The Netherlands-IJlst
The Rat is a smock mill in IJlst, Friesland, Netherlands, which was originally built in the eightteenth century (1711) at Zaanstreek, North Holland. Following the Napoleonic Wars and economic decline, the mill fell out of use. At the same time, agriculture in Friesland was enjoying a boom, with many farms being built or having their old buildings replaced, creating a demand for sawn timber. So in 1828 the mill was moved to IJlst, where it worked using wind power until 1920 and then by electric motor until 1950. The mill was bought by the town of IJlst in 1956 and restored in the mid-1960s. Further restoration in the mid-1970s returned the mill to full working order. De Rat is working for trade and is used as a training mill.
Next to the mill lies the Geeuw river, a connection with the city Sneek and also part of a monumental 200 km (120 mi.) long-distance tour skating event called Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour). Image made with kite and camera (attached to the kite's line). © Tom Kisjes
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