A giant guard against the sea

It was late in the afternoon when we visited the Hondsbossche Zeewering. It is a high and barren dike in the province of Noord Holland (North Holland), just south of the little village of Petten. A guard against the sea that casted a large shadow into the polder.

The dunes here were narrow and for centuries people tried to enforce them. But on several occasions the sea broke through. Finally in 1880 the existing sandy dike was made stronger and in 1981 it finally was brought to Delta height; that is 11,5 meters above sea level. In Holland sea level is called New Amsterdam Level or NAP (Nieuw Amsterdams Peil).

It is a windy place. Especially “out of season”.  But look at the beautiful geometric pavement of the upper part facing the sea. Or this line of wooden poles going on for ever between the blocks of basalt.

Standing on top you can see the difference between the water level of the sea and the water level of the wildlife sanctuary “De Putten” in the polder. The name “De Putten” refers to the holes that were left when digging out the clay for the dyke.

We stood there looking at this giant; our shadows becoming part of the scenery.

 See for larger pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/47357125@N08/