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  #1  
Old Posted Oct 10, 2014, 9:08 PM
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AJW AJW is offline
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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.

2

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.

4. La Chouffe...probably my favorite beer to drink after a long beach walk.

5.

6. Skyscraper in the village of Nes. Not a church tower, but a clock tower. Pretty old.

7. 't Badhuys ('bathing house') in Nes. All villages on the island look like this. Small, ancient houses, well maintained.

8. My baby girl loves the beach, just like her dad.

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.

10. View from the highest dune on the island, the Oerdblinkert, framed by National Graphic.

11. The lighthouse Bornrif stands tall on the west side of the island. One of the oldest in the Netherlands.

12.

13. The mainland isn't far away; here in the background you can see Friesland on the horizon.

14. Nothing beats taking an evening stroll to the beach and enjoy the sunset with friends of family and a bottle of wine.

15. Vacation home (not ours) near Nes.

16. The Oerd again.

17. The Nature Center Ameland is not the most eye pleasing contribution to the island. Fun to visit when it rains though.

18. Ameland didn't become part of the Netherlands until 1813. In 1699 it was an independent principality.

19. The greatest show on earth.

20. A pheasant in our backyard. Deer and rabbits also stop by now and again.

21. Bridle path through the dunes.

22. This was taken on the New Years Day. I love the beach like this.

23.

24. European beach grass or helm als the Dutch call it.

25. A bench on top of a dune close to the village of Buren.

26.

27. Dunes in the Oerd.

28. The same beach pavilion as the first image, the Buren van Nes.

29. Pheasant dropping by again.
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30. Hortensia in the village of Hollum.


* to be continued*

Last edited by AJW; Dec 22, 2014 at 11:34 PM.
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  #2  
Old Posted Oct 11, 2014, 1:08 PM
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31. Most tourists visit Ameland during the Summer, so when you need some peace and quiet, Ameland has it on offer during the Winter.

32.

33. Not sure if this is the Bornrif.

34. Up close.

35. Vacation homes between Nes and Buren. All the houses have reed roofs.

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.

37. The Kaaphuus, or Cape House.

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.

39. Pretty darn nice.

40. After sunset. Ameland is pretty far up north. Especially in the Summer, twilight can last till 23h30 or thereabouts.

41. The beaches and sea water are really clean. I absolutely love swimming in the sea. Zen stuff. Very relaxing.

42. At the small harbor in Nes.

43. When the weather is too bad to go outside, there's always Nobeltje, the local gin-based liquor. And rummicub...

44. In the Nesserbos, or Wood of Nes.

45. To the beach.

46. Getting closer.

47. The Wood of Nes again.

49. Summer fair in Hollum.

50. This Summer Circus Renz from Berlin came to Ameland! We rather went to the beach, but the tents made for a nice view.

51. Many campsites have mobile homes like this one. It looks cramped, but you're just a short walk away from the beach.

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.

53. The ferry called Oerd.

54. We've got insects too, yes.

55. Just wonderful to spend ones summer evening like this.

56. Lone dandelion.

57. Summer evening sunlight.

58. In the Nesserbos again.

59. Wait, is that a mushroom cloud?!?

60. Ah yes, a cold Corona equals Summer.


*to be continued*
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  #3  
Old Posted Oct 11, 2014, 3:58 PM
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Danny Danny is offline
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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.
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Old Posted Oct 12, 2014, 1:24 AM
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ColDayMan ColDayMan is offline
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Nice!
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  #5  
Old Posted Oct 14, 2014, 2:38 AM
phil marion phil marion is offline
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Nice tour - excellent variety of shots
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  #6  
Old Posted Oct 17, 2014, 9:02 PM
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AJW AJW is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny View Post
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.
I can assure you that all the Frisian Islands are beautiful. Not quite as warm as sunny Spain though.

Thanks Danny, ColDayMan and Phil!

Here's the last bunch for now.

61. Reading the newspaper on a bench in Hollum.

62. These were not my own.

63. An abandoned swimming pool in Nes: Tropica Ambla.

64. Winter.

65. Another sunset; hope you're not getting bored with these.

66. Path to the Oerblinkert, highest dune on Ameland.

67. A lone seagull adds to the drama.

68. Love the sun.

69. The Roosduinen ('Rose Dunes') between Nes and Ballum feature a couple of wild horses and lots of space.

70. When visiting Holland, one should try this delicacy: bitterballen.

71. Walk into the sunset.

72. From the top of the Oerdblinkert.

73. Contemplation.

74. Another favorite: Duvel ('Devil'). Can give you hell to pay the next day.

75. Drilling for oil and gas on the North Sea.

76. Small house in Nes. The owner recognised his home on Flickr and apparently owns a photography shop of some sorts.

77. With a 300mm lens the sun appears huge.

78. The ferry approaching the harbor of Nes.

79. Peace.

80. Do you know Calimero?

81. Stately home.

82. 200.

83. Wave upon wave upon wave. It really never stops. Like a ring road around a big city.

84. This is Holland, so there are windmills. This one in Hollum is called Welvaart, or 'Prosperity'.

85. This one is called Phenix.

86. The beach is never far away.

87. Love locks! Just the one, but still. In the bokeh the Tropica Ambla again.

88. Downtown Nes on a dreary day.

89. Enjoying the view in Buren.

90. That's it for now.


*Fin*

Last edited by AJW; Oct 17, 2014 at 9:24 PM.
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