The regular practice trajectory: Haarlem-Katwijk Preface | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Back Part II: Overveen-Zandvoort Shortly after stepping onto the Rockaertsduinweg, it makes a left turn and reaches a dead end in the gate to National Park De Kennemerduinen, where the Visscherspad, or 'fisherman's trail' starts. The Visscherspad carries that name because it used to be the route by which, before other forms of transport existed, Zandvoort fishermen used to carry their catch, in buckets, to the market in Haarlem. We shall follow this path into Zandvoort. And by and by this path gives us a taste of what is to come. Not only is this the first time that we are confronted with seemingly endless paths through the dunes; we are also, for the first time, directly put in mortal peril, by bands of cyclists, plunging downward from the dunes at speeds way too high and, though wearing brightly coloured smocks, quite unannounced because of their silence. Take good care. They will threaten us until we reach Langevelderslag. That aside, this is the first time we are confronted with a real panorama. And also, this part of the march is the first one with a difference in height: since it is from the lookout atop the dune, at one third of the path and at the highest point of the entire journey, that we experience this view, and see Zandvoort lying in the distance. But before we're there, there is a long but pleasant trek along the railroad between Haarlem and Zandvoort to undertake, with the seven slanted links of the Kennemer Golf- and Countryclub. Then, at the end of the Visscherspad, we enter the village of Zandvoort via the Sophialaan. We turn left here and walk on until we reach the next corner, there to turn right into the Kostverlorenstraat. This we follow, seemingly endlessly, by the impossible dwellings that so characterize coastal towns, until we can diagonally turn left, into the Haltestraat. There once was a Wandelsoc.-member who chose to go straight ahead here, to pass amidst the gloomy grey concrete buildings, directly onto the boulevard, but this, of course, is a moronic idea, and of the rake who did this and who, in doing so, improperly stole at least half a kilometre from a well-considered and excellent course, little has been heard for years on end now - utterly understandably and logically so, isn't it. No, much better and more pleasant to go through the Haltestraat, then right via the Raadhuis- (town hall) and Kerk- (church) squares and the Kerkstraat to the Badhuisplein, whilst inhaling the unique holiday shopping atmosphere that makes Zandvoort, like it does the entire coastline of the Baltic, a place so beloved with our eastern neighbours. What relief to then be able to slump into the wicker chairs on the terrace of the Strand- (beach) cafe, an icetea in hand, letting the cry of the gulls, the hiss of the surf and the parading of tourists sink in. In cold weather, do be wary of the piercing wind on the sweaty body: the Strandcafe also offers an excellent inside, and we have a long way to go yet. On to Part III | Back to Part I