Iwema Steenhuis (see previous posts) has several exhibits relating to childhood.

Model of schoolroom:-

Vintage children’s books:-

Toy vehicles:-

I just loved those dinky caravans on the second top shelf above so here’s a close-up:-

There was also domestic memorabilia.

Inkwells and desktop paraphernalia:-

Inkwell partly in the shape of a Great War tank (a French Renault, I think):-

Old style shop:-

The museum part of Iwema Steenhuis has some industrial relics. A roller press:-

Machine for moulding speculaas biscuits:-

Speculaas and jelly moulds + wicker basket and rolling pins:-

A speculaas pressing machine:-

Stained glass and enamels:-

Colourings:-

Tiles and enamel signs:-

The name literally means Iwema stonehouse. Perhaps stone houses were rare in Groningen Province back in the day. It’s located not far away from Niebert Windmill.

Inside is a kind of museum of local life and community gathering place.

Interior and roof:-

Box bed and cupboard:-

Steps to box bed:-

A cooking range:-

The above is set within a dining room:-

Anlother dining room had a table covered with a rug:-

A fireplace:-

Kitchen stuff:-

Room with old sewing machine and radio:-

From the upper floor of Niebert Windmill you can walk out onto a hexagonal platform circling the windmill. However parts of it are sectioned off so that you cannot fully walk round it.

This video of the sails shows why access is restricted. They could take your head off or throw you off the platform:-

A view from the platform:-

Another view, showing flag of Groningen Province:-

The Netherlands are famous for windmills but though we had been in that country several times we hadn’t actually visited a windmill there till last June. It was the one at Sebaldeburen in Groningen Province. There was some kind of open day on so we could see inside.

There is a model of the windmill just at the end of the drive:-

In this photo the operator is adjusting the angle the windmill makes with the wind to maximise efficiency. Windmill model to right:-

The windmill lifts water from a ditch (to the left in background) into a canal 1½ metres higher (to the right) by means of an Archimedes screw. A full size model of the screw is at left of photo.

The canal:-

This is the Archimedes screw in operation:-

Windmill turning. For some reason the video is turned by 90 degrees:-

Bridge in the Chinese Garden at Hortus Botanicus Horen:-

A huge carp was keeping position by swimming against the flow here. It was the only fish we saw there. We assumed it had eaten any others:-

I managed to photograph one of the many dragonflies:-

Waterfall:-

Video:-

Tunnel just to left of waterfall:-

Video with frog calls:-

The good lady loves gardens. Her brother knew of this one relatively near to his home so we took the chance to visit.

Entrance pagoda to Chinese Garden:-

Dragon wall:-

There were other pagoda like buildings scattered around the Chinese Garden:-