European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 5, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sass photos by Ken George visual delights a thatch roofed farmhouse by a canal in Giet Hoorn a Small boat in a canal running through a pasture in West Overijssel a Bird dining on the Beach at urk. Tranquility in the Netherlands by Norm ze1cler travel outdoor writer it is an area of Tranquility isolated farmhouses set amid Stark Flat landscapes thatch roofed villages cities dating to the Middle Ages endless water. One of the most appealing things about the Central Netherlands regions of West Overijssel and the adjoining Northeast polder is the seemingly unspoiled wildness of much of the Countryside. This is something of an illusion since the dutch have changed the face of their land perhaps More than any other people. But Man made or not the sparsely populated expanses of Field Forest and Shore Are a visual Delight especially to someone who sees a lot of Europe s Urban landscape. Much of the Region can be seen by car and the narrow roads snaking across the Flat Countryside Are also Ideal for bicycling. But there is yet another Way to see the country by boat. As in much of the Northern Netherlands the intricate system of Waterways canals Rivers and lakes rivals the Road transportation network. At Many towns and harbours it is possible to rent hire or charter boats and sit Back and relax while the Countryside drifts by. Available Are everything from tiny punts and canoes to Cabin cruisers with accommodations comparable to a Good hotel. For sailors longing to feel a brisk wind and the splash of Spray in their faces there Are windjammer cruises aboard old style dutch sailing vessels on the Ijssel Meer. Smaller Craft Are also available for Day sailors and windsurfers. For those who prefer to pursue the creatures that swim in the water there is fishing for everything from minnows to Pike. The Many shallow bodies of water also make Ideal waterfowl habitat contributing to a huge native population of ducks and geese. This and the fact that the area is a major Stopover Point for migrating Birds from Scandinavia Greenland and the soviet Union make it one of the Best waterfowl Hunting areas on the continent. From late summer to midwinter Hunters from All Over Europe travel to the area to sit in blinds with guides and their dogs. In addition to outdoor sports the area also offers wonderful opportunities for sightseeing and historical Tours. The medieval ambience of cities such As Kampen Blokzijl and Zwolle take tourists Back to a time when dutch dominance on the sea and the resulting Trade Boom gave the area worldwide importance disproportionate to its size. Remnants of massive fortifications especially in Kampen and Zwolle serve As reminders that peace has not always reigned in the Region. It did not escape the tides of conflict that periodically swept Over Europe. As has nearly 40 percent of the Netherlands Large sections of the land area in West Overijssel and the Northeast polder have been reclaimed from the sea. The most important event in this process was the 1932 completion of the Dike that transformed the old Guider Zee a former Arm of the North sea into a Lake the Ijssel Meer. The subsequent creation of polders Low lying areas of land that were formerly sea Bottom meant the end of relative isolation for some communities As islands became part of the Mainland. One such town is urk a fishing port whose cozy Harbor was once a Welcome Haven from the North sea s fury. The creation of the Ijssel Meer has gone a Long Way toward taming the once hostile Waters but fishing boats still sail from urk s Harbor keeping the restaurants in town supplied with fresh seafood delicacies. One of the better known restaurants is de Kaap located on the Harbor directly below the Lighthouse. It specializes in seafood and offers All the fish you can eat for 27.50 guilders about $14. The seafood varies according to the catch of the Day but typically May include portions of plaice sole crawfish shrimp and cod. A salad vegetable and homemade potato croquettes Are also included in the Price but beverage 4 stripes Magazine january 5, 1989