Cycling to the Putter Steam Pumping Station

Wednesday: a very interesting visit at the Putter Steam Pumping Station.  Every wednesday morning the volunteers give you a free tour. 

 
History
The Putter Steam Pumping Station was responsible for keeping the Zuiderzee-Arkemheen polder dry for almost one hundred years. 

After thorough restoration by a group of volunteers, the steam pumping station has been returned to its former glory. 

Black smoke coming out of the chimney means that the pumping station is running at full steam, and open to visitors.

Flood gates
The Zuiderzee-Arkemheen polder is one of the oldest polders in the Netherlands. For centuries, the water level in the polder was controlled by flood gates that closed when the water in the Zuiderzee was high. Excess water drained off through a sluice.

The pumping station was built in 1886 with a house next door for the engine operator. The original steam pumping engine was driven by a coal-fired boiler manufactured by Bakker & Rueb from Breda. When the dike flooded in 1916, salt water got into the machine which had to be replaced by a more powerful engine. The new steam engine could turn a scoop wheel with 20 paddles that had a capacity for pumping an impressive 75m³ of water per minute.The pumping station was operational until 1971 after which, an electric pumping station further along the dike, took over. (Source http://excitinghistory.com/industrieel-erfgoed/putten-putter-stoomgemaal)

Doubts...

........ still having doubts about this quilt. Not about the pattern, I thinks that's very intriguing. Not about the colours, I love the traditional costume fabrics of Spakenburg.

But about the size. It's now 7x9, I have been thinking about 7x10 rows, but I'm not sure. Maybe a square goes better along this pattern. So you know what?

I'm just going to make another 18 blocks, there is still fabric left in my Spakenburger bag. This will be a very challenging quilt.

More ....

.... cycling and sewing. Today we cycled north, direction Harderwijk, with 28C we made an early start. In the afternoon I started a new project with my charmpack batiks. I think this will be a very cheerful quilt.

I think the Veluwe is one of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands, beside The Hague of course ; )

Atelier Bep

Nobody around, only some squirrels, wild pigs and  a deer.

Sunday morning, at 8.30 am I was already riding my bike. Diretion? To Hall (Atelier Bep). She had her open day and the weather was so lovely. First to the woods direction Apeldoorn, then along the channel, and there is Atelier Bep after 43 km. Spending some time in her garden quilting, a little little bit of shopping. And around 1 pm Rob was there to pick me up to go to his mum birthday. More time to work at my Spakenburger quilt.

By numbering almost every cyclepath, and information panels on the numbers, you can easily find your way. Just follow the numbers.

Still another 10 km to go along the channel.

Juultje, one of Bep her dogs. Finding a nice place to to sleeping.

To put in the big pins from the washing line.

Doing this and that

 Lovely weather. So we enjoy riding our bikes here ... doing this and that. One of the things which is very special is the Grace Kelly Exhibition at Palace Het Loo. About 25 dresses are shown.

You know what ....

...... we have holiday. Yeaah.

Time to finish and start some quiliting projects.

Make some space in my cupboard. Because you know .... I was in Amersfoort last saturday, and there you can find Laura's Quiltatelier, a very sweet quiltshop.

And you know what .... I booked a quilting trip at Laura's Quiltatelier to Boston and New England! So exciting, end of september I'm going. Just a small group (6 - 8 women), all quilting, visiting quilt shops, quilt exhibitions and quiltmuseums. Life is sooo good.

Laura's Quiltatelier

Remember

On the first of june, two years ago our cocker spaniel Paco died. It's good to have sweet memories.

This quilt is getting bigger and bigger!

I started with 5x5 blocks. Too small. Then I did 7x7 blocks. I didn't like it as a square. Now I have blocks for 7 x 9. But I didn't like that either. So maybe an extra row and make it 7 x 10. What do you think?

I love my Spakenburger mourning purples.

Some stolen moments that I'm working at this quilt. I have to finish my last paper for my study half of july. So most of the time my diningtable is covered with books and my computer.....

.... and a cup of coffee. I like this american "thing", getting a big cup of coffee in the BLT at the Theresiastraat. Brings back all the good memories of my holidays with Marne and Elaine in Seattle.

Spakenburg

The Museum behind the Noorderkerk is open again. They close in wintertime and open in springtime. I wrote already several times on my blog about this museum, but it's really worthwhile visiting: Klederdracht en Visserij Museum

One of those little museum in the Netherlands run by volunteers from the church. Why do I love this museum so much?


Several resaons:

the people that are working there know lots and lots of interesting stories; the Quilts most of them made of Spakenburger fabrics; and the little shop, where you have a chance to buy old traditional costume fabrics.

So don't forget to make a little stop at Spakenburg when you're around.

It's already May, doing this and that

With my mum and dad a cycling tour a long the IJssel around Deventer.

For some reason I'm a little bit lazy on my blog. Maybe it's because there is facebook. Maybe because there is so much going on, like making holiday plans, finishing my last subject for my study Business Science, spending time with my new e-reader, which I really really love. Time for my friends, some are having a hard time.

And of course there is still my Spakenburger quilt to finish. And my hospital project.

 I will post about it later this week. But the Children's hospital also like to participate in the project of the little bags for children.

This is very interesting tree. It looks like somebody hang little white flaggs in it.

Here you can make 'dreamcatchers". Aren't they beautfull, all you need is some wood, wool, beads and feathers. The children can make them at the Estate: http://www.cultureclubdehaere.nl/

 Bep had her first open sunday of this year. So we can resist her beautifull garden. The cat on the table and me, doing a little workshop.

So you see there is a lot going on.