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Ameland
We frequently visit the small island of Ameland off the north coast of the Netherlands. (Click the link for a Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/u2vrw ) My in-laws own a small vacation home there, and it's a nice place to spend the weekends or even the Summer holidays.
Ameland is part of the Wadden Islands or Frisian Islands, which form an archipelago at the eastern edge of the North Sea in northwestern Europe, stretching from the north-west of the Netherlands through Germany to the west of Denmark. The Wadden Sea is the largest tidal area in the world and the largest contiguous nature reserve in Western Europe. Ameland had a population of 3,591 in 2014, living in the villages of Nes, Buren, Ballum and Hollum, but over 400,000 tourists visit it every year. A lot of them German. The beaches are wide and the North Sea is always a treat. The east side of the island isn't inhabited and home to one the most beautiful natural landscapes in the Netherlands. The Oerd is basically a large complex of dunes which is still expanding by the year. Besides dunes and beaches, Ameland has some woods, like the Nesser bos ("Wood of Nes"). Our vacation home is located in between the Wood of Nes, the beach and The Oerd. See also: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1314 Here's a sample of the photographs I've taken there over the past couple of years or so. Enjoy! :) 1. We often go for a drink or something to eat in this beach pavilion. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5560/...38ee4a52_b.jpg 2 https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/...510c6de9_b.jpg 3 The Wood of Nes. Patches of forrest on the island are cultivated and protected. Best way to prevent the wind from blowing the sandy soil into the sea. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/...b95f507b_b.jpg 4. La Chouffe...probably my favorite beer to drink after a long beach walk. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/...ea1dcacd_b.jpg 5. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/...5660c1d2_b.jpg 6. Skyscraper in the village of Nes. :) Not a church tower, but a clock tower. Pretty old. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/...a5ae938d_b.jpg 7. 't Badhuys ('bathing house') in Nes. All villages on the island look like this. Small, ancient houses, well maintained. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/...c9a52a3f_b.jpg 8. My baby girl loves the beach, just like her dad. :) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/...82c166e2_b.jpg 9. Taking a hike in The Oerd sometimes means this is all you get to see. You always hear the surf and the many, many birds. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/...09cf9c8c_b.jpg 10. View from the highest dune on the island, the Oerdblinkert, framed by National Graphic. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/...35c882b1_b.jpg 11. The lighthouse Bornrif stands tall on the west side of the island. One of the oldest in the Netherlands. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/...7f732e73_b.jpg 12. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/...c9c40e57_b.jpg 13. The mainland isn't far away; here in the background you can see Friesland on the horizon. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/...7320dfdc_b.jpg 14. Nothing beats taking an evening stroll to the beach and enjoy the sunset with friends of family and a bottle of wine. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/...5f28fe1e_b.jpg 15. Vacation home (not ours) near Nes. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/...84cc02d8_b.jpg 16. The Oerd again. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/...289753f8_b.jpg 17. The Nature Center Ameland is not the most eye pleasing contribution to the island. Fun to visit when it rains though. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/...70da9ebb_b.jpg 18. Ameland didn't become part of the Netherlands until 1813. In 1699 it was an independent principality. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/...dd23a299_b.jpg 19. The greatest show on earth. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/...9b12bce4_b.jpg 20. A pheasant in our backyard. Deer and rabbits also stop by now and again. :) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/...11ef4e2f_b.jpg 21. Bridle path through the dunes. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/...044f558d_b.jpg 22. This was taken on the New Years Day. I love the beach like this. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/...24ea9a3d_b.jpg 23. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/...2d5500f2_b.jpg 24. European beach grass or helm als the Dutch call it. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/...c55f2a44_b.jpg 25. A bench on top of a dune close to the village of Buren. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/...a80f69ab_b.jpg 26. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/...0dfd69de_b.jpg 27. Dunes in the Oerd. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/...2737c841_b.jpg 28. The same beach pavilion as the first image, the Buren van Nes. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/...3e78335a_b.jpg 29. Pheasant dropping by again. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/...926fbb1f_b.jpg[/url] 30. Hortensia in the village of Hollum. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/...3b1d689e_b.jpg * to be continued* |
31. Most tourists visit Ameland during the Summer, so when you need some peace and quiet, Ameland has it on offer during the Winter.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/...e6ce9b27_b.jpg 32. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/...c9dd1ab1_b.jpg 33. Not sure if this is the Bornrif. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/...7d128e7b_b.jpg 34. Up close. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/...434ee72c_b.jpg 35. Vacation homes between Nes and Buren. All the houses have reed roofs. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/...65a65a61_b.jpg 36. One of the two ferries that take you to Ameland. This one is called Sier. The other one Oerd. Sier and Oerd are two villages that were lost due to flooding. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/...1b7ef8ae_b.jpg 37. The Kaaphuus, or Cape House. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/...84926d5e_b.jpg 38. On top of the Oerdblinkert, the highest dune on Ameland. Just over 75 feet BTW, but the view is amazing. The Wadden Sea in the bokeh. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/...cd4f14a4_b.jpg 39. Pretty darn nice. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/...4396f143_b.jpg 40. After sunset. Ameland is pretty far up north. Especially in the Summer, twilight can last till 23h30 or thereabouts. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/...574035b2_b.jpg 41. The beaches and sea water are really clean. I absolutely love swimming in the sea. Zen stuff. Very relaxing. ;) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/...df76bddc_b.jpg 42. At the small harbor in Nes. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/...f237371b_b.jpg 43. When the weather is too bad to go outside, there's always Nobeltje, the local gin-based liquor. And rummicub... https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/...69051be7_b.jpg 44. In the Nesserbos, or Wood of Nes. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/...1fe93a33_b.jpg 45. To the beach. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/...cb014d55_b.jpg 46. Getting closer. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/...ba5e65aa_b.jpg 47. The Wood of Nes again. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/...99775a66_b.jpg 49. Summer fair in Hollum. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/...778a7de5_b.jpg 50. This Summer Circus Renz from Berlin came to Ameland! We rather went to the beach, but the tents made for a nice view. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/...75e5dbbb_b.jpg 51. Many campsites have mobile homes like this one. It looks cramped, but you're just a short walk away from the beach. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/...9413e712_b.jpg 52. Pretty typical; facing south the cloud cover becomes thicker the further you look, but over Ameland, the clouds open up and let the sun shine through. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/...1a08f2ba_b.jpg 53. The ferry called Oerd. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/...3f5f5128_b.jpg 54. We've got insects too, yes. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/...54c0652b_b.jpg 55. Just wonderful to spend ones summer evening like this. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/...e395aff9_b.jpg 56. Lone dandelion. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/...b0d3ff3d_b.jpg 57. Summer evening sunlight. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/...5f72f0a6_b.jpg 58. In the Nesserbos again. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/...645d7a87_b.jpg 59. Wait, is that a mushroom cloud?!? https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/...70e76526_b.jpg 60. Ah yes, a cold Corona equals Summer. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/...2c59c8fd_b.jpg *to be continued* |
Beautiful shots and place. What a wonderful landscapes, beaches, woods, villages and sunsets. Ameland looks a fascinating island to relax and enjoy about quietness and peace. I need some holidays in a place like Ameland.
Thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed watching all your pictures, AJW. Contrats and greetings from Madrid, Spain. :tup: |
Nice!
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Nice tour - excellent variety of shots
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Quote:
Thanks Danny, ColDayMan and Phil! Here's the last bunch for now. 61. Reading the newspaper on a bench in Hollum. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/...201985c4_b.jpg 62. These were not my own. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/...e2309791_b.jpg 63. An abandoned swimming pool in Nes: Tropica Ambla. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/...9b2a4551_b.jpg 64. Winter. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/...e4d87635_b.jpg 65. Another sunset; hope you're not getting bored with these. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/...6b0b4f41_b.jpg 66. Path to the Oerblinkert, highest dune on Ameland. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/...50b6d4fc_b.jpg 67. A lone seagull adds to the drama. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/...ef691477_b.jpg 68. Love the sun. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/...43aa1b6c_b.jpg 69. The Roosduinen ('Rose Dunes') between Nes and Ballum feature a couple of wild horses and lots of space. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/...870e3225_b.jpg 70. When visiting Holland, one should try this delicacy: bitterballen. :) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/...46138a92_b.jpg 71. Walk into the sunset. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/...4fe69fc7_b.jpg 72. From the top of the Oerdblinkert. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/...d4318976_b.jpg 73. Contemplation. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/...2352a0e6_b.jpg 74. Another favorite: Duvel ('Devil'). Can give you hell to pay the next day. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/...d2d10db7_b.jpg 75. Drilling for oil and gas on the North Sea. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/...4256f9d9_b.jpg 76. Small house in Nes. The owner recognised his home on Flickr and apparently owns a photography shop of some sorts. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/...8b8804d7_b.jpg 77. With a 300mm lens the sun appears huge. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/...1d3cedb9_b.jpg 78. The ferry approaching the harbor of Nes. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/...1b702d75_b.jpg 79. Peace. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/...a7abb855_b.jpg 80. Do you know Calimero? https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/...8fe07aa4_b.jpg 81. Stately home. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/...c0a47410_b.jpg 82. 200. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/...625e7d4f_b.jpg 83. Wave upon wave upon wave. It really never stops. Like a ring road around a big city. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/...2e6657b3_b.jpg 84. This is Holland, so there are windmills. This one in Hollum is called Welvaart, or 'Prosperity'. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/...821bcbf4_b.jpg 85. This one is called Phenix. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/...0b9f00fe_b.jpg 86. The beach is never far away. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/...63df3a35_b.jpg 87. Love locks! Just the one, but still. In the bokeh the Tropica Ambla again. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/...e8380869_b.jpg 88. Downtown Nes on a dreary day. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/...c13154bf_b.jpg 89. Enjoying the view in Buren. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/...b7f693fd_b.jpg 90. That's it for now. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/...f908257f_b.jpg *Fin* |
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