This year, we tried to go with four people. Last year unfortunately 1 of our party got sick and so in the end René and me went alone, but this year we went all: René, me, Tina and Matthes. Hooray!!!
Our trip there did take slightly longer than planned: 7.5 hours (inluding getting the two from their city). We had actually reckoned around 5 hours. But it is summer and everybody wants to go to the beach, especially a lot of folks from Germany, because our beach is far away and not always available.
We arrived at around 9.30 pm at Westkapelle, a small town in a corner of Zeeland where the river Schelde meets the North Sea.
After arriving at around 9.30 pm we dropped our stuff at the apartment and immediately went to a restaurant to get some food before dropping into our beds.
The next morning we took a long time to make breakfast, waiting for Matthes who went running for over an hour and then eating scambled eggs and sandwiches. At noon we were all good an ready to go on a small trip so we chose Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland. As a friend of mine and her family live there (but unfortunately were not at home at the time we were there) I know the city a little bit and knew where to park.
We took a walk around the center, passing by the remarkable old town hall and de Lange Jan, a high tower, and of course a few decoration shops, which at least Tina and me enjoyed a lot. I bought a very cute teddy bear for René that looks a bit like him.
After a few hours, a meal next to town hall (can't recommend the café, sorry) and an ice-cream we drove back to our apartment and went to the beach, 200 metres from the house and walked along the shore for a bit.
The next midday (again - we had a late breakfast) we wanted to rent bikes nearby but had to ask two rentals. The first one was already "sold-out". We made a trip to Domburg, another small town which was packed with tourists, but anyway we had a great trip next to the sea on the dike and then ate at the most designed café I have seen in a while, the beautiful Roost bij Juuls. The food was sooo great as well! René had a chorizo burger, oh wow! And Tina and me took a goat cheese salad. The cheese was melting like ice cream...! You can also take a room at Roost bij Juuls, I had a look at the rooms, my God, on my next trip I need to sleep there, it is sooo beautifully decorated.
After lunch we rode on towards Domburg's castle, another great stay, as they have a youth hostel inside: Kasteel Westhove. From there we went to the beach. Not too many people were there and the dunes are great. I enjoyed the sea by poking a toe inside, the other three were braver and went for a swim.
When riding back our bikes I took another route, but had to stop at a corner to make sure we went the right way. So I looked on google maps on my phone. A group of people passed by and an elder man said: pokemons are straight ahead. I don't hunt for pokemons and so retorted: No pokemon, I want to find my way home - and everybody laughed heartily.
My saddle tortured me all the way we were riding the bikes: for approx. 22.5 km. After the ride I was actually saddle sore. This saying probably comes from a horse riding saddle, but I promise you, a bike can do the same to you...
Anyway we prepared a dinner: potatoes, vegetables and eggs and then again went to bed early. Fresh sea air makes you tired indeed.
After check out the next morning we put our things into my small car and then went to the beach again, played Kubb (an old viking game) and enjoyed sun and sea for as long as we could before driving to another small town, a really cute one though, with a huuuuuge church: Veere. There are lots of small houses, neat gardens with roses, small shops and a lot of sailing boats. We had lunch (with Dutch bitterballen) and another ice-cream before driving back home over the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier that should prevent Zeeland to be flooded again. After all most parts are below sea level or just 1 meter above it.
The way back took us over 5 hours this time. But anyway, it was a great trip and felt like a week at least!
