My first visit to Zeeland by bike and another astounding adventure. My expectations were trumped by the wonderful villages and views. Across the Zuid-Holland islands of Voorne and Goeree Overflakkee, and the Zeeland island of Schouwen-Duiveland there is a clear theme but still some big contrasts. For instance between the massive scale of the Delta Works and the protected idylls of the hamlets. Large scale crop fields against sandy dune landscapes. The energy across the Haringvliet is one of introspection. I am sure to visit again! 😺
In front of Rotterdam Central Station. To the right the Groothandelsgebouw. Cycling infrastructure in and around Rotterdam is among the best in the Netherlands. Better I think than in Utrecht and Amsterdam, cities that pride themselves on being cyclist friendly. In Vlaardingen: Stoombierbrouwerij = steam brewery. The ferry across the Scheur from Maassluis to Rozenburg. There are two villages in the Netherlands with this name that translates as ‘rose castle’. This one, surrounded by the Rotterdam harbour. The other one, completely encapsulated by Schiphol. The Scheur starts in Vlaardingen where the Oude Maas flows into the Nieuwe Maas. The Nieuwe Maas is not part of the Meuse: it is in fact part of the Rhine. The Oude Maas is indeed a previous stream bed for the Meuse, but it is now a distributary of the Merwede and the Waal: the main Rhine stream in the Netherlands. Construction east of Rozenburg for the Maasdeltatunnel under the Scheur. There seems to be a dispute on which river this region is connected to. Some people prefer the Meuse—Nieuwe Maas, Maassluis, Maasdelta—, while other correctly refer to the region as ‘Rijnmond’ (Rhine estuary). See the previous photo caption. The Caland lift bridge. The row of pillars is a wind wall to protect ships passing under the bridge from the wind. The protection enables a narrower passage. Crossing the Caland bridge. The Dorpskerk in Oostvoorne. A former church in Rockanje. The Annabos from the Schapengorsedijk (1/2). The Annabos from the Schapengorsedijk (2/2). Crossing the Haringvlietdam. The Haringvliet was an inlet of the North Sea before this dam was built in 1970. The picturesque village of Goedereede. The Spui canal in Goedereede. Goedereede from the West. Crossing the Brouwersdam. Notice the many kitesurfers over the sea. The Brouwersdam closed off the Brouwershavense Gat from the sea in 1971 and created the Grevelingenmeer. Scharendijke. On the dyke between the Grevelingenmeer and Scharendijke (1/2). On the dyke between the Grevelingenmeer and Scharendijke (2/2). Looking across the Grevelingenmeer to the Brouwersdam. The Scharendijke marina. Looking across the Noord-Gouwe polder that has been here since 1374. Towards the Grevelingen ring dike. Waiting for the boats to pass through the Bruinisse lock in the Grevelingendam (1/2). Still waiting (2/2). The lock was open for a whole 20 minutes. A cable car was used to construct the northern part of the Grevelingendam. The cable car anchor block was retained in this monument. The Our Lady of the Ascension church in Oude-Tonge. It was designed by Joseph Cuypers.
Looking along the Haringvliet. Off on the horizon the industry of Moerdijk. The Haringvlietbrug is closed this summer for reparations. As I boarded the ferry I noticed my rear tire was flat. It had been punctured by a tiny sharp piece of stone. On the other side. I enjoyed the good weather while replacing my inner tube. All rooftops along this road in Numansdorp were occupied by strings of birds. Yes, I did say ‘strings’, but they did not wait for me to take their picture. What a relief! I will fit through. This entry for the Heinenoord bike tunnel under the Oude Maas is reached by taking an escalator or a lift. Only later I discovered the normal tunnel is also allowed for bikes, so I could have included some free climbing. What a miss! The famous windmills at Kinderdijk. From certain viewpoints it looks like there are mills in every direction. It’s like being at a windmill factory. There is a perfect cycling path on the Kinderdijk. Road construction in Polsbroekerdam.
