A Day in Zeeland

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September 7, 2003

Having heard that Zeeland is a wonderful place to visit, we drove north on a Sunday to have a little explore. After about a 1 1/2 hour drive, we drove to the end of a road where we found a big grass hill in front of us. Of course, when we climbed the hill, we found that it was a dike. Here is where the Westerschelde river meets the North Sea, and where the Dutch created farmland from an estuary marsh. Below is a photo of a dike. Now this is the Netherlands!

The dike is covered with grass, but down near the water the Dutch fight erosion by laying five-sided concrete bricks. The section closest to the water is then covered with a black tar-like substance. Above, on the right, Will and Ellen walk Jack and Rena along the river. The water is extremely placid. Below on the left you can see Ellen and Rena with the wildflowers that are nature's attempt be beautify the area.  Frankly, then dike and the river are so ugly, they are fascinating! Although we were in an agricultural area, there were industrial plants and shipping harbours all across the horizon.

On the right, Laura stands next to a lighthouse. In the distance you can spot a cargo ship.

The windmill on the left was just on the other side of the dike we walked along. Windmills really do dot the countryside all over the Netherlands and in northern Belgium. Most of them are very nicely preserved. Dikes and windmills - we really felt like we were getting the true Dutch experience. From our walk along the dike we drove through a new tunnel under the Westerschelde to the part of the Netherlands that runs along the northwest of Belgium (thus keeping control of the Westerschelde in Dutch hands!)

We stopped for lunch at a camping resort that sits next to a nature reserve. Here Ellen enjoys a Belgian waffle. Makes you hungry, huh?

We wrapped up our day playing on the beach. This beach was very nice, backed by a sandy dike. This is where the Westerschelde and North Sea meet, so there is a constant flow of cargo ships passing by. It is beautiful in a weird way. The beach was very clean and covered with little shells. We have learned that Ellen and Will are at their happiest when at the beach. Note for future trips - don't let Jack drink the salt water! 'Nuf said.

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