We left Lauwersoog early, under a heavily overcast, grey sky. We soon realised it was not going to be a quiet crossing. There was a lot of wind and the ship was pounding heavily on the water. To avoid seasickness, we stayed on deck - fresh air, looking straight ahead and hoping for calmer waters.
Despite the turbulent start, we persevered, and it was rewarded. As we approached the sandbar, it seemed as if nature was cooperating with us. The sky slowly broke open and suddenly the sun broke through, bright and clear. The contrast with the grey, choppy crossing could not have been greater.
Once on Engelsmanplaat, we were surrounded by peace, space and light. The sun made the mudflats shine, the sand was warm and dry under our feet, and in the distance stood the small watchman's house - like a beacon of silence in the middle of this vast plain.
The photo we took there captures that special moment: the cottage, the light, and the feeling of arriving at a place that seemed momentarily detached from the world.
My name is Peter Kuipers and I live in the province of Groningen.
In addition to being a teacher in primary education, I like to take pictures of nature in my spare hours.
I mainly do landscape photography and I am mainly active in the north of the Netherlands...
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