Sullivan's Lost Adventure in Bourtange - part 3

 

A lot of visitors went after the soldiers to see what would happen next.

Time to go after them as well.

We found a spot with a view on the soldiers, but they were a bit far away.

It was difficult to see what was happening exactly, but there was lots of cannon and gun fire going on. The smoke was impressive.

But I can't tell you who won...

After that confusing battle we all went back to the settlement. The soldiers took a break and put their guns away.

Yum yum!

After having a snack we visited the windmill.

The miller told us all kinds of interesting stuff about the windmill, but I didn't take any pictures of the windmill up close. It did look impressive with that dark sky though.

Next we saw that the guys with the boat were in trouble again.

They peddled away fast while other soldiers kept firing at each other.

Why are they stopping? Keep rowing!

It turned out they wanted a save spot from which they could return fire.

It was getting late and both soldiers and visitors were calling it a day.

Reenactment people relaxing after a long day.

I got a postcard that shows Bourtange from above, so you can see the shape of the settlement.

It was a really cool outing. I'm glad I was able to share it with you, even though I'm a few years late.

Sullivan's Lost Adventure in Bourtange - part 2

 

The guys with the boat decided to row around some more. There was some smokey shooting at them, but that didn't seem to scare them.

As they returned fire something was happening on the shore to the left...

These dudes swam across the moat weapons in hand. These moats don't live up to their reputation.

The guys in the boat kept on shooting at the soldiers on the other side. I wonder if they even noticed the sneaky swimmers.

Who were hiding in the grass on our side of the moat, spying on the boat.

The shooting seemed to be over.

Then the swimmers decided to go after the boat!

Just look at them go!

The guys in the boat finally caught on and rowed for their lives. In the end nobody got hurt, but I bet those swimmer dudes got really cold!

Next we walked around a bit more. I spotted this woman knitting.

These soldiers were watching the moat. With all the action in the moat that seemed like a sensible plan.

These guys looked like they got a scolding for some reason. Maybe because they didn't guard the moat.

There was going to be another event at the far side of the settlement. We slowly made our way there.

They were bringing cannons to the far side.

I found a spot above the gate to the far side of the settlement.

I had a great view of the soldiers marching that way.

And I only had to turn around to see them pass under the gate.

Let's see what they're up to next.

Sullivan's Lost Adventure in Bourtange - part 1

 

When Gilbert visited Bourtange in June, Sullivan told him he had been there as well. But when we checked the blog, we couldn't find Sullivan's trip! He never blogged about it!

When we saw that friends visited Bourtange this weekend we were reminded of this lost adventure once again, so here is:

Sullivan's Lost Adventure in Bourtange

In June 2018 my owner took me on a trip to Bourtange. It was a special occasion as there were reenactments of Napoleonic battles that took place at Bourtange. As soon as we arrived I spotted the tents of the soldiers.

There were lots of them and I was immediately in a historic mood.

People were dressed up in Napoleonic era costumes and were cooking outside even though the weather was a bit grey.

I think this guy was a Napoleonic marine. He showed us how to load a gun.

What a fun event. And we hadn't even reached the actual settlement yet.

Once on the earthen wall surrounding Bourtange we saw a crowd and decided to see what was going on.

There were soldiers playing around with cannons.

I found a spot where I had a good view of them lighting a cannon.

There's a lot of smoke when you fire a cannon.

It was cool to see all the people in costume.

After we watched them shoot cannons for a while we went into the settlement in search of lunch.

I spotted this cool painting.

French fries!

After lunch there was an event taking place in the moat surrounding Bourtange. We had to see that of course.

Nothing happening just yet...

There soldiers doing stuff at the other side, but I couldn't make it out.

Then we saw boats rowing across the moat.

The soldiers in it reached our side! Isn't a moat meant to protect from invaders?

I wonder what will be next.