Photographer's Note
‘Wenduine - House in the dunes’
I continue with some pictures I took about a month ago on the Belgian coast.
Probably people from other countries, especially from warmer countries, will find it strange when I write that the coast in Belgium is very touristy.
However, it is. Of course, the tourist season doesn’t last as long as it does in Mediterranean countries.
Moreover, even in the summer months there are days when it rains.
Nevertheless, every year many people spend their holidays on the Belgian coast. Sometimes for a longer period, sometimes as a day trip. They are mainly Belgians, but there are also visitors from the Netherlands, Germany and the north of France.
Belgium borders the North Sea and the length of the coastline is only 65 kilometers.
Except for a few seaports and marinas, the rest of the coast consists of sandy beaches that are up to 500 meters wide.
In the winter storms bring quite a bit of damage to the sandy beaches and in spring these beaches are repaired for the next season. Sand is brought in from the sea and breakwaters also have to be repaired.
There are about 10 seaside resorts and they all strive to have a lot of tourists in the season. There’s no lack of accommodation or dining options.
Honestly, I find these beach resorts actually ugly. This is not just my point of view.
Still, when the weather is nice, there are crowds of people who like to go there.
In summer it can be extremely busy and you will find there the kind of atmosphere I like to escape.
However, when you go to the coast in winter, it is very calm. There are fewer sleeping and dining options open, but you have the beach and dunes to yourself.
Of course, winter has less beautiful days, but March was particularly sunny and dry this year.
At that time, many hiking opportunities open up and I got a very different impression of the coast than I had in my childhood memories.
In fairness, I must emphasize that the dunes are a beautiful landscape form, but that they are quite limited in surface area.
In the past, building permits were too easily granted to build on the coast and even in the dunes. Business as usual has been the motto too often.
In my photos I avoid all the ugly construction of the seaside resorts.
My main photo shows a smaller house in the dunes where I passed.
You might prefer one of the pictures in the WS.
One photo gives a better view of the coastal landscape and the other one shows a work of art on the promenade of Wenduine.
holmertz, ikeharel, pierrefonds, Fis2, worldcitizen, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, aliabazari, jemaflor, Royaldevon, jean113, pajaran, adramad, ChrisJ marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
holmertz
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12735 W: 572 N: 24363]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(103732) 2022-04-10 8:09
Hello Paul,
Well... yes... maybe I prefer WS #2, where we get a good, long view along the beach and to the sea. The foreground is dominated by tufts of rough green/yellow grass which form a fine contrast to the blue tones of sky and sea. Looking carefully I see several groups of school kids. The other WS is a well composed photo of the statue and another good beach view. As for the main photo the building looks rather dull, in spite of the painting, but I like the nets left on the roof.
Best regards,
Gert
ikeharel
(114751) 2022-04-10 8:48
Hello Paul,
Would never imagine this is about Belgium, the sight is totally different from what always imagined about this flat-land area.
The hut with the beautiful mural is a superb "breaking the pattern" object there.
Good evening,
Ike
lousat
(140070) 2022-04-10 9:18
Hi Paul,an excellent reportage from this piece of coast, typically Atlantic scenarios that we can see from northern Europe to Senegal, 3 beautiful photos with the house in the dunes, interesting meeting of schoolchildren and some artistic work like the one you show us to place could not be missing in this area often frequented by tourists, even if you don't swim, the sea is always the sea ... Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano
pierrefonds
(115677) 2022-04-10 9:36
Bonsoir Paul,
La murale est impressionnante. La prise d evue permet de voir les détails de la maison. La qualité de la lumière embellit les couleurs de l'image. Bonne soirée.
Pierre
Tue
(93592) 2022-04-10 9:53
Hallo Paul,
Dit lage gebouwtje in de duinen heeft een mooie muurschildering aan de zijkant en ook nog wat kunst op het dak. Het wordt mooi omringd door de lage bomen en duintoppen waarachter we nog net een streepje Noordzee kunnen zien.
Lars
kasianowak
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1692 W: 9 N: 3499]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(17676) 2022-04-10 10:42
Hi Paul
Lovely set of well thought trough and well executed shots showing a cultural phenomenon that not many people outside of Benelux are aware of!
This sort of landscape brings lots of my holiday memories back, not exactly from Belgium but from your neighbouring country (namely the island of Texel). I never stayed in a resort like this but, during our numerous trips around the island, we happened upon a campsite in the dunes, with ready-made big tents (similar in shape to this house).
Thanks for sharing!
Best wishes
Kasia
Fis2
(172083) 2022-04-10 10:44
Witaj Paul!
Another set of photos.
I like House, mural and sculpture.
Interesting places.
Good framing, colors and light.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof
worldcitizen
(16234) 2022-04-10 11:45
Hello Paul,
You know I like street art, so of course this colorful mural caught my eye. :-) The woman made of clouds looks a bit like a ghost, but I like your POV looking down and the colorful nets that are on the roof. Take care!
Silvio1953
(223103) 2022-04-10 13:58
Ciao Paul, great POV on lovely house with fsntstic murale, wonderful colors, fine details, splendid sharpness and beautiful light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
PiotrF
(56188) 2022-04-10 15:30
Hello Paul,
Interesting information about the Belgian coast and great beaches. It's worth visiting this place.A good series of photos from there.
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr
COSTANTINO
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 11854 W: 23 N: 18885]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(117940) 2022-04-10 22:02
Hello my dearest friend and have
a nice day and a happy new week
thanks for the sharing
of the coast of your child hood
I like the dynamic color contrast
here and this construction
with the painted facades
welldone
regards
cOSTANTINO
ifege
(49617) 2022-04-10 22:13
Hi Paul
3 good photos from the Belgian coast. I am strictly a no resort person. I think I prefer WS 3 with its very simple but effect beach view.
cheers
Ian
aliabazari
(23401) 2022-04-10 22:41
Hello Paul
A beautiful view of this mural. I like the forest that stretches to the shore. Clarity and lighting done well.
jemaflor
(148368) 2022-04-10 23:09
Salut Paul,
Bien prise cette construction parmi ce paysage de dunes, belle lumière avec cet ensoleillement, intéressante décoration murale avec cette fresque entre visage et paysage, belles teintes.
emka
(158962) 2022-04-10 23:55
Hello Paul,
You have found a beautiful house with the original graffiti, also on the roof. Fantastic discovery in the dunes.
Best regards MAlgo
mkamionka
(75255) 2022-04-11 0:44
Hi Paul,
Very surprising indeed to see this hut in the middle of the wild nature. Nice colorful graffiti. I suppose tourists prefer warm destinations on average but it does not mean you cannot go for a small local trip to the nearest coast near from where you live. So taking into account the density of population in Belgium, I am not surprised that and place really is very busy there in the season.
In regard to the distances. I have been spoiled by America when it happened sometimes that I was driving 9 hours to see something. To be honest though California was so rich in attractions that within 1 hour I had amazing sights to visit. Within 2 hours even more impressive landscapes of a national park. 8-9 hours took me to get to Grand Canyon which also was worth it -taking into account how many people dream about seeing it.
So I think it is not so much about a distance itself but rather cost-benefit ratio. I am happy to drive further if I can see something respectively more beautiful or impressive.
Another aspect is that for a one day trip I usually try not to drive more than 2 hours one way. I did once for example the drive from Miami to Key West which took 4 hours there and on the same day 4 hours back, but that was special. 2 hours one way is usually a limit for me unless it is something really important...
M
Royaldevon
(86564) 2022-04-11 7:00
Hello Paul,
I would have struggled to chose a favourite from your posts for they are all beautiful, different in content but all depicting how beneficial it is to see the seaside in winter!
I cannot imagine anyone painting this fine mural but, having done so, it is very effective. (Are there paintings or tassels on the roof?)
The view of the dunes in your w/s is beautifully composed as is the art work. (I would love to own that!)
My warm regards,
Bev :-)
jean113
(28349) 2022-04-11 11:02
Hello Paul, I like all three pictures yet for different reasons.
The mural here is an imaginative and well executed piece of painting; I like the way that the painting continues even on the wall that stands out.
The picture of the dunes and the broad beach gives us a good impression of this part of the coast.
I enjoyed reading your notes.
Kind regards, Jean.
adramad
(73498) 2022-04-12 11:15
Hello Paul.
A simple house but with these beautiful paintings on its facade it is charming, well surrounded by a tangle of bushes, I love in the WS the photo of the dunes that gives a beautiful range of colors with the sea, the sand and the color of the grasses shaken by the wind, as for the sculpture it seems beautiful and original, looking great with the vision of the beach and the North Sea behind.
Beautiful compositions, great color, light and sharpness.
Very well done. I like it
Have a nice day.
Luis.
ChrisJ
(172442) 2022-04-14 8:02
Hallo Paul
I like the mural on the wall of the sea woman spirit in the clouds overlooking the dunes & sea from on high. A superb downward pov with excellent sharpness. Tfs!
Discussions
- To kasianowak: Texel (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2022-04-10 12:00 - To Royaldevon: The roof (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2022-04-11 09:48
