The pleasure of the rain

In this magnificent sleeping spot in the dunes, you can’t help but sleep fantastically. What a place and how zen I feel. And with the rain? Well, if you have shelter, that’s actually quite a nice sound. It’s also beautiful to watch. It’s breathtaking, even though it has been raining all morning and I can only vaguely see the trees across the way through the curtain of rain.

The better rain

Today it seems like I have accepted it. Embrace the suck! I put on my rain gear and head into the wetness without much complaint. It helps that this is the ‘better’ rain. You get soaked, but the wind doesn’t blow through all the cracks and gaps. Moreover, the temperature is just right: I am not sweating, which keeps me dry from the inside.

This is what I came for

So I walk, with the soft patter of rain on my hood, through the most beautiful dune landscapes. This is what I came for! Although it’s much heavier walking, with loose sand, stairs, and constantly going up and down, I am enjoying every moment. What a special part of the world.

My sea

And then it is there… The North Sea. I see it looming from the top of a dune. Suddenly I realize that the Netherlands lies on the south side of this water. I never thought about it like that before. I feel the wind in my hair. My cap can come off. My poncho off. It’s dry!

Hunger pangs

Due to the challenging route, I have become quite hungry. I’m on the verge of hunger pangs, but fortunately, I recognize that in time nowadays. At a table, I make scrambled eggs with tomato and cheese on brown bread. A meal fit for the gods. The sun, even though it’s still a bit chilly, on my face. Man, how I enjoy.

Hammock sleepers

The rest of the day is also wonderfully beautiful. I hardly encounter any people until I reach my shelter. There are all sorts of things lying around, but there are also hammocks hanging between the trees. A couple is sitting by the fire. They call out that I can use the shelter; they are sleeping suspended among the greenery. I’m lucky again.

Door closed, eyes shut

Moreover, this shelter can be partially closed off with a sliding door. It is surprisingly dark inside. Later, I understand why: you can see directly inside from the path. This way, you still have a bit of privacy.

Overnight stay: Tranum