Edwin & Martine

We, Edwin Bonvie and Martine van Soolingen, are the proud owners of the Wierschuur. We have been living on Wieringen for twenty years now. Together with our three children we were looking for a place by the sea where time stood still. Living on a Wadden Island was our dream but unrealistic because of work commitments. The Secret Wadden Island of Wieringen has ultimately brought us the best of both worlds.

Owners Edwin Bonvie and Martine van Soolingen sitting together in the Wierschuur under a print of boat, fishing seaweed.
Edwin Bonvie and Martine van Soolingen, owners of the Wierschuur

Windsurfers

We spent much of our lives roaming the world as professional windsurfers. Windsurfing was extremely popular in the 1980s and this enabled us to pursue our hobby professionally. For ten years we lived out of a suitcase, staying only in hotels. Five star hotels, sleep-inns and everything in between. We formed a close team and enjoyed the fact that we could work and travel together.

Hospitality

After ending our windsurfing careers, we went mountain biking in Ireland. An unforgettable experience, especially the fond memories of staying in bed and breakfasts. The desire arose to be able to offer the same rich hospitality. Villa Nieuwland presented itself and Edwin transformed the dilapidated national monument into a comfortable home with a small-scale bed and breakfast, where we could make our guests feel welcome and comfortable.

Dutch apple cake and slices of marble cake next to 'Boerenbont' crockery
Hospitality in the Wierschuur

Contest

The Province of North Holland organized a competition for the repurposing of the monumental Wierschuur on Wieringen. Our bed and breakfast did not offer enough space to meet the increasing demand, so we decided to enter the competition. We wanted this so badly. We were passionate and enthusiastic about the project which was tailor-made for us. Round after round we progressed and in the end we won! Years followed of blood, sweat and tears but ultimately we achieved our ambition. The Wierschuur has been sustainably restored and repurposed. We sold the bed and breakfast to make space for our new dream. Once again we are working side by side and receiving our guests in the Wierschuur with great satisfaction.

The pale wooden floor of the mezzanine with lamps hanging in the wooden structure of the Wierschuur
The mezzanine in the Wierschuur