Den Helder, North Holland, Netherlands

Den Helder Dijk, Northern most tip of North Holland

This Sunday we had the opportunity to partake in another race! This time in Den Helder, located right at the tip of North Holland. We knew it wasn't going to be an easy race as it was in fact, going to be the longest run we've ever done! 

It certainly was going to be a test but we held hope that all the training would pay off.

The night before, Kara was under the weather with an upset stomach so it was with nervous anticipation and probably close to four bathroom visits we left home early on Sunday!

The drive north was pleasant, we passed hundreds of wind turbines, strange pyramid-shaped houses and acres of gorgeous coloured tulip fields. We arrived in time to grab a coffee and do a quick warm up around the harbor. It was turning out to be a glorious day with low wind and barely a cloud in the sky. 

Like sardines in a can at the starting line

Warming up along the marina

When the starting gun went off, we were ready! Squished between other competitors we attempted a high five and let ourselves surge forward in the wave of warm, excited bodies. The start is always tough but living in a land of giants we also had to watch out for elbows which seem to be at eye level. The course, which was 13.7 kilometres long, wound around the small city and then looped north up towards the sea. It was hot going as the sun beat down on us but like the rest of the country, the race was flat and the scenery beautiful.

Here comes Kara

John taking a lead

We both finished the race and felt so proud of ourselves! With energy left from who knows where, we washed up, changed and went off exploring the small city of Den Helder.

Kara made it!!!!

John with his medal! 

Den Helder was once a tiny hamlet, not even a village until the mid 1700’s when it was decided that the peninsula it was built on would make a very good harbour. It subsequently became a base for the Royal Dutch Navy (who still make up a large part of the small city). 

It's not Dutch without the canals!

The city water tank built in 1910

Due to its strategic location, during the Dutch Golden Age, ships would be assembled near Den Helder and sail from there to the world's oceans. However at the end of the 18th century, an English and Russian army attacked Den Helder and captured the Dutch naval fleet. They recovered but shortly after, on a freezing January evening in 1795 they were attacked again. 

Canals in the city

The historic 'Capture of the Dutch fleet at Den Helder' occurred after an extraordinary charge across the frozen Zuiderzee that particularly cold winter, this time the French captured 14 Dutch ships and 850 guns. 

This capture of ships by horsemen was a unique feat in military history but ultimately led to more fighting and the development of a fortified navel base. 

The Zuidzee, North Holland

Although seen as a defendable naval base, the waters around Den Helder were not the best for sailing. In fact the current was so strong between Den Helder and the neighbouring island of Marsdiep that a large number of their ships foundered and were lost. 

It's believed that the city received its name from these currents and that the area was initially called Helledore (which translates as Hells Door) this evolved onto Helsdeur and then into today's Helder.

Nevertheless, Den Helder became a well known port for both naval and merchant sailors alike.  Merchant ships would sail in convoy from there to trade in the far reaches of the earth. 

The houses were very cute

Lange Jaap lighthouse

We drove happily through the town, until we reached the tall fiery red Lange Jaap (long James) lighthouse. Constructed at the end of the 19th century to aid ships' safety, it's one of the tallest active traditional lighthouses in the world at 65.45m (and the tallest in Europe).

View from Fort Kijkduin over Den Helder

From here we trampled around the large dijk enjoying the salty sea air which seems so rare in the northern hemisphere (not because there's less sea but the sea doesn't seem to 'smell'). Around the lighthouse is the original settlement (the old hamlet) of Den Helder and we went off exploring the Fort Kijkduin which was built in 1811.

A yummy dutch Kroket for lunch

Original city church

Taking home the bling! 

After that we drove back to the main part of town grabbed some late lunch and begun to make our way back. Den Helder was a great place for a run but without the race (and a strong fascination in naval history) there isn't very much else to do there on a Sunday!

Tot siens,

John and Kara