A Forest Walk With a Difference

As it is such a glorious autumn day with clear blue skies, we're going for another walk today. I hope you're wearing comfortable shoes as it's going to be a long trek today and we're going to do some climbing too.
Just look at those toadstools, aren't they humongous? That's the under-gardener's hand BTW and his hands are not petite!
Oh look, someone has lost their trousers, a tad careless that, don't you think?
This forest doesn't look that autumn-y, does it? That's because it's mainly pine trees.Don't you just love the smell of the fresh autumn air? It always smells so nice and fresh and earthy in a forest, doesn't it?
Have you noticed that it's not all that flat over here? You always read about the Netherlands being flat as a pancake and that's true for most of my country not not all.
See? We do hills too. And just to prove that we really are in the Netherlands .......

This is a forest I love to visit. There's always so much to see and enjoy and you usually meet the kindest ....
ponies! They're wild ones but very friendly and wouldn't harm a soul.
Oh look, a watchtower, let's go up, shall we?

Just look at those views, those are great views, don't you think? Hang on while I get my camera out and take a few snaps. Right, down we go again, you first as I have no head for depths and those stairs look a bit scary. I have no problems climbing up them, but down is an entirely different matter.

Phew, we're safe on terra firma again. Which way shall we go next? Wanna climb up that hill there? Not too tired yet? OK, let's go then.
The soil is rather sandy here, isn't it? Very different from that heavy clay I garden on.And climbing up that hill is rather hard work as your feet keep sinking in that sand.
What's that? You wanna catch your breath? Come on, just a few more steps to the top. The view will be worth it, I promise you.
It is really heavy going, isn't it? But we're almost there now and there's a lovely surprise in store for you.
Can you see it yet?
Yes, that's right, it's the sea. We're in the province of Zeeland (=Sealand) where there are lovely forests, vast dune areas and wonderful, big, sandy beaches.
And you've probably guessed by now that those hills are dunes. Here we look back from the top of the dune to the forest and ..... hey, wait for us!
Shucky darn, that under-gardener with his long legs is always moving so fast. Come on, last one down is a lame duck.
Nice aren't they, those wide sandy beaches and not a soul in sight.
Oops, sorry seagull!

Right, let's go down to the water's edge, shall we? Just look at that lovely pattern the water has made in the sand here.
And these patterns have been made by something or someone else. Can you make them out?
Yes, you're right, those were made by a doggy, a human and a horse.

It's low tide right now, the water has retreated and left some nice gifts in the sand for us.
The common name of these shells is razorblades, for obvious reasons.
We've reached the water's edge. It's a very calm sea today as there is hardly any wind, usually it's more choppy.
It's nice here, don't you think? I love the sound of the sea, it's so calming.
I love shells, don't you? They are so pretty and are great for decorating and ......
are very yummy too. Bon appetite! We've deserved it after that long walk and steep climb up those dunes.
Pass me the white wine, please!
copyright 2007: Y.E.W. Heuzen

'Will you walk a little faster?' said a whiting to a snail,
'There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.'