Windmills

Part of the Dutch landscape for well over a century. You would expect to see this post eventually, wouldn't you? It is so typically Dutch.

Concordia Molen in Ede, NL

“[...] The Netherlands' relationship with the windmill goes all the way back to the 13th century, though the classic traditional Dutch windmill did not arrive until the Golden Age of the Netherlands in the 16th century[...]” (www.myholland.info).

There are three types of windmills.
1) The Post Mill has an upright rectangular body with a pointed roof. The entire structure pivots on a massive vertical post. It “must be manually turned into the eye of the prevailing wind.” (Windmills by Sally Taylor, copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited, chapter 2)
2) The Tower Mill appeared about 100 years after the Post Mill (first one in France). It has a tapered stone or brick tower-like structure topped with a small cap. The cap houses the wind shaft and brake wheel (it was the only part that had to be turned into the wind).
3) The Smock Mill (named for it's resemblance of a farmer in a smock) came into existence in the mid 17th century (in England). It's features include a small cap with a stationary building that is tall and has 6, 8, 10 or 12 sides. Like the Tower Mill, the cap of the Smock Mill is the only part that turns into the wind.
(Windmills by Sally Taylor)

Many of us think of windmills pumping water in Holland. A couple water pumping windmills are Wip Mill and Polder Mill. A Wip Mill is a variation of a Post Mill with a separate drive along the main post. This drive controls a scoop wheel extending into the water. A Polder Mill took the mechanism of a Wip Mill and placed it into a larger Smock Mill. These mills worked in a tiered system of mills and canals (Windmills by Sally Taylor). Although pumping water is a very important role of some, it is not the sole purpose of Dutch windmills. In the past, some ground grain to make flour. Others (in Holland and other countries) could saw and split timber, some made paper and others ground cocoa, pepper, mustard, etc... Now there are but a handful of mills that grind grains for flour (there may still be some that do some other functions, but I am personally not aware of the specific mills at this time).

Windmills by Sally Taylor (copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited) has some really great photos, illustrations, history and facts. I borrowed it from my aunt who says, "Someday, when I retire, I'd like to paint scenes from this book." I recently started painting again (after a long artists block and lack of time) and I can definitely envision a couple windmills going onto my canvases as well.
 
It seems that the Dutch are as romanticized by the windmills in their landscape as I (and much of the world) am. It was fascinating to learn that some of these windmills are still in operation today. There are only about 1200, out of approximately 10,000, functional windmills in the Netherlands. Many have been converted to restaurants, museums or simply sit unused. A fully functioning (original purpose) windmill is rare. Even rarer is a female miller (windmill operator). Here is a short clip from RNW about Alice de Wit, miller of "De Blauwe Molen" (The Blue Mill). The clip features images by photographer John Stoel. He pays homage to the millers and their dying trade in the Netherlands.  John Stoel's photo exhibition was on display at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam in 2009.


Sometimes the Miller is a Woman By Marijke van den Berg (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

Though the historical windmills are viewed as a symbol of comfort, familiarity, and a fixture in the typically Dutch landscape, the modern windmills or wind turbines are not always as loved. Wind Turbines are ordinarily 40 stories high with three large composite blades at the top of a "post". They convert kinetic energy (wind power) into mechanical energy (electricity). Wind Farms (groups or acres of wind turbines) are popping up all over the world as a form of alternative energy.
There is a strong controversy over the planned placement of a new wind farm on and off the shores near the historic fishing village of Urk. “Urk is united and says: 'No Iron Curtain around Our Village!'” (www.epaw.org). However, the Dutch Cabinet has decided to go ahead with the plan (originally made 12 years ago) but have scrapped the seven windmills closest to town. One might say that the residents of Urk are more than urked.

I leave you with some fun and peculiar windmill superstitions, sayings, and their meanings:

-If a miller is fatally injured while working, the millstones were considered very unlucky and would never be used again.

-Anyone who dared to demolish a windmill was to have bad luck.

- To "tilt at windmills" ; Behaving ridiculously, most likely ending in mockery.
Don Quixote (Cervantes) charged with his lance on horseback toward giants (windmills).

- "Run of the mill" ; Ordinary.

- "Grist to the mill" ; Work that must be done.

- To "go through the mill" ; A difficult experience.

- To "wear a millstone around your neck" ; Anything or anyone that acts as a debilitating burden.

And my favorite saying... and I what believe I have been plagued with...
- To "have windmills in your head" ; Your head is full of dreams.