September 2018, one of the bastards hiked the Grande Randonnée 20 in Corsica. Or, as the French say, la GR-vingt. The GR20 is considered Europe’s toughest long-distance trail. And one of the most dangerous, as it turned out. The bastard wanted to experience the similarities of hiking trails that cover territories of Europe’s autochthonous minorities.Continue reading “Support for the Corsican Cause in Jeopardy — Hiking the GR20”
Category Archives: landscape
Bil: A Wasteland of Non-Integrated Migrants?
This is the story of the land reclaimed from the former Middelzee — a shallow inland sea that once split the present-day province of Friesland in two, separating the ancient pagus Westrachia (modern district Westergo) from pagus Austrachia (modern district Oostergo). The name Middelzee literally means ‘middle sea.’ Closing this watery rift took centuries. ThroughContinue reading “Bil: A Wasteland of Non-Integrated Migrants?”
Know Where to Find Your Sweet Potato, and the Cradle of Home Nursing Too
We retrace our steps to the sixteenth century, a time when the potato was still an exotic newcomer. Today, children grow up on pasta, pizza, burgers, shawarma, sushi, mountains of noodles, and fried rice. That is why, when you serve them plain boiled potatoes for supper — once in a while, with a pinch ofContinue reading “Know Where to Find Your Sweet Potato, and the Cradle of Home Nursing Too”
Another Brick in the Wall. A Love-Hate Relationship
Who has not dined at least once in an ’80s Chinese restaurant that carried the name 万里长城 (‘Great Wall of China’)? Certainly, you have been at least once at one of these restaurants for take-away, with the white plastic boxes wrapped in paper sheets, with prawn crackers and a small cup of sambal sauce (‘chiliContinue reading “Another Brick in the Wall. A Love-Hate Relationship”
Refuge on a Terp 2.0. Waiting to Be Liberated
August 21, 1930, Wieringermeer in the province of Noord Holland. The reclamation of just another piece of the Zuiderzee ‘southern sea’ was completed. A wooded area, when it was still land, that was called Creilerwoud. Land lost to the sea eight centuries ago during the most destructive All Saints’ Flood in the year 1170. TheContinue reading “Refuge on a Terp 2.0. Waiting to Be Liberated”
Half a Million Deaths. A Forgotten North Sea Disaster…
Did you know that between 328,770 and 502,190 people lost their lives around the North Sea? On the flip side: millions of possible casualties have been prevented successfully. For now at least… Half a million casualties is a lot. How could we forget about such a huge number? Did nobody notice? Did nobody mention? ItContinue reading “Half a Million Deaths. A Forgotten North Sea Disaster…”
Racing on the Wadden Sea with a Silt Sled
The mudflats of the Wadden Sea seem endless. But what do you do with them? How do you give meaning to mud? Sure, one cubic meter of mudflat holds millions of diatoms, thousands of small crabs, mussels, snails, and worms. For birds, all this frutti di mare is like ordering à la carte. Birds areContinue reading “Racing on the Wadden Sea with a Silt Sled”
In Debt to the Beastly Westfrisians
This blog post is about the town of Medemblik — the grande dame of the Westfriesland region in the province of Noord Holland in the Netherlands. A place steeped in legend, said by some to have been the seat of the heathen King Radbod. But more than myths, Medemblik stands at the heart of aContinue reading “In Debt to the Beastly Westfrisians”
Did You Dance With the Blue Light, Yet?
Want some magic while walking the Frisia Coast Trail? If you happen to walk the beach at night, expect the unexpected. Sure, you might see some elves and trolls, but we talk about a mesmerizing blue light in sea… following your footsteps. Spooky? No, it is magical! And, great fun! It is called Sea Sparkle.Continue reading “Did You Dance With the Blue Light, Yet?”
Escher’s Home, Land of Confusion
“Dude, take a deep breath and really look at the landscape below. Don’t panic — you’re not alone, and the world isn’t empty. Exhale slowly… let the smoke drift.” “Take another sigh and now look at the landscape of the piece below. Feeling better already? You see what I mean, brother? And hey — niceContinue reading “Escher’s Home, Land of Confusion”
Frisia Coast Trail 