The  Ruins

This is how the ruins look now (photo above). There were two little farmhouses as you can see on the photo opposite.  Regretfully the photo is not so clear but there is a good comparison with the photo you saw on exit of the "crypt".

The photo opposite shows you how it was, coming from the schoolhouse. Both dwellings are distinct. The last occupant, Andries Dijkstra, better known as âlde Anders(old Anders) or as the hermit of Wetsens, was a remarkable man. He lived there for 40 years, at first in one house, later in both.   He kept himself apart but regularly attended church services. During the war Jews found a safe haven at his place.   One day, the germans went there to have a look but got stuck with their car in the muddy path leading to the house.

The people of Wetsens helped the germans getting the car out of the mud and advised them not to go there and to everybodies relief, they didn't.  May be the village escaped retaliatory measures as âlde Anders had his rifles ready. To the right a better view of the houses

There are stories as that he slept in sheepskin with his rifle ready to shoot rats,   that he had two newborn goat kids in the pan to eat in order to help the goat to bring up the other two as he thought four would be to many for the goat to manage. Hens and goats roamed freely in his living room.   In the later years his house was declared not fit to live in. In 1969 he went to a home for the elderly in Eanjum (Anjum) and died in 1974. He is buried in Wetsens. The house decayed. The ruins are on a remnant of the mound of Wetsens. The photo (right) dates from 1972.

The ruins are outstanding in the landscape. The photographs underneath give you an impression of activities at the site.

Sketching under the supervision of cattle






Musical activities























The brassband De Bazuin from Nijewier



















Brassband De Bazuin from Nijewier



















A song of Percell accompanied by flute