Along the North Sea in February

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 16:44:50 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 16:44:50 GMT

The coast of northern France in winter is one of the most maligned places not just in France but probably in Europe. Naturally the French find it cold and miserable, but other Europeans find absolutely no charm in the region and even people who like winter cannot find any mitigating circumstances. It's generally cold but not "really" cold and it is rarely chilly enough for snow or other ornaments of winter. And of course, most of the cities were pulverised in the war more than 70 years ago. But I have always loved the area. I can't really explain why, so I will not try to make excuses. On Sunday I hopped on a train from Paris to Dunkirk and walked from there to Malo-les-Bains which was absorbed by the city of Dunkirk in 1969. It has a very important place in history, however, since it is on the beach of Malo-les-Bains that Operation Dynamo took place. More than 330,000 British, French and Belgian troops were evacuated from this beach from 26 May to 4 June 1940. You can see plenty of more of the beach in Christopher Nolan's excellent film Dunkirk, but I was happy to return at a more peaceful time.

I decided to start my photos mostly without colour at the beginning, even though it was an extremely festive day under a glorious sun.

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Many outdoor bars had been set up on the beachfront.

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The beer brought colour to people's cheeks.

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The beach is so peaceful when a war is not in progress.

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 16:51:41 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 16:51:41 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 17:02:08 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 17:02:08 GMT

mossie member Offline	Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 19:26:14 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mossie on Feb 20, 2018 19:26:14 GMT You have some VERY strange friends.
	Man is not lost, only temporarily uncertain of his position

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 20:06:28 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 20:06:28 GMT

Indeed. Perhaps it explains the Brexit vote.

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 21:21:46 GMT

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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 20, 2018 21:21:46 GMT

*standing ovation!*

SUCH a cleverly different way to present this colorful seaside event. If absolutely forced to pick, I'd say that any of the "blue" series and also the one with the tiger-striped coat were my favorites. But each pass through the thread reveals new joys.

Super-dooper photo essay!

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 21:50:27 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 21:50:27 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 22:54:37 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 22:54:37 GMT

bixaorellana helper Offline	Along the North Sea in February Feb 20, 2018 22:58:51 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bixaorellana on Feb 20, 2018 22:58:51 GMT Second picture in #7 ~ great capture! And that last one is a knock-out.

lagatta member Offline	Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 0:34:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by lagatta on Feb 21, 2018 0:34:05 GMT There are definitely some buildings in the town centre, that while not particularly ancient, are pre-war. I haven't seen that film yet. I've never been there, but I've been at heavily damaged Belgian North Sea places.

mickthecactus member Offline	Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 8:27:27 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mickthecactus on Feb 21, 2018 8:27:27 GMT We went to Dunkirk on a day trip donkey's years ago when the kids were small. Lovely place and lovely people.

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 11:23:11 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:23:11 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 11:26:44 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:26:44 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 11:31:14 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:31:14 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 12:06:08 GMT

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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 12:06:08 GMT

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 13:51:48 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2018 13:51:48 GMT

Great photos K2.

I would love to visit there when there wasn't a festival.

That whole coastline has always held a particular allure about it and the desolation in winter.

(I was a bit dismayed to see some huge high rise buildings but, it's inevitable I guess.)

Thanks for the report. Not something most people would come across on just any ol' forum which makes APIAS so unique and singular.

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 15:10:49 GMT

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Post by lagatta on Feb 21, 2018 15:10:49 GMT

Yes. There is a tram along the entire Flemish coast in Belgium. I am very happy to have taken it. I've been to Lille, but not to Dunkerque.

There is some very thoughtful postwar rebuilding evident (see first black and white photo with umbrellas hoisted high). The newer buildings don't copy the older ones, but are of a similar scale and style (though less ornate).

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Along the North Sea in February Feb 21, 2018 18:31:59 GMT

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Post by amboseli on Feb 21, 2018 18:31:59 GMT

Colourful photos! The beach doesn't seem to have suffered from the January storm. Quite different along the Belgian coast where tons of beach sand has been washed away.

With such nice weather, we love to be at the Northsea and we are lucky enough that it's only an hours drive away (even less when we drive to the Netherlands). It is usually very quiet and peaceful. Especially on weekdays you may have even difficulties in finding a place to have lunch in the smaller coastal towns in Belgium.

I don't think I've ever been to Dunkerque. If we drive to the French coast, we usually visit Wissant or Wimereux.

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 16:44:50 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 16:51:41 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 17:02:08 GMT

Post by mossie on Feb 20, 2018 19:26:14 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 20:06:28 GMT

Post by bixaorellana on Feb 20, 2018 21:21:46 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 21:50:27 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 20, 2018 22:54:37 GMT

Post by bixaorellana on Feb 20, 2018 22:58:51 GMT

Post by lagatta on Feb 21, 2018 0:34:05 GMT

Post by mickthecactus on Feb 21, 2018 8:27:27 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:23:11 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:26:44 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 11:31:14 GMT

Post by kerouac2 on Feb 21, 2018 12:06:08 GMT

Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2018 13:51:48 GMT

Post by lagatta on Feb 21, 2018 15:10:49 GMT

Post by amboseli on Feb 21, 2018 18:31:59 GMT

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