Giethoorn and Groningen

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119 : 105

Two such contrasting towns in the Netherlands, Giethoorn and Groningen. Let’s look at Giethoorn first.

Here in the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel, this mostly carefree town is known as the Venice of the North. Boats and canals, bicycles and trails, walkers, and their love of century old buildings all come to Giethorn. The largest percentage of tourists is Chinese.

Why did it become a place to work , and who were some of the people?

Their homes are camel shaped homes since the barn is connected with a  higher roof to the back of the house. They were farmers but made a living from the good quality peat. It is dark, almost black, and burns well. This was sold all over the Netherlands in years gone by. It no longer is an industry but the one meter deep lake, and all the canals are a reminder of what was taken out, and these waterways now support a thriving tourist industry.

Here are a few facts about peat:

Peat material from least decomposed to most decompossed is either;

fibric

hemic

sapric

Its major vegetation types are moss, sedge, heath, cyperacea peat, and forest or woody peat.

Peat mining is effectively unsustainable as it grows back at 1mm a year.

Bare peat reduces the ability of bogs to store carbon as well as affects the quality of our water supply and reduces biodiversity.

Let’s look at a camel house.

Coming from one of the canals onto the lake.

A large group of people who lived here were Mennonites. These people left a substantial place of worship in the middle of the town. Between 1563 and 1565, Laenaert Bouwens visited this congregation and baptised five persons.

The Mennonites trace their roots to the Reformation. The name is derived from the excommunicated Roman Catholic Chaplain Meno Simons (1496-1561) from Friesland, part of the Holy Roman Empire,now present day Netherlands. Meno Simons was a contemporary of Martin Luther (1483-1546).

The Menonites believed that being a Christian was obeying Christ as they interpreted it from the Bible. This included:

Baptism of adult believers

Washing of feet as a symbol of servanthood

Marriage with both partners from the same church

Strict pacifists

Anti- Catholicism as they were part of the Reformation.

We then travelled from Griethoorn to  Groningen, which  is about 55 miles away. Our park up for the night was with many other travellers behind a sports centre.

The town streets,shops and people

…and an artist the late Herman Brood, (1946 – 2001) a Dutch musician , painter , actor, and poet.

We were walking past Galerie Muskee when, upon entering, a painting demanded my attention. I asked about it. It was a self-portrait of this artist. He captured a look with so few lines that I asked permission to show you and  agreed  to  copy  Galerie Muskee into this post. 

If you would like to read about his life press on Herman Brood.

These two towns, special in their own way, were both offering asparagus on their menus as it is in season. Here is how it may be served.

Take care, and thank you for being with us a while.

Sandyroybessbugzy.🙂❤️😘🤗