Netherlands northbound 🇳🇱
Sven Walther
Obelink
A new motorhome needs to be equipped – and among campers it’s well known that you can get everything at Obelink. We had never been there before, so it was about time – and that was the initial reason for heading to the Netherlands.
For those who have never been there: imagine a huge IKEA (including fixed walking routes and a restaurant) but with everything for camping – and I really mean everything!
Parking lot Obelink
After a few hours, equipped with some accessories here and there, it was enough, and we were glad that we had picked a small farm campsite.
Lou on tractor
Lou on tractor
So we found ourselves surrounded by greenery in Zieuwent, able to recover from the bustle.
Farm campsite
Between the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer
Our next stop was on the Houtribdijk, which separates the Markermeer from the IJsselmeer. Right behind us was the large lock system, right in front of us the local beach for surfers – we stayed a few days here and enjoyed the atmosphere.
View over Markermeer
Workspace at Markermeer
Workspace at Markermeer
Campsite at Markermeer
View of surfers
View of lock
On the other side of the lock (within walking distance) at Lelystad was a shopping center, offering everything from candy to good local fries – and for dessert Poffertjes. That same weekend in Amsterdam there was the big harbor festival – unfortunately we missed it, but many ships passed through “our” lock on their way to Amsterdam.
Ship near Lelystad
Ship near Lelystad
Ship near Lelystad
Ice cream in Lelystad
The local art was at times quite interesting – from heads with a man on top to a crouching man (most people see the “crouching” differently, and locally he is more often called the “Shitting Man”).
Art…
Jachthaven Andijk
A last stop before our northernmost destination was a marina directly on the IJsselmeer – in fact, we are realizing more and more that marinas and expedition vehicles are quite a typical combination – the interior construction of boats and expedition vehicles has a lot in common, especially when it comes to built-in technology (electricity, water, etc.).
Pier with flowers
Lou on pier
Evening mood at marina
In the dunes of Texel
And now for the northernmost turnaround point – we had always wanted to camp in the dunes, so after some research (dogs allowed? suitable pitch size?) I found the campsite De Robbenjager on Texel.
Campsite on Texel
To be honest, I had picked it without realizing it was actually on an island. So we quickly booked a ferry and crossed the sea.
Ferry access
The campsite is really great – I can highly recommend it. You walk straight over the dunes to the beach, you can rent bikes, etc. It is, however, on the pricier side – but if you usually stay very cheaply or even free of charge, you can make an exception once in a while.
View from roof into dunes
View from roof to lighthouse
The motorbikes are ready
Cheeky birds running around the site
Workspace on Texel
We are standing in the dunes – really right by the reeds…
We had wonderful beach walks, rode the motorcycles all around the island, and Saskia was able to join both a birding expedition and a mudflat tour.
Photo tour at the beach
Empty beach
The sea
Lou in the sea
Lou in the sea
Lou in the sea
Lighthouse from the beach
Birding
Lou in the dunes
And the saying always holds true: there’s always a bigger one – we ended up next to a Morelo Grand Empire, which first pulled a Porsche out of its rear garage.
It can get bigger