E Mastbakens in de Peel

1778 Mast beacons in the Peel

The endless Peel Plain ever desolate and deserted? No way, sometimes it is quite busy. From all the villages around the Peel, many roads lead into the area. Peat is cut, young heather, sods and turf are collected. Beekeepers, shearers and broom makers meet the traders and hawkers passing through on the cart tracks. Not only the solitary travellers get lost from time to time, even the seasoned peel eaters sometimes don't know which way to go. During the day, in clear weather, this will not happen to anyone. The many church towers and mill sails on the far horizon show the way. But when fog and mist make all those landmarks disappear, well, then, out of the maze of paths and cart tracks, the wrong one is sometimes chosen and the unfortunate one gets lost who was initially so happy breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the view. Then it gets dark and fear strikes around the heart. Of course, if it's not too cold, a night in the Peel can be survived, but the sadness and mystery of this now godforsaken place reminds you of the stories you heard told by the fireplace earlier. Suddenly, the tales of evil gnomes, peel giants and bells sunk in the nut that have been removed from the church towers by devils take on a whole new connotation. And it's a good thing that that solid fog masks the fact that it is a full moon. It is common knowledge that werewolves have been known to appear just then 

Anyway, it is a sign of progress that our village council has had mast beacons placed at the wide path to St Anthonis in recent weeks. Fourteen of them. Gemert shows you the way! From now on, tracking along a cart track, where there is a path on the right, is hardly necessary. Indeed, if you want to get out of the Peel, make sure you follow a cart track with a parallel path on the right. Right! For the peat carriers sit outward on their otherwise empty cart, back they walk to the right beside their full cart to guide the horse. Get it? Oh yes, and to avoid reaching civilisation on the wrong side of the Peel, follow the narrow cart tracks. Here's the thing: the fodder men from the villages on the eastern side of the Peel walk to the right of their horse and cart, just like us. Confusing. Yet there is a distinction. The men from beyond have much wider carts and so also make wider tracks.  So think narrow, not wide. And to be on the safe side, take some bread with you for the road anyway. And a blanket.