Katwijk aan Zee

We left Amsterdam after packing up - this was probably the least favorite of our campsites, with tokens needed for showers and very close proximity of campervans - but still better than many we have been to in the UK.  We were due to experience an upgrade on our arrival at Koningshof in Rijnsburg where he had booked a super pitch - we have our own hedge round three sides and a big area to ourselves with our own electricity and water.  Anyway more of that in the following days as we are here for 5 nights.
Before arriving, we decided to visit the 'Strand' - beach and close to where we are - about 5 km is Katwijk.  I always enjoyed the beach here hidden by dunes until you crest the hill and there is the sea - we had one close to where I lived in Wassenaar, though the one thing it never seemed to disappoint with was the wind.  The Dutch coast is on the North Sea and the sea breezes are certainly bracing at times.  Though it was sunny, the wind  was typical and many were taking advantage of it - see extra of one of the few people who were para-surfing.  I have to say, this seems to be a highly skilled pursuit - holding on to a sail that is being blown pretty hard by a variable wind whilst maintaining balance on a suf board while it skates rapidly over waves and rough seas.   Others were flying kites - many of them stunt kites and one guy had one that was just a paper's width of carrying him off with it as it was fairly big.

We stuck to semi dry land and walked along the beach before opting for lunch at Het Wandveld at the back of the beach where we had a very good lunch - full breakfast, lunch and a la carte dinner menus available right there on the beach.  The Dutch are very community minded and seem to be generally conscious of their environment - there was a board at the entrance to the beach encouraging people to pick up a bag from the restaurant and to pick up any rubbish on the beach.  When we visited Albert Heijn (Supermarket), I had to pay with cash as they don't accept foreign credit cards (saving the processing fees I think), the lady asked me if I had an Albert Heijn Card for discounts, of course we don't and I explained we were on vacation.  At which point a gentleman behind us offered to use his card and we consequently received 3 Euros off our 25 Euro supermarket bill.  Leaves you with a good taste in your mouth as you see the effort people make to be friendly and to care for their surroundings.