Team Members

Getting to the boarder

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We're nearing the end of the year 2021. We anticipated that 2021 will be different from 2020. Corona came knocking in 2020, and 2021 didn't make much of a difference for many people throughout the world. Similarly, travel was limited in my case, and my road tris spent the majority of its time on Belgian soil. For my final voyage in 2021, I was flirting with the Belgian-Dutch borders. Because of Covid, citizens in the Netherlands are still on lockdown, and only a few stores are open to the public. People had hoped for a better year's end. The last ride is a two-day adventure. I had a two-hour gap between customers two weeks ago and decided to spend it with my beloved Italian horse. It did, however, lead me to the Dutch town of Budel. Budel is well-known in the motocross world for its deep sandy course in the Military nature-practice park. I also spent a lot of time in the deep sand, which was one of my favorite areas to practice motocross. It was like stepping back in time when I arrived at the MX track. A large Sea King helicopter was hovering above my head as I stood to inspect the circuit. I was fascinated by what the chopper was doing, and it was flying spectacularly. I hopped back on my bike and attempted to follow the helicopter. The helicopter flew extremely close to the surface and hovered above the Budel Grote Heide. Because I attempted to follow the military plane, I nearly toured the entire large natural park. I came to a halt near the woods and noticed a grenade field. It was utilized for military training by the Dutch. I took pics.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width="6" grid_id="vc_gid:1640892894663-5db4086d-74b5-1" include="12138,12127,12129,11613"][vc_column_text]A man stopped his bike next to me and asked if I was lost while I was standing next to my bike. I was a little surprised, so we began talking. And what a conversation it would be... Gert, a former history teacher, was his name. I told him how much I enjoyed the landscape and asked about why the military chopper was flying circles so near to the surface. He told me that they did a lot of practice over this nature area, but the enormous nature park used to be a large swamp. It was near the Belgian border, as indicated by the numerous borderland posts. They were posted in 1843, but it was also the location where the Germans made a death thread in 1915 (dodendraad) to protect the border during the 1914-1918 war. Gert began with a legendary story that occurred during World War II, around the time we are now. There was no natural park during the war; it was just a swamp, and there was a 2.5-kilometer border area between the horrific Death Thread and the Dutch border. In the worst of times, there are always people who want or have something to gain. Similarly, some Dutch farmers attempted to make a fortune along the Dutch border. Because of the famine, they made a lot of money through smuggling. During those times, one farmer named Jan Bolle made a lot of money. There was a story that he made money with the enemy during the conflict. The Germans, in this situation. He forced 850 sheep into the swamp and pushed them down the Death Thread (dodendraad) to meet German officers and sell the sheep to them. It was already a marvel that he was able to get one peace to the German officer, but he knew the area like no other. Normally, 2000 Volt of electricity was applied to the threads, but not this time. They greeted Jan and handed him a large case of cash. Jan Bolle provided that now the German soldiers had food and were able to celebrate Christmas. Jan Bolle and other smugglers were sentenced in court after the war. The Dead Thread was 357 kilometers long and caused many deaths. On a border, individuals have always smuggled and made money, but this war story was repeated a few years ago and it fascinated the public. Some images and links from Gert and his story: All credits to him!

• https://myalbum.com/album/Ksz3t4uM8HeP
• https://myalbum.com/album/AP6684A5d1EN
• https://myalbum.com/album/46rTIn9kw38T

Demo media 1435914227

Sales & Marketing Manager

Subtly charming internet nerd. Food lover. Falls down a lot. Award-winning beer maven.

Demo media 1435914227

Sales & Marketing Manager

Subtly charming internet nerd. Food lover. Falls down a lot. Award-winning beer maven.

Demo media 1435914227

Sales & Marketing Manager

Subtly charming internet nerd. Food lover. Falls down a lot. Award-winning beer maven.