A Beach in October
Words by Dalene Heck / Photograph by Pete Heck
I didn’t know much about the Netherlands before I got there. I knew of windmills, wooden shoes and canals. The only Dutch word in my vocabulary was bloemkool (it means “cauliflower”…don’t ask me why I know that).
One thing that I definitely never associated with the Netherlands was beautiful beaches. Truth is that along it’s North Sea coastline, miles of golden sand are welcoming, even if the water is not (cannot believe how some people can stand to swim in it! So cold!)
On the unseasonably warm October day that we visited Zandvoort (just outside of Haarlem), it was full of people, which did turn us off at first. But we pulled out our blanket and sat for hours anyway, surprised that such a crowd could produce no more sound than a dull murmur. Perhaps we are too used to loud music, boisterous beach vendors and drunk North Americans that plague other beaches we’ve been to. Rather than drown it all out with my head phones plugged in, I enjoyed the quiet arrival of waves on shore, the gentle laughter of kids, and eavesdropping on conversations, trying to pick out recognizable words in a stream of foreign chatter.
Pete, on the other hand, enjoyed other things.
Looks like folks in the Netherlands know how to maximize good weather days.
I do love beaches in N. Amer. during October and March. You can still sun bath at many of them because while mornings and evenings are cool, the afternoons are often warm but less crowded as most don’t consider this or are back at work/school.
“Maximize!” Yes! 🙂
I have lived near the ocean most of my life…and it’s always cold!! As a kid I didn’t care but as I got older I was just like the adults in that picture…happy to stay on the beach!!
I love running and diving into the ocean as a way to get refreshed, but it was just too damn cold! Felt good to be by the ocean though…as someone who most definitely did not grow up near the ocean, I am forever drawn to it…
i had no idea either dalene! and i have two close friends from the netherlands! warm beaches are a relatively new thing in my life (grew up on the coasts, but water’s not as warm as say, thailand!) but i think i’m spoiled now too! thanks for the tip! and ahem, sure pete! lol
Haha, yeah, Pete had an EYEFUL while we were there. 🙂
Hahah, “taking a picture of the toy”… I’ve heard that one before. 😉
Oh yeah, he had the “I’m totally innocent” routine down pat, like he had rehearsed it in his head all day… 🙂
Why would you know the word for cauliflower…
I can’t tell you. I’d be violating several laws if I did.
If the toy were placed just a liiiittle further to the right…that’d be an epic shot
I was too distracted to think of composition 🙂 but you’re right
I don’t believe him 🙂
sssshhhhhh 🙂
How lovely! It’s always nice to get some unexpected sun and warm weather. I had some beach early October in Rostock, Germany which is also on the Baltic Sea – and I think the beach was just as liberal too 😉
– Lily
We never expected beach and sun like that on the Baltic. A nice bonus for sure
He meant to say Toys with an “s”.
Ha! yes.
Yikes! That is a crowded beach! That sensored photo is hilarious. 🙂
all I have to say is hahaha Pete
BUSTED!! Haha…
Wow – all those folks on the beach wasn’t what came to mind when I thought “Netherlands beach in October”!
I don’t like censored posts… Hahaha 😉
Sorry mate, it was Dalene’s idea 😉
Will there be an uncensored version some day? Hahaha
Haha – yeah, Pete’s considering a new “niche” site… nakedbeachphotos.com…. 🙂
I’m sure you would get some good support for that… 🙂
Zaandvoort is such a wonderful beach. It is understandable that travelers are unaware of it. We had such fun there.
Cheers Sharon…