Windmills

The tour is called Tulips and Windmills. Today we saw the windmills.


A house with a thatched roof. The lady in the fore ground is riding her bike.


We went to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO historical location where there are 19 working windmills that were built in the 1700's. These windmills still have people living in them. Only one was open to the public.


Windmills are not a Dutch invention. It came from ancient Rome, but the Dutch really put it to work. The Netherlands is 60% below sea level.



With the use of windmills, the Dutch created canals and drained water away to create dry land. Besides using the mills as a way to move water into man made canals, they used them to grind oil and flour and other products.



Here is the miller whose windmill we visited. He was a very nice guy.



These rooms are low and small, the ladders are really steep. Lee's looking at the very top of the windmill.


The very top of the mill can be cranked in either direction so the sails can catch the wind.