EISE EISINGA’S INVENTION – a Friesian marvel

You may think this is just another 18th century room with a bed in a cupboard. You’d be wrong.

‘I know we’re a bit cramped for space, darling, what with the kids sleeping in a drawer under our bed, but I have a new hobby. I want to build a planetarium in our living room ceiling.’

Without the aid of a computer, electricity or an education past primary school level, Eise Eisinga did just that. It took him from 1774 till 1781 to build a wooden, clockwork-powered working model of the Solar System. It’s now World Heritage listed, and it’s easily the most extraordinary thing we’ve seen in Friesland, in the northern Netherlands.

CADEL WINS! – in Surhuisterveen

Cadel chats to Dutch former Tour de France winner Jan Janssen. Photo ANP.

G’day again, Cadel, and congratulations!!

Mission accomplished as you won yesterday’s criterium in Surhuisterveen, Nederland.

WHY CYCLING MAKES YOU FAT

Dutch appeltaart, available at every roadside cafe and the cyclist's worst enemy.

You would think that cycling 50-90km a day would have a desirable effect on the waistline. On the Pieperpad, things don’t work that way. Here’s why…

DOKKUM, FRIESLAND – old-timers in the old town

Unfortunately I can’t promise you a show like this every time you visit Dokkum. That’s a pity, because although it caused a major traffic jam, the event certainly brought the place to life.

THE MILK ROBOT – turning grass into ice-cream

Organic cow #10100010011101 - otherwise known as Daisy.

Innocent city folk can learn a lot from cycling the Dutch Pieperpad .

Today I had my first encounter with a milk robot.

LOVE THE SPUD – the beautiful potato

Tulip season may be over, but the potato fields are blooming beautiful.

When potatoes were first introduced to Europe from their native Peru, nobody thought of eating them. They were exotic, beautiful garden plants.

Asse Aukes shows us around his farm, Gerbranda State, and in half an hour teaches us more about potatoes than we ever knew before.