It Wikelslân Nature Reserve at De Alde Feanen National Park
Earnewald
If you like the idea of walking in a swamp forest, a 3 or 5-kilometre walk through this remarkable part of the De Alde Feanen National Park will lead you on a fascinating journey of discovery.
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Reed beds, rugged areas, hay meadows and grassland don’t just provide the backdrop for a scenic walk. Species that have disappeared elsewhere have found a home here. Have you ever seen a green hawker dragonfly, a water rail, a bluethroat or a little bearded reedling? Buzzards wonder what you are doing here, roe deer look up with pricked ears, meanwhile you may spot rare plants among the seemingly common daisies.
There is no shortage of biodiversity here!
The walks lead through the Reid om 'e Krite area where there are three bird-watching hides. Outside the breeding season, which runs from 15 March to 1 July, you can extend your walk by about 12 kilometres. Pop a flask in your backpack and head over to the Wikelslân nature reserve. You’re in for a treat!
De Alde Feanen National Park
De Alde Feanen is one of the national parks in the Netherlands. It is a wetland that area was created by peat mining. In many places you literally have to leap over water. It is delightful to explore the area from the water. Cruising through the area at night is a memorable experience! But you can also discover the unique features of the terrain on foot.
At the Visitor Centre on Koaidyk road in the village of Earnewâld you can find details of walks, more information and a permanent exhibition.
Here you will find It Wikelslân Nature Reserve at De Alde Feanen National Park
It WikelslânDominee Bolleman - van der Veenweg
9264 Earnewald Plan your route
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The liberation of Leeuwarden
The liberation of Leeuwarden
On 11 April 1945, it became clear that German resistance in the north of the Netherlands was limited. On 12 April, the Allies seized this opportunity to advance on Friesland as quickly as possible. One of the main goals was to liberate Leeuwarden. The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade was designated for this purpose. But things would turn out differently.
On 12 April, the Royal Canadian Dragoons entered Friesland at Noordwolde. They were to conduct reconnaissance with their armoured vehicles and reach the Wadden Sea as quickly as possible. As a result, the German troops in Friesland and Groningen would be separated.
On the night of 14 to 15 April, three Squadrons of the Dragoons were at Suameer. Burgum could not be reached earlier that day, because the bridge at Burgummerdam had been blown up by the Germans.
Meanwhile, all sorts of things were happening in nearby Leeuwarden. On 12 April, the airfield had been blown up by the Germans. And they left the city on 14 April. Leeuwarden would not be defended. The Burgerweeshuis (Civil Orphanage) that had housed several German agencies was set on fire. An attempt to blow up the telephone exchange failed due to an ingenious intervention by the resistance. In the early morning of 15 April, the resistance also took to the streets en masse to occupy important points and to capture Germans who had remained behind.
The Dragoons in Suameer were in contact with the resistance in Leeuwarden. Due to various reports, it was unclear whether there was now heavy fighting in Leeuwarden or whether the Germans had left the city completely. Because the Germans had blown up important bridges on the route from Heerenveen to Leeuwarden, the infantry could not quickly provide assistance.
So, the Dragoons went to take a look for themselves. Initially, a patrol of four vehicles was sent via the Groningerstraatweg into the city around half past eleven. One of the Canadians in those vehicles recorded the following:
"As we entered the city, passing through the concrete barrier by the narrow passageway left for normal traffic, we were met by an almost hysterical patrol of Resistance men [...] In a few moments the news of our arrival had spread through the city, and we were given a fantastic welcome as we rolled slowly forward into the centre of town."A resident of Leeuwarden recalled:
"We lived close to the Groningerstraatweg, where our liberators passed. Many hundreds of us stood there, all happy spectators. All of a sudden, two ladies from the row flung themselves forward and threw their arms around the Canadians' necks, saying: "Oh darlings, you’re here at last!"After the patrol determined that the coast was clear, the entire C Squadron, a detachment of the Royal Canadian Engineers and Regimental Headquarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Landell followed. Leeuwarden had been liberated. After this, thousands took to the streets. One of the Canadians wrote:
"We halted, and were immediately surrounded by laughing, yelling mobs of people, bringing flowers to give to us, and cheering every move. The Resistance men were everywhere, doing their best to keep the people within bounds and off the cars, but their efforts were hardly necessary. I never saw a more satisfying gathering in my life."Leeuwarden had been liberated by the Dragoons through unexpected circumstances. On the night of 15 to 16 April, Canadian infantry moved into the city.
