Exloo sheep

A flock of sheep near the Molenveld nature area, just outside the village of Exloo.

Both photos are from last Sunday.

I am linking to Eileen's Saturday's critters.


PS. due to the amount of spam that I am receiving lately, comment moderation is now on.

Gate

Walking in the Hondsrug area near the villages of Odoorn and Exloo. Signs explain that it's free to walk here though people are warned to keep a safe distance to cattle.

Cold morning

Lots of sun today after a cold start this morning. Photo taken around 10:30 am when the grasses in the shade were still frozen white.

Exloo storm forest

A small part of the Exloo forest -known as section 165 or 'the storm forest'- has been left untouched for the past 45 years. When after a devastating storm in November 1972 literally all trees were down, the rest of the forest was cleared out and new trees were planted.

This plot was left to recover by itself, without the help of humans. Something we don't see often here in the Netherlands! Over the years many trees have been covered with bright green moss. A wonderful part of our hike.

New Year's hike

We joined the annual 'New Year's Hike' from the village of Exloo today. With +1°C we enjoyed the organised route of 15 km. There was a short break for coffee/tea at the Exloo ice rink, which was all prepared for freezing weather but so far no ice yet.

This small building is the skating club canteen. It was crowded inside with hikers so we had our coffee outside before continuing the route.

Sunday hike

 Enjoying a walk in the Molenveld nature area earlier today.

Don´t you love the sound of rustling leaves when you walk on a path like this?

Spring weather

We are having lovely Spring weather with temperatures around 13°C (55°F) during the day. It's nice to see the sun again!

These photos were taken last Sunday in the Schapenpark nature area, near the villages of Exloo and Odoorn.

I'm linking to All Seasons.

Exloo sheep-pen

The ladies of the Exloo sheep-pen were having lunch as we passed there last Sunday.

The Exloo flock has about 200 Drenthe Heath sheep. Whenever they are not at the nearby Molenveld heather fields they can be found here in the centre of the village.

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday.

Sunday hike

Mountain-bikers are a common sight in the Exloo forests. We enjoyed our hike today!

Molenveld

View across the 'Molenveld' heather fields near the village of Exloo. Whenever it's really cold or a bit rainy, and the idea of going out isn't all that attractive but we still want some fresh air, we like to walk the path surrounding this open area, which takes about an hour in total.

Hiking

Another image from the Exloo forest last Sunday morning.

I'm linking this post to All Seasons.

Exloo forest

A photo taken yesterday morning during our hike in the forest near the village of Exloo. It was 1°C (34°F), a bit foggy, with a tiny little bit of snow left. Perfect day for a hike, it felt good!

The Exloo sheep pen

The sheep pen ('schaapskooi' in Dutch) of Exloo is located in this barn in the centre of the small country village.

The Drenthe Heath Sheep ('Drents Heideschaap') is a domesticated breed of sheep originating in the Netherlands. It is raised primarily for vegetation management. During the day the flock of 200 sheep and its sheepherder can often be found on the Molenveld heathlands, for a photo I took several years ago click HERE.
Their website (only in Dutch) can be found HERE.

Cyclist

Vroooom! Vroooom!

Scrap-metal art in the village of Exloo.

Exloo forestry

This is earlier today in the forest near the small village of Exloo. Still grey and a bit wet here, but later the sun came through. A fine day for a hike!

A small shelter offers hikers and cyclists a place to hide from the rain, or maybe a place out of the sun during the Summer months.

TURV

When we passed this newly renovated farm with its thatched roof in the small village of Exloo last December, my eye caught the word 'TURV'. Turv?? I made a few photos and later searched on the web what it meant. First I learned that this farm was built in 1722! And since very recently it's the location for the Turv Exloo Distillery, hence the word on the roof. The Smakman family will produce their own local whisky, gin, and wodka here.

Oh and before I forget, 'Turv' is an old spelling of the Dutch word 'turf', in English 'turf' or 'peat'. I like how they made the word come out of the roof.

Molenveld

Our Autumn weather has been unusually warm so far, days and nights. But of course it's November and trees are rapidly loosing their leaves now, as the birches on the photo show. The picture is from last Sunday and was taken in a nearby nature area called Molenveld. We come here often for a walk in the forest or along the heather fields.

Molenveld

Sun, rain, sun, rain... This is earlier today just outside the village of Exloo at the nature area ´Molenveld´.

The birches

 

Another picture from our walk last Sunday, near Exloo.

Schapenpark

This photo was taken during our walk in the nature area ´Schapenpark´ near the small villages of Exloo and Odoorn, yesterday afternoon. Temperatures were about +4°C  (about 39°F), and the snow was getting very soft and messy.

And by now, it's Monday around 7pm at the moment here, all snow has gone!