The Meetjesland in the north of East-Flanders, Belgium

Gerard's Mill in Wippelgem

The device with the three teeth on the left in this picture is an extra security.
Here it is held back with a bit of string.
When engaged it prevents the sails from turning in the opposite direction (counter clockwise).
When the brake is released and the wind turns the brake wheel this device automatically disengages.
It would then gently knock against the cogs and
the miller hearing that knocking would then gently be reminded that he'd forgotten to disengage it.

Pictures taken on 5 April 2012.

All about Gerard's Mill
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