With the crocus walk, visitors to the Overcingel estate in Assen have been getting a taste of spring for years. Today, for the first time, there is an autumn variant of this initiative, in the form of an autumn walk.
No blooming crocuses that turn the lawns purple in spring, but discolored leaves on the trees and the smell of mushrooms. That is, in a nutshell, the difference between the two walks on the Asser estate. “The crocus walk is very beautiful, but during the rest of the year the estate is also a wonderful place for a walk,” says Bert Broekman, volunteer at Overcingel.
The eighteenth-century estate is located in the center of Assen and is almost five hectares in size. “I’m here every week and I always think it’s beautiful here. We have culture, an orchard, a garden and a forest,” says Broekman. “I always come across things that are nice to look at. As long as you have an eye for it. In the fall you have beautiful colors.”
“Of course we also tell you about the history of the landscape during the autumn walk. We walk around with the people for about an hour and a half. There are two guides and a total of thirty people can come along.” The photo exhibition Changing landscape with work by photographer Sake Elzinga can also be seen in the garden of the estate.
According to Broekman, the autumn walk will also pass the portrait of Henk van Lier Lels. He owned the estate for decades, but passed away in 2019. Artist Gert Sennema cut his portrait into a living tree, which caused quite a stir. Broekman: “If something is special, there are always people who have an opinion about it. And that is of course allowed.”
Broekman also has a favorite spot on the estate. “I still think it’s nice to sit at the end of the mirror pond. It’s a very nice place to look around. And you see all kinds of reflections in the water.”
In addition to today’s autumn walk, there is also one on Saturday 12 November. There are still a few spots left for this walk. You can register via the website of Het Drentse Landschap.