Two Frisian Bastards
Wut? Did you just call yourselves bastards? Yes, we did. Because that is the best summary for this hike, the Frisia Coast Trail. And the title Frisii soli spes decusque (‘hope and glory of Frisian soil’) is already awarded to someone else anyhow.
This hike covers four countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Or in regions, Flanders, Zeeland, Holland, Friesland, Groningen, Ostfriesland, Land Wursten-Cuxhaven, Dithmarschen, Nordfriesland and Jutland. This stretch of Europe always has been a rough and dangerous place to live. Land and sea have been rolling dices for ages. Lakes emerged, rivers changed course, islands walk in the sea, dunes vanish to emerge somewhere else, man-made villages washed away overnight, dikes were breached by the wild sea.
Living low, at sea level is not easy. Certainly not when sea levels have a tendency to drop and rise over time. She is such a diva.
This hike will bring 2,000 years of coastal history in 1,000 miles. Trust us, not one century this landscape has been the same. In that period many people settled in this rough coastal area. Others were just passing by, e.g. the Cannifates, the Batavians, the Chauci, the Angles, the Old Saxons, the Jutes, the Geats, the Romans, the Salian Franks, the Vikings, the French, the Spanish, the Germans etc etc.
Oh yes, and the Frisians. Some Frisians moved on to Belgium and England. Others stayed in this stretch of coastline and mingled with the ones passing by. Since the two of us are part of the stayers, we are genuine bastards, having drops of blood from all of the peoples named above.
A taste of some hiking stories and encounters:
- Corsica: Presence of mind to ask the right question
- Corsica: Frisian support for the Corsican Cause in jeopardy
- Friesland: Expelled from regal grounds
- Wales: Croeso i Gerddwyr
- Groningen: A Wadden Sea Guide and His Twelve Disciples
- Groningen: More Flying Dutchmen
- Scotland: “My God, the Germans bought all the bread!” cried Moira
Who is who?
Frans Riemersma
Hikes, paints and writes. Marketing Technologist and founder Boardview. His late grandfather’s desk is his Fleet Command. From Amsterdam he steers the world.
Hans Faber
Hikes, reads and writes. Works by accident as a civil servant in The Hague. “Tries not to die during the many sessions in boring meeting rooms” (Japke-d Douma).
Frisia Coast Trail 