MOLENTOCHT 2008

The 20th Anniversary Windmill Run by Phil Afford

At last the ‘dust has settled’ at least for a short while, and so as promised here’s the first of the reports on this years Molentocht.

Lets begin with a bit of background for anyone not familiar with this excellent event. The Windmill Run was founded in 1959 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the English750Motor Club. That first year 25 Austin Sevens from the Tunbridge Wells section of the club made the crossing to Zeeland to hold a Windmill Run on the roads of South Beveland.

Grab a road atlas and look at the Dutch bit…Zeeland is the area of land between the Westerschelde and the Oosterschelde and is on the North Sea coastline….(if you find Zeebrugge and move up and slightly to the right you’ll see it)….Ok.. so now you now where we are talking about! ..Back to the script..

As it happened, this was not to be a one off occasion..it’s now become a tradition, and year on year Austin Sevens..not to mention many other models and marques…return to take part. Over the years it has grown into an international ‘Old Timer’ gathering…the largest of its type in the Netherlands. At the first Run, 50 vehicles took part, as time has gone on it attracts over 300 and this year closer to 500 I believe . ( someone correct me on that figure please) Right.. now the format..tried and tested.. it will be obvious it has a lot to do with windmills!!

As I say , the basis of the route is the many windmills, or ‘molen’ that characterise the area and so form the theme for the whole event. The organisers try to create routes that take in as much of the region and as many mills as possible. The routes vary year on year. This year feature the localities of Goes, Borsele, and Kapelle. Driving through picturesque villages, along high dykes with narrow country lanes…..the town of Goes with its fine market square… through the recreational area of Veerse Meer, the Oosterschelde and the Westerschelde, the open countryside and orchards.

The run takes place on a Sunday, with all entrants assembling at Vliegveld- Midden- Zeeland..the airport. The large number of entrants are divided up into sections, each with a different route, but visiting the same places.

Each section has its own time schedule and start time. The aim is to have all groups arriving at the finishing point, this year being the Zeelandhallen-Goes, in sequence and together. A major organisational task very well executed. Everyone manages to accumulate a veritable sackful of goodies and promotional stuff, vouchers for free refreshments en-route, and a handsome commemorative plaque on completion.

The whole run is well marshalled throughout and the organisers are pass masters at ensuring help is at hand should you get lost or breakdown….emergency phone contact numbers are provided….and support vehicles are at strategic points.

Each car is given its own number, start time, and full set of route maps and time schedules for the group it belongs to. Hardly a stone seems unturned. Now for the UK group, organised equally professionally by Dave and Maggie Dickinson, the Molentocht is just part of the weekend….by custom, a programme of visits, civic receptions, a wonderful evenings entertainment at the Landlust Restaurant Middleburgh..is an added bonus. Last year coincided with a terrific Annual Jazz Festival in Middleburgh…this year we were treated to a most enjoyable steam train journey to Borsele and lunch at a butterfly farm. Ferry journeys…I can speak from experience, going via Hull P&O North Sea Ferries..again all booked through Dave & Maggie… are very good…comfortable cabins and good food on board. After an overnight sailing, you ( and the car) arrive in Zeebrugge, refreshed and ready for an easy first journey on the other side of the road..to Goes…and the Van De Valk Hotel that is your accommodation for the weekend. And very good it is.

As ever, the option exists to take part in an extended run, last year was a tour of the Western Front Battlefields…the Iepers (Ypres) Salient. This year an invitation to take part in the Veendam-Leer-Veendam Rally was on offer…and some 17 UK cars and drivers took up the challenge! More of that in another report. So for anyone considering taking their car abroad, particularly for the first time ….you can do little better than starting with the Molentocht. Links to information sites can be found on the side bar and you will find references to the Molentocht on this website at various points. Having opened up the report on this years event I hope other fellow travellers to the Netherlands this year will forward their experiences and or comments to www.oa7c.com More to follow from yours truly and the travels of ‘Dolly’ the intrepid Ruby soon!!