Time flies!  While the last cold days pass by in the Netherlands, we are already focusing on spring and are currently delivering the potatoes from our shed. Three trucks full of potatoes are delivered to the stores every day, the onions are also delivered so the storage shed will soon be completely empty. Meanwhile, we are starting again with the new planting season and expect to sow the sugar beet by the end of this week.

In the meantime we are busy at the Bed & Breakfast with bookings and preparations for the tulip route Flevoland 2018. This year, again, the opening will take place at De Kandelaar. On Saturday, 14^th April there will be a tulip market from 10:00am to 4:00pm, where various companies from the region will promote their products and services. At 10:30am the official opening of all the tulip routes in Flevoland takes place. This year, 4 car routes, 4 cycle routes and a walking route are planned for three weeks, from 14^th April to 5^th May.

Our location is on the car route ‘Lelystad’ and cycle route ‘Lelystad’. However, the routes in Dronten and Zeewolde are easy to drive from our location. In short, plenty of opportunities to admire the many beautiful fields and visit the companies that organize an activity. More information and the routes can be found on www.tulpenrouteflevoland.nl

In addition to the Tulip market on 14^th April, we will have an exhibition about tulip cultivation from that day until 5^th May. On the basis of photos, more explanation is given about the cultivation of tulips. Ed Voigt will also exhibit on 100 years of Zuiderzee (the South Sea) law and Ir. Lely.

We welcome you from 14^th April to 5^th May between 10:00am to 4:00pm – every day.

There it is, nearly another summer gone and we are finally enjoying a beautiful but late summer.  The colours at dawn and dusk are such a beautiful event at De Kandelaar.  Over the summer DeLaval has filmed a superb documentary about the Voluntary Milking System which we have been using for over 16 years.  There is an interesting interview with Dad and Joris about their experiences with the milking robot. See the full report via this link.  In addition, Bert Rijk has also taken some stunning aerial pictures with his drone.

Meanwhile, the fifth cut of grass was mowed and last week our contractor Frens from Hulshort had chopped the corn. The yield was less than previous years, but the product seems to be of excellent quality. We have to wait a little longer for the delicious potatoes that we use for fries to be harvested but the onions will be harvested this month.  Bulb company Fa. de Wit is already busy with preparations for the planting of the new tulip bulbs. Next year, in cooperation with Tulips Route Dronten, we will yet again create walking, cycling and car routes along the tulip fields.

 

 

 

During this year we have received lots of different nationalities in our Bed and Breakfast, from the Netherlands to Japan.  Next month, many visitors will be staying at the B&B who have booked the special deal “one night at the B&B and entry to Walibi Fright Night”.  If you would like to visit please book quickly because full is full.

 

After a moderate winter with few cold days we are getting ready for the new season. We are waiting for drier times but slowly the country will be worked again.

Meanwhile, it’s also the start of the tourist season. In a few days we hope to have a striking new brochure available in 4 languages.  Furthermore, with a few of the co-owners in the borough we are organising various tulip routes. There will be a car route starting from the B&B De Kandelaar.  This route will not only bring you through more than 50 tulip fields but also via several other attractions and restaurants in the scenic region of Dronten. There is also a cycle route of almost 30 km near B&B De Kandelaar. In short you can fully enjoy the beautiful and vibrant colours of the flowers.

Saturday 16th April is the opening of the various routes.  However, that of course is dependent on Mother Nature if the tulips will be in full bloom. On April 23, we have arranged a special Tulip Open Day. During the day you can have a look at our farm and you can admire some of the machines that are used to cultivate tulip bulbs.

More information can be found on our website or follow www.tulpenroutedronten.nl  or “Tulips Route Dronten” on Facebook.

Last week we had a visit from a mystery guest from Bed & Breakfast Netherlands. We were assessed during this visit which would decide on how many tulips were to be rewarded. Tulips are similar to the star rating standards for hotels.

Our mystery guest was very happy and gave us a wonderful commentary. “The Candlestick is a very rural B & B. We had a nice room with a good bed and clean bathroom. The breakfast room / cafeteria is cozy and also has a kitchen which can be used if a guest(s) wants to cook for themselves. Everything looks picobello” (awesome) on the dairy and arable farm. The breakfast was delicious and there was even a possibility to make use of a lovely terrace. We had a tour of the dairy farm and then the hostess passionately told us about the workings of the farm. We also had the chance to admire the calves. Very interesting and educational, we can still taste the fresh milk which is so different from the milk you buy at the store/supermarket. Recommended. ”

With such a good review we are obviously proud of having received 4 tulips.

Simultaneously with the visit of the mystery guest there was also plenty of buzz in the building, earlier that morning we had the pit floor cemented. After some 10 trucks full with concrete and after the considerable amount of hours worked by the construction company ‘Hogendoorn BV’ there was a smooth floor in the well.

Dispite the heat, they are currently finishing the walls of the pit, and finally due to the nice weather the corn is growing.  You can almost see it grow!  (about 15 cm per day).

 

Spring is in full swing, the tulip fields are full of beautiful colours. On 11^th April ‘Dronterland’ officially opened itstulip routes. There is a walking, cycling and car routeorganised where you will pass several beautiful colourfulfields that are a must see. The routes have been opened up until Sunday 3^rd May and can be downloaded viawww.tulpenroutedronterland.nl

It’s also spring at De Kandelaar, the sugar beets are seeded first, the potatoes are planted and the onions and corn sown. It won’t be long before the country is the vibrant colour of green from the various crops.

Spring is not complete until young animals are born. We have been delighted with two young billy goats, kittens and the lambs are next.