Date: 19th June 2022
Travelled: 0 kms just walking Bourtange, North-East Netherlands
Visited: Bourtange
Stayed: Camping tโPlathnis, โฌ20, N53.00910, E7.18200
Budget: 26 days @ โฌ100 per day
Another very quiet evening, we sit and relax have a drink and take in the atmosphere. The local Dutch tourists who seem to be everyone but us, have their awnings and chairs out sitting in the evening sunlight catching the last rays. We walk up to the cafe get a small fritz to go with our chicken pieces from the markets this morning. Another day slips through to the keeper.
We wake to a huge roll of thunder about 5.30 followed by some heavy rain pounding on the Hymerโs roof a few minutes later. It passes quickly and sleep returns. Lots of movement here this morning as everyone tries to dry off what they can after the rain. We had nothing out fortunately.
Breakfast done, its time to explore Bourtangeโs Open Air Museum. Itโs only a 10 minute walk and we pay the โฌ9 pp entry fee.
The Bourtange is a star shaped fortress protected by a series of interlocking star shaped moats. It was constructed in 1593 to defend the road between Groningen and the German Border. It remained in use for 300 years. It would eventually be abandoned and fall into disrepair. In the late 1960โs a decision was made to rebuild Bourtange to its appearance in 1740. Anyway the picture above is worth a thousand words.
Having walked the ramparts we venture into the model village. Almost immediately I can tell Pam is going to need supervision.
The open air museum and surrounding grounds are beautifully kept and a pleasure to wander. Itโs late lunch time when we decide to walk back to the campsite and lunch in the Hymer. Did I mention itโs the coldest day since we crossed into the Netherlands, only about 15ยฐ.
We have lunch and a break before walking back to the Bourtange at 3pm for the show. Every afternoon the locals dress up and proceed to march around the market place doing this and that. The old fellow with a huge beard and flamboyant hat who appears to be the head musketeers (he is no dโArtagnan) loves to talk and make fun of his little troop. Obviously itโs all in Dutch and we just laugh along with the locals as we have no idea whatโs going on.
The show culminates at ramparts where they go through a drill of loading an old cannon. I think everyone was a bit surprised when it fired, it had everyones ears ringing.
So thatโs the Bourtange done. We wander back to the Hymer for a pre-dinner drink and perhaps some new neighbours. Germany tomorrow, so we are a little excitedโฆ
Michael + Pam
2 thoughts on “Bourtange, The Netherlands ๐พ๐ช 2022”
Hi guys, what have you done to your forehead??
Lifted the door on one of the lockers, clipped it up. But as a put my head down the clip decided to let go. The locker doors on the Hymer are fairly heavy and now I have a third eye. Didnโt really hurt too much, just blood mostly.
Anyway thanks for asking hope you and Rob are well.
M+P