A village reborn

The Dutch coast is an all season playground from sunbathing to storm watching, from paddling to kite surfing, there is plenty of things to see and to do. We spent a day in Westkapelle, a charming seaside village on the western tip of Walcheren, in Zeeland. Known for its huge sandy beaches, majestic sea dike, and iconic lighthouse, it’s a favourite destination for those seeking peace, nature, and sea air.

But there is a dark side to it. In 1944, Westkapelle was struck by tragedy when the dike was bombed during the Battle of the Scheldt, flooding the land to liberate it from occupation. However, the resilient community rebuilt their village brick by brick, and today, that spirit of strength still defines Westkapelle.

After this sobering experience we needed some distraction in form of food and drinks.

Our final day promised to be a stormy one. The wind had picked up at midnight and we woke up to unruly waters. Chairs from the restaurant on the ground floor were strewn across the patio. Deck covers from sailing boats were ripped apart as were the flags in the harbour.

So we went to see how the North Sea is coping. I love watching the waves crashing against the shore. 

We had the best of times.

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