The Windmills (sawmills) in Zaanse Schans
In October this year the Outlaws went on a european trip to Amsterdam.
Four members (Sally, Sue, Ray and Lois) had an enhanced experience as they went on an excursion to see windmills at Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans offers a glimpse into the main heyday of the Zaan region before the Industrial Revolution. The area is an open museum which preserves traditional timber construction of ahistoric village. The presence of the mills along the banks of the Zaan provides an iconic image of old Holland as it once was. The Zaan region was one of the world’s first industrial areas. Hundreds of windmills produced linseed oil, paint, snuff tobacco, mustard, paper, and wood processing. A must-see for a trip to the Netherlands.
Staying next to the Amsterdam Central Station made it easy to catch our trains to the windmills, which was fortunate as we wanted to shoot the landscape in the blue hour and into sunrise. Ray opted for an alternative viewpoint whilst Sally, Sue and I headed over the bridge to the classic viewpoint.
We had the riverbank to ourselves and enjoyed a couple of hours shooting the windmills in the growing light. We noticed a person on the balcony of one of the windmills and shortly after that windmill began turning. Then the person moved to the next windmill and that one began to turn. These active windmills gave us alternative compositions for our landscape shots which we enjoyed.
Once the sun was fully up, and more and more visitors gathered around us, we chose to shoot the windmills up close. As we approached the first one I was beckoned by a kind gentleman who asked if we would like to visit the sawmill (De Gekroonde Poelenburg (The Crowned Poelenburg). We jumped at the chance. He said he had watched us photograph at dawn and thought, as photographers, that we would like to get some close up shots. Bob, the kind gentleman, shut the gate behind us and began telling us all about the construction of the mill and its history. It was fascinating. For instance, the whole body of the building moves on bearings to catch the wind, rather than just the top.
Bob then invited us onto the platform where the wood was cut. It was a bit of a scramble; no safety barriers on 19th century industrial plant! He explained how the saws were powered and the process of milling the wood from trunks to planks. The Bernhard arrived and together they attached the cloth to the sails and set the windmill in motion. It was great to see the saws working away and we were free to take whatever shots we wanted.
We spotted Ray on the riverbank from the platform and he joined us on the sawmill. Bob and Bernhard were great hosts and we were delighted at the opportunity to photograph such a wonderful industrial building. It was very clear that this private tour was not offered to all visitors and we felt very honoured.
We told Bob and Bernhard about our club and exchanged contact details. This last week we shared a Google Drive with our photos with them and this was their response;
Wow, what a beautiful images, thank you so much for sending these! So great to see some action as well.
We never take photos in the morning or in the afternoon when we stop. Sometimes with a special job we make some. Perhaps it’s a good idea if we should change that?!
The photo together with Bob is very special. Bob was my mentor and we always kept working together! I know Bob for 11 years now. It was wonderful to show you our sawmill!
Kind regards and thanks again for sending the images!
Bernhard
Everyone at NOPS would like to pass on their best wishes and a big thank you to their wonderful hosts.