Pearl of the Langstraat: The Moerderij in De Moer

On our way to De Moer, on our way to the Moerderij! Lieke and Patrick were so enthusiastic when I asked if I could come and have a look at their farm that we immediately set a date! Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating. Taking pictures would be difficult with the rain, but that got a special twist. Read along?

Learn a trade first!
Lieke (37) herself comes from a pig-farming family. So does Patrick (46). His parents had a cow and pig farm and later the barn was converted into a care farm. Lieke and Patrick were both told by their parents to learn a trade before choosing to farm. And they did. But still...

It is now fourteen years since Lieke met Patrick at the Oosteinds Spektakel; a big smile comes to their faces. It turned out to be true love! They went to live next door to Patrick's parents. Lieke's love for pigs runs very deep, and so sow Bente came to live with them. When they asked Patrick's father if they could use a piece of pasture, he absolutely loved it; "God! Are we going to have pigs again!"

Group accommodation The Moerderij
In 2014, they were allowed to take over Patrick's childhood home, which had been handed down from mother to daughter for seven generations. Patrick, who started his own car company in 2000, together with Lieke converted the old cowshed into a new workshop and has been tinkering at home since December 2012. In addition, the care farm was transformed into a group accommodation. The latter was right up their alley, own boss, and a nice target group. "A bull's-eye," is how Lieke calls it. I walk through a beautiful large group accommodation. Besides the fully equipped and spacious kitchen, you will find a spacious sitting area and a terrace with a canopy and a beautiful view! All eight bedrooms (some with bunk beds!) are located next to each other. The characteristics of a stable are nevertheless still clearly visible, and that makes the experience even nicer; the lower and wide roof, neat bedrooms as "departments" next to each other and above each bed a piglet "watches over" a painting!

Although they want to keep it small-scale they would like to welcome the business (meeting) market in addition to tourists. The homey meeting format fits perfectly here too!

Her ladies!
Next to the group accommodation, Lieke and Patrick have a pig farm. Through the rain, we walk there anyway. "Pigs can't do anything with their eyes, and do almost everything with their nose and ears. They know exactly when it's me," Lieke tells us. And it shows when Lieke calls her pigs. Piece by piece they run, uhm... jump out full of enthusiasm and run towards us. And suddenly... the sun began to shine spontaneously! Lovely and so I could take a few pictures without those raindrops on my lens!

Proud and full of love, Lieke shows me her sows. In 2013, she started with two sows; Bente and Keet, followed by Lexy, Kelly and Kato. They are her ladies. She really has a bond with them and it shows!

Farm Shop
They have a small farm shop, where a variety of fresh meat is always available in partnership with other farms. Very appropriately, they call it their "Pig Up Point"!

And if you are passing by now and the sun is not shining, just speak to Lieke, and the sun is sure to start shining! What a wonderful, enthusiastic woman and what a beautiful business they have built together. Thank you for giving me a peek into your kitchen. Hope to see you soon!

Want to know more about The Moerderij? Then click here!