The regular practice trajectory: Haarlem-Katwijk Preface | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Back Part III: Zandvoort-Langevelderslag Once refreshed, we continue on our way, straight ahead past the Casino, up the steps to the Boulevard Paulus Loot, and down the length of it, until we reach its end. And so we tumble from grand view to vista. Since as we leave the ever impressive panorama of the sea behind us and, halfway down the bend leftward, turn right, onto the cycle path, the vastness of the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen (the dunes that belong to the Amsterdam Water Board) undulates away at our feet. And this is where the real challenge begins. Because this path is unforgiving and endless. Fatigue will irrevocably strike here, and even in the most favourable circumstances (light cloud cover, dry, just below room temperature) this bit is arduous. Let alone in fiercely burning sunlight or in the rain. Not to mention those blasted cyclists. But we shall not give up, for how else are we to be worth a button, in Nijmegen or other nasty places? We therefore don a sturdy pair of sunglasses and move on unbendingly, from hillock to hillock, from bend to bend, past the cycle shed of the Waterboarddunes, the natural gas installation (smoking and open fire prohibited), across the provincial border of South-Holland into Hollands Duin Reserve, and on to the wooden bench that, just past the roadsplit behind the bunker wall, is our regular resting place. The satisfaction incurred when sitting down on this bench is immense... ...knowing that only three quarters of an hour's worth of walking lie between us and the Langevelderslag. And because the way back has by now become longer than the path forward, we summon the courage brought on by despair and, usually singing out of sheer misery, lay down a brisk pace, in the direction of civilization. Which we then find at the minikart rink, where one can mount and drive small bumper cars (great fun, definitely worth a try) and, having tottered past it to the right, at Beach Club Obelijs. Although its name now leads one to expect differently (until recently this establishment was named, much more justly and befittingly, 'Strandtent Obelijs' or 'Beachhaunt Obelijs'), insiders, who know this joint as 'Ome Jan', after the hospitable landlord who held sway over it for so long a time, know that this is a quality rest if ever there was one. See, it has a roofed terrace, there are great toilets, there's delicious soup, fine buttermilk and wonderful meat rolls. Yes, this revives us, and gives us fresh courage, for the next bit. On to Part IV | Back to Part II