Hoop in de Hoep

In the south-east of North Holland, between the Amstel and the Bijlmer, lies what was formerly known as the Rijke Waver, a large peat forest. After the peat was excavated between the 12th and 14th centuries, an open meadow area of almost 1300 hectares was created: the Rondehoep. It is a beautiful, quiet polder, ideal for (meadow) birds. Residents of nearby Amsterdam also enjoy visiting, even though the area itself is not accessible. Only the dyke that runs around it may be used by walkers and cyclists. A tour of Rondehoep is therefore one of the most popular cycling routes in the city.

Filmmaker Pim Giel, who lives right next to the Hoep, decided to capture the polder on film together with his wife and sons, with the Rondehoep itself, with all its birds, playing the leading role. The farmer, the forester, the birdwatcher and the recreational user explain what they think is so special about this peat meadow area.