Autumn. You can look at it in two ways. If you are negatively inclined, you focus on wind, rain and the approaching cold winter. But the more positive ones among us look forward to the changing leaves on the trees, the mushrooms popping up everywhere and the cosiness of being indoors again a bit more than during summer. So you see: you can never please everyone at the same time. Yet we do our best to do so in the Noordoostpolder .
Whereas nature lovers look forward to fresh green new leaves on the trees in spring, they enjoy the yellow, orange and red colours of nature in autumn. Especially in the forest, of course, where you are surrounded by trees. So this month, take a walk through the Kuinderbos, Schokkerbos, Kadoelerbos, Wendelbos or Waterloopbos and fill your camera's memory card with beautiful pictures of the colouring trees. Also in the Wellerwaard and Casteleynsplas nature reserves, you can see how the plants are getting ready for the approaching winter. And what about you? You just put on a nice warm scarf and sturdy walking shoes. Who cares about a bit of rain or wind!
Discover all our forests and nature reserves
One was missing from the list of forests above: the Voorsterbos. Certainly not because there would be no splashes of colour there in autumn, but precisely because there is something else to see that the other forests do not have: a mushroom paradise. Yes, really: of the 3,500 species of mushrooms found in the Netherlands, 800 can be found here. And because of this, the Voorsterbos can call itself Europe's first mushroom paradise. Not bad, right, for a forest that is not yet a century old?
Read more about the Voorsterbos
Want to go out with your children in the autumn holidays? Then a forest walk is also a good idea. And we specifically mean Natuurmonumenten's OERRR adventure in the Waterloop forest. With an adventure map in hand, the children set off to find their way through the forest. Along the way, they will encounter challenging tasks: from building their own little boat to discovering how far animals can jump; and let them enjoy jumping themselves. Each task playfully teaches them more about water, nature and technology. As you trek with your children from water work to water work, you actually take a world tour through the forest.
Read more about the OERRR adventure in the Waterloopbos
The advantage of a forest walk in autumn is that you are still reasonably protected by the foliage above your head during a rainstorm. But autumn is also a great time to walk in the open countryside, as long as you dress for the weather. How about a brisk walk from Nagele to Swifterbant, the fifth stage of the Pionierspad? If you walk this route there and back or walk it in reverse, you can treat yourself to a hefty lunch or dinner at Pier16 on the Schokkerstrand near the end point. Also recommended is the Ruïneroute Schokland, a tour of the former island of Schokland, warming up with a hot drink or a delicious cup of soup at Restaurant Schokland along the way.
Which route(s) will you hike this month?
Also fun in autumn: picking your own apples, pears and flowers. There are several orchards in the Noordoostpolder, where all kinds of delicious (and healthy!) things grow. And let autumn be the tail end of the harvest season for many of these goodies... At Vink Fruitboerderij, for instance, you can pick your own apples every Wednesday afternoon, Friday and Saturday until 25 October. And in the autumn holidays, from 20 to 25 October, even every day. Such a picking day is a feast for young and old. Another celebration is picking and putting together your own bouquet. And yes, that too is still possible in autumn. The PLUKtuin at Farm Zuiderkrib is open daily until the autumn holidays. Will you come and pick those last flowers?
Grape picking is also part of autumn. In the Netherlands, grapes for wine production are usually harvested between September and mid-October. So you might still see bunches of grapes hanging from the vines at Wijngaard Maronesse this month, but chances are they have already been harvested and pressed by now. Oh well, don't worry, a tour with subsequent wine tasting is no punishment this autumn either. And afterwards, a nice stroll through their farm shop fits right in.
Read more about Wijngaard Maronesse
Autumn or no autumn, there is a place in the Noordoostpolder where it is dry and at least 20 degrees warm every day: Pantropica. In this indoor jungle, you imagine yourself in another world for a while. You can wander among thousands of butterflies and giant palms, feed the parrots in the Lori Bush and see turtles, monkeys, flamingos and many more animals. Children can play to their heart's content in Flevoland's largest indoor playground and there is something tasty for everyone in the three catering units scattered around the grounds. So if it's typical autumn weather outside for a while, come dry off and warm up at Pantropica this month.
Read more about Pantopica
Real autumn enthusiasts do not opt for tropical atmospheres in an indoor jungle, but rather embrace the turbulent winds and autumn storms of October. For them, a visit to Windpark Noordoostpolder and 11Beaufort is therefore highly recommended. Here you take a journey through the world of wind turbines and experience the grandeur of Windpark Noordoostpolder with a guide or on your own. Here, on the dike that separates the IJsselmeer from the new land, you really experience the power of the wind and see up close how impressively large the wind turbines are that make energy from that wind.
Read more about 11Beaufort
Speaking of the wind: imagine living on Schokland, that narrow and elongated island in the raging Zuiderzee, during the storm surge of 1825. The entire island then flooded and 13 people died. Moreover, there was abject poverty on the island. No wonder the Dutch government finally forced the remaining population of Schokland to leave the island for good in 1859. Museum Schokland provides a fascinating picture of the history of the island of Schokland and the history that preceded even that.
Read more about Museum Schokland
It has little to do with autumn, but in recent years Oktoberfest has been booming in the Netherlands. A cosy party, where gentlemen wear lederhosen and ladies dress up in dirndl dresses. The party is all about music, beer and fun. In Flevoland, too, you can visit an Oktoberfest at various locations. On Saturday 11 October, for instance, J19NU is organising the JOEK Oktoberfest in Ens. Something for you? Just go and experience it!
Read more about the JOEK Oktoberfest
October is known as a month of wind and rain, but don't let that stop you. If you embrace the charms of autumn, you will discover the colourful splendour of the forests of the Noordoostpolder, the story of an island flooded by a storm surge and how the wind actually provides energy. Come along this month and discover the stories of the Noordoostpolder itself. The Noordoostpolder der will surprise and inspire you this autumn.
