Windmill De Windhond
Visiting in - Karel's Mill
Stepping into windmill De Windhond in Woerden, you are whisked back in time two centuries with a lull. The old corn mill dates from 1755 and is still used to grind grain today. At the bottom of the mill lives miller Karel (34).
It took some getting used to at first: living in a circular space. Six years ago, Karel Dolman moved into the miller's house. 'You have to be creative with furniture.' He sawed off the table in his living room at an angle on one side so that it could stand against the wall. And the cupboards? He fixed those to the wall with rounded shelves. Karel enjoys living in the mill. Besides, it is very practical. 'If there is little wind to grind, I can do some washing or cook dinner in between. And if there is something wrong with the mill, I am always nearby.'
From grain to pancake mix
Located in the fortified town of Woerden, Molen de Windhond stands atop part of the former city wall. The mill still grinds flour using traditional methods. How does it work? 'As soon as the sails of the mill turn hard enough, the millstones in the attic can be put to work,' Karel explains. 'The grain is in a large storage container above the stone and falls bit by bit between the two stones, which grind it into flour.' In the shop next to his house, visitors can buy the flour. 'But I also make mixes for bread, cakes and pancakes.'
Game with the wind
'The great thing about my job is that I'm working with the elements every day,' Karel continues. 'The weather determines whether I can get going. If the wind is not blowing hard enough, I can unfurl the sails on the blades to catch more wind. It's a game every day.' The miller finds it extraordinary that the old mill still exists. In recent years, he has mainly had to rely on private individuals buying flour from him. 'More and more people like to buy their products locally. That's nice and I benefit from that. I also notice a growing trend to bake your own bread. My bread mix sells well.'
