Vlieland, Part 2

Interesting algae formations by the dinghy dock

Yesterday (Sunday, May 31) around 3 p.m., we dinghied to the yacht haven, disposed of our trash and recycling, and walked to the only town on the island, Oost-Vlieland. There used to be another town, West-Vlieland, but it was lost to the sea in 1736. We had lunch in the village; Peter's chicken dish was colorful and beautifully presented while my two cylindrical vegetarian croquettes sat on two fat pieces of white bread. The filling seemed to be mostly pureed mushrooms. Oh, well, at least there was a vegetarian option. To make up for the lack of protein in my meal, we stopped for ice cream afterwards. (For those of you who have been to the Scottish Highlands Creamery in Oxford, Maryland, you will understand when we say we have not found anything to compare in our travels so far.) 

Peter on the main street in Oost-Vlieland

We walked west from the village partway along the southern shore of the island, where there were a few fields with horses. We spotted just two and then a whole gaggle of barnacle geese in the pastures. This is a species we had not observed before.

Pasture land west of Oost-Vlieland

Barnacle geese

Including the walk from and back to the marina, we traversed about five miles on our walk, mostly through forest with views of large meadows with bogs, some of which still have spring flowers blooming. It was a gentle, slow walk on well-maintained trails. Once we left the shore of the Wadden Sea, we encountered only one other person on the path. We enjoyed the tranquility while listening to bird songs and calls. Peter first noticed the distinctive call of a cuckoo. We followed it and waited patiently for ten minutes or more for a view of it, but, like the other birds such as the Eurasian blackbird, the meadow pipit, and the common chaffinch, it was well-camouflaged among the large-coned tall pines and deciduous trees. We did spot a lot of butterflies, however.

Red admiral alit on black cherry blossoms

We happened upon a lily pond just off the path as we were heading east toward the marina, with the lilies and irises providing a contrast to the shades of green of the forest. We spotted some black and white goats near the lighthouse, which is situated on the island's highest point at 42 meters (138 ft.).

Water lilies

Billy goat

Irises by the lily pond

Vlieland's lighthouse

Although it may not have been necessary, we wore our hiking boots instead of our sandals for our excursion, and my feet were tired of being confined by the time we arrived back at the marina. My flip-flops were a welcome relief!

On the boat, after a dinner of leftovers, Peter worked on charting routes while I read. Sunset came around 10 p.m., and Peter pulled out the conch hour to greet the night (which, in these latitudes, does not actually occur until a couple hours later). Then we went to bed. We sleep so well with the gentle rocking of boat. 

Peter greeting the sunset over Vlieland

This morning, a trawler passed close by us. As it gathered its catch while motoring in parallel lines, the crew cleaned it, which resulted in a following of a couple hundred gulls, squawking loudly.

Trawler and gulls

We are ready to head for Ameland, our next destination in the West Frisian Islands.