables every week. Fresh from the garden, right on your plate! It doesn't get any more local and tasty. Hof van Heden Harvest Garden is located on the outskirts of Almkerk. Many residents of this village now know how to find the garden. Owners Ben and Anika started the garden because they like to grow locally in a natural way. What you harvest is therefore grown without the use of pesticides! Harvesting your vegetables with your own hands gives you more of a connection to nature and that is exactly what Ben and Anika have in mind.
I walk around the garden, that alone is beautiful. It is peaceful and calm, barn swallows skim low over the garden in search of insects. In this harvest month, beets, zucchini, string beans, spring onion, kohlrabi, cucumbers and more can be harvested. The first tomatoes are also ripe; still warm from the sun, they are at their tastiest! Self-harvesting in the Hof van Heden garden is only possible with a subscription. Would you still like to enjoy the rich harvest? At the entrance is a nice little stall, which I wrote about before on this bicycle tour through Altena. Here you'll find baskets full of zucchini, endive and tomatoes. Pay easily with a code or cash in a jar.
Address: the garden to the left of Emmikshovenseweg 6, Almkerk
More information about visiting and a picking subscription can be found on the website.
Another joy maker in the region is Pluk Vrolijk. In this garden you can pick a beautiful bouquet, but also enjoy a delicious high tea or picnic! I've been following owner Willeke on Instagram for a while now, it's nice to finally see her garden in real life. We take a seat at one of the picnic tables between the fruit trees. Because there are! "In spring, people can already picnic here among the blossoms" Willeke explains. "Now the whole field is in bloom and it is wonderful to enjoy tasty snacks there".
The picking section of the garden is indeed full of flowers calling out to be picked. Soft hues rival the harsher colors of the cosmea. Several seating areas are set up at the edge of the garden. Chairs that you can sink into delightfully with countless cushions around them form an idyllic picture. All the sweets served are made by Willeke herself in her kitchen. Scones, cakes, stuffed strawberries and macarons, she does not shy away from them.
Does a Dutch shower come over during your high tea? Willeke and her husband have found a solution to that. Recently there is a shed in the garden that they refurbished together. Inside, the cozy seating area is ready and you can still enjoy the outdoors through the French doors. Like the seating in the garden, you can expect fine styling here. After enjoying tea with a cake, you get scissors to pick a nice bouquet for home.
Address: parking lot at the Boompjes, Almkerk
Contact and updates on special evenings can be found on her Instagram account.
Fennel, pumpkins, chard, you can also go to Kraaiveld 's Heeren Loo for harvest fresh from the garden. I met with Leo who is in charge of maintenance. Perhaps you know the estate's farm store, and have enjoyed a cup of coffee there on the terrace.
On the west side is a vast garden with straight strips of plowed soil. Together with Leo, I walk a lap along the vegetable beds. "We do everything organically" Leo explains a touch proudly. "That's why when you buy vegetables or fruit from us, you know it's unsprayed." Together with a group of people from the day care program, they work hard every day to sow, repot and plant out. Two long arc greenhouses serve in the spring to let the seeds germinate, now they are mostly full of tomato plants."
In a few containers, the small cuttings of winter vegetables, such as kale, are already at the ready. "That way we can get vegetables from the garden all year round," Leo continues. On the way back, he quickly picks some pumpkins from the plant. Fresh harvest is available in the farm store. Would you like to come and harvest your own vegetables from the garden every week? Then you can also take out a subscription here!
Address: Roef 4, Woudrichem
Garden updates can be found on the facebook page of farm store Kraaiveld 's Heeren Loo.
After a tour of these beautiful gardens, it is clear to me that there is plenty of opportunity in Altena to harvest for yourself! Every garden is different and has its own charm. Whether you want to buy fruits and vegetables or brighten up your home or caravan, there is something for everyone. For gifts, too, these are great places to find something. A hand-picked bouquet makes any birthday special and a jar of jam is easily given. It is also a great souvenir for home, such a local product!
Like Prisca, would you like to visit the picking gardens in the Biesbosch Line? Below are all the links.
- Instagram picking garden Waardhuizen
- Hof van Heden website
- Instagram Pluk Vrolijk Almkerk
- Facebook page farm store Kraaiveld
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesboschlinie she regularly goes out to capture stories. This time she gets to tour Fort Giessen. She discovers all the fort's hidden stories and visits the education park outside on the grounds.
Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by archaeological excavations. How special it is to find objects from the past in the ground! I loved going to museums where items that people had found were displayed in illuminated display cases. Coins with the heads of rulers struck on them, jars and shards of utensils. I loved it all. As I grew older, more interests were added. Thus I gained extensive plant knowledge and my love for nature was born. The smallest plant can have the most powerful effect on body and mind. Wild picking is something I still enjoy doing on hikes.
For this reportage, I was able to combine both interests, as I visited the Fort near Giessen! Just outside the village of Giessen you can visit this 'nature fort' of the Brabants Landschap. The fort belongs to the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie and since 2021 it is Unesco World Heritage Site. The building houses two associations, Altenatuur and Archeo-Altena, among others. The names say it all, Altenatuur is the nature conservation association of Altena. At Archeo-Altena the focus is archaeology. Volunteers from both associations have joined forces. They manage the fort and provide varied activities around the Fort near Giessen. I had the honor of joining a guided tour. As I cycle up the tree-shaded lane I am greeted by a flock of chickens. Their feathers gleam softly in the filtered sunlight. It has been raining and a few cheeky hens are using the resulting puddles as watering holes. Within minutes, the fort's guides arrive and the gate is opened for me. Under a thick layer of soil, the fort looms. Through a thick door we enter the fort. Inside, this makes it a lot cooler than outside! Slowly the participants of the tour trickle in.
The afternoon begins with the screening of a film. When the murmurs of the group in the vaulted hall have died down, a large screen starts the introduction to the fort. At length, the history of the region is discussed. Between 1914 and 1918, men were stationed throughout Altena. Many of them lived in the homes of local residents for years. Fort Giessen was also filled with soldiers from all walks of life at that time. After the film, the group is divided into squads and we go to see with our own eyes what can still be seen from that time. A powder room with thick walls where gunpowder was weighed and divided into bags. The number of grams determined the firing distance of the cannon. Around the powder room runs a narrow corridor. Someone walked through here to light the lights. Centimeters thick glass protected the gunpowder from leaping sparks from the lamps. We see the officers' meeting rooms and the room where there was a pharmacy and infirmary. Sick soldiers had to be quarantined and for this purpose had their own latrines that were segregated from other soldiers. There was hardly any privacy, the toilets being nothing more than a wooden bowl with a round lid. Bulkheads kept the worst sight of your neighbor away, but if you were on the thin side, that didn't stay a secret for long. Guide Hans from Archeo-Altena stops at a display case that covers an entire wall. On the glass shelves we see excavations from the region. Many flints are on display, as well as children's toys and cremation remains. Shards and pottery jars are also on display.
After the tour of the fort, it is the outside area's turn. A depot has been built on the earthen wall next to the fort; in front of it is a large cannon. This artillery gun dates back to 1894, so it is over a hundred years old. Just when I think we have seen everything, we walk with the group toward the bush border. A hidden staircase down takes us to the water's edge. With a veritable draw ferry, the team goes across in small sections. A little wobbly, I step "on board. It is important to distribute the people well over the raft, otherwise you won't move forward. With two men on the ropes you pull yourself across.
Laughter sounds up as we all make it across dry. Here you'll find the Fort Giessen education park. My guide goes into detail about what there is to see. A group shelter has been recreated and a listening pit has been dug in on a hill. A soldier kept watch to see if he heard enemy aircraft approaching. If so, he would signal and duck into the cramped pit himself to take shelter. You didn't have to be claustrophobic as a soldier!
Walking through the green grass, we are also given many explanations of what can be found here. A leaf of a small, insignificant plant is picked and passed around. Dogweed, it blooms with tiny blue flowers. The plant has medicinal properties and is useful for respiratory complaints. Guide Jaap from Altenatuur has a wealth of information behind him. Close to a flowering plant, he carefully observes which butterflies are active. The atalanta is spotted and some cabbage whites swirl around. A few people in the group pick a handful of the first, purple blackberries. Delicious!
There are also fun things for children to do. For example, there are days when they can scrape a cowhide with flints, just like it was done in the old days. At a willow hut you can learn how to make a fire by striking sparks with flints. And perhaps the most fun, using real detectors to look for ancient coins!
Would you like to visit Fort Giessen? Then check below when the open days are. Of course you can also book a guided tour with a group by appointment. Outside opening hours, the education park can be reached via the walking path around the fort.
- Open days Fort Giessen
- Gnome trail Almbos. In the Almbos opposite Fort Giessen, a gnome trail was recently created. A nice outing to combine with children.
- Bicycle route Tasty region. Combine an outing to the fort with this bicycle route. A 32 kilometer route right through the polders and over the dikes, taking you past local estate stores and stalls.
- Walking route around Giessen. Or take a walk around Giessen. A 6.5 km route that takes you past the Wilhelmina Lock, over the dike and past the Almbos.
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
12 July 2024
Gnome route in Almbos provided with special road signs
Beware of crossing gnomes! This is what small and large hikers on the Kabouterroute in the Almbos have recently been warned about in a playful way. On their own initiative, some employees of the field service of the municipality of Altena made two special warning signs and placed them at the route.
During the festive opening of the Gnome Route by Mayor Lichtenberg and Alderman Schipper in March, the idea for the signs arose among some employees of the field service of the municipality of Altena. Entirely on their own initiative, two signs were designed, made and placed along the route warning of gnomes crossing.
Councilwoman Claudia Schipper on the men's action: "Super initiative by our field service and a nice enrichment for the Gnome Route!"
Hiking and biking routes
In honor of the fifth anniversary of Municipality of Altena, a guidebook of five routes has been released. One of those routes is the Gnome Route in the Almbos. The summer vacations are a great opportunity to explore the routes in the guide. VVV Biesboschlinie has developed the guide and all routes for Gemeente Altena, at https://biesboschlinie.com/en/routes/ you can find many more walking - and cycling routes in the area.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line, she regularly goes out to capture stories. This time she explores Woudrichem. She takes a look at the sailing heritage, climbs the Martinus tower and gets a tour with a city guide, has lunch in a casemate and discovers the nicest stores.
Surrounded by the strong currents of three rivers, the medieval town of Woudrichem has been there for decades. I regularly take the ferry from Gorinchem to quickly cycle through the fortified town. Arriving by ferry at Woudrichem is a treat every time. Whether it is foggy or the sun peeks just above the horizon, the houses, old gate and swaying masts are impressive every time. This time I take the whole afternoon to see Woudrichem for myself.
Just outside the ramparts you will find the historic harbor where I make a start. This harbor existed hundreds of years ago, but it became silted up. As we sought more room for the river in the 1990s, the plan arose to restore the historic harbor. In 1998, Woudrichem's harbor was completed. Now there are beautiful old ships that you can see up close. From the ferry I walk along the Rijkswal. A footpath has been carved out in the high grass. Here I stand high above the harbor with my back turned to the houses. There is a punishing wind; I can hear it whistling through the rigging of the masts. Four, five, six, I count at least ten ships below me. Further to the left, the small salmon smacks are neatly moored in a row.
The weather is stormy today, the waves creating a nice swell. These ships are the sailing heritage and pride of the historic harbor. Almost all are inhabited, a few have been moored in Woudrichem's harbor since its opening. Once down you walk past museum shipyard D'n Huig. In the shipyard barn is a workshop that you can view. Fully equipped as it used to be, definitely worth a visit. A few dozen meters further on you can walk along the historic ships. On the quay are signs with a piece of history about the ship. Some are over 100 years old and still in use! One of them even suffered considerable damage to the hull during the war, which I can still clearly see.
Blown out, I walk back to the "Woerkum" within the city walls. It is striking how green it is here. Small front gardens are neatly tended. Hydrangeas dominate with their deep pink colors and increase the picturesque atmosphere in the narrow streets. Facades lean against each other at an angle, the red brick still glistening after a rain shower.
If you really want to explore the city properly, you can do so with a city guide. Woudrichem has a real city guides guild! This group of people tell everything about their beloved city from their passion and expertise. I agreed to meet Peter, a city guide at heart, at the St. Martinus Church. Together we first start the climb of the Martinus tower and then walk a round through Woudrichem. Peter is a born Woerkummer and talks non-stop along the way.
Opposite the church is the Fisheries Museum located in the former Arsenal. Much can still be found in Woudrichem about the town's fishing history. Just look at the street names "Spieringstraat, Vissersdijk. At Peter's birthplace we make a somewhat longer stop. A monastery used to stand here. The gate and part of the wall are now part of the house next door. Something you walk right past if you're not familiar with the place. That's the great thing about hiking with a local guide, you discover all the hidden stories!
Back at the church we say our goodbyes and I start looking for a place for lunch. Hidden in a former casemate is Brasserie Zus. When I step over the threshold, the first thing I see is a large display case with all kinds of cake. I definitely want to try some of this later. Inside it is cozy, the arched vaults and soft light make you feel as if you have landed abroad. Everything here breathes history. Since it is already pleasantly crowded inside, I choose a sheltered spot on the terrace. I fall for the thick sandwiches with a spicy meatball and then of course the cake, a delicious lemon merengue variety. Esther is the owner and is kind enough to join me for a moment. She talks about her love for creating delicious dishes. Everything on the menu is homemade and you can taste that!
The delicious meal provides energy for a final lap around town. Just above Brasserie Zus you will find mill Nooit Gedagt. Here you can shop your heart out for fresh baked goods. In good weather, you can climb to the top and get a great view of the city. Are you done with sightseeing by now? Woudrichem offers plenty of great stores to end the afternoon with a round of shopping.
At bookstore Aunt Bethje, I can amuse myself picking out a great book for the vacations. Will it be a novel or will I go for a book about history? Every time I come across books here that I can't find anywhere else. Across the street is a store selling all kinds of sewing and knitting supplies. Outside, beautiful pieces of fabric are displayed and there is a basket of handmade pouches for sale. Unique and a nice souvenir to take home. You also support local entrepreneurs with it. Fair van Ver is just a few doors down, where you can find fair trade products and shop fun gift items.
The tourist office is located in the same building by the way. They will gladly give you booklets with routes in the area. Widely known is 'Oude Liefde', the next fun stop. Housed in an old building of several floors, you will not get bored with all the antiques and nice trinkets. I bet you won't leave empty-handed. If you like art, there is a studio on the same street. Galerie Johanna hosts artist exhibitions and is herself a gifted artist.
In short, Woudrichem is not to be underestimated versatile. From sniffing culture to good food and shopping. Something for everyone! It seems like a nice idea to combine a visit with, for example Slot Loevestein. With a small foot ferry you sail from Woudrichem to the castle on the other side. Much cozier than by car right! More ears for city hopping, then make a round trip with the ferry from Woudrichem to Gorinchem. The fact that it is at least fifteen minutes sailing is a nice bonus!
Like Prisca, would you like to explore Woudrichem? Below you will find all the links.
- Historic City Harbor Foundation
- City Guides Guild
- Fisheries Museum
- Brasserie Zus
- Korenmolen Nooit Gedagt
- Bookstore Aunt Bethje
- Sewing Workshop Snuffle
- World Store Fair from afar
- Oude Liefde
- DOCK 60
- Galerie Mikst Media
- Slot Loevestein
- Riveer
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line, she regularly goes out to capture stories. This month is May Bicycle Month. Prisca is cycling the Smakelijke streek route, a 32-kilometer route right through the polders and over the dikes, which takes her past local estate stores and stalls.
The sun is already gently shining through the haze as I disembark my bike at the ferry in Woudrichem. It is still early, but already some people are walking through the fortified town. While cycling through Woerkum I am occasionally greeted with a friendly "mogguh. Today I am going to take the tasty regional bike route through Altena. A bicycle route of 32 kilometers that winds right through the beautiful polders and over dikes. The route is designed so that I will navigate past local estate stores and roadside stalls.
Through the beautiful polders
The first stretch goes through the pleasant streets of Woudrichem and along the historic harbor with Museumwerf D'n Huig. Soon the horizon widens and I cycle over the dike along the floodplains. I dismount at the entrance to Groesplaat and climb the stairs of the bird-watching hut. I can understand fantastic birding from this sheltered height. My bike route bends off, into the picturesque Oudendijk. It still feels sleepy on a Saturday morning. A single other enthusiastic cyclist passes by. It's May Bike Month so I'm sure I'll meet many fellow cyclists today. Along the road is a fresh green painted shack with chicken wire in front of the door. 'For sale, fresh range eggs' I read on the chalkboard. There is indeed a box of brand new eggs, money you can deposit in the matching tin. After Oudendijk I cycle to the Kraaiveld estate. Between the green grass of the beautiful polders lie the remnants of the war. I cycle along the path past the bunkers and hear the sharp call of the lapwing. Mr. Lapwing has it in for me and makes diving flights right over my head. I think that their nest must be in the neighborhood. On Kraaiveld Estate you will find an estate store where on weekdays you can indulge in fresh bread from the Hardeman baker, vegetables from the estate and more delicious things. Outside is a terrace where you can take a breather next to the chickens, meanwhile you can power your bike at the charging point on the wall.
Buying into the short chain
The sails of the Uitwijk and Zandwijkse molen are already turning merrily as I drive by. Both mills used to pump the polders. On the side is a large water wheel which is set in motion by the turning of the sails. The miller lets me take a look inside. It was small and the wood above me creaked from the force of the wind. Over a hundred years old, and still in good condition. The miller gives another demonstration of how the braking of the wings is done. With his entire weight suspended from a thick rope, he makes sure that the blades come to a stop. Great workmanship! More interested people arrive and I cycle on. Suddenly I feel the wind whistling through my wheels. Or should I pay more attention now? I deviate slightly from the route so that I can stop by the farm store Uppel's meadow meat. On Bloemweg I can already see a cheerfully flapping banner along the side from afar. It is a farmhouse with a cozy seating area in front. On the tables are pots of exuberantly blooming flowers. A white double door with square windows gives access to the small store. Inside, the shelves are full of all sorts of delicacies and trinkets. You quickly see what this place is all about; at the back of the store are large refrigerated display cases filled with beautiful cuts of meat. Most of it is homegrown, local buying in the short chain doesn't get any more local.
Generosity of residents
The owner takes a minute to share a cup of coffee with me. Whether she also sells the coffee to passersby? "No way, any visitor can get a cup of coffee from me. Milk and sugar in it?" she asks as she bustles about. As a city dweller, I am not used to paying big money for a coffee on the road. With any luck, you may then use the restroom for free, whereas here such things are taken for granted. The generosity of Altena does not only come from its own soil, but is also anchored in the people who work the land. That is clear to me now.
Cycling for your food
Another person who makes a strong case for buying local food is so-called front cyclist Jacoline Peek-Hamoen. She manages the page for the Altena region on the Cycling for my Food Jacoline site. She also maintains an active Facebook page. I asked her why it's so important to buy short-chain. "It's good for your health, and tasty! You find pure food at stalls. Besides, you meet the producer and he gets more appreciation for his work. If you go by the stores on your bike, the exercise and outdoors are extra nice. You discover delicious and tasty groceries in your neighborhood. The selection is very diverse." Well, with that outdoor air and exercise, today is just fine!
Fresh from the land
With an arc I cycle back to the route and end up on Provincial Road North. I follow this for some time and at junction 56 I continue for a short distance. On my left I find Wim and Co, a stall where you can buy potatoes and onions. For a few euros you load your bicycle basket with Frieslanders or Melody potatoes. Payment is simple via a QR code. A little further along the route you cycle past Hof van Heden. A harvest garden where the tastiest fruit and vegetables are grown organically. I park my bike in the shade and walk around the garden. There is a large greenhouse, beds full of still small vegetable plants and a real eco toilet. A gazebo has plants for sale so you can get started in the garden at home. The strawberry beds are in full bloom, which bodes well for a few weeks from now!
Honey from Landgoed Clootwijck
The meadows give way to the village of Almkerk. Here I make a somewhat wider deviation from the route, as I am eager to visit Landgoed Clootwijck. Instead of turning right into the Kerkstraat, I cycle straight ahead onto the Woudrichemseweg. The estate is easy to find, a stately gate stands invitingly open. Landgoed Clootwijck is versatile. You can stay overnight at the beautiful campsite overlooking the meadows. There are many animals, just as I arrive by bike the pigeons, ducks and chickens are being fed. Jan Hak comes up to me with an empty bucket in his hand. Asking if I can find out about his famous honey, he points to the large barn. "Go on in, I'll be right there!" The honey comes from the thousands of bees buzzing around on the property. Jan emptied a hive this morning and shows me the thick combs. "There can be a kilo in here, during the blossom season bees fill that in a few days!" On wooden shelves are the filled jars of honey for sale. Outside, I walk past the row of bee hives. Impressive to see all those bees continuously flying off and on!
Along rivers and through villages
Returning to the original route, I cycle along the Koppel, past the Koppelhoeve. By now it is noon and the fruit trees are shimmering in the sun. I hardly need to use navigation, the signs with route numbers are easy to follow along the way. The most beautiful part is along the Alm River. Flute weeds line the narrow bike path that follows the water for a while. The trees provide shade and nice vistas of the beautiful polders. My bike takes me to Uitwijk where I take a look at Landgoed de Enghoeve. Next to a few clucking chickens is a small garden house. Here you can also score fresh fruits and vegetables again. The bike basket is getting more and more filled! Outside are neat rows of small plants you can buy. I discover golden berries, which are definitely worth trying at home. After the Enghoeve, the route continues along the Pompveld. It has become busier, there is a friendly atmosphere among the cyclists. Everyone greets each other, I notice. A tractor simmers between the rows of potato plants.
Goat ice cream as a treat
Lekker Gemekker is a goat farm on the Middenweg. You only have to go a very short distance off the route for it. I've heard a lot about the delicious ice cream you can buy there, so I visit them. A dog pounds as I drive up the path. I have to find out which door I need. The farmer's wife speaks to me kindly. "Yes, all the ice cream we have is made from our own goat's milk. Except the sorbet ice cream of course, there is no milk in that." There are large freezers full of trays of ice cream. I see lemon, caramel sea salt and pistachio. The choice finally falls on a tray of cookie ice cream. I'm lucky, the goats have started lambing and I get to take a look at the newborn kids. Under a pair of heat lamps, the still unsteady little animals lie. So tender this new life!
Woudrichem on the horizon
Soon now I leave the polders and farmlands behind me and cycle along the dike. The blue water of the Afgedamde Maas sparkles under the sun. People are clearly enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I see pleasure boats and meet many cyclists on the dike. A local businessman makes good use of it. Along the road is a stall with bunches of peonies for sale. A cheerfully striped parasol with ribbons keeps the delicate flowers out of the sun. The route meanders further along the dike and eventually makes a sharp turn into Struikwaard. This is clearly a popular bike route. Cows are calmly grazing in the polder below me. Everything is so green and peaceful here. Before I know it I approach my destination Woudrichem. Here you can visit the corn mill Nooit Gedagt where you can buy flour. This route is over for me. Not only was it beautiful along the way, but I also notice the satisfaction of buying produce directly from the farmer. For example, I talked to several people who run roadside stalls. I learned about their methods and about their products. I also know that my money goes directly to the farmer! An investment in myself and the local economy.
Would you like to bike the same route as Prisca? Here are all the links.
- Bicycle route Tasty region
- Facebook page Cycling for my food Altena. Follow our front cyclist in the region Jacoline Peek-Hamoen on Facebook. More local addresses and tips are shared in the private group.
- Website Cycling for my food Altena
- Walk through the Acres of Altena. Check out last year's walk especially for Our Food Week.
Are you interested in buying short-chain food? Then put October 5 through 12 in your calendar. Those days the "Week of Our Food" takes place.
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.
Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesbosch Line, she regularly goes out to capture stories. This month she discovers traces of the Cold War and gets a tour of Fort Altena.
The war that just did not want to become a war, but created enormous tensions and citizens' fear of a Third World War. The period between 1945 and 1991 is also known as the Cold War. What was it like again? After the end of World War II, there was a kind of power vacuum. Major powers such as Germany, France and also Britain had taken quite a hit. As a result, the U.S. and the Soviet Union came to face each other. Between these parties there were huge differences in the future image and policies of liberated territories and this caused friction. Germany got split up and in 1961 the Iron Curtain was created to prevent people from defecting from East Germany to the Western part. A wall was built in Berlin. In response, NATO was created. An alliance between Western countries to form a fist against the Eastern Bloc. And that NATO set up a huge secret operation. The stay behind operation Gladio. Hundreds of civilians were involved in this resistance against the Eastern Bloc. Should it come to an invasion, at least we were prepared. What this operation has to do with Altena, I'm going to show you in this article.
For a large army to cross the Upper Merwede quickly, a bridge was needed. Recall that the Gorkum Bridge was not there then! NATO ordered the construction of a kind of emergency bridge in 1954. Huge concrete piers were built on both sides of the river. The moment it would be necessary, the army could build a bridge over it in no time. This construction is called a bailey bridge, actually it is a kit of elements. At the dikes in Sleeuwijk and Gorinchem, a few hundred meters of bridge was built on both sides, with a floating bridge section in between. The pillars of this NATO bridge can still be seen on the Sleeuwijk side. On a crisp but sunny morning, I go to take a look at these remnants of the Cold War.
A narrow path leads down the dike and winds into the Sleeuwijkerwaard nature reserve. It is not long before I encounter the first pillar. A mighty concrete structure in the middle of the greenery. Quite impressive. I count eleven of them, the last one standing on a sloping beach by the river. Some are overgrown by nature, others are easy to see. Once such a bridge was built, it could take a tremendous amount. Heavy trucks, military vehicles ... none of it mattered. Eventually the threat of war weakened and the NATO bridge was never actually used. What we do know is that it was also tested once. So there definitely was a bridge here, and that's not at all as long ago as you think!
A bailey bridge was basically an Ikea package. All these separate parts had to be housed somewhere nearby. The Army found a solution to that. Within shooting distance was the Fort on the Uppelsche dike. There was enough space on the site and three large sheds were built. These so-called "Mob sheds" probably housed the bridge parts and other war material, such as ammunition and army trucks.
It didn't stop there. The fort itself was put into use for a very secret operation. Today I am meeting with Arie Schouten, who is a guide at Fort Altena and will tell me more about it.
A firm handshake and a big smile breaks through on his face as Arie welcomes me to the hospitality area of Fort Altena. It used to be called "the fort on the Uppel dike," he starts right away. "The round part was built first, the so-called tower fort. In 2001 Brabants Landschap became the owner, when they handed over the keys from defense, we discovered some peculiarities here. Come along and I'll show you". We walk into the daylight toward the large, circular building which lies in the center of the fort. A passage gives access to a small circular courtyard. Through a glass door, we walk into a small room. Several doors follow, each giving access to unique rooms. "Look, here you can clearly see that a concrete floor has been poured in," Arie continues. "That floor was made much more recently than the construction of the fort itself. We also found electricity, telephone connections and even fluorescent lighting! At the time of the Cold War, this was a base for the stay-behind operation Gladio. Messages were collected here, data stored and information relayed over the phone. Look closely at the doors. This does not fit an old fort at all". I see typical sixties door handles, the round shapes, the color. It would fit in a house from fifty years ago. But to find this in an old fortified town? No, I didn't expect that. "We still have a lot of questions," Arie continues. Will we ever find out? I have no idea. All the documents related to this are still not public; this archive is closed by the government.
There is something else I need to see. Outside on the grounds, right next to the fort is an old shooting range. In the grass , Arie has laid down two square garden tiles. "Those are the 50 and 100 meter distances," Arie continues mindfully. In a concrete basement sat a few people who could move the shooting targets up and down. If there was shooting, they would take the target down and report back to the commander what the results were. Not a pleasant job, if you were down there the bullets could fly around your ears. Perhaps it was also a bit boring at times, as we see multiple notches in a wooden beam. "March 18, '55," I can decipher with difficulty. The secret operation Gladio involved civilians. These had to keep quiet at all costs, even their family members often knew nothing. To train these people in the use of firearms, this shooting range was probably used.
Over time, the police also practiced here, until the Brabants Landscape was given responsibility for the fort twenty years ago. The Berlin Wall had fallen, the threat from the east disappeared.
Excavated ramparts were restored, therefore two Mob sheds had to be demolished. The third one was in good condition and is now used for events. The fort was named 'Fort Altena'. Volunteers like Arie give regular tours and can enthusiastically explain all the history that can be found here.
Would you also like to see the remains of the bailey bridge and take a tour of Fort Altena?
April 20 and 21 is Defense Heritage Weekend, Fort Altena is open for viewing both days, guides will be on hand.
- Guided tour Fort Altena, book a guided tour at Fort Altena. The brasserie is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Always check the website in advance for any modified opening hours.
- Sleeuwijkerwaard, walk through the Sleeuwijkerwaard where you will find the remains of the bailey bridge. Parking is available at Brasserie Boven de Rivieren.
- Above the Rivers, after a brisk walk, you can enjoy lunch at the brasserie. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.