A Refuge between Borders

Het Zien is the name of a nature reserve situated at the mouth of Westschelde between Cadzand Bad, Netherlands (right side) and Knokke-Heist, Belgium (on the left).

In past times a tidal channel served as access for Bruges port but over centuries the waterway silted, and it came to a definite end as a shipping route.

The salt marsh area, the dunes and sand plains then became a refuge for birds and salt-loving plant life, and was made a natural reserve in order to protect wildlife.

The flow of the low tide water left ephemeral ripples in the sand. 

Again we were blessed with mild temperatures and a blasting blue sky. What a beautiful winter day! One could walk for hours if it weren't for the fresh gale which was tiring us out after a while.

The poles serve as cutwater and protect the shore. We guessed that those might be buried three meters (10 feet) deep in the sand to be able to endure the tidal waves.

Aside from the practicality the barriers also make for a picturesque scenery.

Roland and mom goofing around.

It was early afternoon but we were already casting long shadows, and after a couple of hours walk in the sand we were ready again for a warming cup of tea.

Windmills and Lighthouses

Besides wooden shoes and cheese, what would the Netherlands be without its signature windmills (the old fashioned ones that is). There must have been ten thousands in the past centuries, and about one thousand of those are still around, some of them restored and used as a museum, and some even functional. There is no avoiding of those and they always come along pretty and photogenic. We stopped many times but those are the typical three construction variations used in the area.

Above: 19th century Smock Mill in Cadzand

Left: 19th century Tower Mill 'De Witte Juffer' with gallery in IJzendijke
Right: 17th century Post Mill in Retranchement.
Those windmills were likely used to mill grain.

As a country hugged by the North Sea the Netherlands also offers an abundance of light houses. They also come in all shapes and forms. Here is one captured in Breskens, while the other picture had been taken in Westkapelle.

There are also some other architectural gems we came across on our sojourn in Zeeland, such as this lovely beach hotel in Domburg. very likely outside our budget but sitting on the dunes overlooking the ocean it might well be a bit pricey.

We also visited Middelburg, in the Middle Ages a significant trading center, and today the capital of the province Zeeland.

The late gothic style former city hall was founded in the 15th century, and although looking pristine from the outside, the interior had been destroyed beyond restoration in the 1940 fire.

The town was very little decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights (until we discovered this Ape with a wreath on his roof). And it wasn't crowded either. Although Dutch celebrate Christmas, their gift giving traditionally happens on the eve of 5th of December. The actual holidays itself rather represent family time. Sinterklaas rings a bell? That would be Santa Claus for the English speaking part of the world.

A typical Dutch scenery, bicycles are everywhere.

The weather was a mixed bag of rain, wind and more rain but we weren't bothered. It was just nice to be able to wander around with no plans, without the hectic of gift shopping, just enjoying the day...

Extreme Beachcombing on Christmas Day

When a Dutch explorer by the name of Abel Tasman sighted a landmass in the southwestern Pacific back in the 17th century and called it Nieuw-Zeeland, it was actually named after the Dutch province of Zeeland. The name, although anglicized by James Cook stuck and became New Zealand.

Anyway, in our quest for a location involving beach and ocean we decided on a trip to 'Old Zealand', as New Zealand was just a tad bit too far away. Given the balmy temperatures of 11C (52F) we would probably be able to go swimming in the North Sea as well.

Zeeland is actually the westernmost province of the Netherlands bordering Belgium, a large river delta consisting of several islands and marshland turned into habitable land over centuries. Hence the name: Zeeland means 'sea land'.

We 'kidnapped' Sonja's mom for the holidays. And both being from northern Germany, like mother, like daughter, she loves the ocean as much as Sonja does.

Easy entertainment, Roland thought, while the ladies would comb the beach he could sit back comfortably in the cosy rental apartment, and watch telly. (As if said ladies would let him…)

The weather was a bit crazy. It was way too warm given that winter had just begun, and we felt overdressed for the occasion. The wind however was nasty, and the gales blew with 70 to 80 km/h.

As a matter of fact walking on the beach in the soft sand and leaning into the wind became quite the exercise. But that's exactly was what we wanted to clear the head and to get rid of some extra pounds we would certainly regain during the holiday feast.

With spending time outside walking against the storm there came the need for food and the warmth of a dry place.

Sonja's mom spotted a sign that looked promising, and so we found this lovely cafe pavillion in Domburg, overlooking the ocean.

It was just the perfect spot to enjoy a surprisingly good and creative lunch and spend the afternoon with a good cuppa while watching the waves pounding the beach.

 Live is good!

The Great Escape!

Well, not really gone fishin', but close enough. 

Coming up: Blog content featuring beach and ocean, and maybe the odd fish thrown in.

Happy and peaceful Holidays. 

SonjaM & Roland

It's a Part of German Culture, too!

Stuttgart is the capital of our state (province) Baden-Württemberg, sixth largest city in Germany, and with a metropolitan area of over five million inhabitants, humming with activity. It is also known as the cradle of the automobile. Mercedes Benz and Porsche are manufacturing in and around the city, and most businesses around cater to the automotive industry.

On a bright Sunday morning we made the 130 km trip to explore a bit of German motor culture. At first we had only planned on visiting L&L, the largest motorcycle store in Europe which is open on Sundays (just looking, not buying!) in order to (maybe) find a scooter for Roland. For more information on this venture see Sonja's blog posting here.

On our way back from the bike store we came by Meilenwerk, a "forum for driving culture". In a restored industrial facility you would find a variety of vintage vehicle shops, storage facilities, repair and restoration services, and other kinds of high end goods and services around the automotive industry.

We had to stop by and visit, and to our complete surprise the Arthur Bechtel vintage car show was free of charge, well maybe because everything in the show room is for sale...

Of course the exhibition was heavily Mercedes centered, and Roland had quickly picked a favorite, one 1956 190SL at a bargain price of 149,500 EUR or so.

Sonja would rather root for the 1957 356 Porsche Speedster  (price on request). If we were to work for another hundred years… maybe…?

Well, it was definitely a drool-worthy selection of vintage cars, and certainly a well spent Sunday.

Back home we were welcomed with a typical "The Angels are baking" winter sunset. Now it's going to be another week to kill, and we will call it a year, because once again our employers persuaded us to take a few days off, as production will be shut down for Christmas and New Year, which isn't a bad thing really, coming to think of it.