The Zuiderdijk
Today, nature is filling the spot in my agenda. It is time for a walk. One filled with history. My trip will bring me from the old harbour town of Hoorn, over a beautiful old dike, and into the old town of Enkhuizen. Officially the dike is named The Zuiderdijk van Drechterland and its a part of the Westfriese Omringdijk in Noord-Holland (a province of The Netherlands). Construction work on the dike (to make it stronger) has recently been finished. I am curious to see the results. Dikes are important in The Netherlands because they have been keeping us safe from the water for many years. A dike is also a great place to escape the busy city. Let the wind blow away your everyday thoughts. Having it replaced with the serenity of nature.
Birth Country
I wake up especially early to be able to enjoy the warm orange and yellow colours of the rising sun, scratching the cold deep blue sheets of water and sky. The dike is birth country and they are particularly active during the early stages of the day. Probably looking for water or already returning from their drink. They fly around in large groups. Hundreds of bird wings scratching the morning sky but not once do they hit each other. A great spectacle. It is no wonder this area is popular with bird watchers.
Sunlight paints the surface of the sky which results in long orange stripes slowly fading into bigger clouds. Al the time the birds keep flying over my head. Looking at their early dance in the sky I am amazed how quickly the light changes and night flows into day. The suns early light is a reflective dance on the waves. They are curling around the rough stones at the shoreline. Nature awakes from its sleep. Water, trees, animals, everything comes alive.
Landmarks
Beautiful old farms with carefully maintained gardens flank the dike all along its path.
Walking the +/- 15 KM path to Enkhuizen I recognize many landmarks and walk from one to the next. I pass many farms, small harbours, windmills and light towers. The road, sometimes still messy from the construction work, curls its way along the shoreline. One curve after another till it reaches the town of Enkhuizen. There it will pass over its protective role to a larger but much younger companion, the Houtribdijk, which connects Enkhuizen with Lelystad.
What is your favourite nature spot to escape from the busy city life? Have you ever visited the Zuiderdijk or are you planning to visit it in the future? Leave your interesting responses in the comment section below.