Watching horses on the beach at sunset
Island Stories #35: View from the 'Haven van Renesse'.
I spent my evening in a lovely restaurant on the beach in the island's north, called the 'Haven van Renesse,' meaning the harbor of Renesse. This one-minute video gives you an impression of the view from my table.
If you followed my 'Island Stories' this summer, you might have noted how often harbors played a role in the fortunes of cities and islands in Zeeland. Access to the sea was vital for trade and fishing, but the silting up of most ports in this large delta in the southwest of the Netherlands often ended a period of prosperity.Â
Burgh-Haamstede, where I live, is just a 15-minute bike ride from Renesse on the island's north, but it has a different atmosphere. While time seems to have stood still in my village, Renesse has seen a dynamic development due to its location within walking distance from the beach. I mentioned this village in this summer's Island Stories when I wrote about the first beach restaurant of the island in Renesse and the Victorian age bathing machines. A century later, the village is still a popular destination for tourists. It has successfully repositioned itself from a youth holiday spot to a well-developed family destination.
Most tourists walk from the village to the beach, and hardly any of them realize that this road used to be a water connection to the harbor of Renesse. But like so many other harbors of Zeeland, the natural port silted up, and maintenance became too expensive. So during the reconstruction after the Second World War, the waterway was closed, and a new road was constructed.
You follow the old waterway if you walk the Jan van Renesseweg from the village to the beach. When you cross the dunes, you see a beach restaurant called 'De Haven van Renesse' on your right hand. It is all that reminds you of the former natural port. It is one of the best places to have dinner on the island (also for vegetarians), and you will never forget the view of watching the sunset from this beautiful location.Â
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(There is no paid content in this article; I just like the restaurant and its views over the beach and wanted to share these with you).
Thank you for the beautiful Island stories, photos and videos. I really enjoy them. I hope you are able to enjoy the holidays and also get enough time to rest and recharge. Wishing you a nice Sunday, Alexander.
What a wonderful vision to wake up to this morning! Perfect for a Sunday! Those beautiful horses galloping on the beach & then returning in a leisurely stroll. But maybe thatâs a second group. The heavy clouds & waning sunlight create an end of day ambience that must have added to your dining enjoyment. The photos of the dunes & restaurant are lovely but, oh, that sunset! Spectacular with the dramatic clouds!
The details & history you add always round out the story & provide extra appeal.
Itâs marvelous! Who wouldnât fall in love with this little piece of heaven you call home!