Slow?

Was this perhaps a slow news day? Nope, I just didn't manage to get the challenge, so you get a cute picture of a duckling instead.

After our late night getting into the Hague and getting all sorted with beds and things the night before, we took it easy for the morning. I fixed (or improved at least) Bridget's computer, we waffled around doing things and stuff, then ambled out to do some shopping before heading to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. It was simply wonderful, Very very peaceful, with so many different varieties of tulips and other flowers. We wandered along the paths, admiring the flowers, stopping to take photos, surrounded by wheelchair bound pensioners and holidaying retirees. We stopped for a cup of tea, ate some chocolate, and wandered a little more. By the end all our worries and cares had been soothed by the flowers. Ahhhhhh.

By this stage we were all hungry and fading fast. Emergency dinner was required, so we rushed back to Bridget's via the supermarket to combine tortellini and stir through sauce for a quick and delicious dinner. Then it was out again, before we lost any motivation.

We hopped on the tram and went out to Scheveningen, with Bridget pointing out crucial Hague sites on the way, and me 'practising' my Dutch by copying the intercom announcing each stop. Still couldn't get the hang on saying the name of the place we ended up in though. Since we obviously hadn't had enough exercise over the past few days (lolz) we thought it would be good to have a nice beach walk, but Bridget had also read that there were some WW2 fortifications still in place along the dunes.

Rarely have I ever been to such an atmospheric beach - it was almost deserted as dusk was falling, with only the wind for company. And there was a mighty breeze blowing along the sands, whisking them up and around, holding us up and trying hard to stop us walking any further. We passed only an occasional jogger or dog-walker. As we walked down to the sand the first thing to greet us was the sound of dozens of ropes ringing out on the masts of beached sailboats. As the sky was darkening the song was truly eerie, echoing through the wind. And then as we walked further we spotted the bunkers, dark concrete caverns rising out of the pale sands.

It was a day of contrasts, full of bright colourful peace and dark violence, and by the time we finished walking the light had completely faded. The song of the sailboats rang through the night as we left the beach to its empty winds and desolation.